Uterine cervical conisation and chorioamnionitis: A nationwide observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether conisation increases chorioamnionitis (CAM) and assess whether this risk differs between preterm and term periods. Furthermore, we estimated mediation effects of CAM between conisation and preterm birth (PTB). DESIGN: A nationwide observational study. SETTING: Japan. POPULATION: Singleton pregnant women derived from the perinatal registry database of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology between 2013 and 2019. METHODS: The association between a history of conisation and clinical CAM was examined using a multivariable logistic regression model with multiple imputation. We conducted mediation analysis to estimate effects of CAM on PTB following conisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical CAM. RESULTS: Of 1 500 206 singleton pregnant women, 6961 (0.46%) underwent conisation and 1 493 245 (99.5%) did not. Clinical CAM occurred in 150 (2.2%) and 11 484 (0.8%) women with and without conisation, respectively. Conisation was associated with clinical CAM (odds ratio [OR] 3.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.63-3.64; p < 0.001) (risk difference 1.57%; 95% CI 1.20-1.94). The association was detected among 171 440 women with PTB (OR 3.09; 95% CI 2.57-3.71), whereas it was not significant among 1 328 284 with term birth (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.58-1.34). OR of total effect of conisation on PTB was 2.71, OR of natural indirect effect (effect explained by clinical CAM) was 1.04, and OR of natural direct effect (effect unexplained by clinical CAM) was 2.61. The proportion mediated was 5.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Conisation increased CAM occurrence. Obstetricians should be careful regarding CAM in women with conisation, especially in preterm period. Bacterial infections may be an important cause of PTB after conisation.

Maternal outcomes of placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death and delivery routes: A nationwide observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Placental abruption is a serious complication, especially when accompanied by intrauterine fetal death. The optimal delivery route for placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death for reducing maternal complications is still unclear. In this study we aimed to compare the maternal outcomes between cesarean delivery and vaginal delivery in women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology nationwide perinatal registry database, we identified pregnant women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death between 2013 and 2019. The following women were excluded: those with multiple pregnancies, placenta previa, placenta accreta spectrum, amniotic fluid embolism, or whose delivery route was missing data. The association between delivery routes (cesarean delivery and vaginal delivery) and the maternal outcome was examined using a linear regression model with inverse probability weighting. The primary outcome was the amount of bleeding during delivery. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation. RESULTS: The number of women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death was 1218/1601932 (0.076%). Of 1134 women analyzed, 608 (53.6%) underwent cesarean delivery. Bleeding during delivery (median [interquartile range]) was 1650.00 (950.00-2450.00) (mL) and 1171.00 (500.00-2196.50) (mL) in cesarean and vaginal delivery, respectively. Bleeding during delivery (mL) was significantly greater in cesarean delivery than in vaginal delivery (regression coefficient, 1086.39; 95% confidence interval, 130.96-2041.81; p = 0.026). Maternal death and uterine rupture occurred in four (0.4%) and five (0.4%) women, respectively. The four maternal deaths were noted in the vaginal delivery group. CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding during delivery was significantly greater in cesarean delivery than that in vaginal delivery in women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death. However, severe complications, including maternal death and uterine rupture, occurred in vaginal delivery-related cases. The management of women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death should be cautious regardless of the delivery route.

Low placental growth factor levels and high soluble endoglin levels at 26-31 weeks of gestation precede light placenta with and without relatively heavy infant, respectively: A retrospective cohort study.

AIM: Our aim was to examine whether serum levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble endoglin (sEng) at 19-25 and 26-31 weeks of gestation were associated with the occurrence of the 9-block categorization of placenta weight (PW) and fetal/placenta ratio (F/P ratio). METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in 1391 women with singleton pregnancy. Serum levels of PlGF and sEng were measured by enzyme immunosorbent assay. A light placenta was defined as PW ZS < -1.28 SD. Based on the PW (light, normal, and heavy) and F/P ratio (relatively heavy, balanced growth, and relatively small), 9-block categorization were performed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Low PlGF at 26-31 weeks was an independent risk factor for the birth of infants belonging to Block A (light placenta and relatively heavy infant), after adjusting for prepregnancy body mass index and serum levels of sEng. High sEng at 26-31 weeks was an independent risk factor for the birth of infants belonging to Block D (light placenta and balanced growth of infant), after adjusting for past history of either preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, high pulsatility index of uterine artery flow velocity waveforms in the second trimester, and serum level of PlGF. CONCLUSIONS: Low PlGF levels at 26-31 weeks of gestation may precede a light placenta and relatively heavy infant (Block A), and high sEng levels at 26-31 weeks of gestation may precede a light placenta and balanced growth of infant (Block D).

