Clinical significance of true umbilical cord knot: a propensity score matching study.

OBJECTIVE: True umbilical cord knot (TUCK) is a rare finding that often leads to intensified surveillance and patient anxiety. This study sought to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes of TUCK. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary university medical center in 2007-2019. Patients with singleton pregnancies diagnosed postnatally with TUCK were identified and compared to women without TUCK for obstetric and neonatal outcomes using propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: TUCK was diagnosed in 780 of the 96,766 deliveries (0.8%). Women with TUCK were older than those without TUCK (32.57 vs. 31.06 years, P < 0.001) and had higher gravidity (3 vs. 2, P < 001) and a higher rate of prior stillbirth (1.76% vs. 0.43%, P < 0.01). Following covariate adjustment, 732 women with TUCK were compared to 7320 matched controls. TUCK was associated with emergency cesarean delivery due to non-reassuring fetal heart rate (2.54% vs. 4.35%, P = 0.008, OR 1.71, 95%CI 1.14-2.56) and intrapartum meconium-stained amniotic fluid (19.26% vs. 15.41%, P = 0.022, OR 1.31, 95%CI 1.04-1.65). Neonatal outcomes were comparable except for higher rates of 1-min Apgar score < 7 and neonatal seizures in the TUCK group. The stillbirth rate was higher in the TUCK group, but the difference was not statistically significant (1.23% vs 0.62%, P = 0.06, OR 1.96, 95%CI 0.96-4.03). CONCLUSIONS: TUCK has several identifiable risk factors. Pregnant women with TUCK may cautiously be informed of the relatively low risks of major obstetric or perinatal complications. The lower occurrence of stillbirth in the TUCK group warrants further study.

Glycemic control and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary data suggest that strict glycemic control in twin pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus may not improve outcomes but might increase the risk of fetal growth restriction. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association of maternal glycemic control with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus-related complications and small for gestational age in twin pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients with a twin pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus in a single tertiary center between 2011 and 2020, and a matched control group of patients with a twin pregnancy without gestational diabetes mellitus in a 1:3 ratio. The exposure was the level of glycemic control, described as the proportion of fasting, postprandial, and overall glucose values within target. Good glycemic control was defined as a proportion of values within target above the 50th percentile. The first coprimary outcome was a composite variable of neonatal morbidity, defined as at least 1 of the following: birthweight >90th centile for gestational age, hypoglycemia requiring treatment, jaundice requiring phototherapy, birth trauma, or admission to the neonatal intensive care unit at term. A second coprimary outcome was small for gestational age, defined as birthweight <10th centile or <3rd centile for gestational age. Associations between the level of glycemic control and the study outcomes were estimated using logistic regression analysis and were expressed as adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus in a twin pregnancy met the study criteria. The overall rate of the primary outcome was 32.4% (34/105), and the overall proportion of pregnancies with a small for gestational age newborn at birth was 43.8% (46/105). Good glycemic control was not associated with a reduction in the risk of composite neonatal morbidity when compared with suboptimal glycemic control (32.1% vs 32.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.06 [95% confidence interval, 0.77-5.49]). However, good glycemic control was associated with higher odds of small for gestational age compared with nongestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies, especially in the subgroup of diet-treated gestational diabetes mellitus (65.5% vs 34.0%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio, 4.17 [95% confidence interval, 1.74-10.01] for small for gestational age <10th centile; and 24.1% vs 7.0%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio, 3.97 [95% confidence interval, 1.42-11.10] for small for gestational age <3rd centile). In contrast, the rate of small for gestational age in gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies with suboptimal control was not considerably different when compared with non-gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies. In addition, in cases of diet-treated gestational diabetes mellitus, good glycemic control was associated with a left-shift of the distribution of birthweight centiles, whereas the distribution of birthweight centiles among gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies with suboptimal control was similar to that of nongestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies. CONCLUSION: In patients with gestational diabetes mellitus in a twin pregnancy, good glycemic control is not associated with a reduction in the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus-related complications but may increase the risk of a small for gestational age newborn in the subgroup of patients with mild (diet-treated) gestational diabetes mellitus. These findings further question whether the gestational diabetes mellitus glycemic targets used in singleton pregnancies also apply to twin pregnancies and support the concern that applying the same diagnostic criteria and glycemic targets in twin pregnancies may result in overdiagnosis and overtreatment of gestational diabetes mellitus and potential neonatal harm.

