Obstetric outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: a racial/ethnic comparison

Abstract

Objective: To examine obstetric outcomes for adolescents among the major US racial/ethnic groups.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton births to nulliparous women aged 12 to 19 years from 1988 to 2008. The prevalence of preterm delivery, cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, low birth weight and low Apgar score were compared across African-American, Asian, Latina and White adolescents.

Results: 1865 adolescents were included in the analysis. Differences between racial/ethnic groups for rates of preterm delivery, cesarean delivery and gestational diabetes were statistically significant at p?<?0.05. African Americans had lower odds of preterm delivery (OR?=?0.58, 95% CI [0.38–0.90]) and gestational diabetes (OR?=?0.17, 95% CI [0.05–0.55]) than White adolescents. White adolescents had increased odds of cesarean delivery compared to African-American (OR?=?0.69, 95% CI [0.48–0.98]), Latina (OR?=?0.62, 95% CI [0.41–0.94]) and Asian adolescents (OR?=?0.41, 95% CI [0.25–0.68]). Although not statistically significant, White adolescents also had higher odds of low Apgar score. In the multivariate analysis, non-White adolescents continued to have improved outcomes, except in the case of low birth weight.

Conclusions: African-American, Asian and Latina adolescents may have similar or decreased risk of obstetric complications compared to White adolescents.     

Models for the prediction of successful induction of labor based on pre-induction sonographic measurement of cervical length

Objective.?To examine the effect of pre-induction cervical length, parity, gestational age at induction, maternal age and body mass index (BMI) on the possibility of successful delivery in women undergoing induction of labor.

Methods.?In 822 singleton pregnancies, induction of labor was carried out at 35 to 42^?+?6 weeks of gestation. The cervical length was measured by transvaginal sonography before induction. The effect of cervical length, parity, gestational age, maternal age and BMI on the interval between induction and vaginal delivery within 24?hours was investigated using Cox's proportional hazard model. The likelihood of vaginal delivery within 24?hours and risk for cesarean section overall and for failure to progress was investigated using logistic regression analysis.

Results.?Successful vaginal delivery within 24?hours of induction occurred in 530 (64.5%) of the 822 women. Cesarean sections were performed in 161 (19.6%) cases, 70 for fetal distress and 91 for failure to progress. Cox's proportional hazard model indicated that significant prediction of the induction-to-delivery interval was provided by the pre-induction cervical length (HR?=?0.89, 95 % CI 0.88–0.90, p?<?0.0001), parity (HR?=?2.39, 95% CI 1.98–2.88, p?<?0.0001), gestational age (HR?=?1.13, 95% CI 1.07–1.2, p?= <?0.0001) and birth weight percentile (HR?=?0.995, 95% CI 0.99?– 0.995, p?=?0.001), but not by maternal age or BMI. Logistic regression analysis indicated that significant prediction of the likelihood of vaginal delivery within 24?hours was provided by pre-induction cervical length (OR?=?0.86, 95% CI 0.84–0.88, p?<?0.0001), parity (OR?=?3.59, 95% CI 2.47–5.22, p?<?0.0001) and gestational age (OR =?1.19, 95% CI 1.07–1.32, p?= <?0.0001) but not by BMI or maternal age. The risk of cesarean section overall was significantly associated with all the variables under consideration, i.e., pre-induction cervical length (OR?=?1.09, 95% CI 1.06–1.11, p?<?0.0001), parity (OR?=?0.25, 95% CI 0.17–0.38, p?<?0.0001), BMI (OR?=?1.85, 95% CI 1.24–2.74, p?=?0.0024), gestational age (OR?=?0.88, 95% CI 0.78–0.98, p?=?0.0215) and maternal age (OR?=?1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.07, p?=?0.0192). The risk of cesarean section for failure to progress was also significantly associated with pre-induction cervical length (OR?=?1.11, 95% CI 1.07–1.14, p?<?0.0001), parity (OR?=?0.26, 95% CI 0.15–0.43, p?<?0.0001), gestational age (OR?=?0.83, 95% CI 0.73–0.96, p?=?0.0097) and BMI (OR?=?2.07, 95% CI 1.27–3.37, p?=?0.0036).