LncRNA H19-Derived miR-675-5p Accelerates the Invasion of Extravillous Trophoblast Cells by Inhibiting GATA2 and Subsequently Activating Matrix Metalloproteinases.

The invasion of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells into the maternal decidua, which plays a crucial role in the establishment of a successful pregnancy, is highly orchestrated by a complex array of regulatory mechanisms. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that fine-tune gene expression at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels are involved in the regulatory mechanisms of EVT cell invasion. However, little is known about the characteristic features of EVT-associated ncRNAs. To elucidate the gene expression profiles of both coding and non-coding transcripts (i.e., mRNAs, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs)) expressed in EVT cells, we performed RNA sequencing analysis of EVT cells isolated from first-trimester placentae. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that the lncRNA H19 and its derived miRNA miR-675-5p were enriched in EVT cells. Although miR-675-5p acts as a placental/trophoblast growth suppressor, there is little information on the involvement of miR-675-5p in trophoblast cell invasion. Next, we evaluated a possible role of miR-675-5p in EVT cell invasion using the EVT cell lines HTR-8/SVneo and HChEpC1b; overexpression of miR-675-5p significantly promoted the invasion of both EVT cell lines. The transcription factor gene GATA2 was shown to be a target of miR-675-5p; moreover, small interfering RNA-mediated GATA2 knockdown significantly promoted cell invasion. Furthermore, we identified MMP13 and MMP14 as downstream effectors of miR-675-5p/GATA2-dependent EVT cell invasion. These findings suggest that miR-675-5p-mediated GATA2 inhibition accelerates EVT cell invasion by upregulating matrix metalloproteinases.

External validation of prognostic models predicting pre-eclampsia: individual participant data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Early identification of women at risk during pregnancy is required to plan management. Although there are many published prediction models for pre-eclampsia, few have been validated in external data. Our objective was to externally validate published prediction models for pre-eclampsia using individual participant data (IPD) from UK studies, to evaluate whether any of the models can accurately predict the condition when used within the UK healthcare setting. METHODS: IPD from 11 UK cohort studies (217,415 pregnant women) within the International Prediction of Pregnancy Complications (IPPIC) pre-eclampsia network contributed to external validation of published prediction models, identified by systematic review. Cohorts that measured all predictor variables in at least one of the identified models and reported pre-eclampsia as an outcome were included for validation. We reported the model predictive performance as discrimination (C-statistic), calibration (calibration plots, calibration slope, calibration-in-the-large), and net benefit. Performance measures were estimated separately in each available study and then, where possible, combined across studies in a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Of 131 published models, 67 provided the full model equation and 24 could be validated in 11 UK cohorts. Most of the models showed modest discrimination with summary C-statistics between 0.6 and 0.7. The calibration of the predicted compared to observed risk was generally poor for most models with observed calibration slopes less than 1, indicating that predictions were generally too extreme, although confidence intervals were wide. There was large between-study heterogeneity in each model's calibration-in-the-large, suggesting poor calibration of the predicted overall risk across populations. In a subset of models, the net benefit of using the models to inform clinical decisions appeared small and limited to probability thresholds between 5 and 7%. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated models had modest predictive performance, with key limitations such as poor calibration (likely due to overfitting in the original development datasets), substantial heterogeneity, and small net benefit across settings. The evidence to support the use of these prediction models for pre-eclampsia in clinical decision-making is limited. Any models that we could not validate should be examined in terms of their predictive performance, net benefit, and heterogeneity across multiple UK settings before consideration for use in practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID: CRD42015029349 .

Palmitic acid activates NLRP3 inflammasome and induces placental inflammation during pregnancy in mice.

