Expectant management of severe preterm preeclampsia: a comparison of maternal and fetal indications for delivery

Objective: To examine the delivery indication (maternal or fetal) for patients with preterm preeclampsia and assess whether disease characteristics at presentation are predictive of delivery indication.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia (Mercy Hospital for Women). We assessed indication for delivery for participants presenting with preeclampsia from 23⁺⁰ to 32⁺⁶ weeks gestation. We compared baseline disease characteristics, disease features at delivery and postnatal outcomes between those delivered for maternal or fetal indications, or for both maternal and fetal indications.

Results: Two hundred sixty six participants presented with preterm preeclampsia and 108 were eligible for inclusion in our study. More participants were delivered for maternal indications at 65.7% compared to those requiring delivery on fetal grounds at 19.4% or for both indications at 14.8% (p?<?0.0001). Maternal disease characteristics at presentation were similar between groups; however, there was a higher proportion of growth restriction and abnormal Dopplers among those delivered on fetal grounds. Participants delivered on maternal grounds gained less gestation, had higher blood pressure and higher incidence of abnormal liver function tests than those delivering for fetal indications at delivery.

Conclusion: Participants with preterm preeclampsia were predominantly delivered due to maternal disease progression compared to fetal compromise.     

Obstetric outcome of 6346 pregnancies with infants affected by congenital heart defects

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether pregnancies with infants affected by congenital heart defects are associated with adverse obstetric and perinatal outcome. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective population-based cohort study from Sweden (1992-2001), 6346 singleton pregnancies with infants affected by congenital heart defects were, after suitable adjustments, compared to all delivered women. RESULTS: The prevalence of cardiovascular defects was 9.1 per 1000 births. Among them, mothers of 6346 infants (71%) had information on maternal smoking habits and maternal height and weight in early pregnancy that enabled the calculation of BMI. All cases with known chromosomal abnormalities and/or maternal pre-existing diabetes were excluded. Eighty-four percent (n=5338) had an isolated cardiovascular defect. Severe types occurred in 21.7% (n=1378). In the group of pregnancies with infants affected by congenital heart defects as compared to all delivered women, there was an increased risk of the following outcomes (adjusted OR (95%CI)): pre-eclampsia (1.21 (1.06-1.37)), cesarean section (1.91 (1.79-2.03)), instrumental delivery (1.21 (1.10-1.34)), pre-term delivery (2.58 (2.39-2.79)), small-for gestational age (1.96 (1.77-2.16)), meconium aspiration (1.51 (1.28-1.77)), and fetal distress (1.38 (1.17-1.63)). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancies with infants affected by congenital heart defects are associated with several obstetric and neonatal complications.     

Birth outcomes of cases with left-sided obstructive defects of the heartin the function of maternal socio-demographic factors: a population-based case-control study

Objective: To evaluate the birth outcomes and maternal variables of cases with different types of left-sided obstructive defects (LSOD) of the heart. Methods: Live-born infants were selected from the population-based large dataset of the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities, and 302 cases with LSOD, 469 matched controls and 38,151 all controls without any defect, and 20,750 malformed controls with other isolated defects were compared. The diagnosis of LSOD was based on autopsy report or the documents of surgical intervention. Results: Four types of LSOD were differentiated: 56 cases with valvular aortic stenosis (VAS), 76 cases with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), 113 cases with coarctation of the aorta (COA) and 57 cases with other congenital abnormalities of aorta (OCA). Cases with LSOD had male excess (64.6%) with a higher rate of preterm birth (14.2 vs. 6.6%) and low birthweight (15.6 vs. 4.3%) compared to matched controls. The high rate of preterm birth was particularly characteristic for HLHS (17.1%) while intrauterine fetal growth restriction was found in cases OCA (22.8%) and COA (13.3%). The mothers of cases with LSOD had higher birth order and lower socio-economic status than controls without any defect. Conclusions: The general pattern of birth outcomes and maternal variables were similar in the types of LSOD cases, but the higher rate of preterm birth and low birthweight indicated some association with their adverse fetal development.     

Maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and C-reactive protein levels in pregnancies complicated with threatened preterm labour

Objective and methods: To measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels in singleton gestations complicated with threatened preterm labour (TPL, n?=?59) and compare to normal controls matched for gestational age (n?=?64). Cases were treated after blood sample according to institutional protocol. Also, analyte levels were compared among cases according to the outcome.

Results: Mean serum 25(OH)D levels were similar between cases and controls, with median white blood cell count and CRP levels found significantly higher in TPL cases. Women with TPL delivering preterm displayed shorter mean cervical lengths along with higher CRP and lower 25(OH)D serum levels when compared to those delivering at term. Two multiple linear regression models were constructed to analyse factors related to gestational age at delivery (pooled analysis and only those with TPL). In both models, gestational age positively correlated to cervical length and inversely to CRP levels; whereas, in the TPL model, only 25(OH)D levels correlated positively.

Conclusion: Women complicated with TPL showed similar serum 25(OH)D yet higher CRP levels as compared to controls. TPL cases delivering preterm displayed lower 25(OH)D and higher CRP correlated levels.     

Amniotic fluid fetal hemoglobin in normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated with preterm labor or prelabor rupture of membranes

Objective. Hemoglobin and its catabolic products have been associated with amniotic fluid (AF) discoloration and intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI). However, the origin of AF hemoglobin (maternal or fetal) has not been determined. The aims of this study were to determine if fetal hemoglobin can be detected in AF obtained from normal pregnancies, and whether there is an association between AF fetal hemoglobin concentrations and gestational age, spontaneous labor (term and preterm), preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and IAI.

Study design. This cross-sectional study included pregnant women in the following groups: (1) mid-trimester (n = 60); (2) term not in labor (n = 21); (3) term in labor (n = 47); (4) spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes (PTL) without IAI who delivered at term (n = 89); (5) PTL without IAI who delivered preterm (n = 74); (6) PTL with IAI (n = 78); (7) PPROM with (n = 48) and (8) without IAI (n = 48). AF fetal hemoglobin concentrations were determined by ELISA. Non-parametric statistics were used for analyses.

Results. (1) Fetal hemoglobin was detected in 80.4% of all AF samples; (2) women at term not in labor had a higher median AF fetal hemoglobin concentration than those at mid-trimester (p = 0.008); (3) labor at term was not associated with a significant difference in the median AF fetal hemoglobin concentration; (4) the median AF fetal hemoglobin concentration was not significantly different among the three PTL groups or between the PPROM groups; (5) women with PTL and IAI had a lower AF fetal hemoglobin percentage of the total hemoglobin than those without IAI who delivered preterm (p = 0.03) or at term (p < 0.001); (6) The median AF fetal hemoglobin concentration was higher in pregnancies complicated with PTL or PPROM than in women at term (p < 0.001 for all comparison).

Conclusions. (1) The concentration of immunoreactive AF fetal hemoglobin increases with gestational age; (2) the median AF fetal hemoglobin concentration is higher in pregnancies complicated with PTL or PPROM than in term pregnancies; (3) among women with PTL or PPROM, the AF fetal hemoglobin concentrations were not associated with IAI; (4) however, women with PTL and IAI had a lower percentage of AF fetal hemoglobin of the total hemoglobin than those without IAI, suggesting different mechanisms of disease.     

Evaluation of prenatal risk factors for prediction of outcome in right heart lesions: CVP Score in fetal right heart defects

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prenatal variables predicting the risk of perinatal death in congenital right heart defects.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 28 fetuses with right heart defects was performed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to obtain odds ratios (OR) for the relationship between the risk of death and echocardiographic parameters. The parameters that correlated with the outcome were incorporated in an attempt to devise a disease-specific cardiovascular profile score.

Results: Fetal echocardiograms (143) from 28 patients were analyzed. The cardiovascular profile score predicted the risk of death. A lower right ventricle (RV) pressure was associated with mortality (OR 0.959; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.940–0.978). Higher peak aortic velocity through the aortic valve (OR 0.104; 95% CI 0.020–0.529) was associated with a better outcome. These cardiac function parameters were incorporated in a modified disease-specific CVP Score. Patients with a mean modified cardiovascular profile score of ≤6 were over 3.7 times more likely to die than those with scores of 7–10.