Conclusion.?In women undergoing induction of labor, pre-induction cervical length, parity, gestational age at induction, maternal age and BMI have a significant effect on the interval between induction and delivery within 24?hours, likelihood of vaginal delivery within 24?hours and the risk of cesarean section.     

A Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy and Safety of Combined Vitamin C and E Supplementation in Preeclamptic Women

Objective: To evaluate whether vitamin C and E co-supplementation of women at risk of preeclampsia can reduce maternal and neonatal disorders. Method: Electronic databases were searched up to May 2008 to find studies investigating pregnancy outcomes in women at risk of preeclampsia following exposure to combined vitamin C and E supplementation. The outcomes of interest were gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, small for gestational age, and low birth weight. The relative risk (RR) and confidence interval (CI) for the individual studies were pooled and heterogeneity analysis was performed. Results: Seven studies involving 5969 pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia were included: 2982 received vitamin C and E and 2987 received placebo. The RRs are 1.3 (95% CI of 1.08–1.57, p = 0.0066) for gestational hypertension, 0.7 (95% CI of 0.58–1.08, P = 0.1653) for preeclampsia, 1.12 (95% CI of 0.96–1.32, p = 0.141) for preterm delivery, 1.04 (95% CI of 0.94–1.15, p = 0.4789) for small for gestational age, and 1.13 (95% CI of 1.004–1.27, p = 0.0429) for low birth weight. Conclusion. Combined vitamin C and E supplementation not only have no potential benefit in improvement of maternal and neonatal outcome but increase the risk of gestational hypertension in women at risk of preeclampsia and low birth weight in neonates.     

Does the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome increase the risk of obstetrical complications in women with gestational diabetes?

Objective.?To determine whether women with both polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have an increased risk of obstetric complications compared with women with GDM alone.

Methods.?A retrospective cohort study of maternal/fetal outcomes in women with GDM and PCOS was compared with women with GDM alone. Outcomes were compared using Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and t-test for continuous variables. Logistic regression models allowed for the calculation of odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each outcome, adjusted for confounding.

Results.?One hundred seventy one women were included in the study. Significantly more women with both GDM and PCOS had pregnancy-induced hypertension/preeclampsia (15.9% vs. 3.9%, p?=?0.019, OR?=?4.62, 95% CI?=?1.38–15.41). Multiple logistic regression revealed that this increase persisted after controlling for body mass index (p?=?0.028, OR?=?4.43, 95% CI?=?1.17–16.72) and parity (p?=?0.050, OR?=?3.45, 95% CI?=?1.00–11.92). Women with GDM and PCOS tended to have more preterm deliveries (25.0% vs. 11.8%, p?=?0.063). More infants of women with GDM and PCOS required phototherapy treatment for hyperbilirubinemia (25.0% vs. 7.9%, p?=?0.0066, OR?=?3.90, 95% CI?=?1.52–9.98). Logistic regression revealed that this association persisted after controlling for preterm delivery (OR?=?3.18, 95% CI?=?1.14–8.82, p?=?0.026).

Conclusions.?Mothers with both disorders should be monitored more carefully and counseled regarding their increased risk of both maternal and fetal complications.     

