Association between ultrasonography foetal anomalies and autism spectrum disorder.

Multiple pieces of evidence support the prenatal predisposition of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Nevertheless, robust data about abnormalities in foetuses later developing into children diagnosed with ASD are lacking. Prenatal ultrasound is an excellent tool to study abnormal foetal development as it is frequently used to monitor foetal growth and identify foetal anomalies throughout pregnancy. We conducted a retrospective case-sibling-control study of children diagnosed with ASD (cases); their own typically developing, closest-in-age siblings (TDS); and typically developing children from the general population (TDP), matched by year of birth, sex and ethnicity to investigate the association between ultrasonography foetal anomalies and ASD. The case group was drawn from all children diagnosed with ASD enrolled at the National Autism Research Center of Israel. Foetal ultrasound data from the foetal anatomy survey were obtained from prenatal ultrasound clinics of Clalit Health Services in southern Israel. The study comprised 659 children: 229 ASD, 201 TDS and 229 TDP. Ultrasonography foetal anomalies were found in 29.3% of ASD cases versus only 15.9% and 9.6% in the TDS and TDP groups [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32-3.78, and aOR = 3.50, 95%CI = 2.07-5.91, respectively]. Multiple co-occurring ultrasonography foetal anomalies were significantly more prevalent among ASD cases. Ultrasonography foetal anomalies in the urinary system, heart, and head and brain were the most significantly associated with ASD diagnosis (aORUrinary = 2.08, 95%CI = 0.96-4.50 and aORUrinary = 2.90, 95%CI = 1.41-5.95; aORHeart = 3.72, 95%CI = 1.50-9.24 and aORHeart = 8.67, 95%CI = 2.62-28.63; and aORHead&Brain = 1.96, 95%CI = 0.72-5.30 and aORHead&Brain = 4.67, 95%CI = 1.34-16.24; versus TDS and TDP, respectively). ASD females had significantly more ultrasonography foetal anomalies than ASD males (43.1% versus 25.3%, P = 0.013) and a higher prevalence of multiple co-occurring ultrasonography foetal anomalies (15.7% versus 4.5%, P = 0.011). No sex differences were seen among TDS and TDP controls. ASD foetuses were characterized by a narrower head and a relatively wider ocular-distance versus TDP foetuses (ORBPD = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.70-0.94, and aOROcular distance = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.06-1.57). Ultrasonography foetal anomalies were associated with more severe ASD symptoms. Our findings shed important light on the multiorgan foetal anomalies associated with ASD.

Maternal Perceptions and Responsiveness to Cry in Armed Conflict Zones: Links to Child Behavior Problems.

Crying is a typical infant behavior that activates parental caregiving behaviors, acting as "human alarms" important for the infant's survival. When living under war-related threat, the auditory system may be sensitized given its importance for survival, potentially impacting maternal cry processing. Children living in armed-conflict zones are at increased risk for behavior problems, which may relate to both direct exposure and indirect effects through their parents' perceptions and behaviors. This hypothesis was examined in a sample of mothers and their first-born children (aged 10-45 months) living in the Gaza vicinity area in Israel, chronically exposed to missile alarms (high-exposure; n = 45), and a comparison group (low-exposure; n = 86). Group differences in child behavior problems and maternal perceptions of and responsiveness to cry were investigated. A moderated indirect-effect of maternal cry perceptions on child behavior problems via maternal responsiveness to cry was examined. In the high-exposure group, children had more externalizing problems and mothers rated cries as more aversive. Maternal cry perception was indirectly related to child behavior problems via responsiveness to cry only in the high-exposure group: higher perceptions of cry as aversive or the child as distressed were related to faster responding to crying, and faster cry responsiveness was linked with fewer behavior problems. Results suggest that in armed-conflict zones with auditory warning signals, the parental caring system may be easily activated by cries due to the strong association between alarms and threat. Furthermore, children may need their mothers to react faster when feeling distressed, possibly because of the surrounding threat.

Impact of Group vs. Individual Prenatal Care Provision on Women's Knowledge of Pregnancy-Related Topics: An Open, Controlled, Semi-Randomized Community Trial.