Conclusions: The original Cardiovascular Profile Score predicted the risk of death in right heart defects. The modified score was not validated as a good prediction tool by this study. Fetal RV pressure estimate and peak aortic velocity can be used as independent prognostic predictors.     

Evaluation of fetal heart rate variation during amniocentesis: correlation with fetal karyotype

Objective.?We monitored the fetal heart rate (FHR) during amniocentesis in fetuses at 16–18 weeks of gestation and investigated whether an abnormal FHR is associated with chromosomal abnormalities.

Methods.?This prospective study involves 807 women at 16–18 weeks of gestation who underwent genetic amniocentesis. The FHR, expressed as beats for minute, is recorded before (FHR1), immediately after (FHR2) and 60?min after (FHR3) the invasive procedure. Structural malformations detected by ultrasound and multiple pregnancy are excluded from the study.

Results.?Chromosomal abnormalities have been diagnosed in 27 fetuses. A mean FHR decrease after amniocentesis has been observed in normal and in abnormal fetuses. The mean variation during amniocentesis is significant in both groups (P?<?0.01). The comparison between the mean FHR of the two groups shows no differences in FHR1 and FHR2 (P?>?0.05) but a significant difference in FHR3 (P?<?0.05).

Conclusion.?The FHR decreases after amniocentesis; the decrease is larger in chromosomally abnormal fetuses than in normal fetuses. This difference in heart rate reaction to amniocentesis might be due to cardiac defects or developmental delay associated with the abnormal karyotype.     

Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes undergoing expectant management

Objective.?Continuous fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring is considered by some as necessary to the expectant management of patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). No data exist to support this premise, and liability may be incurred if such an order cannot be practically carried out. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the performance of prolonged FHR monitoring in terms of the completeness of recorded tracings.

Methods.?A retrospective cohort study was performed between 2004 and 2006 in a tertiary care hospital on patients being expectantly managed with PPROM at 24–34 weeks of gestation. Forty-seven singleton gravidas with a physician order of continuous external FHR monitoring were included. Exclusion criteria were evidence of labour, chorioamnionitis or FHR abnormalities that prompted delivery. FHR tracings during the prolonged monitoring period were reviewed.

Results.?The study cohort was monitored for a duration of 321–2272 min (mean 970 min). In total, 28.3% (95% confidence interval 23.8–33%) of the tracing did not show a legible recording. Gestational age is negatively correlated with the proportion of absent tracing, whereas body mass index is positively correlated. There is no significant difference in the absent signal proportion between the first half of the monitoring period and the second half or between day and night.

Conclusions.?In patients with PPROM being expectantly managed, a significant proportion (28.3%) of the FHR tracing was not recorded as ordered. This suggests that ‘continuous’ prolonged external fetal monitoring may not be practically feasible and alternative monitoring approaches should be considered.     

Analysis of association of clinical aspects and IL1B tagSNPs with severe preeclampsia

Objective: This study investigates the association between IL1B genotypes using a tag SNP (single polymorphism) approach, maternal and environmental factors in Brazilian women with severe preeclampsia. Methods: A case-control study with a total of 456 patients (169 preeclamptic women and 287 controls) was conducted in the two reference maternity hospitals of Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil. A questionnaire was administered and DNA was extracted to genotype the population for four tag SNPs of the IL1Beta: rs 1143643, rs 1143633, rs 1143634 and rs 1143630. Haplotype association analysis and p-values were calculated using the THESIAS test. Odds ratio (OR) estimation, confidence interval (CI) and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Results: High pregestational body mass index (pre-BMI), first gestation, cesarean section, more than six medical visits, low level of consciousness on admission and TC and TT genotype in rs1143630 of IL1Beta showed association with the preeclamptic group in univariate analysis. After multivariate logistic regression pre-BMI, first gestation and low level of consciousness on admission remained associated. Conclusion: We identified an association between clinical variables and preeclampsia. Univariate analysis suggested that inflammatory process-related genes, such as IL1B, may be involved and should be targeted in further studies. The identification of the genetic background involved in preeclampsia host response modulation is mandatory in order to understand the preeclampsia process.     