Intrauterine Blood Transfusion for Parvo B19-Induced Fetal Anemia: Neuroimaging Findings and Long-Term Neurological Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the neuroimaging findings and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of fetuses and children following intrauterine blood transfusion (IUT) for parvo B19 infection-induced anemia compared to those with RBC alloimmunization. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including women who underwent an IUT due to fetal anemia between 2006 and 2019 in a tertiary, university-affiliated medical center. The cohort was divided into two groups: a study group - fetuses affected by congenital parvo B19 infection; and a control group - fetuses affected by RBC alloimmunization. Retrospective data such as antenatal sonographic evaluations, fetal brain MRI results, and short-term fetal and neonatal outcomes were collected. All children underwent a neurodevelopmental evaluation after birth using a Vineland questionnaire. Primary outcome was defined as the presence or absence of neurodevelopmental delay. Secondary outcome was defined as the presence of abnormal fetal neuroimaging findings such as cerebellar hypoplasia, polymicrogyria, intracranial hemorrhage, or severe ventriculomegaly. RESULTS: Overall, 71 fetuses requiring at least one IUT were included in the study. Of these, 18 were affected by parvo B19 infection and 53 by RBC alloimmunization with various associated antibodies. Fetuses in the parvo B19 group presented at an earlier gestational age (22.91 ± 3.36 weeks vs. 27.37 ± 4.67 weeks, p = 0.002) and were more affected by hydrops (93.33% vs. 16.98%, p < 0.001). Three fetuses out of the 18 (16.67%) fetuses in the parvo B19 group died in utero following the IUT. Abnormal neuroimaging findings were detected in 4/15 (26.7%) of the parvo B19 survivors versus 2/53 (3.8%) of fetuses affected by RBC alloimmunization (p = 0.005). There was no difference in long-term neurodevelopmental delay rates between the children in the study and control groups, as assessed at the average age of 3.65 and 6.53 years, accordingly. CONCLUSION: Fetal anemia due to parvo B19, treated with IUT, might be associated with increased rates of abnormal neurosonographic findings. The correlation between those findings and long-term adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes requires further investigation.

Fetal congenital heart disease - mode of delivery and obstetrical complications.

BACKGROUND: The optimal mode of delivery in cases of fetal congenital heart disease (CHD) is not established. The few relevant studies did not address operative vaginal delivery. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of fetal CHD on mode of delivery during a trial of labor, and to secondarily describe some obstetric complications. METHODS: The database of a tertiary medical center was searched for women who gave birth to a singleton, liveborn neonate in 2015-2018. Mode of delivery was compared between women carrying a fetus with known CHD and women with a healthy fetus matched 1:5 for maternal age, parity, body mass index, and gestational age. RESULTS: The cohort included 616 women, 105 in the CHD group and 511 in the control group. The rate of operative vaginal delivery was significantly higher in the CHD group (18.09% vs 9.78%, OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.13-3.63, p = 0.01); the difference remained significant after adjustment for nulliparity and gestational age at delivery (aOR 2.58, 95% CI 1.36-4.9, p < 0.01). There was no difference between the CHD and control group in rate of intrapartum cesarean delivery (9.52% vs 10.76%, respectively, OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.47-1.98, p = 0.93). The most common indication for operative vaginal delivery was non-reassuring fetal heart rate (78.94% vs 64%, respectively). Median birth weight percentile was significantly lower in the CHD group (45th vs 53rd percentile, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that operative vaginal delivery, performed mostly because of non-reassuring fetal heart rate, is more common in pregnancies complicated by a prenatal diagnosis of CHD than non-anomalous pregnancies.