The importance of acquiring knowledge of pregnant women on prenatal care lies in its leading to confidence and ability in decision-making. There is a growing need for a model of prenatal care that will allow nurses to provide the most efficient pregnancy-related guidance with minimum need for additional staff. This study compares the level of knowledge on subjects pertaining to pregnancy and birth in low-risk pregnancies when delivered in group versus individual settings. The study is an open, controlled, semi-randomized community trial. The intervention arm received prenatal care services in a group setting led by a nurse. The control arm received prenatal care services in routine individual meetings with a nurse. Knowledge of prenatal subjects was evaluated by questionnaires. The level of knowledge of the women in the group setting for the pre-service questionnaire was lower than that of the women in the individual group, but higher for the final questionnaire. After accounting for a starting point difference (the women in the individual care arm started with a higher knowledge score), the women in the group setting had a three-fold improvement in score compared to the women in the individual setting (p = 0.043). Prenatal care provided in a group setting may lead to better knowledge acquisition, leading to better awareness of pregnancy-related medical conditions and to enhanced adherence to recommended pregnancy tests and healthy lifestyle.

When COVID-19 Met Families Living in Armed-Conflict Zones: The Importance of Maternal Trauma and Child Self-Regulation.

The COVID-19 outbreak began in Israel at the end of February 2020, and on March 17, 2020, a general lockdown was announced. Families were instructed to stay at home and schools and non-essential businesses were closed. Aiming to understand how families who were already living in areas of high exposure to armed conflict would be affected by another external stressful condition, data were collected before and after the outbreak. Mothers and children (aged 10-45 months) were recruited from areas with high (n = 40) and low (n = 78) exposure to armed conflict. Mothers reported on their posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and on their child's effortful control tendencies prior to the outbreak. Toward the end of the first lockdown, mothers were interviewed regarding adverse effects of the outbreak on their family. No group differences were found for maternal perceptions of adverse effects of COVID-19. However, a moderation model was revealed, indicating that maternal PTSS as well as child effortful control predicted adverse effects of COVID-19 only in the high-exposure group. Results are discussed considering cumulative stress and risk factors.

Association Between Abnormal Fetal Head Growth and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence for the prenatal onset of abnormal head growth in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), studies on fetal ultrasound data in ASD are limited and controversial. METHOD: We conducted a longitudinal matched case-sibling-control study on prenatal ultrasound biometric measures of children with ASD, and 2 control groups: (1) their own typically developed sibling (TDS) and (2) typically developed population (TDP). The cohort comprised 528 children (72.7% male), 174 with ASD, 178 TDS, and 176 TDP. RESULTS: During the second trimester, ASD and TDS fetuses had significantly smaller biparietal diameter (BPD) than TDP fetuses (adjusted odds ratio for the z score of BPD [aORzBPD] = 0.685, 95% CI = 0.527-0.890, and aORzBPD = 0.587, 95% CI = 0.459-0.751, respectively). However, these differences became statistically indistinguishable in the third trimester. Interestingly, head biometric measures varied by sex, with male fetuses having larger heads than female fetuses within and across groups. A linear mixed-effect model assessing the effects of sex and group assignment on fetal longitudinal head growth indicated faster BPD growth in TDS versus both ASD and TDP in male fetuses (ß = 0.084 and ß = 0.100 respectively; p < .001) but not in female fetuses, suggesting an ASD-sex interaction in head growth during gestation. Finally, fetal head growth showed conflicting correlations with ASD severity in male and female children across different gestation periods, thus further supporting the sex effect on the association between fetal head growth and ASD. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that abnormal fetal head growth is a familial trait of ASD, which is modulated by sex and is associated with the severity of the disorder. Thus, it could serve as an early biomarker for ASD.

[Planned home deliveries in Israel between the years 2003-2007].

OBJECTIVE: To determine obstetric and perinatal outcome of planned home deliveries in Israel. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed including planned home deliveries in Israel between the years 2003 and 2007. RESULTS: Data regarding 1749 planned home deliveries was retrieved. Of these, 1594 (91.1%) were managed successfully. The rate of cesarean deliveries was 3.3% and the rate of instrumental deliveries was 1.0%. No cases of maternal mortality were noted. However, one patient was hospitalized for more than 5 days due to cesarean complications. One case of sudden infant death syndrome occurred 30 hours after home delivery. CONCLUSION: With proper selection of low risk parturients, planned home deliveries are basically associated with favorable outcomes. Further prospective studies should substantiate our results in order to provide clear indications for home deliveries.

