Second pregnancy outcomes following preeclampsia in a first pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: We compared second pregnancy outcomes among women with and without preeclampsia in their first pregnancies who all had second pregnancies without preeclampsia. METHODS: One hundred thirty women with and 6148 without preeclampsia in their first pregnancies, who all had nonpreeclamptic second pregnancies, were included. Outcomes, including delivery gestational age, birthweight, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and preterm delivery were compared. RESULTS: Overall, second pregnancy outcomes were not different between women with and without preeclampsia in their first pregnancy. However, when women were stratified by gestational timing of preeclampsia, women with preeclampsia at < 34 weeks (N = 22) had smaller infants and delivered earlier in their second nonpreeclamptic pregnancy compared to women with later preeclampsia (N = 108) or no preeclampsia in the first pregnancy. Women with early preeclampsia also had an increased risk of prematurity (< 37 weeks) in second pregnancies that persisted after controlling for confounding factors [Odds ratio (OR = 3.2)]. DISCUSSION: Second, nonpreeclamptic pregnancy outcomes are different between women with previous early preeclampsia and controls but not between late preeclampsia and controls. These findings support other epidemiological data indicating differences between early and late onset preeclampsia as well as a potential relationship of preeclampsia and spontaneous preterm birth.     

Previous preterm cesarean delivery and risk of subsequent uterine rupture

OBJECTIVE: To determine if women with a history of a previous preterm cesarean delivery experienced an increased risk of subsequent uterine rupture compared with women who had a previous nonclassic term cesarean delivery. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed in singleton gestations that had a previous nonclassic cesarean delivery from 1999 to 2002. Women with a history of a previous preterm cesarean delivery were compared with women who had a previous term cesarean delivery. Women who had both a preterm and term cesarean delivery were included in the preterm group. RESULTS: A prior preterm cesarean delivery was significantly associated with an increased risk of subsequent uterine rupture (0.58% compared with 0.28%, P<.001). When women who had a subsequent elective cesarean delivery were removed (remaining n=26,454) women with a previous preterm cesarean delivery were still significantly more likely to sustain a uterine rupture (0.79% compared with 0.46%, P=.001). However, when only women who had a subsequent trial of labor were included, there was still an absolute increased risk of uterine rupture, but it was not statistically significant (1.00% compared with 0.68%, P=.081). In a multivariable analysis controlling for confounding variables (oxytocin use, two or more previous cesarean deliveries, a cesarean delivery within the past 2 years, and preterm delivery in the current pregnancy), patients with a previous preterm cesarean delivery remained at an increased risk of subsequent uterine rupture (P=.043, odds ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.01-2.50) compared with women with previous term cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Women who have had a previous preterm cesarean delivery are at a minimally increased risk for uterine rupture in a subsequent pregnancy when compared with women who have had previous term cesarean deliveries.     

Are women who have had a preterm singleton delivery at increased risk of preterm birth in a subsequent twin pregnancy?

Our objective was to determine whether preterm birth of a singleton is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth of twins in a subsequent pregnancy. We identified all women who delivered a singleton followed by twins at Northwestern Memorial Hospital during a 10-year period. Using a cohort study design, we compared women with preterm singleton deliveries to women with term singleton deliveries with regard to their subsequent twin pregnancy outcomes. Two hundred ninety-three were identified who delivered a singleton followed by twins. Women who delivered a preterm singleton were significantly more likely to deliver subsequent preterm twins (73.9% versus 44.4%, odds ratio 3.5, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 9.3). This significant difference persisted in multivariable analysis after controlling for ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 8.7). We concluded that preterm birth of a singleton is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery in a subsequent twin gestation.     

History of abortion,preterm, term birth,and risk of preeclampsia: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of previous abortion and preterm and term birth on the incidence of preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted that was based on 140,773 pregnancies that had delivered between 1993 and 1999 in 49 hospitals in Northern and Central Alberta, Canada. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to estimate odds ratios, with 95% confidence intervals, and to control for confounding variables. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the incidence of preeclampsia in nulliparous women with previous abortion (2.6%) as compared to nulliparous women without previous abortion (2.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-1.01; P >.05). A single previous abortion was associated with a slightly decreased risk of preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.97; P <.05). However, 2 and > or =3 abortions were not associated with a decreased risk of preeclampsia. In women with no history of previous abortion and term pregnancy, there was no significant difference in incidence of preeclampsia between women who had previous preterm birth (2.7%) and primigravid women (2.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence ratio, 0.48-1.03; P >.05). However, > or =2 previous preterm births were associated with a decreased risk of preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.84; P <.01). The incidence of preeclampsia was markedly lower in multiparous women who previously delivered at term (0.9%) as compared to the incidence in primigravida women (2.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.33; P <.001). The adjusted odds ratios of preeclampsia for women with 1, 2, 3, and > or =4 previous term pregnancies were 0.32 (95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.36), 0.27 (95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.34), 0.22 (95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.33), and 0.21 (95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.35), respectively. CONCLUSION: A history of term pregnancy (> or =37 weeks) conveys a substantial "protection" against preeclampsia in the subsequent pregnancy.     