Maternal obesity is one of the major risk factors for pregnancy complications and is associated with low-grade chronic systemic inflammation due to higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1ß. Pregnant women with obesity have abnormal lipid profiles, characterized by higher levels of free fatty acids, especially palmitic acid (PA). Previously, we reported that PA stimulated IL-1ß secretion via activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in human placental cells. These observations led us to hypothesize that higher levels of PA induce NLRP3 inflammasome activation and placental inflammation, resulting in pregnancy complications. However, the effects of PA on NLRP3 inflammasome during pregnancy in vivo remain unclear. Therefore, PA solutions were administered intravenously into pregnant mice on day 12 of gestation. Maternal body weight was significantly decreased and absorption rates were significantly higher in PA-injected mice. The administration of PA significantly increased IL-1ß protein and the mRNA expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components (NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1) within the placenta. In murine placental cell culture, PA significantly stimulated IL-1ß secretion, and this secretion was suppressed by a specific NLRP3 inhibitor (MCC950). Simultaneously, the number of macrophages/monocytes and neutrophils, together with the mRNA expression of these chemokines increased significantly in the placentas of PA-treated mice. Treatment with PA induced ASC assembling and IL-1ß secretion in macrophages, and this PA-induced IL-1ß secretion was significantly suppressed in NLRP3-knockdown macrophages. These results indicate that transient higher levels of PA exposure in pregnant mice activates NLRP3 inflammasome and induces placental inflammation, resulting in the incidence of absorption.

Usefulness of dynamic computed tomography for diagnosing and evaluating uterine artery pseudoaneurysms in women with late post-partum hemorrhage not complicated by retained products of conception.

AIM: We examined whether critical conditions, which were defined as having hemoglobin (Hb) less than 7.0 g/dL, shock index ≥1.0, or need for transfusion, were associated with the presence of extravasation (EV) on dynamic computed tomography (CT) in women with late post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). METHODS: Forty post-partum women with late PPH without evident retained products of conception performed dynamic CT. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated dynamic CT, and determined the presence or absence of EV and a sac-like structure within the uterine cavity with enhancement. RESULTS: Ultrasound images were available in 34/40 patients. Color Doppler flow in uterine cavity was evaluated in 33/34 (97%), and all women showed abnormal flow. Of 40 patients, dynamic CT revealed EV in 8 (20%), and a sac-like structure in 30 (75%). Thus, we diagnosed these 38 (95%) as having uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP). Uterine artery embolization was performed in 36/38 diagnosed as having UAP, and in 2/2 patients with an unknown cause of hemorrhage. The incidence rates of critical conditions were significantly increased in PPH women with than without EV on dynamic CT: Hb <7.0 g/dL (62.5 vs 0%, [P < 0.001]), shock index ≥1.0 (50 vs 9.4% [P = 0.020]), and need for transfusion (37.5 vs 0% [P = 0.006]). Abnormal color Doppler flows were observed in all patients with either EV and sac on dynamic CT. CONCLUSION: Dynamic CT was useful for diagnosing UAP, and for evaluating critical conditions, in women with late PPH not complicated by retained products of conception.

Markedly higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in a woman with acute fatty liver of pregnancy compared with HELLP syndrome.

AIM: To compare serum levels of angiogenesis-related factors between 14 women with HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count) syndrome and a woman with acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP). METHODS: Serum samples were collected in 2004-2008 and 2013-2016. The levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) were measured by an automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay using Elecsys sFlt-1 and Elecsys PlGF. After logarithmic transformation, levels of sFlt-1, PlGF and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in a woman with AFLP were compared with those in women with HELLP syndrome, using the one-sample t-test. RESULTS: At 37 weeks of gestation, a patient was diagnosed with AFLP based on Swansea criteria (showing six features including elevated transaminases), and she also showed a duodenal ulcer with active bleeding, thrombocytopenia and hypertension. Her serum levels of sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were significantly higher than in those with HELLP syndrome (273 040 pg/mL vs 15 135 [mean], P < 0.001; 4236 vs 224, P < 0.001; respectively). However, her serum level of PlGF was not significantly different from those with HELLP syndrome. CONCLUSION: Serum levels of sFlt-1 and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, but not PlGF, in a woman with AFLP were markedly higher than those in women with HELLP syndrome. AFLP may be a different clinical entity from HELLP syndrome based on angiogenesis-related factors. Clinically, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio may be used to rapidly distinguish AFLP from HELLP syndrome.