Preeclampsia-Like Syndrome in a Pregnant Patient With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

BACKGROUND: Hypertension, proteinuria, and hepatic dysfunction have been described as manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and are generally accepted as poor prognostic factors. However, these same findings can also occur in pregnant women with preeclampsia, thus creating a diagnostic challenge. CASE: We report a case of COVID-19 infection in an otherwise healthy pregnant patient with secondary hypertension, proteinuria, and significant hepatic dysfunction. Maternal placental growth factor (PlGF) testing was used to rule out preeclampsia. The patient received supportive care and improved significantly. She went on to have a spontaneous vaginal term delivery of a healthy male baby. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 infection in pregnancy may present as preeclampsia-like syndrome. PlGF testing can be used to differentiate preeclampsia from COVID-19 and facilitate appropriate management.

Glucose tolerance test with a single abnormal value in pregnancy and the risk of type-2 diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between a single abnormal value on a 3-h 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results and future type-2 diabetes mellitus (Type-2 DM). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of women between 18 and 45 years of age who underwent a 3-h OGTT during pregnancy and delivered in a tertiary medical center between 2007 and 2014. The women  were followed for a median period of 64 months postpartum. According to OGTT values, women were divided into three groups: normoglycemic (normal OGTT), single abnormal OGTT value (SAV) and gestational diabetes mellitus (two or more abnormal OGTT values, GDM). General pre-pregnancy characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors and future diagnosis of Type-2 DM, as the primary outcome, were recorded. RESULTS: During the study period, 5295 women underwent an OGTT and were followed for a median period of 64 months (interquartile range of 32). The cohort was divided as following: 3639 (68.73%) were normoglycemic, 854 (16.13%) had a SAV in the OGTT and 802 (15.15%) were diagnosed with GDM. Compared with normoglycemic controls, women with SAV and GDM tended to be older (32.20, 33.10 and 31.35 years for SAV, GDM and controls, respectively, p < 0.001); with higher rates of pre-pregnancy obesity (18.62%, 20.77% and 13.22% for SAV, GDM and controls, respectively, p < 0.001), pre-pregnancy hyperlipidemia (13.35%, 15.30% and 10.52% for SAV, GDM and controls, respectively, p = 0.021) and pre-pregnancy chronic hypertension (5.50%, 4.43% and 3.18% for SAV, GDM and controls, respectively, p = 0.01). Post-pregnancy Type-2 DM was diagnosed at a higher rate among women with SAV or GDM (2.69% for SAV, 7.39% for GDM and 0.66% for normoglycemic controls, p < 0.001). Using a cox proportional hazard regression, SAV and GDM were significantly and independently associated with a higher rate of future overt type-2 diabetes (adjusted aOR 3.59 for SAV and 11.38 for GDM, p < 0.001). In a sub-analysis of the OGTT values, overall, abnormal fasting glucose had the highest correlation with developing future Type-2 DM (8.95% compared with 6.02% for OGTT_60, 6.03% for OGTT_120 and 7.35% for OGTT_180, p < 0.001). A predictive model, combining multiple risk factors, as pre-pregnancy obesity and hypertension with SAV complicating the index pregnancy showed a risk as high as 3.40% for developing future Type-2 DM. CONCLUSION: SAV is independently associated with a significant higher rate of future Type-2 DM, as early as 5 years following the index pregnancy.

Abnormal glucose challenge test in absence of oral glucose tolerance test - are there consequences?