Perinatal outcome in women with recurrent preeclampsia compared with women who develop preeclampsia as nulliparas

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rates and perinatal outcome in women who experienced preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy to those in women who developed preeclampsia as nulliparas. STUDY DESIGN: This is a secondary analysis of data from 2 separate multi-center trials of aspirin for prevention of preeclampsia. Women who had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy (n = 598) were compared with nulliparous women (n = 2934). Outcome variables were rates of preeclampsia, preterm delivery at <37 and <35 weeks of gestation, small-for-gestational-age infant, abruptio placentae, and perinatal death. Data were compared by using chi-square analysis and Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: The rates of preeclampsia and of severe preeclampsia were significantly higher in the previous preeclamptic group as compared to the nulliparous group (17.9% vs 5.3%, P <.0001, and 7.5% vs. 2.4%, P <.0001, respectively). Women who had recurrent preeclampsia experienced more preterm deliveries before 37 and 35 weeks of gestation than nulliparous women who developed preeclampsia. In addition, among women who developed severe preeclampsia, those with recurrent preeclampsia had higher rates of preterm delivery both before 37 weeks (67% vs 33%, P =.0004) and before 35 weeks of gestation (36% vs 19%, P =.041), and higher rates of abruptio placentae (6.7% vs 1.5%) and fetal death (6.7% vs 1.4%) than did nulliparous women. CONCLUSION: Compared to nulliparous women, women with preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy had significantly higher rates of preeclampsia and adverse perinatal outcomes associated with preterm delivery as a result of preeclampsia.     

IGF-1 is associated with fetal growth and preterm delivery in type 1 diabetic pregnancy

Aim: No data on IGF-1 and either preterm or preeclampsia have been reported so far in diabetic pregnancies. We evaluated consecutive measurements of IGF-1 for preeclampsia, preterm delivery and birth weight in type 1 diabetic pregnancy.

Setting: In an outpatient university clinic, 97 pregnant women were consecutively recruited for evaluation of indicators for deterioration of diabetes status and adverse perinatal outcome. At every visit, a blood sample for measurement of IGF-1 was drawn.

Results: IGF-1 levels from week 14 to 32 was consistently lower in women who delivered preterm compared with women whose delivered after gestational week 36; the increase in 2nd and 3rd trimester was steeper in those delivering at term than in women delivering preterm (p?=?0.032). IGF-1 in preeclampsia did not show the same relation in diabetic women (p?=?0.74). The lowest tertile of birth weight ratio (0.8–1.2) was associated with lower IGF-1 from week 14 to 32 (p?=?0.047, adjusted for preterm delivery and preeclampsia).

Conclusion: We found low IGF-1 levels associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight.     

Ultrasonographic cervical length measurement at 10-14 and 20-24 weeks gestation and the risk of preterm delivery

OBJECTIVE: To compare cervical length measurements at 10-14 and 20-24 weeks gestation in asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies and to assess the measurements as a predictor of preterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective study, cervical length was measured in 152 asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies using transvaginal ultrasonography at 10-14 and 20-24 weeks gestation. The primary outcome measure was spontaneous preterm delivery before 35 weeks of gestation. The mean cervical length was calculated at both stages, and lengths were compared between the term and preterm groups. RESULTS: The rate of spontaneous preterm deliveries was 10.5%. The mean cervical length at 10-14 and 20-24 weeks was 40.5 and 37.1mm, respectively. The cervical length at 10-14 weeks was not significantly different between those who delivered at term (40.9 mm) and those who delivered preterm (38.6 mm). By contrast, the cervical length at 20-24 weeks was significantly shorter in the group that had preterm deliveries (28.4 mm) than in those who had term deliveries (37.8 mm) (P < 0.001). The cervical shortening was more apparent in the group that delivered prematurely (from 38.6 to 28.4 mm) than in that which delivered at term (from 40.9 to 37.8 mm). CONCLUSION: Cervical length measurement used to predict preterm delivery was found to be more predictive at 20-24 weeks. Cervical length measurement at 10-14 weeks was not reliable for predicting preterm delivery. The mean cervical length tapered gradually from the first to the second scan, and the more rapid cervical shortening was found to be associated with increased risk for preterm delivery.     

