Impact of new diagnostic pathway for gestational diabetes in time of COVID-19.

Background: In April 2020, the diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) changed in Queensland, with the goal of reducing exposure of pregnant women to COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective clinical audit was conducted at a regional hospital to compare the incidence of GDM, and specific maternal and neonatal outcomes four months before and after the change in guidelines was implemented. Results: Less than 50% of diagnostic tests were performed according to new guidelines. There was a non-significant increase in the incidence of GDM (13.3% to 15.3%), and pharmacological treatments. Instrumental deliveries (p = 0.01) and shoulder dystocia (p = 0.04) increased following the change in guidelines. There were no differences in the incidence of elective and emergency caesarean delivery, macrosomia and fetal weight. Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was higher in the COVID-19 GDM cohort (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Despite the change in guidelines, there was a non-significant increase in the incidence of diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

Survey of Raspberry Leaf Tea in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Raspberry leaf tea (RLT) is a traditional herb purported to help with many pregnancy-related outcomes including reducing the duration of labour. No experimental data exist to support these claims. AIMS: This study aims to determine how common use and knowledge of RLT are during pregnancy. It also aims to explore whether it would be possible to recruit women for a trial of raspberry leaf in the future. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Postnatal women were asked to fill in a survey about their use of RLT during pregnancy, and their knowledge of its purported benefits. They were asked whether they would consider being part of a randomised controlled trial of raspberry leaf in the future. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-one women completed the survey. Of these, 88 (73%) were aware of herbal tea use in pregnancy and 46 (38%) reported using raspberry leaf during pregnancy. Of all women surveyed, 79% indicated they would be happy to participate in a trial of RLT in pregnancy if they were asked. CONCLUSIONS: Despite no scientific evidence of the efficacy of RLT in pregnancy, 38% of women surveyed used it during pregnancy. Further studies are required to determine whether the claims made about RLT are correct. Clinicians should base their advice on available evidence.

The effects of expressing antenatal colostrum in women with diabetes in pregnancy: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Some women with diabetes in pregnancy express and store colostrum in the antenatal period for the purposes of preventing and treating neonatal hypoglycaemia. AIMS: Our primary aim was to compare rates of neonatal hypoglycaemia in babies born to mothers who express and store antenatal colostrum to babies born to mothers who do not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study involving 357 women with diabetes in pregnancy, who had live, singleton births delivered after 36 weeks gestation, in a regional hospital in North Queensland (2014-2015). Multivariable binary logistic regression modelling identified independent characteristics associated with primary outcomes. RESULTS: Eighty women (23%) expressed antenatal colostrum and 223 (62%) did not. One hundred and thirty-one babies (37%) were diagnosed with hypoglycaemia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women were less likely to express than Caucasian women (odds ratio (OR) 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01-0.77). There were no significant differences in the rates of hypoglycaemia, or median blood glucose levels in babies born to mothers who expressed antenatal colostrum compared to babies born to mothers who did not express. Babies born to mothers who expressed were significantly less likely to receive formula in hospital compared to babies born to mothers who did not (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.05-0.32). CONCLUSIONS: We found no independent association of expressing antenatal colostrum on rates of neonatal hypoglycaemia or median blood glucose levels. Expressing antenatal colostrum may have some benefits to the newborn such as reduced formula consumption in hospital. Further research into other methods of reducing neonatal hypoglycaemia appears warranted.

Perspectives and experiences of collecting antenatal colostrum in women who have had diabetes during pregnancy: a North Queensland semistructured interview study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore and describe the experiences and perspectives of collecting and storing colostrum in the antenatal period in women who have had diabetes in pregnancy. DESIGN: Face-to-face, semistructured interviews analysed with purposive sampling and thematic analysis. SETTING: A regional hospital in North Queensland with a high prevalence of diabetes in pregnancy. PARTICIPANTS: Six women with a previous pregnancy complicated by diabetes who were advised to collect and store colostrum in pregnancy. RESULTS: Six themes were identified: wariness of medicalisation (adjusting to an 'abnormal' pregnancy, seeking continuity of care, determination to reduce formula, fear of invasive intervention); underlying altruism (providing the best for baby, preparing for complications, eager for milk donation); internal pressure to succeed (coping with confronting information, disheartened by failures, constant fear of insufficient supply, overwhelming guilt, concern for future breastfeeding success); self-management and ownership (adapting to awkwardness, developing strategies for success, actively seeking education, gaining confidence to request help, accepting personal limitations); frustrated by waste (encroaching on time, squandering a precious resource, ambiguous about necessity) and building fortitude for motherhood (physically preparing for breast feeding, symbolic of the imminent infant, establishing early relationships with supports, approaching challenges with realistic optimism). CONCLUSION: Women with diabetes in pregnancy experience guilt and stress about the added risk of hypoglycaemia to their babies and strive to provide the best for their babies by collecting and storing colostrum, even if this leads to distress to themselves. It is crucial that these women be provided accurate, realistic advice about the benefits and disadvantages of collecting colostrum in the antenatal period.