Amniotic fluid intercellular adhesion molecule-1 is a marker for Ureaplasma infection in women with preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the amniotic fluid soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 concentrations in women with preterm labor in relation to intra-amniotic infection. STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluids from 125 women with preterm labor (78 with preterm delivery and 47 with term deliveries) were examined for both soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 concentrations and intra-amniotic infection with Ureaplasma species. A chi2 test, or Fisher's exact test, when appropriate, was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the preterm delivery group, 45% (35 of 78) had intra-amniotic infection with Ureaplasma species, compared with 19% (9 of 47) in the term delivery group (P = .004). In women with intra-amniotic infection, 26% (9 of 38) had soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels above 1290 ng/ml. Only 2.3% (1 of 43) in the preterm delivery group without intra-amniotic infection attained this diagnostic level (P = .004). In contrast, there was no significant difference in soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels between those with or without intra-amniotic infection in the term delivery group. CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 concentrations exceeding 1290 ng/ml can be used as a marker for intra-amniotic infection with Ureaplasma in patients with preterm labor.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 concentration, in utero, decreases after antibiotic treatment.

A parturient suffering from preterm premature rupture of membranes at 29-weeks of gestation was hospitalized and staphylococcus was detected in her amniotic fluid. After treatment with antibiotics she delivered a healthy neonate three weeks later. ICAM-1 levels decreased by 20 fold correlating with elimination of the bacteria and prolongation of the pregnancy.

Obstetric characteristics and neonatal outcome of unplanned out-of-hospital term deliveries: a prospective, case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the obstetric characteristics and neonatal outcomes in unplanned out-of-hospital deliveries. STUDY DESIGN: Obstetric characteristics and neonatal outcomes were compared between 151 consecutive parturients with unplanned, out-of-hospital term deliveries and 151 hospital term deliveries. RESULTS: Women who delivered out of hospital tended to be older (32 +/- 5.5 vs. 28 +/- 5.0 years, p = 0.046) and less educated (4.4 +/- 5.1 vs. 6.5 +/- 5.0 years, p = 0.005) as compared to women who delivered in the hospital. Unplanned out-of-hospital deliveries resulted in statistically significant higher rate of low-birth-weight newborns (< 2,500 g) (OR= 3.9, 95% CI 2.0-7.7, p<0.001), postpartum hemorrhage (OR = 8.4, 95% CI 1.1-181.1, p = 0.018) and trended for higher rate of manual lysis of retained placenta and membranes (4.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.013). Higher rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit due to neonatal complications, such as polycythemia (12.6% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), hypoglycemia (9.3% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.001) and convulsions (3.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.024), were noted in the out-of-hospital delivery group as compared to the controls. Using a multivariable analysis, lower educational level (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.4, p < 0.001), maternal age > 35 (OR = 6.2, 95% CI 2.3-16.7, p < 0.001) and high parity (OR = 7.9, 95% CI 4.9-12.9, p<0.001) were found to be independent risk factors for an unplanned outof hospital delivery. CONCLUSION: Unplanned out-of-hospital birth is an important risk factor for such complications as postpartum hemorrhage, low birth weight and adverse neonatal outcome.

Single umbilical artery and umbilical cord torsion leading to fetal death. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine fetal death is a complication that cannot often be predicted by standard obstetric management. Cord accident may be responsible for about 5% of cases. Umbilical cord torsion is an extremely rare cause of intrauterine fetal death. CASE: An 18-year-old, nulliparous woman presented with a complaint of decreased fetal movement at 38 weeks' gestation. Intrauterine fetal death was diagnosed on ultrasound. The pathologic examination revealed umbilical cord torsion and confirmed a single umbilical artery that was diagnosed on ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Umbilical cord torsion that leads to intrauterine fetal death is extremely rare. A pregnancy with a single umbilical artery may need fetal monitoring during the third trimester.

Dilated cardiomyopathy in a pregnant woman after doxorubicin and radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hodgkin's disease occurs frequently in women of reproductive age. Anthracyclines in general and doxorubicin in particular are integral parts of therapy. CASE: A 24-year-old primigravida had dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosed at 34 weeks'gestation. Three years earlier she had been treated with chest radiation and combination chemotherapy, including doxorubicin, for Hodgkin's disease. CONCLUSION: The clinician should be aware of this manifestation. Multidisciplinary supervision throughout pregnancy as well as planned timing and mode of delivery are mandatory.