Matsubara-Yano suture: a simple uterine compression suture for postpartum hemorrhage during cesarean section.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to clarify: (i) the effectiveness of Matsubara-Yano uterine compression suture (MY) to achieve hemostasis in the presence of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) during cesarean section, (ii) the type of PPH for which MY is effective, (iii) post-operative complications of MY, and (iv) outcomes of pregnancy after MY. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was performed using medical records of patients for whom MY had been performed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2017. RESULTS: MY was performed for 50 patients, with hemostasis achieved in 46 (92%). The other four (8%: 4/50) patients required transarterial embolization or hysterectomy. Of these four, three patients had placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder-related bleeding. Post-operative complications were observed in three (6%: 3/50) patients, with all showing intrauterine infection. All three patients recovered solely with antibiotics. Eight pregnancies were confirmed (five livebirths, two spontaneous abortions in the first trimester, and one case of ongoing pregnancy). Of the five livebirths, one resulted in cesarean hysterectomy due to placenta previa with PAS disorders. CONCLUSIONS: MY had a hemostatic effect on PPH. All cases except one with hemostatic failure were associated with PAS disorders, indicating that the hemostatic rate was lower in those with PAS than non-PAS disorders.

Vaginal Ureaplasma species increase chorioamnionitis in very preterm infants with preterm premature rupture of the membranes at < 28 weeks of gestation.

Our aim was to investigate the association between vaginal Ureaplasma species (spp.) and the subsequent occurrence of chorioamnionitis (CAM), perinatal death, neonatal morbidity, and long-term neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs) at 3 years of age. We analyzed 55 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy who had preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM) at < 28+0 weeks of gestation, and delivered between 22+0 and 31+6 weeks at our tertiary hospital in 2007-2016. NDIs were defined as either cerebral palsy or developmental delay evaluated at 1.5 and/or 3 years old. The presence of Ureaplasma spp. and Mycoplasma hominis were evaluated using urea-arginine broth and Mycoplasma PPLO Agar. The presence of Ureaplasma spp. in the vagina was positive in 41%. Vaginal Ureaplasma spp. was a significant risk factor for CAM; however, it was not significantly associated with the occurrence of perinatal death, pulmonary hypoplasia, respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia defined as oxygen required and occasional ventilatory assistance required at week 36 as modified (BPD36), or NDIs. The crude odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of Ureaplasma spp. for the occurrence of CAM was 9.5 (1.10-82) (p = 0.041). In very preterm birth infants with pPROM, CAM, BPD36, and NDIs occurred in 78, 60, and 36%, respectively. Vaginal Ureaplasma spp. was a significant risk factor for CAM in very preterm birth infants with pPROM. The incidences of BPD36 and NDIs in such infants were very high, nearing 3/5 and 1/3, respectively.

Magnetic resonance imaging of degeneration of uterine adenomyosis during pregnancy and post-partum period.

Degeneration of adenomyosis during pregnancy and the post-partum period is very rare. A 42-year-old Japanese parous woman with four normal-term deliveries, who presented with abdominal pain and fever at 22 weeks of gestation with transient increases of the white blood cell count and C-reactive protein, demonstrated sustained inflammation after cesarean section at 29 weeks of gestation due to the occurrence of gestational hypertension with late deceleration. The noncontrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 22 weeks demonstrated a poorly demarcated hypointense area at the posterior uterine wall on T1- and T2-weighted imaging. The 2nd MRI 2 weeks after the cesarean section showed hypointensity on a T1-weighted image and hyperintensity on a T2-weighted image, allowing confirmation of the diagnosis of degeneration of adenomyosis. Repeated MRIs were clinically useful to diagnose the degeneration of adenomyosis.

Aggregation of Human Trophoblast Cells into Three-Dimensional Culture System Enhances Anti-Inflammatory Characteristics through Cytoskeleton Regulation.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) culture changes cell characteristics and function, suggesting that 3D culture provides a more physiologically relevant environment for cells compared with 2D culture. We investigated the differences in cell functions depending on the culture model in human trophoblast cells (Sw.71). METHODS: Sw.71 cells were incubated in 2D monolayers or simple 3D spheroids. After incubation, cells were corrected to assess RNA-seq transcriptome or protein expression, and culture medium were corrected to detect cytokines. To clarify the role of actin cytoskeleton, spheroid Sw.71 cells were treated mycalolide B (inhibitor of actin polymerization) in a 3D culture. RESULTS: RNA-seq transcriptome analysis, results revealed that 3D-cultured cells had a different transcriptional profile compared with 2D-cultured cells, especially regarding inflammation-related molecules. Although interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA level was higher in 3D-culured cells, its secretion levels were higher in 2D-cultured cells. In addition, the levels of mRNA and protein expression of regnase-1, regulatory RNase of inflammatory cytokine, significantly increased in 3D culture, suggesting post-translational modification of IL-6 mRNA via regnase-1. Treatment with mycalolide B reduced cell-to-cell contact to build 3D formation and increased expression of actin cytoskeleton, resulting in increased IL-6 secretin. CONCLUSION: Cell dimensionality plays an essential role in governing the spatiotemporal cellular outcomes, including inflammatory cytokine production and its negative regulation associated with regnase-1.