Prenatal diagnosis and molecular cytogenetic characterization of chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome associated with congenital heart defects

ObjectiveTo report prenatal diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome in a pregnancy with congenital heart defects in the fetus.Case reportA 26-year-old, primigravid woman was referred for counseling at 24 weeks of gestation because of abnormal ultrasound findings of fetal congenital heart defects. The Level II ultrasound revealed a singleton fetus with heart defects including overriding aorta, small pulmonary artery, and ventricular septal defect. Cordocentesis was performed. The DNA extracted from the cord blood was analyzed by multiplex ligation-dependent amplification (MLPA). The MLPA showed deletion in the DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) critical region of chromosome 22 low copy number repeat (LCR) 22-A∼C. Conventional cytogenetic analysis revealed a normal male karyotype. Repeated amniocentesis and cordocentesis were performed. Whole-genome array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) on cord blood was performed. aCGH detected a 3.07-Mb deletion at 22q11.21. Conventional cytogenetic analysis of cultured amniocytes revealed a karyotype 46,XY. Metaphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on cultured amniocytes confirmed an interstitial 22q11.2 deletion.ConclusionPrenatal ultrasound findings of congenital heart defects indicate that the fetuses are at increased risk for chromosome abnormalities. Studies for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome should be considered adjunct to conventional karyotyping. Although FISH has become a standard procedure for diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, MLPA can potentially diagnose a broader spectrum of abnormalities, and aCGH analysis has the advantage of refining the 22q11.2 deletion breakpoints and detecting uncharacterized chromosome rearrangements or genomic imbalances.     

Reduction in caesarean delivery with fetal heart rate monitoring and intermittent pulse oximetry after induction of labour with misoprostol

Objective. To integrate intermittent fetal pulse oximetry (FPO) to intrapartum fetal assessment and reduce the rate of caesarean sections.

Methods. A randomised controlled trial using 37 weeks as a restriction point was conducted in 230 women induced with misoprostol. One hundred-fourteen were assessed with intermittent FPO plus fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring (study group) and 116 were assessed with FHR monitoring alone (control group). The primary outcome measure was caesarean delivery rates. Secondary outcome measures included induction to delivery interval, number of emergency caesarean deliveries performed for fetal non-reassuring FHR patterns and neonatal outcomes.

Results. There was a reduction both in the overall caesarean deliveries (study n = 18, (15.7%); vs. control n = 31 (26.7%); p = 0.04), and the rate of caesarean deliveries performed for non-reassuring fetal status in the study group (study n = 11, (9.6%); vs. control n = 23 (19.8%); p = 0.03). Induction to delivery interval was similar in between the groups (759 ± 481 min in group 1; vs. 735 ± 453 min in group 2 respectively; p = 0.69).

Conclusion. Intermittent FPO in misoprostol induced deliveries decreases both total caesarean rate and the caesarean rate due to non-reassuring FHR patterns.     

Impact of Planned Delivery on the Perinatal Outcome of Term Fetuses with Isolated Heart Defects

ObjectivePregnancies complicated by fetal heart defects often undergo a planned delivery prior to term by either induction of labour or cesarean delivery to ensure optimal availability of neonatal care. We aimed to assess whether such planned deliveries achieve their goal of better perinatal care.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective case-control study of pregnancies complicated by isolated fetal cardiac defects, without other fetal comorbidities, managed at a single fetal medicine unit over a 10-year period. Only pregnancies delivered past 37 weeks gestation were included. Patients undergoing elective delivery for care planning reasons only were compared with patients in whom planned delivery was clinically indicated and patients who laboured spontaneously. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes were recorded.ResultsOf the 180 pregnancies included in the study, 59 (32.8%) were in the elective group, 49 (27.2%), in the indicated group, and 72 (40%), in the spontaneous group. Mean gestational age at delivery was 39.0 ± 1.1 weeks overall and did not differ between the groups. For the elective group, only 35.6% of deliveries occurred during office hours, which was similar to the 2 other groups. The rate of adverse obstetric or postnatal outcomes was not statistically significantly different between groups.ConclusionTimed delivery at term does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of poor perinatal outcomes. It may improve perinatal care by providing proximity to a neonatal intensive care unit and convenience for patients and providers.     