Models for the prediction of successful induction of labor based on pre-induction sonographic measurement of cervical length.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of pre-induction cervical length, parity, gestational age at induction, maternal age and body mass index (BMI) on the possibility of successful delivery in women undergoing induction of labor. METHODS: In 822 singleton pregnancies, induction of labor was carried out at 35 to 42(+6) weeks of gestation. The cervical length was measured by transvaginal sonography before induction. The effect of cervical length, parity, gestational age, maternal age and BMI on the interval between induction and vaginal delivery within 24 hours was investigated using Cox's proportional hazard model. The likelihood of vaginal delivery within 24 hours and risk for cesarean section overall and for failure to progress was investigated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Successful vaginal delivery within 24 hours of induction occurred in 530 (64.5%) of the 822 women. Cesarean sections were performed in 161 (19.6%) cases, 70 for fetal distress and 91 for failure to progress. Cox's proportional hazard model indicated that significant prediction of the induction-to-delivery interval was provided by the pre-induction cervical length (HR=0.89, 95% CI 0.88-0.90, p<0.0001), parity (HR=2.39, 95% CI 1.98-2.88, p<0.0001), gestational age (HR=1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.2, p=or<0.0001) and birth weight percentile (HR=0.995, 95% CI 0.99-0.995, p=0.001), but not by maternal age or BMI. Logistic regression analysis indicated that significant prediction of the likelihood of vaginal delivery within 24 hours was provided by pre-induction cervical length (OR=0.86, 95% CI 0.84-0.88, p<0.0001), parity (OR=3.59, 95% CI 2.47-5.22, p<0.0001) and gestational age (OR=1.19, 95% CI 1.07-1.32, p=or<0.0001) but not by BMI or maternal age. The risk of cesarean section overall was significantly associated with all the variables under consideration, i.e., pre-induction cervical length (OR=1.09, 95% CI 1.06-1.11, p<0.0001), parity (OR=0.25, 95% CI 0.17-0.38, p<0.0001), BMI (OR=1.85, 95% CI 1.24-2.74, p=0.0024), gestational age (OR=0.88, 95% CI 0.78-0.98, p=0.0215) and maternal age (OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07, p=0.0192). The risk of cesarean section for failure to progress was also significantly associated with pre-induction cervical length (OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.07-1.14, p<0.0001), parity (OR=0.26, 95% CI 0.15-0.43, p<0.0001), gestational age (OR=0.83, 95% CI 0.73-0.96, p=0.0097) and BMI (OR=2.07, 95% CI 1.27-3.37, p=0.0036). CONCLUSION: In women undergoing induction of labor, pre-induction cervical length, parity, gestational age at induction, maternal age and BMI have a significant effect on the interval between induction and delivery within 24 hours, likelihood of vaginal delivery within 24 hours and the risk of cesarean section.     

First Trimester Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Subsequent Development of Preeclampsia or Other Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Objective. To investigate whether first trimester maternal serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations are altered in women who subsequently develop preeclampsia or other pregnancy complications. Population. Women undergoing first trimester combined ultrasound and biochemical screening for chromosomal anomalies. We searched the database and identified 32 pregnancies resulting in miscarriage, 64 pregnancies with preexisting or gestational diabetes mellitus, 107 with fetal growth restriction, 103 with preeclampsia, 64 with pregnancy-induced hypertension, and 26 with spontaneous preterm delivery. We also selected 400 controls from among the population of pregnancies that had a delivery of a normal baby with no pregnancy complications. Methods. Maternal serum SHBG concentrations were measured retrospectively using a competitive chemiluminescent immunoassay. The levels between those with normal outcome and those resulting in adverse outcome were compared. Results. The median maternal serum SHBG concentration was not significantly different from controls, in those that subsequently developed preeclampsia (median MoM 1.05), nonproteinuric hypertension (median MoM 0.94) or preterm delivery (median MoM 1.15). The levels were significantly lower in those with diabetes (median MoM, 0.81 p = 0.0005) and those pregnancies resulting in miscarriage (median MoM 0.80, p = 0.008). Conclusion. First trimester maternal serum SHBG concentrations are no different from controls in women who subsequently develop preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, fetal growth restriction, or preterm delivery. Levels are reduced in those who subsequently miscarry or in those presenting with diabetes.     

Perinatal outcomes and complications of pregnancy in women with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Objective.?To investigate pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in women with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Methods. A retrospective study comparing all singleton pregnancies of women with and without ITP was conducted. Deliveries occurred between the years 1988 and 2007. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to control for confounders.

