The use of sonographic myometrial thickness measurements for the prediction of time from induction of labor to delivery.

BACKGROUND: Several attempts have been made to find tools for the prediction of successful induction of labor. Sonographic myometrial thickness has not yet been investigated regarding its use as a clinical tool for the course of labor induction. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of sonographic measurement of myometrial thickness in the prediction of the time interval to successful vaginal delivery after induction of labor. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted including term singleton pregnancies with a vertex presentation designated for balloon induction at 38-42 weeks gestation. Prior to induction, abdominal sonographic myometrial thickness was assessed at five locations: lower uterine segment (above and below the reflection of the urinary bladder), mid-anterior wall, fundus and posterior uterine wall. Induction of labor was then carried out with a trans-cervical Foley catheter that was substituted with intravenous oxytocin after balloon expulsion. The parameters assessed were successful induction of labor resulting in a vaginal delivery and the time interval from balloon insertion to balloon expulsion, the time interval from initiation of oxytocin administration to delivery and the total time from balloon insertion to delivery. RESULTS: Fifty-two women were recruited to the study. Indications for labor induction were: post-date pregnancy (48.1%), gestational diabetes mellitus (19.2%), oligohydramnios (11.5%), gestational hypertensive disorders (5.8%) and other indications (15.4%). Vaginal delivery was achieved in 46 patients (88.5%). A statistically significant correlation was found between fundal and posterior uterine wall myometrial thickness and time from induction to balloon expulsion (r = 0.36, p = 0.03; r = - 0.35, p = 0.05, respectively). This correlation remained significant in a multivariate logistic regression model controlling for confounders. A correlation between myometrial thickness and the total time from induction to delivery was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Myometrial fundal and posterior uterine wall thickness in women undergoing labor induction with a balloon catheter was found to be correlated with the interval from balloon insertion to expulsion. Our findings support further investigations into the use of sonographic myometrial thickness as part of the assessment prior to induction of labor.

Pregnancy outcomes after thyroid cancer.

Background Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers in women of reproductive age. Our purpose was to evaluate the association between thyroid cancer and maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancy. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) database from the US. A cohort consisting of women who delivered between 1999 and 2014 was created. Multivariate logistic regression, controlling for baseline maternal characteristics, was used to compare pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with thyroid cancer [International Classification of Diseases, ninth edition (ICD-9) code 193] diagnosed before or during pregnancy with those of the obstetric population without thyroid cancer. Results The study included 14,513,587 pregnant women, of which 581 women had a diagnosis of thyroid cancer (4/100,000). During the observation period, there was an upward trend in the prevalence of thyroid cancer among pregnant women, though not statistically significant (P = 0.147). Women with thyroid cancer were more likely to be Caucasian, belong to a higher income quartile, have private insurance, to be discharged from an urban teaching hospital and to have pre-gestational hypertension. Women with thyroid cancer had a greater chance of delivering vaginally, requiring transfusion of blood and developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Neonates of mothers with thyroid cancer were not found to be at increased risk for the adverse neonatal outcomes examined, specifically, congenital malformations, intrauterine growth restriction, fetal death and preterm labor. Conclusion Pregnancies complicated by thyroid cancer have higher incidences of VTE and need for transfusions, with comparable overall newborn outcomes.

Prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus as an independent risk factor for long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity of the offspring.

BACKGROUND: The reported rates of gestational diabetes mellitus are constantly escalating and little is known about long-term complications in the offspring. Evidence from the field of epigenetics strongly advocates the need for research on the neuropsychiatric complications in offspring prenatally exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess whether in utero exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus increases the risk of long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity in the offspring. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based cohort study compared the incidence of hospitalizations due to neuropsychiatric disease between singletons exposed and unexposed to gestational diabetes mellitus. Deliveries occurred in the years 1991 through 2014 in a regional tertiary medical center. Perinatal deaths, multiple gestations, mothers with pregestational diabetes or lack of prenatal care, and children with congenital malformations were excluded from the study. A multivariate generalized estimating equation logistic regression model analysis was used to control for confounders and for maternal clusters. RESULTS: During the study period 231,271 deliveries met the inclusion criteria; 5.4% of the births were to mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 12,642), of these 4.3% had gestational diabetes type A1 (n = 10,076) and 1.1% had gestational diabetes type A2 (n = 2566). During the follow-up period, a significant linear association was noted between the severity of the gestational diabetes (no gestational diabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus A1, gestational diabetes mellitus A2) and neuropsychiatric disease of the offspring (1.02% vs 1.36% vs 1.68%, respectively, P < .001). A Kaplan-Meier curve demonstrated that children born to women with gestational diabetes mellitus had higher cumulative incidence of neuropsychiatric morbidity. Using a generalized estimating equation multivariable logistic regression model, controlling for time-to-event, maternal age, gestational age at delivery, maternal obesity, maternal preeclampsia and fertility treatments, maternal gestational diabetes mellitus was found to be an independent risk factor for long-term neuropsychiatric disease of the offspring (gestational diabetes mellitus A1 [adjusted odds ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-2.19] and gestational diabetes mellitus A2 [adjusted odds ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-2.27]). Within the limits of our database, our findings also point to a possible association between in utero exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus and autistic spectrum disorder of the offspring (adjusted odds ratio, 4.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.55-12.69), which was found significant also after controlling for time-to-event, maternal age, gestational age at delivery, and offspring weight at birth. CONCLUSION: Exposure to maternal gestational diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity in the offspring.