Association of antenatal antithrombin activity with perinatal liver dysfunction: A prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Liver dysfunction with decreased antithrombin (AT) activity and/or thrombocytopenia is life threatening in pregnant women. Whether AT is clinically useful for prediction of liver dysfunction remains unclear. METHODS: A total of 541 women were registered prospectively at gestational week 34.7 (20.0-41.4) with available data on antenatal AT and platelet count (PLC). RESULTS: Liver dysfunction defined as serum aspartate aminotransferase > 45 IU/L concomitant with lactate dehydrogenase > 400 IU/L occurred in five women antenatally (≤ 2 weeks before delivery) and in 17 women post-partum (within 1 week post-partum). Median (5th-95th) antenatal value was 85 (62-110)% for AT and 202 (118-315) × 109 /L for PLC in the 541 women and was significantly lower in women with than without perinatal liver dysfunction; 75 (51-108) versus 86 (62-110)% and 179 (56-244) versus 203 (121-316) × 109 /L, respectively. Nineteen (86%) women with liver dysfunction showed AT ≤ 62% or thrombocytopenia (PLC ≤ 118 × 109 /L) perinatally, but five lacked thrombocytopenia throughout the perinatal period. The best cut-off (AT, 77%; PLC, 139 × 109 /L) suggested by receiver operating characteristic curve gave antenatal AT and PLC sensitivity of 59% and 41% with positive predictive value of 8.6% and 14%, respectively, and combined use of AT and PLC improved sensitivity to 73% (16/22) with positive predictive value of 9.2% for prediction of perinatal liver dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced AT not accompanied by thrombocytopenia can precede liver dysfunction. Clinical introduction of AT may enhance the safety of pregnant women.

Advanced glycation end products regulate interleukin-1ß production in human placenta.

Maternal obesity is a major risk factor for pregnancy complications, causing inflammatory cytokine release in the placenta, including interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and IL-8. Pregnant women with obesity develop accelerated systemic and placental inflammation with elevated circulating advanced glycation end products (AGEs). IL-1ß is a pivotal inflammatory cytokine associated with obesity and pregnancy complications, and its production is regulated by NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes. Here, we investigated whether AGEs are involved in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes using human placental tissues and placental cell line. In human placental tissue cultures, AGEs significantly increased IL-1ß secretion, as well as IL-1ß and NLRP3 mRNA expression. In human placental cell culture, although AGE treatment did not stimulate IL-1ß secretion, AGEs significantly increased IL-1ß mRNA expression and intracellular IL-1ß production. After pre-incubation with AGEs, nano-silica treatment (well known as an inflammasome activator) increased IL-1ß secretion in placental cells. However, after pre-incubation with lipopolysaccharide to produce pro-IL-1ß, AGE treatment did not affect IL-1ß secretion in placental cells. These findings suggest that AGEs stimulate pro-IL-1ß production within placental cells, but do not activate inflammasomes to stimulate IL-1ß secretion. Furthermore, using pharmacological inhibitors, we demonstrated that AGE-induced inflammatory cytokines are dependent on MAPK/NF-κB/AP-1 signaling and reactive oxygen species production in placental cells. In conclusion, AGEs regulate pro-IL-1ß production and inflammatory responses, resulting in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in human placenta. These results suggest that AGEs, as an endogenous and sterile danger signal, may contribute to chronic placental cytokine production.

Independent risk factors for a small placenta and a small-for-gestational-age infant at 35-41 weeks of gestation: An association with circulating angiogenesis-related factor levels at 19-31 weeks of gestation.

