Azithromycin treatment for short cervix with or without amniotic fluid sludge: A matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth (PTB) is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. A shortened cervix is a recognised risk factor for PTB, and amniotic fluid sludge (AFS) diagnosed on ultrasound may be suggestive of underlying inflammation or infection. AIMS: The aim is to determine if azithromycin, administered in cases of a shortened cervix, results in prolongation of gestation with improvements in neonatal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study at three tertiary maternity services in Melbourne, Australia, between 2015 and 2020. Women with a singleton pregnancy were included if they had a cervical length of 15 mm or less at 13-24 weeks' gestation, with or without AFS. Exclusion criteria comprised multiple pregnancy, major fetal congenital anomaly, placenta praevia, prelabour premature rupture of membranes, vaginal bleeding and/or clinical signs suggestive of chorioamnionitis at the time of diagnosis of the short cervix. The results of antibiotic treatment with azithromycin were compared to those of no antibiotic treatment. The outcomes of interest were PTB, prelabour premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), chorioamnionitis and neonatal morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 374 women were included in the study, of whom 129 received azithromycin and 245 received no antibiotics. When adjusting for potential confounders, the adjusted risk of PTB overall was higher in the treatment group (adjusted hazard ratio 1.36 (95% confidence interval 1.04-1.77) P = 0.023) with no differences found for PPROM, chorioamnionitis or neonatal morbidity. CONCLUSION: These data do not support the routine use of azithromycin in women with a short cervix, including those with AFS detected on ultrasound.

The contemporary value of dedicated preterm birth clinics for high-risk singleton pregnancies: 15-year outcomes from a leading maternal centre.

OBJECTIVES: Preterm birth clinics provide dedicated obstetric care to women at high risk of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). There remains a lack of conclusive evidence to support the overall utility of such clinics, attributable to a paucity and heterogeneity of primary data. This study audits Australia's largest and oldest dedicated preterm birth clinic with the aim to add primary data to the area and offer opportunities for similar clinics to align practice. METHODS: A retrospective audit of referrals to the Preterm Labour Clinic at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, between 2004 and 2018 was conducted. 1,405 singleton pregnancies met inclusion criteria. The clinic's key outcomes, demographics, predictive tests and interventions were analysed. The primary outcomes were SPTB before 37, 34 and 30 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: The overall incidence of SPTB in the clinic was 21.2% (n=294). Linear regression showed reductions in the adjusted rates of overall SPTB and pre-viable SPTB (delivery <24 weeks) from 2004 (108%; 8%) to 2018 (65%; 2% respectively). Neonatal morbidity and post-delivery intensive care admission concurrently declined (p=0.02; 0.006 respectively). Rates of short cervix (cervical length <25 mm) increased over time (2018: 30.9%) with greater uptake of vaginal progesterone for treatment. Fetal fibronectin, mid-trimester short cervix, and serum alkaline phosphatase were associated with SPTB on logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: Dedicated preterm birth clinics can reduce rates of SPTB, particularly deliveries before 24 weeks' gestation, and improve short-term neonatal outcomes in pregnant women at risk of preterm birth.

Reducing Preoperative Fasting Through Technology and Education in an Acute General Surgical Adult Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Despite widespread support for reduced fasting protocols prior to anesthesia, the traditional "fast from midnight" (FFMN) remains widely employed. This study implemented a pilot preoperative fasting reduction program for patients booked for acute surgery in the Department of General Surgery at a busy metropolitan tertiary hospital, including use of an electronic health record (EHR)-based solution, aiming to measure effect on fasting times and use of intravenous fluid (IVF). METHODS: A pilot program was implemented in August 2021 in the Emergency General Surgery (EGS) unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia. This included a new smart phrase within the EHR (EU2WU6: Eat until 2, drink water until 6) and an education campaign. Adult patients who underwent preoperative fasting between September 1 and December 31, 2021, were screened. Uptake of the protocol was recorded. Further, total fasting times (TFT) and IVF use were recorded. Potential impact with varying levels of protocol uptake was modeled. RESULTS: Uptake of EU2WU6 increased from 0% to 80%. TFT and total time on IVF (TT-IVF) were lower using EU2WU6 (TFT 7 hours vs. 13 hours, p < 0.001; TT-IVF 3 hours vs. 8 hours, p < 0.001). Proportion of patients requiring fluid overnight when using EU2WU6 was lower (18/45 vs. 34/50, p = 0.0062). Hospitalwide yearly savings, with 100% application of EU2WU6, were projected at 2,050 bags of IVF (at a cost savings of A$2,296), 10,251 minutes for physicians, and 20,502 minutes for nurses. CONCLUSION: The pilot preoperative fasting reduction program successfully reduced disparity between evidence and clinical practice.

Abnormal vaginal flora and spontaneous preterm birth in high-risk singleton pregnancies with cervical cerclage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate abnormal vaginal and suture-based bacterial flora for associations with spontaneous preterm birth in high-risk singleton pregnancies with an ultrasound-indicated or emergency cervical cerclage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 196 singleton pregnancies with an ultrasound-indicated or emergency cerclage at the Royal Women's Hospital, Australia, from 2004 to 2018. High vaginal swabs were collected regularly between 14 and 26 weeks' gestation, including pre- and post-cerclage insertion, and sent for microscopy and culture. Cervical suture was cultured upon removal. Primary outcomes were spontaneous preterm birth <37, <34 and <30 weeks. RESULTS: 43.4% (85/196) of women delivered preterm. The acquisition and persistence of vaginal Escherichia coli following cerclage insertion were independently associated with spontaneous preterm birth <37 weeks (p = .0225, p = .0477). Escherichia coli growth from the cervical suture upon removal was associated with spontaneous preterm birth <34 weeks (p = .0458). The acquisition of vaginal mixed anaerobes post-cerclage was independently associated with spontaneous preterm birth <34 weeks (p = .0480). CONCLUSION: For singleton pregnancies with an ultrasound-indicated or emergency cerclage, the presence of vaginal or suture-based Escherichia coli following cerclage insertion yields increased risk of cerclage failure and spontaneous preterm birth.