Risk factors predicting an emergency cesarean delivery for the second twin after vaginal delivery of the first twin.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate obstetrical risk factors predicting failure of vaginal delivery and an emergency cesarean section (CS) for the second twin after vaginal delivery of the first twin. In addition, the study was aimed to define perinatal outcomes of the second twin. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted, comparing all deliveries of twins in which CS was performed for the second twin to those in which both twins were delivered vaginally during the years 1988-2010. Women with multiple gestations in which a CS was performed for both twins were excluded from the study. RESULTS: During the study period, 1966 vaginal deliveries of the first twin were recorded; 192 involved emergency CS for the second twin. Risk factors for emergency CS of the second twin were preterm delivery, previous CS, placental abruption and breech presentation of the second twin. Perinatal outcomes did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for emergency cesarean section of the second twin are preterm delivery, previous CS, placental abruption and breech presentation. Nevertheless, short-term perinatal outcomes are comparable to twins delivered vaginally.

Blood flow Doppler velocimetry measured during active labor.

PURPOSE: To evaluate blood flow Doppler velocimetry during the first and second stages of active labor. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed. Patients at term (37-42 weeks gestation), with normal fetal heart rate tracing patterns (categorized as category I) were examined during the first and second stages of labor. The sonographic parameters that were measured included the blood flow resistance of the maternal uterine artery (UtA) and umbilical artery (UA). Wilcoxon-matched pair test was used for the comparison of flows between the first and the second stages of labor. RESULTS: UtA and UA Doppler velocimetry measurements were obtained from 31 parturients. The left (LT) and right (RT) UtA pulsatility index (PI) was lower in the second stage of labor as compared with the first stage. However, only the LT side reached a statistically significant difference (0.88 ± 0.32 and 0.73 ± 0.18; P = 0.005). Compared with the first stage of labor, UA PI was significantly higher during the second stage of labor (0.72 ± 0.17 vs. 0.84 ± 0.33; respectively, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Significant blood flow resistance changes in maternal as well as in fetal blood vessels occur during the second stage as compared with the first stage of active labor.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder caused by abnormal collagen synthesis. Little is known about its effects on pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pregnancy outcomes in women with EDS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from the United States. The study included women who delivered between 1999 and 2014. We measured the prevalence of EDS over time, and compared the baseline, obstetrical, and neonatal outcomes among women with EDS to the general obstetrical population without EDS. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to calculate the adjusted effect of EDS on maternal and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of EDS in pregnancy was 7 per 100,000 births, with the trend increasing over the 16 year study period (p < .0001). Women with EDS were more likely to be Caucasian, belong to a higher income quartile, and smoke. Pregnancies in women with EDS were associated with prematurity, 1.47 (1.18-1.82), cervical incompetence, 3.11 (1.99-4.85), antepartum hemorrhage, 1.71 (1.16-2.50), placenta previa, 2.26 (1.35-3.77) and maternal death, 9.04 (1.27-64.27). Pregnant women with EDS were more likely to be delivered by cesarean section, 1.55 (1.36-1.76), have longer postpartum stays (>7 days), 2.82 (2.08-3.85), and have a neonate with intra-uterine growth restriction, 1.81 (1.29-2.54). CONCLUSIONS: EDS in pregnancy is a high-risk condition with increased maternal morbidity and mortality, as well as newborn morbidity. Consideration should be given to prematurity preventative measures and high-risk pregnancy consultation.

Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus: is it associated with long-term pediatric ophthalmic morbidity of the offspring?

PURPOSE: To determine whether children born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk to develop of pediatric ophthalmic morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this population based cohort study, all deliveries between 1991 and 2014 were included. Congenital malformations, multiple gestations, and patients lacking prenatal care were excluded from analysis. Mothers were defined as either having no GDM, having diet-treated GDM, or medically treated GDM. Outcomes were defined as different ophthalmic morbidities of the offspring until the age of 18. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare the cumulative morbidity in each group, and a Cox proportional hazard model was used to control for possible confounders. RESULTS: During the study period, 238,622 deliveries met the inclusion criteria, of those 4.0% (n = 9601) of mothers were diagnosed with GDM treated by diet, and an additional 1.0% (n = 2398) were diagnosed with GDM treated by medication. Offsprings of patients with GDM treated by medication had a higher cumulative incidence of ophthalmic morbidity when compared to the other groups (Kaplan-Meier log rank test p = .038). GDM treated by medication was found to be an independent risk factor for long-term ophthalmic morbidity, in a cox multivariable model (adjusted HR: 1.5, 95%CI: 1.05-2.1, p = .025). CONCLUSIONS: Gestational diabetes mellitus treated by medication is associated with an increased risk for long-term pediatric ophthalmic morbidity.