AIM: Our aim was to investigate the effects of angiogenesis-related factor levels at 19-25 and 26-31 weeks of gestation (WG) on the later occurrence of a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) placenta (small placenta) or an SGA infant delivered at 35-41 WG. METHODS: We measured plasma levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF), and the serum level of soluble endoglin (sEng) in 679 pregnant women with blood sampling at both 19-25 and 26-31 WG in a prospective study. A small placenta and an SGA infant were defined as <10th percentile, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using maternal factors, a high mean pulsatility index (high mPI) of the uterine artery in the second trimester, and angiogenesis-related factor levels. RESULTS: Regarding the occurrence of a small placenta, low PlGF at 19-25 WG (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.4 [1.01-5.7]) and a high mPI (2.5 [1.4-4.3]) were independent risk factors. Moreover, low PlGF at 26-31 WG (3.3 [1.5-7.0]) was also an independent risk factor after adjusting for the effect of mPI. Concerning the occurrence of an SGA infant, a high mPI (2.8 [1.6-5.2]) and high sEng at 26-31 WG (2.3 [1.2-4.5]) were independent risk factors. CONCLUSION: Low levels of PlGF at 19-25 and 26-31 WG were independent risk factors for a small placenta at ≥35 WG; and a high sEng at 26-31 WG was an independent risk factor for an SGA infant at ≥35 WG.

Effect of urine creatinine level during pregnancy on dipstick test.

AIM: Dipstick results for proteinuria are affected by urine concentration, and thus urine creatinine concentration ([Cr]). This study was performed to determine whether spot urine [Cr] changes significantly during pregnancy, leading to a significantly different false-negative rate (FNR) on dipstick test between trimester. METHODS: The [Cr] and protein concentrations ([P]) were analyzed in 631 spot urine samples with negative/equivocal dipstick from 425 pregnant women. False-negative dipstick was defined as [P] : [Cr] ratio (P/Cr) > 0.27 mg/mg. RESULTS: Median [Cr] was 117 mg/dL (range, 6.5-326 mg/dL), 72 mg/dL (range, 4.3-477 mg/dL), and 73 mg/dL (range, 8.4-396 mg/dL) in the first (n = 96), second (n = 344), and third (n = 191) trimester urine samples, respectively (P = 0.000, Kruskal-Wallis). Both [P] and P/Cr increased significantly with advancing gestation. FNR 9.4% (18/191) in the third trimester was significantly higher than that of 0.0% (0/96) in the second trimester and that of 0.5% (2/344) in the third trimester. In the 20 urine samples with false-negative dipstick, median [Cr] was 47.0 mg/dL (range, 11.0-358 mg/dL) and the proportion of samples with dilute urine, that is, [Cr] <47 mg/dL, was significantly higher than in the remaining 611 urine samples (50%, 10/20 vs 28%, 174/611, respectively, P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Urine samples in the second and third trimesters were more likely to be diluted compared with the first trimester. This was associated with high FNR in third trimester urine samples.

Isolated gestational proteinuria preceding the diagnosis of preeclampsia - an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Some pregnant women develop significant proteinuria in the absence of hypertension. However, clinical significance of isolated gestational proteinuria (IGP) is not well understood. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of IGP in singleton pregnancies and the proportion of women with IGP who subsequently developed preeclampsia (IGP-PE) among all PE cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was an observational study of 6819 women with singleton pregnancies at 12 centers, including 938 women with at least once determination of protein-to-creatinine ratio (P/Cr). Significant proteinuria in pregnancy (SPIP) was defined as P/Cr (mg/mg) level >0.27. IGP was defined as SPIP in the absence of hypertension. Gestational hypertension (GH) preceding preeclampsia (GH-PE) was defined as preeclampsia (PE) in which GH preceded SPIP. Simultaneous PE (S-PE) was defined as PE in which both SPIP and hypertension occurred simultaneously. RESULTS: IGP and PE were diagnosed in 130 (1.9%) and 158 (2.3%) of 6819 women, respectively. Of 130 women with IGP, 32 (25%) progressed to PE and accounted for 20% of all women with PE. Hence, women with IGP had a relative risk of 13.1 (95% CI; 9.2-18.5) for developing PE compared with those without IGP [25% (32/130) vs. 1.9% (126/6689)]. At diagnosis of SPIP, P/Cr levels already exceeded 1.0 more often in women with S-PE than in those with IGP-PE [67% (33/49) vs. 44% (14/32), respectively, p = 0.031]. CONCLUSIONS: IGP is a risk factor for PE, and IGP-PE accounts for a considerable proportion (20%) of all PE.

Urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio indicative of significant proteinuria in normotensive pregnant women.

