Can anemia in the first trimester predict obstetrical complications later in pregnancy?

Objective: The present study examines whether there is an association between anemia during the first trimester and the risk to develop preterm delivery (PTD), intrauterine growth restriction, and other obstetrical complications. Methods: The study population included all registered births between 2000 and 2010. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin <10?g/dl. A comparison of obstetrical characteristics and perinatal outcomes was performed between women with and without anemia. Multiple logistic regression models were used to control for confounders. Results: The study population included 33,888 deliveries, of these 5.1% (1718) were with anemia during the first trimester. Women with anemia were significantly older, delivered earlier, and were more likely to be grand multiparous. There were significantly higher rates of PTD and low birth weight (LBW; <2500?g) among patients with anemia (12.3% vs. 9.3%; p < 0.001 and 11.7% vs. 9.0%; p < 0.001, respectively). On the contrary, no significant differences between the groups were noted regarding the rate of intrauterine growth restriction. Using a multivariable analysis, the significant association between anemia and PTD persisted (OR = 1.35; 95% CI 1.2–1.6, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Anemia during the first trimester is significantly and independently associated with an increased risk for subsequent PTD.     

Can leukocyte count during the first trimester of pregnancy predict later gestational complications?

Purpose

To examine whether an association exists between maternal leukocyte count in the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk for development of obstetric complications.

Methods

The study population included all the registered births (n = 33,866) with available white blood cell count (WBC) from the first trimester of pregnancy, during 2000–2010 in a tertiary medical center. The leukocyte count was sorted by the following groups: WBC < 3.5 10 × 9/l, WBC = 3.5 10 × 9/l–13.8 10 × 9/l, and WBC > 13.8 10 × 9/l. These groups were compared regarding obstetrical characteristics and perinatal outcomes. Multiple logistic regression models were used to control for confounders.

Results

The study population included 33,866 deliveries, of these 0.94 % had leukocytosis WBC > 13.8 10 × 9/l. Women with leukocytosis delivered significantly earlier, were more likely to be Jewish, and in their first pregnancy. There were significantly higher rates of preterm delivery before 37 weeks, fertility treatments, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes mellitus, and cesarean section among these patients. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and chorioamnionitis. Women with leukocytosis during the first trimester had significantly higher rates of fetuses who were small for gestational age and with birth weight <2,500 g. Multivariable analysis showed a significant association between preterm delivery before 37 weeks and leukocytosis during the first trimester of pregnancy (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Leukocytosis during the first trimester is significantly associated with an increased risk for obstetrical complications, in particular preterm delivery. Nevertheless, further studies should focus on women with leukocytosis during the first trimester in order to verify our results.     

Is there any relationship between adverse pregnancy outcome and first trimester nuchal translucency measurements in normal karyotype fetuses?

Aim: This study aims to research whether there is a relationship between first trimester nuchal translucency (NT) measurements and pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertension (GHT), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and oligohydramnios.

Method: This study included 225 singleton pregnancies attending Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic for all monitoring and examinations, and gave birth at our clinic between January 2011 and December 2012. Data sources were clinical records and the hospital's automation system, and the study was planned as retrospective cohort. NT measurement was made between 10 weeks 3 days and 13 weeks 6 days gestation. For data analysis, the chi-square, Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman correlation were used.

Results: Of pregnancies, in the study, 5 (2.2%) developed GDM, 6 (2.6%) developed GHT, 2 (0.89%) developed IUGR and 10 (4.4%) developed oligohydramnios. There was no correlation identified between NT measurements and development of GDM, GHT, IUGR and oligohydramnios.

Conclusion: There was no relationship found between first trimester NT measurements and complications that could develop in pregnancy. For the first time in the literature, NT and oligohydramnios were studied and no relationship was observed.     

Analysis of the impact of PAPP-A, free β-hCG and nuchal translucency thickness on the advanced first trimester screening

Objectives

The intention of this study is to analyze the impact of the single parameters NT, PAPP-A and free β-hCG used in combined first trimester screening and to determine their contribution in the risk assessment.