Accidental out-of-hospital delivery as an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To determine maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes of unattended out-of-hospital deliveries. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based study including all singleton deliveries between 1988 and 1999. Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of accidental out-of-hospital births were compared with those of women who delivered in the hospital. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate independent risk factors for out-of-hospital deliveries. Another model was constructed to assess the independent risk of out-of-hospital delivery for perinatal mortality. RESULTS: The incidence of unattended, out-of-hospital deliveries was 2% (2,328/114,938). Multiparity, Bedouin ethnicity and lack of prenatal care were independently associated with out-of-hospital deliveries. Parturients who delivered out of hospital had a significantly lower rate of previous cesarean deliveries. Perinatal mortality was significantly higher among out-of-hospital deliveries, and those newborns were significantly more likely to be small for gestational age as compared to newborns with in-hospital births. In a multivariable model investigating risk factors for perinatal mortality, out-of-hospital delivery was an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality. Other significant risk factors were Bedouin ethnicity and lack of prenatal care. CONCLUSION: Accidental out-of-hospital birth, associated with multiparity, Bedouin ethnicity and lack of prenatal care, is an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality.

Changes in fetal heart rate and uterine patterns associated with uterine rupture.

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine patterns preceding complete uterine rupture. STUDY DESIGN: FHR and uterine patterns of 50 women with uterine rupture were compared with 601 tracings of controls without scarred uteri. Tracings were interpreted using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Research Planning Workshop guidelines. RESULTS: Interobserver and intraobserver agreements of FHR and uterine tracings in the uterine rupture group were excellent (kappa of .96 for both variables). Comparing tracing patterns during the first stage, higher rates of severe fetal bradycardia (4.0% vs. 1.0%, P = .064), fetal tachycardia (8.0% vs. 2.3%, P = .042), reduced baseline variability (24.0% vs. 12.5%, P = .021), uterine tachysystole (10.0% vs. 0.8%, P < .001) and disappearance of contractions (6.0% vs. 0, P < .001) were noted among patients with uterine rupture as compared to the controls. During the second stage of labor, patients with uterine rupture had significantly higher rates of reduced baseline variability (47.8% vs. 7.7%, P < .001), severe variable decelerations (26.1% vs. 6.4%, P = .004), uterine tachysystole (22.0% vs. 0.5%, P < .001) and disappearance of contractions (13.0% vs. 0, P < .001). Using a backward, stepwise multiple logistic regression model, severe fetal bradycardia (OR = 8.2, 95% CI 2.2-31.0, P = .002) and uterine tachysystole (OR = should alert the 8.0, 95% CI 1.7-37.9, P = .008) were found to be independent patterns preceding uterine rupture during the first stage of labor. Likewise, during the second stage, reduced baseline variability (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.4-12.3, P = .009) and uterine tachysystole (OR = 42.3, 95% CI 10.6-168.3, P < .001) were independently associated with uterine rupture in another multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Abnormal monitor patterns among women presenting with risk factors for uterine rupture, specifically uterine tachysystole, reduced baseline variability and severe bradycardia, should act as warning signs to the obstetrician.

[Breastfeeding patterns according to ethnic origin in two Well Child-Care Clinics in Beer Sheva and Ofakim].

OBJECTIVE: To determine breastfeeding patterns according to the ethnic origin of mothers of 2-year old babies in two Well Child-Care Clinics in Beer Sheva and Ofakim, Israel. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed including all mothers of 2-year old babies in two Well Child-Care Clinics in Beer Sheva and Ofakim. A structured interview was given to 132 mothers, which included demographic data and breast-feeding characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 106 mothers (80%) initiated and maintained breast-feeding. Mean duration of breast-feeding was 10.7 weeks (SD = 13). Women of North-African ethnicity were less likely to maintain breast-feeding (8.8 +/- 21.1) as compared to mothers of Iranian/Iraqi/Turkish descent (29.7 +/- 39.8) (p < 0.05). Mean duration of breast-feeding among mothers who worked out of their house was significantly longer as compared to housewives (7.7 +/- 14.5 vs. 16.9 +/- 29.3; p = 0.05). These women had a higher level of education as compared to the housewives (14.0 +/- 2.7 years vs. 11.6+/- 1.4 years; p < 0.01). Mothers of three children were less likely to maintain breast-feeding as compared to mothers of two children (8.8 +/- 10.6 weeks vs. 16.1 +/- 19.7 weeks; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Special efforts in the realm of education regarding the importance of breast-feeding should be focused on mothers of North-African descent, secular women, housewives and those having three or more children. Further prospective studies should investigate the efficacy of educational programs as well as support groups regarding breast-feeding.