Recurrence of preterm birth in singleton and twin pregnancies

OBJECTIVE: To assess recurrence of preterm birth and its impact on an obstetric population. METHODS: Women with consecutive births at our hospital beginning with their first pregnancy were identified (n = 15,945). The first pregnancy was categorized as delivered between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation or 35 weeks or beyond, singleton or twin, and spontaneous or induced. The risk of preterm delivery in these same women during subsequent pregnancies was then analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with women who delivered a singleton at or beyond 35 weeks' gestation in their first pregnancy, those who delivered a singleton before 35 weeks were at a significant increased risk for recurrence (odds ratio [OR] 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.5, 7.0), whereas those who delivered twins were not (OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.46, 8.14). The OR for recurrent spontaneous preterm birth presenting with intact membranes was 7.9 (95% CI 5.6, 11.3) compared with 5.5 (95% CI 3.2, 9.4) with ruptured membranes. Of those women with a recurrent preterm birth, 49% delivered within 1 week of the gestational age of their first delivery and 70% delivered within 2 weeks. Among 15,863 nulliparous women with singleton births at their first delivery, a history of preterm birth in that pregnancy could predict only 10% of the preterm births that ultimately occurred in the entire obstetric population. CONCLUSION: In a population-based study at our hospital, women who initially delivered preterm and thus were identified to be at risk for recurrence ultimately accounted for only 10% of the prematurity problem in the cohort.     

Increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha production after lipopolysaccharide stimulation of whole blood in patients with previous preterm delivery complicated by intra-amniotic infection or inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare cytokine production after lipopolysaccharide stimulation of whole blood from women who were delivered of infants at term compared with women who were delivered of preterm infants with intra-amniotic evidence of infection or inflammation. STUDY DESIGN: Whole blood samples from 12 women who were not pregnant and who had previously had preterm deliveries before 32 weeks complicated by intra-amniotic infection or inflammation and samples from 12 age- and race-matched control subjects were stimulated with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels were quantified at 6 hours and interleukin-10 at 24 hours by enzyme immunoassay. Results were compared with use of the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha production was significantly higher in whole blood from women with histories of a preterm birth and intra-amniotic infection or inflammation (11,243 +/- 1030 pg/mL [mean +/- SEM]) compared with control subjects (3649 +/- 349 pg/mL) at a lipopolysaccharide concentration of 1 microg/mL (P =.002). There were no significant differences in interleukin-6 or interleukin-10 production. CONCLUSION: Women with previous early preterm deliveries who had evidence of intra-amniotic infection or inflammation had significantly higher tumor necrosis factor-alpha production after lipopolysaccharide stimulation of whole blood compared with women with previous term deliveries.     

Risk of preterm birth that is associated with vaginal douching

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between vaginal douching and preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: We enrolled hospitalized women after delivery in a case-control study. Women who were delivered of a live preterm singleton infant were assigned as cases. Women who were delivered at term were randomly selected as control subjects. We surveyed women about their douching habits and risk factors for preterm birth and abstracted data from the records. RESULTS: After adjustment, vaginal douching within 6 months of pregnancy was not significantly associated with preterm birth (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8-1.6). However, in secondary analyses, douching more than once per week (odds ratio, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.0-15.5) or longer than 10 years (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.2) was associated with preterm birth. CONCLUSION: Vaginal douching does not appear to be a strong risk factor for preterm birth. Further study is needed to confirm the risk that is associated with frequent or long-term douching.     