Results.?During the study period, 186,602 deliveries were recorded, out of which 104 (0.06%) occurred in patients with ITP. In a multivariable analysis, we found the following conditions to be significantly and independently associated with ITP: hypertensive disorders, diabetes mellitus, and preterm delivery (<34 weeks gestation). Patients with ITP had significantly higher rates of preterm delivery (<34 weeks gestation; 6.7%vs. 2.2%; p < 0.001) and perinatal mortality (4.8%vs. 1.3%; p = 0.011) when compared with patients without ITP. Two multivariable logistic regression models were constructed with perinatal mortality and preterm delivery (<34 weeks gestation) as the outcome variables to control for possible confounders such as congenital malformations, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and maternal age. In these models, ITP was found to be an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality (OR = 3.77; 95% CI 1.32–10.78, p = 0.013), as well as for preterm delivery before 34 weeks gestation (OR = 3.01; 95% CI 1.39–6.52, p = 0.005).

Conclusion.?ITP is significantly and independently associated with preterm delivery before 34 weeks gestation and with perinatal mortality.     

A 12-year cohort study on adverse pregnancy outcomes in Eastern Townships of Canada: impact of endometriosis

The aim of this study was to provide a temporal-spatial reference of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) and examine whether endometriosis promotes APO in the same population. Among the 31?068 women who had a pregnancy between 1997 and 2008 in Eastern Townships of Canada, 6749 (21.7%) had APO. These APO increased significantly with maternal age and over time (r^2?=?0.522, p?=?0.008); and were dominated by preterm birth (9.3%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (8.3%) including gestational hypertension (6.5%), low birth weight (6.3%), gestational diabetes (3.4%), pregnancy loss (2.2%) including spontaneous abortion (1.5%) and stillbirth (0.6%), intrauterine growth restriction (2.1%) and preeclampsia (1.8%). Among the 31?068 pregnancies, 784 (2.5%) had endometriosis and 183 (23.3%) had both endometriosis and APO. Endometriosis has been shown to increase the incidence of fetal loss (OR?=?2.03; 95% CI?=?1.42–2.90, p?p?=?0.005) and stillbirth (OR?=?2.29; 95% CI?=?1.24–5.22, p?=?0.012). This study provides a temporal-spatial reference on APO, which is a valuable tool for monitoring, comparing and correcting. It is also the first study to highlight an impact of endometriosis on the incidence of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth.     

Advanced maternal age and adverse perinatal outcomes in an Asian population

Objective

To investigate (1) whether there is an increasing trend in the mean maternal age at the birth of the first child and in the group of women giving birth at age 35 or older, and (2) the association between advanced maternal age and adverse perinatal outcomes in an Asian population.

Study design

We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 39,763 Taiwanese women who delivered after 24 weeks of gestation between July 1990 and December 2003. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounding variables.

Results

During the study period, the mean maternal age at the birth of the first child increased from 28.0 to 29.7 years, and the proportion of women giving birth at age 35 or older increased from 11.4% to 19.1%. Compared to women aged 20–34 years, women giving birth at age 35 or older carried a nearly 1.5-fold increased risk for pregnancy complications and a 1.6–2.6-fold increased risk for adverse perinatal outcomes. After adjusting for the confounding effects of maternal characteristics and coexisting pregnancy complications, women aged 35–39 years were at increased risk for operative vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–1.7) and cesarean delivery (adjusted OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5–1.7), while women aged 40 years and older were at increased risk for preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation) (adjusted OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.2), operative vaginal delivery (adjusted OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.0–4.6), and cesarean delivery (adjusted OR 2.6, 95% CI 2.2–3.1). In those women who had a completely uncomplicated pregnancy and a normal vaginal delivery, advanced maternal age was still significantly associated with early preterm delivery (before 34 weeks of gestation), a birth weight <1500 g, low Apgar scores, fetal demise, and neonatal death.