This is a retrospective analysis of mothers with abnormal 1-hour, 50-grams glucose challenge test (GCT) who did not take a 3-hour, 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This study group of women was compared to three control groups, based on an OGTT diagnostic test- normal OGTT, single pathological value and gestational diabetes mellitus. Overall- 4,185 women were included and sub-divided accordingly into four groups: Group A-340 (8.12%)- no OGTT; Group B-2,585 (61.77%)- Norm OGTT (All values normal); Group C- 564 (13.48%)- SinOGTT (single pathological value) and Group D- 696 (16.63%)- Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM, ≥ 2 pathological values). Groups A, C and D had higher rates of intrapartum Caesarean Delivery (10.29%, 11.52% and 10.19% vs. 8.43%, p < .0001). Group A had highest rates of neonatal adverse outcomes, as neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (12.4% vs. 8.4%, 11.0% and 10.0%, p = .039), small for gestational age (SGA) neonates (7.0% vs. 5.3%, 3.7% and 6.0%, p = .0092) and neonatal hypoglycaemia (3.5% vs. 1.3%, 3.2% and 2.9%, p = .007). A multivariable regression revealed that having an abnormal GCT without an OGTT was an independent risk factor for neonatal intensive care unit admission, neonatal hypoglycaemia and intrapartum caesarean delivery. We concluded that women with pathological GCT who did not complete OGTT have higher rates of obstetric adverse outcomes. They should be closely monitored during delivery and should not be overlooked.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Adverse outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus are well established. But, the group of women who fail to complete a confirmatory OGTT following a pathological GCT is not well described.What the results of this study add? Our results point out that women who fail to complete an OGTT, suffer from higher rates of obstetric complications, presumably attributed to disrupted glucose values, but also to poor prenatal care.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? These women should not be overlooked. They should be closely monitored during labour and delivery.

The effect of meconium-stained amniotic fluid on perinatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes.

PURPOSE: To determine whether meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) encountered in pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcome. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all singleton pregnancies with PPROM and MSAF who delivered in a tertiary hospital at 24 + 0-36 + 6 weeks of gestation between 2007 and 2017. Women with PPROM-MSAF (study group) were compared to women with PPROM and clear amniotic fluid (control group). Controls were matched to cases according to age, gravidity, parity and gestational age at delivery in a 3:1 ratio. Primary outcome was defined as neonatal intensive care unit admission. Secondary outcomes were neonatal adverse outcomes, chorioamnionitis and placental abruption diagnosed clinically or by placental cultures and histology. RESULTS: Seventy-five women comprised the study group and were matched to 225 women representing the control group. A significantly higher rate of neonatal intensive care unit admissions was noted in the study group compared to controls (61.3% vs. 45.7%, p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that MSAF is an independent risk factor for neonatal intensive care unit admission (adjusted OR = 2.82, 95% CI 1.39-5.75, p = 0.004). MSAF was found to be associated to higher rates of cesarean and operative vaginal deliveries (30.7% vs. 24.4% and 5.3% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.057, respectively) as well as to chorioamnionitis and placental abruption (33.3% vs. 19.3%, p = 0.034 and 16.0% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.021, respectively). CONCLUSION: MSAF is associated with higher frequencies of adverse perinatal outcome when compared to clear amniotic fluid in pregnancies complicated by PPROM.

Transient Isolated Polyhydramnios and Perinatal Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate labor and perinatal outcomes of transient isolated polyhydramnios. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study (2008-2013) at a university-affiliated, tertiary medical center. Eligibility was limited to patients with singleton gestations, no maternal diabetes or known structural/chromosomal anomalies, and no rupture of the membranes prior to delivery, at > 34 weeks of gestation. All women underwent routine sonogram for estimation of fetal weight (sEFW) between 28-34 weeks of gestation, and a second routine sonogram at admission. We compared women diagnosed with polyhydramnios at the time of the sEFW which later resolved, with women who had normal AFI during the sEFW. RESULTS: Overall, 44 263 women delivered during this time period, of which 292 (0.7 %) with transient polyhydramnios (study group) and 29 682 with a normal amniotic fluid level (control group) were eligible for analysis. Women with transient polyhydramnios had a higher risk for assisted vaginal delivery (AVD), mainly due to abnormal/intermediate fetal heart rate tracings (aOR 2.3, 95 % CI 1.2-5.5), and a higher risk for cesarean delivery (CD), mostly because of labor dystocia (aOR 2.5, 95 % CI 1.2-5.1 for 1st stage arrest and aOR 3.4, 95 % CI 1.6-7.2) for 2nd stage arrest), suspected macrosomia (aOR 3.2, 95 % CI 1.6-6.6) and malpresentation (aOR 6.6, 95 % CI 2.0-21.1). CONCLUSION: Transient isolated polyhydramnios detected during the sonogram at 28-32 weeks of gestation is an independent risk factor for the need for obstetrical intervention during labor.