Methods

A retrospective risk assessment on the advanced first trimester screening (AFS) algorithm was made to determine the effect of a particular parameter while the remaining ones were fixed for calculation. Afterward data were recalculated by the AFS module. Test performance was measured by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and their area under curve (AUC).

Results

Among the 14,862 cases are 14,748 healthy fetuses, 86 with trisomy 21, 22 with trisomy 18 and 6 with trisomy 13. Some settings obtain at default cut-off a very high sensitivity. However, a lack of specificity, as a high false-positive rate, too. The ROC analysis was best for NT, followed by PAPP-A. Free β-hCG showed the lowest AUC. Combining PAPP-A and free β-hCG offered a better AUC than each parameter alone. Best test performance was obtained by including all three parameters.

Discussion

A detection rate of 69 % for testing NT discretely is in order with present study data. PAPP-A is following and free β-hCG is not useful with a test positive rate of about a third. The detection rate of the biochemical parameters combined is higher than for NT alone, but results in a five times higher punctuation rate. All parameters together in the AFS provide the best test performance. The impact of each parameter NT, PAPP-A and free-β-hCG in a combined test strategy is nearly a third. Thus, every single parameter is needed to provide a high detection rate for all of the trisomies and minimize the number of unnecessary invasive diagnostics.     

Does diurnal variation affect the first trimester fetal aneuploidy screening test biochemical parameters of fetuses with normal nuchal translucency?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of diurnal variation on biochemical results of first trimester aneuploidy screening test.

Methods: A total of 2725 singleton pregnant female, who had normal fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness, were included in the study during this period. Individuals were divided into two groups according to the sampling time (morning group: 09:00–11:00 am and afternoon group: 02:00–04:00?pm). Hormonal parameters (free-beta human chorionic gonadotropin [free β-hCG] and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A [PAPP-A] multiples of median [MoM] levels) of first trimester (11⁺⁰–13⁺⁶ weeks) combined aneuploidy screening test were compared between morning and afternoon groups.

Results: PAPP-A MoM levels were significantly lower in the afternoon group when compared to the morning group (p?=?0.001), whereas free β-hCG MoM levels were similar in the both groups (p?=?0.392). Rate of high risk for Down syndrome (Combine risk >1/300) and amniocentesis ratio were found higher in the afternoon group than morning group, but there were no difference between groups for the number of fetuses with Down syndrome.

Conclusion: Receiving the venous blood sample for first trimester aneuploidy screening test in the afternoon causes low PAPP-A MoM levels.     

Does nuchal translucency have a role in fetal cardiac screening?

Increased nuchal translucency is the strongest single marker for chromosomal abnormality. Consequently, it is currently becoming established as the foundation of most early screening programmes for Down syndrome. In the absence of chromosomal abnormality, increased nuchal translucency has been shown to be associated with other congenital anomalies including cardiac defects. Several datasets have now reported this association and here these are reviewed to assess the effectiveness of nuchal translucency measurement as a screening tool for the prenatal detection of congenital heart disease.     

Does a 'notched' nuchal translucency indicate Down syndrome fetuses or other adverse pregnancy outcome?

The aim of the present study was to assess the sonographic contour of the increased nuchal translucency (NT) and to correlate this with pregnancy outcome. Fifty sonographic images of fetuses with increased NT [> 95th centile thickness of the normal range for crown-rump length (CRL) between 38 and 84 mm] were retrospectively assessed. In all the cases a complete pregnancy and even infancy follow-up (< 36 months) was available. The NT appearances were subdivided into two forms: a 'notched' or 'uniform' appearance. The images were correlated with karyotype results [trisomy 21 (DS) vs euploid cases] and pregnancy outcome. Complicated outcomes were classified as being either DS fetuses, miscarriage or termination of pregnancy because of structural anomaly. Thus 30/35 (86%) of the euploid fetuses had a 'uniformly' increased NT, whereas 8/13 DS cases (62%) had a 'notched' appearance (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.004). Additionally, 27/29 fetuses (93%) which had an uneventful pregnancy outcome had a 'uniform' increased NT, whereas 12/26 (57%) of the fetuses which had adverse pregnancy outcome had a 'notched' appearance of their NT (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.001). Although it was not possible to correlate the sonographic data with post-evacuation microdissection findings, it is possible that a uniformly shaped, increased NT may be more representative of a developmental delay in a normal fetus. Conversely, a 'notched' nuchal surface may represent abnormal lymphatic or cardiovascular development more commonly seen in DS fetuses.     