Recurrence of preterm birth in twin pregnancies in the presence of a prior singleton preterm birth

OBJECTIVE: We examined recurrence of preterm birth in twin pregnancy in the presence of a previous singleton preterm pregnancy, and assessed if these recurrence risks differed for medically indicated and spontaneous preterm birth. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was designed using the maternally-linked data of women who delivered a first singleton live birth followed by a twin birth in the second pregnancy (n = 2329) in Missouri (1989--97). We examined preterm birth recurrence at <37 in the second twin pregnancy among women with a prior singleton preterm birth. Recurrence risks were based on hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) estimated from Cox proportional hazards models after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Preterm birth rates in the second twin pregnancy were 69.0% and 49.9% among women who had a previous preterm and term singleton birth, respectively (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6-2.1). The preterm birth rate in the second pregnancy was about 95% when the first singleton pregnancy ended at <30 weeks. Women delivering preterm following a medical intervention in the first pregnancy had increased recurrence for both spontaneous (HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-2.0) and indicated (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.8-3.2) preterm birth; similarly among women with a prior spontaneous preterm birth, hazard ratios were 1.8 (95% CI 1.5-2.1) and 1.6 (95% CI 1.3-1.9), for spontaneous and indicated preterm birth in the second twin pregnancy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Women with a singleton preterm birth carry increased risk of preterm birth in the subsequent twin pregnancy. A history of a singleton preterm birth has an independent and additive contribution to risk of preterm birth in the subsequent twin gestation.     

The impact of interpregnancy interval and previous preterm birth on the subsequent risk of preterm birth

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of the interpregnancy interval and a previous preterm birth on the subsequent risk of a preterm birth. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a group of 4072 women who had at least two consecutive births, excluding multiple gestation, fetal anomalies, cervical incompetence, and stillbirth. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between interpregnancy interval, preterm birth of the first child in the pair (index pregnancy), and the risk of a preterm birth of the second child in the pair (outcome pregnancy). RESULTS: Women with interpregnancy intervals of less than 12 months (odds ratio [OR] 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-1.7) were at increased risks of preterm birth with the outcome pregnancy. Furthermore, there was an increased risk for a subsequent preterm birth in women who had a preterm birth in the index pregnancy (OR 4.2; 95% CI 3.0-6.0). The risk decreased as the interpregnancy interval increased, with a relatively low risk at 18 to 48 months; subsequently, it increased sharply. In contrast, women who had delivered their previous infants at term carried an increased risk of preterm birth with the outcome pregnancy only if the interval was less than 6 months. CONCLUSION: A difference was found in the impact of the interpregnancy interval on the subsequent risk of preterm birth between women with a prior preterm birth and those who previously delivered an infant at term.     

Pregnancy outcome in women with reflux nephropathy and the inheritance of vesico-ureteric reflux

In women with reflux nephropathy, we investigated whether pre-existing hypertension and impaired renal function influence the rates of preeclampsia, renal function deterioration and preterm birth. The infants were investigated for vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR). A prospective audit of 54 pregnancies in 46 women with reflux nephropathy was performed. Preeclampsia complicated 24% of pregnancies and was increased in women with pre-existing hypertension (42%) compared with normotensive women (14%), (RR 3.0 (95% CI 1.1-7.8)). Nine (18%) women experienced deterioration in renal function during pregnancy Women with mild or moderate renal impairment were at increased risk of renal function deterioration (RR 12.7 (95% CI 1.6-98.5); RR 19.8 (95% CI 2.6-155)), respectively A third of infants were delivered preterm. The risk of preterm birth was increased if the mother had pre-existing hypertension (p = 0.01) or moderate renal impairment (p = 0.002). Seventeen (43%) of the 40 infants who underwent micturating cystourethrography had VUR, consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance. In reflux nephropathy, pre-existing hypertension was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia and pre-existing renal impairment with deterioration in renal function. Infants of women with reflux nephropathy should be screened for VUR.     

Preeclampsia in the parous woman: who is at risk?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for preeclampsia in second pregnancies and to determine whether gestational age at delivery in the first pregnancy increases the risk of recurrent preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a population-based, case-control study using birth certificate data from the Missouri maternally linked cohort. Data from women delivered of their first 2 singleton pregnancies between 1989 and 1997 (2332 cases with preeclampsia in the second pregnancy and 2370 control cases) were analyzed with logistic regression. RESULTS: Significant risk factors for preeclampsia in a second pregnancy include longer birth interval, previous preterm delivery, previous small-for-gestational-age newborn, renal disease, chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, black race, and inadequate prenatal care. Smoking and same paternity are protective. A history of preeclampsia confers the highest risk for preeclampsia in the second pregnancy; the risk is inversely proportional to gestational age at delivery of the first pregnancy: adjusted odds ratio, 15.0; 95% CI, 6.3-35.4 for 20 to 33 weeks; adjusted odds ratio, 10.2; 95% CI, 6.2-17.0 for 33 to 36 weeks; and adjusted odds ratio, 7.9; 95% CI, 6.3-10.0 for 37 to 45 weeks. CONCLUSION: The relative risk of recurrent preeclampsia increases with earlier gestational age at delivery of the first pregnancy that was complicated by preeclampsia.     