Second Trimester Biochemical Markers as Possible Predictors of Pathological Placentation: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the association between second trimester biochemical markers and pathological placentation. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study (2007-2014) of singleton gestations at a university-affiliated tertiary center. Women with pathologic placentation were subdivided into three groups: placenta accreta (group A), placenta previa (group B), or both (group C). We compared second trimester biochemical screening markers taken between 16 + 0 and 19 + 6 weeks of gestation between groups A, B, and C, and women with normal placentation (group D). Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes, risk factors for pathologic placentation, and second trimester biochemical marker values were compared between groups. RESULTS: Overall, 301 deliveries were evaluated: 64 (21%) in group A, 66 (22%) in group B, 17 (6%) in group C, and 153 (51%) in group D. Each of the pathological placentation groups individually had a higher median alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) multiples of median (MoM) than the controls, with the highest values of AFP and hCG observed among women with placenta accreta and the lowest values among the controls. When a multivariant analysis was applied, the hCG levels remained significantly correlated with pathological placentation. Receiver operation characteristic curves for AFP, hCG, or both were computed. For AFP the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.573 (95% CI 0.515-0.630, p < 0.0274) and a cut-off value above 0.99 MoM demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 71 and 46%, respectively, for the prediction of pathological placentation. For hCG, the AUC was 0.662 (95% CI 0.605-0.715, p < 0.0001) and a cut-off value of 1.25 MoM demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 53 and 68%. When both markers were plotted, the AUC was 0.668 (95% CI 0.611-0.721, p < 0.0001) and sensitivity and specificity were 63 and 64%, respectively. A percentile MoM cut-off approach distinguished between two groups: a high-risk group (patients with AFP or hCG or both above the 75th percentile, odds ratio (OR) for pathological placentation 2.27, 95% CI 1.42-3.63), and a low-risk group (patients with AFP or hCG or both below the 25th percentile, OR for pathological placentation 0.38, 95% CI 0.24-0.60). CONCLUSION: Second trimester biomarkers such as hCG and AFP can be used to raise a suspicion towards characterizing women into high-risk and low-risk groups for pathological placentation.

Birthweight thresholds for increased risk for maternal and neonatal morbidity following vaginal delivery: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To determine neonatal birthweight (BW) thresholds for adverse maternal and neonatal outcome following vaginal delivery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all women with singleton pregnancies who underwent vaginal delivery in a university-affiliated tertiary hospital (1996-2015). The association between BW and adverse outcome in neonates with BW ≥ 3500 g (> 90th centile BW at 37 weeks' gestation) with 100 g-increment groups was explored. Pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus, fetal anomalies or cesarean deliveries were excluded. The composite neonatal outcome was defined as shoulder dystocia or brachial plexus injury. The composite maternal outcome was defined as postpartum hemorrhage or third- or fourth-degree perineal tears. RESULTS: Of the 121,728 deliveries during the study period, 26,920 (22.1%) met inclusion criteria. Of these, 1024 (3.8%) had a composite adverse maternal outcome and 947 (3.5%) had a composite adverse neonatal outcome. The rates of composite maternal outcomes increased significantly only at a BW of 4800 g and above. The composite neonatal outcomes increased significantly only at a BW of 4400 g and above. In multivariate analysis, after subcategorizing our cohort into 3 BW groups [3500-3999 g (control, n = 23,030); 4000-4399 g (n = 3494); ≥ 4400 g (n = 396)], BW was associated with adverse neonatal outcomes in a dose-dependent manner. In the BW ≥ 4400 g group, to prevent one case of shoulder dystocia or Erb's palsy, 12 cesarean deliveries needed to be performed. CONCLUSION: For non-diabetic mothers who deliver vaginally, neonatal BW ≥ 4400 g was associated with a significant increase in adverse neonatal outcomes, whereas neonatal BW ≥ 4800 g was associated with a significant increase in adverse maternal outcomes.