Relationship between extreme values of first trimester maternal pregnancy associated plasma Protein-A,free-β-human chorionic gonadotropin,nuchal translucency and adverse pregnancy outcomes

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between extreme values of first trimester screening markers and adverse obstetric outcomes.Materials and methodsOur study was conducted by examining the prenatal and postnatal perinatal records of 786 singleton gestations between the ages of 18–40, who applied to Prof. Dr. Cemil Ta?ç?o?lu City Hospital outpatient clinics for first-trimester screening for aneuploidy, between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019.ResultsThe presence of small for gestational age (SGA) was found to be statistically significant for the <5 percentile (<0.37) pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) group (p = 0.016). For <5 percentile β-hCG group, the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), premature rupture of membrane (PROM) and preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) was determined as a statistically significant risk (p = 0.015, p = 0.005, p = 0.02 respectively) In the univariate test, fetal death rate was found to be high for ≥90 percentile at nuchal translucency (NT), but the presence of fetal death was found to be statistically insignificant in logistic regression analysis. (p: 0.057).ConclusionFirst trimester screening test can be used in predicting pregnancy complications. In this study we found that serum levels of PAPP-A are associated with developing SGA, while GDM, PROM and PPROM are more common in low serum free β-hCG.     

Does fear of childbirth during pregnancy predict emergency caesarean section?

Objective Caesarean section rates are rising dramatically in the UK. It has been estimated that they have increased from 10% to 22% of all births over 15 years. A Swedish study has suggested that fear of childbirth during pregnancy may increase the risk of emergency caesarean section. The aim of this study is to identify whether fear of childbirth can predict the occurrence of emergency caesarean section in a UK sample.
Design A prospective design using between-group comparisons.
Setting Sheffield, S. Yorkshire, UK.
Sample Four hundred and forty-three pregnant women, recruited at 32 weeks of gestation, over 16 years of age.
Methods Participants completed self-assessment, postal questionnaires assessing fear of labour and anxiety using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Scale (W-DEQ) and the Speilberger State Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI), together with their expectations about their mode of delivery. Delivery information was gathered via birth summary sheets.
Main outcome measure Mode of delivery.
Results Emergency caesarean section was associated with previous caesarean section, parity, age and a score reflecting medical risk, but not fear of childbirth or anxiety measures. There were no differences in fear between women experiencing spontaneous-vertex, forceps/ventouse, emergency or elective caesarean deliveries. The W-DEQ was factor analysed and was found to measure four distinct domains: fear, lack of positive anticipation and the degree to which women anticipate isolation and riskiness in childbirth. However, these individual factors also failed to contribute to the prediction of mode of delivery. Primiparous women in the UK sample showed highly elevated fear scores when compared with a Swedish sample. Such discrepancies were not found for the multiparous sample.
Conclusions Fear of childbirth during the third trimester is not associated with mode of delivery in a UK sample. Possible cross-cultural differences are discussed.     

Can discordance in CRL at the first trimester predict birth weight discordance in twin pregnancies?