Conclusion

In this population of Taiwanese women, there is an increasing trend in the mean maternal age at the birth of the first child. Furthermore, advanced maternal age is independently associated with specific adverse perinatal outcomes.     

Maternal risk factors for preterm birth: a country-based population analysis

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify maternal risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) compared to delivery at term, in order to recognize high risk women and to provide a global overview of the Italian situation.

Study design

A multicenter, observational and retrospective, cross-sectional study was designed. The study population comprised 7634 women recruited in 9 different University Maternity Hospitals in Italy. The main criteria for inclusion were: women having had vaginal preterm or term spontaneous delivery in each participating centre during the study period. The records related to deliveries occurring between April and December 2008. A multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictors of spontaneous preterm birth. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported with two-tailed probability (p) values. Statistical calculations were carried out using SAS version 9.1. A two-tailed p-value of 0.05 was used to define statistical significant results.

Results

A significant increased risk of PTB was found in women with BMI > 25 (OR = 1.662; 95% CI = 1.033–2.676; p-value = 0.0365) and in women employed in heavy work (OR = 1.947; 95% CI = 1.182–3.207; p-value = 0.0089). Moreover there was a significant association between PTB and previous reproductive history. In fact a history of previous abortion (OR = 1.954; 95% CI = 1.162–3.285; p-value = 0.0116) or previous cesarean section (OR = 2.904; 95% CI = 1.066–7.910; p-value = 0.0371) was positively correlated to the increased risk of PTB and an important statistically significant association was calculated between PTB and previous pre-term delivery (OR = 3.412; 95% CI = 1.342–8.676; p-value = 0.0099). All the other covariates examined as potential risk factors for PTB were not found to be statistically significantly related (p-value > 0.05).

Conclusions

The present study, applied to a substantial sample of Italian population, demonstrates that there are peculiar risk factors for spontaneous PTB in the Italian population examined. It shows an association between preterm delivery and certain maternal factors as: BMI, employment, previous abortions, previous PTBs and previous cesarean section.     

Outcomes of multiple gestations with advanced maternal age

Objective.?To investigate outcomes of twin gestations with advanced maternal age (AMA).

Study design.?Historical cohort of twin gestations cared for by a maternal–fetal medicine faculty practice. Outcomes of patients with AMA (70) and non-AMA (75) were compared. AMA was defined as age ≥35. Analysis including mode of delivery, gestational age at delivery and overall complications was performed. Significance was determined using the chi-square test or the Student's t-test.

Results.?The Cesarean rate for AMA was significantly greater compared to non-AMA (80.0% vs. 54.7%; p = 0.001). The main reason for the increased rate was uterine dysfunction. The mean gestational age at delivery for AMA was significantly greater than for non-AMA (36.7 weeks vs. 35.4 weeks; p = 0.02). There were no differences in rates of other adverse outcomes including gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, suspected fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, low birth weight or low birth weight percentiles. This remained true when we compared the 32 women ages ≥40 years to 118 women ages <40 years.

Conclusion.?Among twin pregnancies, AMA women are not at an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, aside from an increased rate of cesarean delivery.     

Factors Predicting Cesarean Delivery for American Indian Women in New Mexico

Background: American Indian women have one of the lowest cesarean delivery rates among all ethnic groups evaluated in the United States. Our objective was to identify risk factors for cesarean delivery among American Indian women in New Mexico. Methods: Live birth certificate data (1994) from the New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics were used to compare American Indian women who had a cesarean delivery with those who had a vaginal delivery. We examined demographic, prenatal, and intrapartum factors to determine risk factors for cesarean delivery. Results: In 1994 American Indian women in New Mexico had a cesarean delivery rate of 12 percent. Risk factors for cesarean delivery included age equal to or over 35 years (OR = 1.8, 1.3–2.5) and nulliparity (OR = 1.9, 1.5–2.5). Obstetric risk factors included prematurity (OR = 2.3, 1.5–3.6), low birthweight (OR = 2.6, 1.7–4.2), diabetes (OR = 1.7, 1.1–2.5), pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR = 2.6, 1.8–3.8), and labor and delivery complications (OR = 9.5, 7.5–12.1). Age less than 20 years was negatively associated with cesarean delivery (OR = 0.5, 0.3–0.7). Conclusion: American Indian women have risk factors for cesarean delivery that are similar to those reported in other populations. Future prospective research evaluating intrapartum management may help identify reasons for the low cesarean birth rate.     