[ADVANCED ABDOMINAL PREGNANCY].

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal pregnancy is a very rare obstetric complication which is seriously hazardous to the mother as well as the fetus. It poses a diagnostic challenge to this day. Both maternal and fetal mortality rates in such cases are high, as well as the malformation rate among the affected fetus. The best diagnostic tools are ultrasound and MRI. The availability of these instruments, and especially the latter, is scarce in developing countries, hence the higher rate of this type of pregnancy in these regions. The higher incidence of abdominal pregnancy in developing countries is also associated with the greater prevalence of low socioeconomic status, pelvic infections and infertility - all are more prevalent in these countries. Abdominal pregnancy may be primary - that is fertilization of an ovum in the abdominal cavity, or secondary - re-implantation following tubal abortion, perforation of the uterine wall during curettage or expulsion of pregnancy material through uterine rupture or dehiscence. Heterotopic pregnancies, in which one or both fetuses are found as abdominal pregnancy have been reported. Treatment is surgery. The issue of removing the placenta during the operation is controversial to this day. Treatment of the remaining placenta with methotrexate has recently been abandoned. Lately, conservative treatment by potassium chloride (KCl) injection to the fetal heart by sonographic guidance has been suggested.

Circulating angiogenic factors in monochorionic twin pregnancies complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and selective intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine maternal plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1), placental growth factor (PLGF), and soluble endoglin (sEng) in monochorionic diamniotic (MC/DA) twin pregnancies complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) or selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR). STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal cohort study of pregnant women with MC/DA twins who were classified into 3 groups: (1) uncomplicated MC/DA twins (n = 22), (2) TTTS (n = 23), and (3) sIUGR (n = 15). Maternal plasma samples were obtained between 13-20 and 21-28 weeks of gestation and cord blood samples were collected at delivery. Maternal plasma concentrations of sVEGFR-1, PLGF, and sEng, as well as cord blood levels of sVEGFR-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: Maternal plasma levels of sVEGFR-1 and sEng were significantly higher in patients with TTTS at the early and late second trimester compared with normal monochorionic pregnancies (P < .01). In contrast, in the sIUGR group, sVEGFR-1 and sEng levels were significantly higher only at the late second trimester (P < .05). PLGF levels were significantly lower at the early and late second trimester in both TTTS and sIUGR compared with controls (P < .01). Plasma concentrations of sVEGFR-1 were significantly higher among TTTS pregnancies compared with sIUGR at the late second trimester (P = .027). Cord blood levels of sVEGFR-1 were significantly higher in the smaller intrauterine growth restricted twin compared with the normal cotwin. CONCLUSION: Monochorionic pregnancies complicated by TTTS and sIUGR are characterized by decreased angiogenic activity. The disparity in severity of the antiangiogenic state between TTTS and sIUGR suggests that these 2 conditions may represent a continuum.

Adverse outcomes of nonnuchal umbilical cord entanglement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate perinatal effects of umbilical cord entanglement (UCE) of different body parts. METHODS: The database of a tertiary medical center was retrospectively searched for women who gave birth to a liveborn singleton newborn in 2014-2018. Those diagnosed postpartum with UCE were matched 1:10 with women who were not and compared for adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes, overall and by site of entanglement. RESULTS: A total of 14 299 women were evaluated, of whom 1243 were diagnosed with UCE: 78.7% neck, 26% trunk, 6.7% limb. UCE was associated with lower birth weight percentile and higher rate of small for gestational age, but findings were significant only for neck and trunk UCE. On multivariate regression analysis adjusted for maternal age, parity, gestational age at birth, and history of cesarean delivery, UCE was an independent risk factor for nonreassuring fetal heart rate, labor induction, operative vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid, but not for lower absolute birth weight/birth weight percentile, small for gestational age, low 1-min Apgar score, or neonatal asphyxia. CONCLUSION: While fetuses with UCE might be more compromised during labor, they apparently recover shortly after birth. The impact on perinatal outcomes was similar for UCE of the neck and trunk and lower for UCE of the limb.