AIM: In hypertensive pregnant women, the protein-to-creatinine (P/C) ratio is well correlated with 24-h proteinuria and a P/C ratio of 0.27 (g/gCr) is used to reflect significant proteinuria (>0.3 g/day). The aim of this study was to obtain data on normotensive pregnant women, which have so far been lacking. METHODS: The study population consisted of 74 pregnant women who met the following criteria: (i) ≥22 gestational weeks; (ii) a positive result (≥1+) on dipstick test; (iii) a positive result (>0.27) for P/C ratio; and (iv) 24-h urine test performed within 2 days of the P/C ratio. The correlation between the P/C ratio and 24-h proteinuria, the incidence rates of significant proteinuria according to P/C ratios, and appropriate threshold of the P/C ratio to rule in significant proteinuria were determined using the appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: The P/C ratio was moderately correlated with the 24-h proteinuria, with a correlation coefficient of 0.64 (95% confidence interval, 0.487-0.76). The area under the receiver-operator curve was 0.76 (95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.87); however, no clear shoulder was identifiable. The incidence rates of significant proteinuria according to P/C ratios of 0.27-0.49, 0.50-0.74, 0.75-0.99, and >1 were 41, 66, 100, and 100%, respectively, indicating that all normotensive pregnant women with a P/C ratio > 0.75 had significant proteinuria. CONCLUSION: Normotensive pregnant women showed a significant correlation between the P/C ratio and 24-h urine protein level. All normotensive pregnant women with a P/C ratio > 0.75 had significant proteinuria, suggesting that a P/C ratio > 0.75 may be the 'rule-in' threshold of significant proteinuria in this population.

Which type of placenta previa requires blood transfusion more frequently? A new concept of indiscernible edge total previa.

AIM: During cesarean section (CS) for placenta previa (PP), the size/area/portion of the lower uterine segment occupied by the placenta may affect the bleeding amount and the subsequent need for a blood transfusion (BT). We propose a new concept, indiscernible edge total PP (IEPP), when vaginal ultrasound does not discern the lower placental edge because the placenta covers the visible lower segment. We characterized IEPP, focusing on its allogeneic BT requirement. METHODS: We classified PP (n = 307) into four types: marginal, partial, discernible edge total PP (DEPP) and IEPP: internal ostium (os)-placental edge distance measurable or unmeasurable on vaginal ultrasound in DEPP or IEPP, respectively. We determined the clinical characteristics according to the four types; the relationship between the intraoperative blood loss and os-edge distance in DEPP; and risk factors for allogeneic BT. RESULTS: The following were significantly higher/larger in cases of IEPP: previous CS; anterior placentation; lacunae; elective cesarean hysterectomy; intraoperative blood loss; autologous BT; allogeneic BT; intensive care unit admission; and an abnormally invasive placenta (AIP). In DEPP, the os-edge distance was weakly correlated with the bleeding amount (r = 0.214). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous CS, lacunae, AIP and IEPP were independent risk factors for allogeneic BT (odds ratios 3.8, 3.1, 13.8 and 4.6, respectively). After excluding patients undergoing hemostatic procedures during CS, IEPP remained the only independent risk factor for allogeneic BT (odds ratio 5.2). CONCLUSIONS: The new concept of IEPP may be useful for predicting BT in CS for patients with PP.

Spontaneous resolution of post-delivery or post-abortion uterine artery pseudoaneurysm: A report of three cases.

Post-delivery/-abortion uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) sometimes causes life-threatening bleeding, requiring transarterial embolization (TAE). It is unclear whether some UAP resolve spontaneously. In three patients, UAP resolved spontaneously without TAE. Case 1 was after vacuum delivery with slight bleeding: at day 5 post-partum, a yin-yang sign on Color Doppler and an enhanced intrauterine sac-like structure were observed, leading to the diagnosis of UAP, which disappeared at 4 weeks post-partum. Case 2 was after vacuum delivery with manual placental removal and was asymptomatic: a hypoechoic intrauterine mass with a yin-yang sign were observed during a post-partum routine check-up and the intrauterine flow disappeared at 4 weeks post-partum. Case 3 was after dilatation and curettage in the first trimester with slight bleeding: UAP was detected at 4 weeks post-abortion, which disappeared at 6 weeks post-abortion. All three cases had a small UAP (diameter: 10-15 mm) and low-level or no symptoms. Some UAP may resolve spontaneously and, thus, may not require TAE.