Risk of preterm delivery in relation to maternal low birth weight

OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationship between maternal low birth weight and preterm delivery risk. METHODS: Information concerning maternal birth weight was collected during in-person interviews. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Preterm delivery cases were studied in aggregate, in subgroups (spontaneous preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, medically induced preterm delivery, moderate preterm delivery [gestational age at delivery 34-36 weeks], and early preterm delivery [gestational age at delivery<34 weeks]). RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, women weighing<2,500 g at birth had a 1.54-fold increased risk of preterm delivery versus women weighing=2,500 g (95% CI 0.97-2.44). Maternal low birth weight was associated with a 2-fold increased risk of spontaneous preterm delivery (95% CI 1.03-3.89), but weakly associated with preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR=1.44; 95% CI 0.67-3.09) and medically induced preterm delivery (OR=1.10; 95% CI 0.43-2.82). Maternal low birth weight was more strongly associated with early preterm delivery (OR=1.94) than with moderate preterm delivery (OR=1.46). Women weighing<2,500 g at birth and who became obese (pre-pregnancy body mass index, =30 kg/m2) before pregnancy had a 3.65-fold increased risk of preterm delivery (95% CI 1.33-10.02) versus women weighing=2,500 g at birth and who were not obese prior to pregnancy (<30 kg/m2). CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm earlier findings linking maternal low birth weight with future risk of preterm delivery.     

Pregnancy outcomes in women aged 35 years or older with gestational diabetes – a registry-based study in Finland

Objective: To compare pregnancy outcomes of women ≥35 years to women <35 years with and without gestational diabetes.

Methods: The data include 230?003 women <35 years and 53?321 women ≥35 years and their newborns from 2004 to 2008. In multivariate modeling, the main outcome measures were preterm delivery (<28, 28–31 and 32–36 weeks' gestation), Apgar scores <7 at 5?min, small for gestational age (SGA), fetal death, asphyxia, preeclampsia, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), shoulder dystocia and large for gestational age (LGA).

Results: In comparison to women <35 with normal glucose tolerance, preeclampsia (OR 1.57, CI 1.30–1.88), admission to the NICU (OR 3.30, CI 2.94–3.69) and shoulder dystocia (OR 2.12, CI 1.05–4.30) were highest in insulin-treated women ≥35 years. In women ≥35, diet- and insulin-treated gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increased the rates of preeclampsia, shoulder dystocia and admission to NICU (OR 3.07 CI 2.73–3.45). The effect of advanced maternal age was observed in very preterm delivery (<28 weeks), fetal death, preeclampsia and NICU. The increase in preeclampsia was statistically significant.

Conclusions: GDM at advanced age is a high risk state and, more specifically, the risk caused by age and GDM appear to be increasing in preeclampsia.     

Pregnancy outcome of patients following deep venous thrombosis

Objective. To investigate pregnancy outcome of patients with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Methods. A population-based study comparing all pregnancies of patients with and without a history of DVT was conducted. Deliveries occurred during the years 1988–2007 at a tertiary Medical Center. Stratified analyses were performed using multivariable logistic regression models and the Mantel-Haenszel technique.