To know or not to know: Effect of third-trimester sonographic fetal weight estimation on outcomes of large-for-gestational age neonates.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of late third-trimester sonographic estimation of large for gestational age fetuses on pregnancy management and selected fetal and maternal adverse outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary, university-affiliated medical center between 2015 and 2019. All singleton large-for-gestational-age neonates born during this period were included. The cohort was divided into two groups: neonates for whom fetal weight was estimated on late third trimester (<14 days before delivery) sonography and neonates with no recent fetal weight estimation. The groups were compared for pregnancy management strategies, rates of labor induction, cesarean deliveries, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1712 neonates were included in the study, among whom 791 (46.2%) had a late third-trimester fetal weight estimation (study group) and 921 (53.8%) did not (control group). Compared to the control group, the study group was characterized by higher rates of maternal primiparity (24.20% vs 19.20%, P = 0.013), higher maternal body mass index (26.0 ± 6.2 kg/m2 vs 24.7 ± 4.5 kg/m2, P = 0.002), more inductions of labor (29.84% vs 16.40%, P < 0.001) and cesarean deliveries (31.0% vs 19.97%, P < 0.001). There were no clinical differences in neonatal birth weight (4041 ± 256 g vs 3984 264 g, P < 0.001) and no significant differences between other neonatal outcomes, as rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, jaundice, hypoglycemia, and shoulder dystocia. CONCLUSION: Late third-trimester sonographic fetal weight estimation is associated with a higher rate of labor induction and planned and intrapartum cesarean deliveries. In this retrospective cohort study, those interventions did not lead to reduction in maternal or neonatal adverse outcomes.

Impact of Antenatal Care Modifications on Gestational Diabetes Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Many of the adverse outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are linked to excessive fetal growth, which is strongly mediated by the adequacy of maternal glycemic management. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid adoption of virtual care models. We aimed to compare glycemic management, fetal growth, and perinatal outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2017 and 2020. Singleton pregnancies complicated by GDM were included in the study. The cohort was stratified into "before" and "during" COVID-19 subgroups, using March 11, 2020, as the demarcation time point. Women who began their GDM follow-up starting March 11, 2020, and thereafter were allocated to the COVID-19 era, whereas women who delivered before the demarcation point served as the pre-COVID-19 era. The primary outcome was the rate of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) neonates. Secondary outcomes included select maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Seven hundred seventy-five women were included in the analysis, of which 187 (24.13%) were followed during the COVID-19 era and 588 (75.87%) before the COVID-19 era. One hundred seventy-one of the 187 women (91.44%) followed during COVID-19 had at least 1 virtual follow-up visit. No virtual follow-up visits occurred before the COVID-19 era. There was no difference in the rate of LGA neonates between groups on both univariate (5.90% vs 7.30%, p=0.5) and multivariate analyses, controlling for age, ethnicity, parity, body mass index, gestational weight gain, chronic hypertension, smoking, and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.49 to 2.51, p=0.80). In the multivariate analysis, there was no difference in composite neonatal outcome between groups (GDM diet: aOR 1.40, 95% CI 0.81 to 2.43, p=0.23; GDM medical treatment: aOR 1.20, 95% CI 0.63 to 2.43, p=0.5). CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for differences in baseline variables, the combined virtual mode of care was not associated with a higher rate of LGA neonates or other adverse perinatal outcomes in women with GDM. Larger studies are needed to better understand the specific impact of virtual care on less common outcomes in pregnancies with GDM.