Abstract Objective: To examine the correlation between measurements of crown rump length (CRL), nuchal translucency (NT), and birth weight in dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on all twin term pregnancies delivered between 2001 and 2007 at the McGill University Health Center. Data collected included maternal age, CRL and NT measurement, results of glucose challenge test, birth weight and length, gestational age at delivery, and fetal gender. Results: The study population comprised 792 fetuses: 94 MC/DA and 698 DC/DA. Maternal age, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and birth length were all significantly higher for the DC group. Male fetuses had significantly higher NT and higher birth weight than female fetuses. Discordance in CRL was found to correlate with discordance in birth weight in the entire study population (P<0.0001, R=0.25), in the DC twins (P<0.0001, R=0.275), but not in MC twins (R=0.10, P=0.33). CRL discordance above the 90th percentile (>12%) predicted 14/40 pregnancies with birth weight discordance above the 90th percentile (>24%) [P<0.001, LR=4.1 (2.6-6.2)]. CRL discordance above the 95th percentile (>16%) predicted 5/21 pregnancies with birth weight discordance above the 95th percentile (>30%) [P<0.001, LR=5.5 (2.6-10.4)]. NT discordance was correlated with CRL discordance (R=0.15, P<0.0001), but not with birth weight, regardless of chorionicity or gender. Conclusion: In twin pregnancies, CRL discordance in first trimester can predict discordance of more than 25% in neonatal birth weight.     

Is serum placental growth factor more effective as a biomarker in predicting early onset preeclampsia in early second trimester than in first trimester of pregnancy?

Purpose

To determine whether maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF) is more effective as a biomarker in predicting the occurrence of early onset preeclampsia in first trimester or early second trimester of pregnancy.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted on women with singleton pregnancies, screened from the antenatal clinic. Serum PlGF estimation was done at 11–14 weeks of gestation on 1,244 women and at 22–24 weeks of gestation on 1,206 women from the initial study population. A cut-off value of <228 pg/ml for serum PlGF at 11–14 weeks of gestation and <144 pg/ml for serum PlGF at 22–24 weeks of gestation were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for identifying pregnant women at risk of developing early onset preeclampsia (<32 weeks of gestation). Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between serum PlGF < 228 pg/ml at 11–14 weeks of gestation and <144 pg/ml at 22–24 weeks of gestation with the occurrence of early onset preeclampsia and odds ratio (OR) was computed. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in this study.

Results

Maternal serum PlGF <144 pg/ml at 22–24 weeks of gestation had a stronger association (OR 18.83; 95 % CI 12.08–22.24; p = 0.000) than serum PlGF <228 pg/ml at 11–14 weeks of gestation (OR 2.76; 95 % CI 1.29–3.94; p = 0.007) with the occurrence of early onset preeclampsia. The sensitivity and specificity of serum PlGF <144 pg/ml at 22–24 weeks of gestation (84 and 78, respectively) were much higher than those of serum PlGF <228 pg/ml at 11–14 weeks of gestation (58 and 66, respectively) in predicting early onset preeclampsia.

Conclusion

Maternal serum PlGF may be more effective as a biomarker in early second trimester than in first trimester of pregnancy, in predicting the occurrence of early onset preeclampsia.     

Can third trimester ultrasound predict the presentation of the first twin at delivery?

Objective: To determine the ability of early sonogram to predict the presentation of twin A at birth. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all twin pregnancies evaluated at our Fetal Evaluation Unit from 2007 to 2009. Sonogram records were reviewed for the presentation of twin A at seven gestational age intervals and inpatient medical records were reviewed for the presentation of twin A at delivery. The positive predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity of presentation as determined by ultrasound, at each gestational age interval, for the same presentation at delivery were calculated. Results: Two hundred and thirty-eight twin pregnancies met inclusion criteria. A total of 896 ultrasounds were reviewed. The positive predictive value of cephalic presentation of twin A as determined by ultrasound for the persistence of cephalic presentation at delivery reached 95% after 28 weeks gestation. The positive predictive value for noncephalic presentation as established by sonogram for noncephalic at delivery was >90% after 32 weeks gestation. Conclusions: The presentation of the first twin at delivery can be determined by sonogram by the 32nd week of gestation in over 90% of twin pregnancies.