Results. During the study there were 212,086 deliveries, of which 122 (0.06%) occurred in patients with a history of DVT. Using a multivariate analysis, with backward elimination, the following conditions were significantly associated with DVT: advanced maternal age (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.02–1.1; p = 0.004), chronic hypertension (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.4–6.0; p = 0.005) and previous caesarean delivery (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.9–4.1; p < 0.001). Patients with a history of DVT were more likely to have caesarean deliveries (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.8–3.8; p < 0.001) than non-DVT patients. After controlling for possible confounders, such as maternal age, hypertensive disorders, pregestational diabetes and multiple gestations, by using another multivariate analysis with preterm delivery (<37 weeks' gestation) as the outcome variable, DVT was found to be an independent risk factor for preterm birth (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–2.9; p = 0.033). This association remained significant after controlling for labor induction, using the Mantel-Haenszel technique (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–3.0; p = 0.011). No significant differences were noted between the groups regarding perinatal outcomes such as low Apgar scores, congenital malformations or perinatal mortality.

Conclusions. A history of DVT is an independent risk factor for spontaneous preterm delivery. Nevertheless, in our population it is not associated with adverse perinatal outcome.     

Maternal Hypertension and Spontaneous Preterm Births Among Black Women

Objective: To examine effects of maternal hypertension on spontaneous preterm birth (birth at less than 37 weeks’ gestation) among black women.Methods: Using hospital discharge summary records from the National Hospital Discharge Survey between 1988 and 1993, we conducted a case-control study to assess the risk of spontaneous preterm birth among black women with chronic hypertension preceding pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Logistic regression was used to derive odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results: Preterm births were almost two times more likely for women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.5, 2.2), more than 1.5 times more likely for women with chronic hypertension preceding pregnancy (OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3, 2.1), and more than four times more likely for women with pregnancy-aggravated hypertension (OR = 4.4; 95% CI, 2.9, 6.7) compared with normotensive women. Preterm births also were associated significantly with antepartum hemorrhage, poor fetal growth, marital status, and source of payment. The odds of preterm birth by maternal hypertension were increased among women with chronic hypertension and genitourinary infection, whereas the odds of preterm birth were reduced among women with pregnancy-induced hypertension and genitourinary infection.Conclusion: These findings are important in demonstrating the relation between type of hypertension in pregnancy and preterm birth. The relationships between maternal hypertension and preterm birth need to be further investigated to provide some guidelines in the management of hypertension in pregnancy and assessment of prenatal care compliance for black women, particularly when genitourinary infection is present.     

Predictors of eclampsia in California

Objective: Eclampsia is a rare yet dangerous complication of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The objective was to elucidate the predictors of eclampsia in a large cohort of pregnant women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 143?093 pregnancies with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension in California during 2005–2008 of which 1719 had eclampsia. Predictors included race/ethnicity, parity, chronic hypertension (CHTN), diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm delivery <32 weeks, maternal age?≥?35, maternal age?≤?20, socioeconomic status, education, and <5 prenatal visits. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results: Factors that increased the risk of eclampsia included Black (OR 1.46 [1.19–1.80]) and Hispanic race (OR 1.56 [1.35–1.79]), nulliparity (OR 1.59 [1.42–1.77]), maternal age?≤?20 (OR 1.85 [1.61–2.11]), preterm delivery <32 weeks (OR 1.41 [1.16–1.70]), and <5 prenatal care visits (1.74 [1.46–2.07]). Factors that decreased the risk of eclampsia included CHTN (OR 0.06 [0.03–0.10]), GDM (OR 0.80 [0.67–0.96]), maternal age?≥?35 (OR 0.70 [0.59–0.82]), and college education (OR 0.83 [0.74–0.94]).

Conclusions: Black and Hispanic race, nulliparity, maternal age?≤?20, preterm delivery <32 weeks, and <5 prenatal care visits increase the risk of eclampsia while CHTN, GDM, maternal age ≥?35, and college education are protective. The protective effect of CHTN is the most striking. The mechanisms are likely different and warrant further investigation.     

La edad materna como factor de riesgo obstétrico. Resultados perinatales en gestantes de edad avanzada

Objective

To compare perinatal outcomes in women aged 35 years or over with those in a control group aged less than 35 years.