Long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity in children exposed prenatally to preeclampsia.

INTRODUCTION: There are contradicting findings in the current literature regarding the association between in-utero exposure to preeclampsia and the long-term neuropsychiatric health of the offspring. The objective of this study is to assess whether prenatal exposure to preeclampsia increases the risk of long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity. METHODS: A retrospective population-based cohort study compared neuropsychiatric morbidity between singletons exposed and unexposed to preeclampsia. The study included all the singletons that were born between 1991 and 2014 in a single regional tertiary medical center. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to control for confounders and maternal clusters. RESULTS: Of the 253,808 singletons that met the inclusion criteria; 3.0% were born to mothers diagnosed with mild preeclampsia (n = 7660), 0.9% with severe preeclampsia (n = 2366) and 0.03% with eclampsia (n = 81). A significant linear association was noted between the severity of the preeclampsia (no preeclampsia, mild, severe preeclampsia and eclampsia) and the incidence of neuropsychiatric morbidity of the offspring (1.0%, vs. 1.2% vs. 1.9% vs. 1.2% respectively, p = 0.003). In a GEE model which was used to control for maternal clusters, gestational diabetes, maternal age, gestational age and time-to-event preeclampsia was found to be an independent risk factor for neuropsychiatric morbidity in the offspring (adjusted OR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.14-1.63). CONCLUSION: Offspring exposed prenatally to preeclampsia have a significantly higher risk of developing a neuropsychiatric morbidity during childhood.

Prenatal exposure to preeclampsia as an independent risk factor for long-term cardiovascular morbidity of the offspring.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Regarding the offspring, little is known about the long-term complications. The objective of the current study is to assess whether in utero exposure to preeclampsia increases the risk of long-term cardiovascular morbidity in the offspring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based cohort study compared the incidence of cardiovascular disease between singletons exposed and unexposed to preeclampsia. Deliveries occurred between 1991 and 2014 in a regional tertiary medical center. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to control for confounders. RESULTS: During the study period 231,298 deliveries met the inclusion criteria; 4.1% of the births were to mothers diagnosed with preeclampsia, of which 3.2% with mild preeclampsia (n = 7286), 0.9% with severe preeclampsia (n = 2174) and 0.03% with eclampsia (n = 73). A significant linear association was noted between preeclampsia (no preeclampsia, mild preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia and eclampsia) and cardiovascular disease of the offspring (0.24%, vs. 0.33% vs. 0.51% vs. 2.73% respectively, p < 0.001 using the chi-square test for trends). In the offspring born at term, severe preeclampsia was found to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity (adjusted HR = 2.32; 95% CI 1.15-4.67). In offspring born preterm, neither severe preeclampsia (adjusted HR = 1.36; 95% CI 0.53-3.48) nor mild preeclampsia (adjusted HR = 0.37; 95% CI 0.52-2.71) were associated with cardiovascular morbidity of the offspring. CONCLUSION: Exposure to severe maternal preeclampsia is an independent risk factor for long-term cardiovascular morbidity in the offspring born at term.

The use of sonographic cervical length assessment for the prediction of time from induction to delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the role of trans-vaginal cervical length measurement in the prediction of the interval to successful vaginal delivery after induction of labor with balloon catheter. METHODS: In this prospective study of cervical length measurement before induction of labor, singleton pregnancies that underwent induction of labor between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation were included. The data collected included trans-vaginal sonographic cervical measurements followed by digital cervical assessment. Bishop score was used to quantify digital assessment (before induction of labor). RESULTS: During the study period, 71 patients were included in the study. A statistically significant linear correlation was found between sonographic cervical length prior to induction of labor and the time of delivery (Pearson correlation 0.335; p values 0.005). Of the 57 vaginal deliveries, 27 patients had a cervical length of less than 28 mm. Patients with a cervical length of less than 28 mm had a significantly shorter time to delivery compared to patients with more than 28 mm length (20.4 versus 28.7, respectively; p value = 0.019). Cervical length of 28 mm remained significantly correlated even after performing several logistic regression models in order to control for confounders such as parity and age. In addition, a correlation was found between Bishop scores of above 7 to the time to delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical length is correlated linearly to the time interval between induction of labor and delivery. A cervical length of less than 28 mm was found to be statistically significant in predicting a shorter time to delivery.