Endometrial metastasis of primary malignant melanoma of the brain.

Endometrial metastatic malignant melanoma is a rare occurrence from any primary site. A literature search has revealed only 15 reported cases in existing literature, majority of which originated from a primary cutaneous lesion. This is a case of endometrial metastasis of primary malignant melanoma of the brain, the first reported case of its kind. The rarity of endometrial metastatic melanoma may incline clinicians to neglect the importance of malignant melanoma in a patient's history when they present with abnormal uterine bleeding. However, with increasing rates of primary malignant melanoma, it is likely that the incidence of metastasis to rare sites, such as the endometrium, is also likely to increase. For those women with metastatic disease confined to the uterus, total abdominal hysterectomy +/-bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy improved prognosis considerably. Newer BRAF molecular testing and targeted adjuvant therapy may also significantly improve prognosis in addition to surgical resection and should be considered.

Impact of new diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes.

AIM: In January 2015, the diagnostic and therapeutic criteria for gestational diabetes changed, with the goal of increasing the sensitivity of diagnosis and improving overall glycemic control, and thus reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our primary aim was to evaluate the effect of the new guidelines on the incidence of diagnosis of gestational diabetes and the incidence of therapeutic interventions. Our secondary aim was to look at the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective clinical audit was conducted at a regional hospital to compare the incidence of gestational diabetes, and the specific maternal and neonatal outcomes before and after the change in guidelines was implemented. Data were collected via chart review for a 6-month period before and after the change in guidelines in January 2015. Data collected included demographics, neonatal and maternal outcomes, and the treatment type used for patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the incidence of diagnosis of gestational diabetes (9.8-19.6%; P < 0.001), and an overall increase in the use of pharmacological treatments for gestational diabetes. There was no significant difference in the incidence of the adverse outcomes measured, including cesarean delivery and macrosomia. There was no significant change in mean fetal weight. CONCLUSION: Despite a doubling of the incidence of diagnosis of gestational diabetes, and a consequent increase in pharmacological interventions, the change in diagnostic and therapeutic criteria did not significantly reduce the neonatal or maternal adverse outcomes measured.

A randomised clinical trial to assess satisfaction with the levonorgestrel- releasing intrauterine system inserted at caesarean section compared to postpartum placement.

BACKGROUND: Insertion of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) at caesarean section (CS) provides contraception prior to resumption of ovulation or sexual activity. Patient satisfaction with insertion at CS has not previously been studied. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare patient satisfaction with LNG-IUS inserted at the time of lower uterine segment CS to six weeks postpartum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Open-label randomised controlled trial. Women booked for elective CS were randomised to LNG-IUS insertion either at the time of CS (study group) or at six weeks postpartum (control group). The primary outcome measure was patient satisfaction. Outcomes were measured at six weeks, three months and six months postpartum. RESULTS: Forty-eight women were randomised into two treatment groups. Twenty-five women were randomised to have LNG-IUS inserted at the time of CS, 23 of whom had the planned intervention and two had the LNG-IUS inserted postpartum. Twenty-three women were randomised to the control group, four of whom withdrew prior to treatment. The 44 remaining women contributed to data analysis. Patient satisfaction was high and similar in both groups. At six months postpartum, 90.5% of the study group were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied compared with 88.2% of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Patient satisfaction is high with LNG-IUS insertion at CS and not different to that with delayed insertion. LNG-IUS insertion may be an option for women who find postpartum contraception difficult to access.