Design

Historical cohort study.

Setting

Valladolid (Spain).

Methods

Univariate analysis was performed with estimation of relative risks (RR). Variables related to epidemiology, pregnancy course and perinatal outcomes were analyzed.

Results

A total of 1,455 deliveries were analyzed, of which 355 involved women aged 35 years or over (24.39%). Older women more frequently showed pregnancy-associated disorders (29.2 vs 15.8%, p < 0.001): gestational diabetes (6.2%, p < 0.0029), first-trimester metrorrhagia (5.6%, p < 0.01), and risk of preterm birth (3.9%, P < 0.007); pregnancy-induced hypertension was also more frequent in this group but this difference was not statistically significant. Induction of labor was more frequently required in the older group (RR = 1.42; 95% CI:1.08-1.87). Cesarean section was required in 47% of older nulliparous women (RR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.24-2.15). The overall perinatal mortality rate in older patients was 16.5‰, compared with 2.77‰ in the control group. Maternal morbidity was higher in the group of older patients (RR 5.98; 95% CI 1.35-26.54) and mainly consisted of hemorrhagic complications.

Conclusions

Advanced maternal age is associated with a higher frequency of pregnancy-related disorders and a greater incidence of medically-induced delivery and cesarean sections, especially in primiparous mothers. Age therefore influences maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Consequently, these women constitute an obstetric risk population requiring special attention which, given the number of older pregnant women, goes beyond the scope of health provisions in our environment.     

Women with endometriosis at first pregnancy have an increased risk of adverse obstetric outcome

Objective: To evaluate pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcome in singleton primiparous versus multiparous women with/without endometriosis.

Methods: Multicentric, observational and cohort study on a group of Caucasian pregnant women (n?=?2239) interviewed during their hospitalization for delivery in five Italian Gynecologic and Obstetric Units (Siena, Rome, Padua, Varese and Florence).

Results: Primiparous women with endometriosis (n?=?219) showed significantly higher risk of small for gestational age fetuses (OR: 2.72, 95% CI 1.46–5.06), gestational diabetes (OR: 2.13, 95% CI 1.32–3.44), preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR: 2.93, 95% CI 1.24–6.87) and preterm birth (OR: 2.24, 95% CI 1.46–3.44), and were hospitalized for a longer period of time (p?n?=?1331). Multiparous women with endometriosis (n?=?97) delivered significantly more often small for gestational age fetuses (OR: 2.93, 95% CI 1.28–6.67) than control group (n?=?592). Newborns of primiparous women with endometriosis needed more frequently intensive care (p?=?0.05) and were hospitalized for a longer period of time (p?Conclusions: Women with endometriosis at first pregnancy have an increased risk of impaired obstetric outcome, while a reduced number of complications occur in the successive gestation. Therefore, it is worthy for obstetricians to increase the surveillance in nulliparous women with endometriosis during pregnancy.     

Pregnancy in patients with sickle cell disease: maternal and perinatal outcomes

Objective: To compare obstetrical, hematological and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with or without sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods: A prospective study of 60 pregnancies of 58 women with SCD (29 SCD-SS and 29 SCD-SC) compared with 192 pregnancies in 187 healthy pregnant women was carried out from January 2009 to August 2011.

Results: Compared to controls, the SCD group had higher rate of preterm delivery (p?p?p?=?0.003), and urinary infection (p?=?0.001, OR?=?3.31, CI 1.63–6.73), higher prevalence of small for gestational age babies (p?=?0.019, OR?=?2.66, CI 1.15–6.17), and more frequent baby admissions to progressive care unit (p?p?=?0.056). All adverse events were more frequent in the SS subgroup. Babies from the SS subgroup had the lowest weight at birth (2080?g) compared to SC (2737?g; p?Conclusion: SCD pregnant women – especially those in the SS subgroup – are more prone to experience perinatal and maternal complications in comparison with pregnant women without SCD.