Reproductive technologies and the risk of congenital heart defects

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has become widespread, accounting for ～2% of all births worldwide, with a similar proportion in Japan. Our goal was to determine whether ART is associated with an increased risk of congenital heart defect (CHD). The study subjects were 2716 pregnant women (2317 in a spontaneous conception [SC] group and 399 in an assisted conception [AC] group). Of patients in the AC group, 142 were treated with ovulation-inducing agents (OIAs), 56 with artificial insemination by the husband (AIH), 159 with in vitro fertilization (IVF), and 42 with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). CHD screening on the fetus or newborn was performed using two-dimensional echocardiography. Severe CHD was defined as requiring surgical treatment, or leading to death within one year. There were 2746 births (one of 31 twins was a still birth), 410 resulted from AC and within this group, 111 cases of CHD were found (AC group, 17 [4.1%]; SC group, 94 [4.0%]). Five cases of severe CHD were found in the AC group and 19 in the SC group, with no significant difference between the groups (p?=?0.892). In conclusion, there was no evidence of increased CHD risk associated with ART treatment.     

加强产科急重症患者管理，降低母儿死亡率

降低孕产妇死亡率及5岁以下儿童死亡率不但是联合国千年目标,更是提高我国国民素质的基本保障。经过近20年的努力,全球孕产妇死亡率已大幅下降,而中国在促进母婴健康方面更是取得令人瞩目的成绩。最新数据统计显示,我国的孕产妇死亡率从2000年53.0/10万下降至34.2/10万,较上世纪90年代下降59%[1];1990-2007年     

Comparative assessment of arabin pessary,cervical cerclage and medical management for preterm birth prevention in high-risk pregnancies

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of combined use of Arabin pessary, cervical cerclage and progesterone with progesterone-only management of pregnant women at high risk of preterm birth.

Materials and methods: The study included 203 pregnant women at high risk of preterm birth who were randomised to receive Arabin pessary (Group 1, n?=?82) and progesterone, circular cervical cerclage and progesterone (Group 2, n?=?121) or progesterone treatment only (Group3, controls, n?=?50). Patients in the pessary and cerclage group also received progesterone.

Results: The use of Arabin pessary combined with progesterone resulted in a 2.5-fold decrease in the rate of vaginal dysbiosis in pregnancy (p?=?0.015) and almost three-fold reduction in in the postpartum period (p?=?0.037), combined with circular cervical cerclage and progesterone. Suture eruption was observed in 4.3% of women. In patients with abnormal placental location, placental migration was observed in 62.1% of patients in Group I, 52.1% in Group II and a significantly lower proportion of patients (14.0%) in Group III (p?=?0.001). Bleeding during pregnancy was observed significantly more often in both comparison groups (p?=?0.005). Incidence of intrapartum bleeding was 17.4% (p?=?0.011) in Group II and 24.5% in Group III (p?=?0.002). Intrapartum chorioamnionitis was observed in 4.3% of patients in Group II and 2.04% of patients in Group III.

Conclusions: The use of Arabin pessary compbined with progesterone reduces the rate of infectious complications and bleeding during pregnancy and the postpartum period.     

The impact of fetal gender and ethnicity on the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery in women with symptoms of preterm labor

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the relation among fetal gender, ethnicity, and preterm labor (PTL) and preterm delivery (PTD).

Methods: A secondary analysis was performed of a prospective cohort study including women with symptoms of PTL between 24 and 34 weeks. The proportion of women carrying a male or female fetus at the onset of PTL was calculated. Gestational age at delivery and risk of PTD of both fetal genders was compared and interaction of fetal gender and maternal ethnicity on the risk of PTD was evaluated.

Results: Of the 594 included women, 327 (55%) carried a male fetus. Median gestational age at delivery in women pregnant with a male fetus was 37 5/7 (IQR 34 4/7–39 1/7) weeks compared with 38 1/7 (IQR 36 0/7–39 5/7) weeks in women pregnant with a female fetus (p?=?0.032). The risk of PTD did not differ significantly. In Caucasians, we did find an increased risk of PTD before 37 weeks in women pregnant with a male fetus (OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.2–3.0)).

Conclusions: The majority of women with PTL are pregnant with a male fetus and these women deliver slightly earlier. Race seems to affect this disparity.