Recurrent preeclampsia and perinatal outcome: a study of women with recurrent preeclampsia compared with women with preeclampsia who remained normotensive during their prior pregnancies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of preeclampsia recurrence on perinatal outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-controlled study was performed in multiparous women who developed preeclampsia in index pregnancy (n = 64). Among these, women who had preeclampsia in previous pregnancies (n = 21) were compared to those who remained normotensive during their prior pregnancies (n = 43). Maternal and fetal variables were compared. Multivariate logistic analyses were performed to examine the impact of preeclampsia recurrence on fetal loss, preterm delivery, small for gestational age (SGA) occurrence and respiratory distress syndrome adjusted for confounding variables. RESULTS: No statistical significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of age, delivery weeks, steroid use and laboratory markers. Fetal loss was higher in women with recurrent preeclampsia (19.0%) than in women with preeclampsia who had a normotensive pregnancy history (4.7%), with adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 5.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84-39.54]. CONCLUSION: Women with recurrent preeclampsia had a higher rate of perinatal loss compared to women with preeclampsia who were normotensive in their prior pregnancies.     

A randomised controlled trial of metronidazole for the prevention of preterm birth in women positive for cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin: the PREMET Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether metronidazole reduces early preterm labour in asymptomatic women with positive vaginal fetal fibronectin (fFN) in the second trimester of pregnancy. DESIGN: Randomised placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Fourteen UK hospitals (three teaching). POPULATION: Pregnancies with at least one previous risk factor, including mid-trimester loss or preterm delivery, uterine abnormality, cervical surgery or cerclage. METHODS: Nine hundred pregnancies were screened for fFN at 24 and 27 weeks of gestation. Positive cases were randomised to a week's course of oral metronidazole or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was delivery before 30 weeks of gestation. Secondary outcomes included delivery before 37 weeks. RESULTS: The Trial Steering Committee (TSC) recommended the study be stopped early; 21% of women receiving metronidazole (11/53) delivered before 30 weeks compared with 11% (5/46) taking placebo [risk ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72-5.09, P = 0.18]. There were significantly more preterm deliveries (before 37 weeks) in women treated with metronidazole 33/53 (62%) versus placebo 18/46 (39%), risk ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.05-2.4. fFN was a good predictor of early preterm birth in these asymptomatic women; positive and negative predictive values (24 weeks of gestation) for delivery by 30 weeks were 26% and 99%, respectively (positive and negative likelihood ratios 15, 0.35). CONCLUSION: Metronidazole does not reduce early preterm birth in high risk pregnant women selected by history and a positive vaginal fFN test. Preterm delivery may be increased by metronidazole therapy.     

Do patients who deliver at term after being hospitalized for preterm contractions have an increased risk for obstetrical complications?

Objectives

To determine the obstetrical complications and perinatal outcomes of patients with recurrent episodes of preterm contractions (PTC) that eventually delivered at term compared to those who delivered preterm.

Methods

A retrospective study evaluating pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcomes of patients with recurrent episodes of PTC (three or more) was conducted. A comparison was made between those who delivered preterm to those who eventually delivered at term.

Results

Deliveries occurred between the years 1989 and 2009. During the study period, there were 1,897 singleton deliveries at term and 393 preterm singleton deliveries of patients who were previously hospitalized with PTCs. Patients who delivered at term were significantly more likely to be in their first pregnancy and to be primiparous. Patients in the study group were less likely to have had fertility treatments, a history of miscarriage, a higher incidence of one previous hospitalization but lower rates of multiple hospitalizations for PTC. Patients who delivered at term had a significantly lower rate of severe preeclampsia as well as cesarean delivery and a shorter hospital stay than those who delivered preterm. At term, an increased incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) neonates was noted compared to patients who delivered prematurely (10.07 vs. 5.6 %; P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Patients with symptoms of preterm labor may require further surveillance, not only because of their risk to progress to preterm delivery, but also because they are at an increased risk for delivering an SGA neonate at term.     