Higher rates of tachysystole among patients with clinically apparent uterine leiomyomas.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine uterine and fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing patterns associated with clinically apparent uterine leiomyomas. STUDY DESIGN: Uterine and FHR patterns of 44 women with diagnosed uterine leiomyomas were compared with 601 tracings of controls. Tracings were interpreted during the first stage of labor, using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Research Planning Workshop guidelines. Stratified analysis that used the Mantel-Haenszel technique was performed to control for confounders. RESULTS: Patients with leiomyomas had higher rates of uterine tachysystole as compared with those without leiomyomas (22.7% vs 1.3%; odds ratio [OR] = 21.8, 95% CI 7.4-65.6; P < .001). No significant differences were noted between the groups regarding FHR patterns. Higher rates'of prostaglandin induction and oxytocin augmentation were noted in the uterine leiomyomas group (6.8% vs 0.8%; P = .005 and 52.3% vs 10.5%; P < .001, respectively). However, controlling for prostaglandin induction and oxytocin augmentation, with the use of the Mantel-Haenszel procedure, did not change the significant association between uterine leiomyomas and tachysystole (weighted OR 12.5, 95% CI 6.2-75.1, and weighted OR 8.7, 95% CI 3.6-43.1, respectively). CONCLUSION: Clinically apparent uterine leiomyomas, although not coupled with abnormal FHR patterns, are associated with higher rates of tachysystole.

A retrospective study of unplanned out-of-hospital deliveries.

Our objective was to determine maternal characteristics and perinatal outcome of unplanned unattended deliveries en route to the hospital in comparison to unplanned deliveries attended by medical personnel within the parking facility of the hospital. All singleton deliveries occurring between 1988 and 1999 were analyzed from the computerized perinatal database. Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcome of unattended, unplanned out-of-hospital births were compared with unplanned deliveries in the hospital parking lot, with the assistance of medical personnel. Out of 2328 out-of-hospital deliveries, 5.7% ( n=133) were managed by medical personnel in the parking lot and 94.3% ( n=2195) occurred en route to the hospital. The birth weight of newborns from the attended out-of-hospital delivery group was significantly higher than the comparison group (3126.2+/-516 g vs. 3019+/-522 g; P=0.023). A significant linear association was found between birth weight and attended out-of-hospital births (Mantel-Haenszel test for linear association; P=0.002). Moreover, these newborns were significantly more likely to be large for gestational age (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.2-3.9; P=0.004). Parturients who delivered in the parking lot with the assistance of medical personnel, had significantly higher rates of grade 2 perineal tears (OR=8.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.4; P=0.041). Perinatal mortality was non-significantly higher among attended out-of-hospital deliveries (OR=2.8, 95% CI 0.8-8.3; P=0.279) as compared to unattended out-of-hospital deliveries. The attendance of medical personnel in unplanned out-of-hospital deliveries did not influence the birth outcome.

Effect of OB/GYN residents' fatigue and training level on the accuracy of fetal weight estimation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Ob/Gyn residents' fatigue and training level on the accuracy of their clinical and ultrasonographical estimation of fetal weight (EFW). METHODS: In this study, clinical and ultrasonographical EFWs were performed by various residents. Actual birth weight, gravidity, parity, gestational age, body mass index, presence or absence of diabetes and hypertensive diseases, presentation and amniotic fluid index were recorded. All EFWs were divided into 3 groups according to the hour they were performed. All residents were divided into 4 groups according to their training level. The accuracy of EFW as compared with actual birth weight was then analyzed according to the shift and to the residents' seniority by using the ANOVA test. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the factors that significantly and independently affected the weight evaluation. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the clinical EFW and the birth weight among the working shifts for birth weights of 2,500 g and more (p = 0.032 and p = 0.035). For clinical EFW, night shifts were the most inaccurate (9.27, 8.05 and 9.78% of error for day, evening and night shift, respectively; p = 0.03). The accuracy of ultrasonographical EFW was not affected by the residents' fatigue level. The residents' training level did not alter the accuracy of either clinical or sonographical EFW. The accuracy of clinical EFW was affected independently by the work shift (p = 0.01), whereas no factor was found to independently effect the accuracy of ultrasonographic EFW. CONCLUSIONS: Ob/Gyn residents' fatigue affects the accuracy of clinical but not ultrasonographical EFWs. Residents' training level does not alter either the clinical or sonographical EFW.