北京地区早产发生现状及早产儿结局的调查分析

目的 探讨北京地区早产发生现状及不同孕周、不同类型早产儿的结局.方法 选择2006年12月1日-2007年5月31日在北京大学第一医院(北大一院)、首都医科大学附属北京妇产医院(市妇产医院)、北京市海淀区妇幼保健院(海淀妇幼)、北京大学第三医院(北大三院)住院分娩的孕28周～36周~(+6)早产产妇955例及其早产儿1066例为研究对象,4家医院同期分娩数为15 197例.结果 (1)早产发生率:早产总发生率为6.3%(955/15 197).其中北大三院的早产发生率为13.1%(150/1142),北大一院的早产发生率为8.1%(125/1549),市妇产医院的早产发生率为5.5%(369/6656),海淀妇幼的早产发生率为5.3%(311/5850).其中北大三院的早产发生率明显高于其他医院(P<0.01).两家综合医院(北大一院及北大三院)的早产率10.2%(275/2691)明显高于两家专科医院(市妇产医院及海淀妇幼)的早产率5.4%(680/12 506),两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).(2)早产发生孕周:<34周的早产发生率为28.5%(272/954),≥34周的早产发生率为71.5%(682/954),早产主要发生在孕34周以后.各家医院的早产发生孕周分布有明显不同,其中,海淀妇幼<34周的早产发生率明显低于其他3家医院(P<0.01),北大一院<34周的早产发生率最高(P<0.05),北大三院与市妇产医院相比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).(3)早产发生的原因:在早产的发生原因排序中,未足月胎膜早破(PPROM)早产占首位(405例),其次为医源性早产(340例)和自发性早产(205例).各医院早产发生的原因有所不同,北大三院的医源性早产率明显高于其他各医院(P<0.01);北大一院的PPROM发生率较高而自发性早产率较低.医源性早产的发生原因排序中前4位分别是子痫前期143例(42.0%),胎儿窘迫58例(17.1%),前置胎盘43例(12.6%),胎盘早剥33例(9.7%).(4)各家医院的早产儿结局比较:4家医院由于早产原因、孕周不同,其早产儿结局也存在较大差异,市妇产医院早产儿死亡率最高,为5.4%(22/408),与海淀妇幼(1.3%,4/320)及北大三院(0.6%,1/170)比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);与北大一院(2.4%,3/124)比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).(5)不同孕周的早产儿结局比较:<32孕周的早产儿治愈率显著低于≥32孕周者(P<0.01),≥34孕周的早产儿治愈率为99.6%.<32孕周的早产分娩家属放弃及早产儿死亡率显著高于332孕周者,其中,<32孕周的早产儿死亡率为22.1%,≥34孕周者仅为0.3%,两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).(6)不同原因的早产儿结局比较:医源性早产的早产儿死亡率(4.9%)高于PPROM早产(1.6%),两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).PPROM、自发性早产及医源性早产3者的早产儿治愈率相互比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 早产儿死亡率较高,尤其是<32孕周的早产儿死亡率更高,这部分早产儿是早产预防的重点;同时,减少医源性早产,积极预防PPROM早产的发生也是降低早产发生率的重要因素.     

Severe Myocardial Impairment and Chamber Dysfunction in Preterm Preeclampsia

Objective. The long-term cardiovascular risk of preeclampsia is known to be significantly higher in women requiring preterm delivery before 37 weeks compared with those delivered at term. The aim of this study is to assess and compare maternal cardiac function and geometry in acute preterm and term preeclampsia. Methods. This is a prospective case–control study of 27 preterm and 50 term preeclampsia and 104 matched controls assessed by conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. Results. Preeclampsia is associated with biventricular diastolic dysfunction, altered geometry, and widespread myocardial impairment. However, only preterm but not term preeclampsia is characterized by biventricular systolic dysfunction (26% vs. 4%; p < 0.05) and severe left ventricular hypertrophy (19% vs. 2%; p < 0.05). Conclusions. Women with preterm preeclampsia have a more severe cardiac impairment than those with term preeclampsia. This finding may explain the increased long-term cardiovascular risk associated with preterm preeclampsia. The cardiac assessment of women with preterm preeclampsia may be of relevance in identifying women at higher risk of developing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in later life.     

Preeclampsia and preterm delivery: A population-based case–control study

Objective: To determine the contribution of preeclampsia toward preterm birth in primiparous women. Methods: This large population-based case–control study used the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank to analyze data on primiparous women with singleton pregnancies, who delivered between 1997 and 2012.Results: A significant positive association was found between preeclampsia and preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio 4.43; 95% confidence interval 3.80–5.16). Magnitude of association varied according to the onset of delivery and year of delivery. Conclusion: Preeclampsia is an important contributor to preterm delivery in this setting and therefore a potentially useful condition to target in order to reduce preterm rates.