Risk of thrombocytopenia in neonates of thrombocytopenic mothers.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal thrombocytopenia during pregnancy may occur due to several possible etiologies, with potential neonatal impact. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between maternal and neonatal platelet count among women with thrombocytopenia during pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study (2012-2019) was conducted at a tertiary medical center. Complete blood count was routinely measured in all patients on admission to the delivery ward. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count below 150 K/µL. Clinical and outcome parameters of thrombocytopenic mothers and their newborns were collected from the electronic files and analyzed by severity of maternal thrombocytopenia. RESULTS: Of 45 385 women with a documented platelet count at admission, 2841 (6.24%) had thrombocytopenia: 2623 (5.7%) mild (100-149 K/µL), 207 (0.45%) moderate (50-99 K/µL), and 11 (0.02%) severe (<50 K/µL). Eight newborns had thrombocytopenia; corresponding rates by severity of maternal thrombocytopenia were 0.11%, 1.43%, and 18.18% (P = 0.04). None of the thrombocytopenic neonates had an intraventricular hemorrhage or other bleeding complications. The correlation between maternal and neonatal platelet counts was weak (Pearson r = 0.038; P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: We suggest that although the chances of neonatal thrombocytopenia are higher with worsening maternal thrombocytopenia, actual occurrence is rare, and the correlation is poor. Therefore, maternal thrombocytopenia cannot be regarded as a significant risk factor for neonatal thrombocytopenia. Neonatal platelet count should be obtained when maternal thrombocytopenia is autoimmune or less than 100 K/µL.

Impact of previous gestational diabetes management on perinatal outcomes in subsequent pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on perinatal outcomes in a subsequent GDM pregnancy. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 544 multiparous patients with two consecutive pregnancies between 2012-2019, where the second (index) pregnancy was affected by GDM. The primary exposure was prior GDM diagnosis, categorized into medical and dietary management. The primary outcome was a composite including need for pharmacotherapy, large-for-gestational age, or neonatal hypoglycemia. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated using multivariable logistic regression controlling for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and gestational age at GDM diagnosis in the index pregnancy. RESULTS: Of the 544 patients, 164 (30.1%) had prior GDM. Prior GDM significantly increased the likelihood of composite outcome compared to no prior GDM (74.4% vs. 57.4%; P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, prior GDM remained significantly associated with the composite outcome (aOR 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31-3.15). Stratifying by prior GDM treatment modality, a significant association was found for prior pharmacotherapy-controlled GDM (aOR 3.29, 95% CI 1.64-6.59), but not for prior diet-controlled GDM (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI 0.92-2.60). CONCLUSION: A history of pharmacotherapy-controlled GDM in a previous pregnancy increases odds of adverse perinatal outcomes in a subsequent GDM pregnancy.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes of failed prostaglandin induction of labour: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Induction of labor is performed in up to 25% of pregnant women. When the cervix is unfavorable, cervical ripening may be safely and effectively performed using slow-release vaginal inserts of prostaglandin E2. However, the risk factors, management, and outcome of patients who fail to respond remain unclear. Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of women who fail to respond to cervical ripening with prostaglandins. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis (2013-2019) was conducted. Women with a singleton gestation who underwent induction of labor due to post-date pregnancy using a slow-release prostaglandin E2 vaginal insert for cervical ripening were included. Data on clinical and outcome factors were derived from the medical files, and findings were compared between patients who achieved ripening within 24 h of treatment onset and those who did not. The primary outcome measure was the vaginal delivery rate following the ripening process. Secondary outcome measures were adverse composite maternal and neonatal outcomes. A model combining maternal characteristics and response rates to ripening was constructed. Results: The final cohort included 1285 women: 1202 responded to cervical ripening (93.54%) and 83 (6.46%) did not. Compared to non-responders, responders had higher rates of vaginal delivery (96.51% vs. 66.27%, P < 0.001); lower rates of adverse maternal composite outcome (12.81% vs. 24.10%, P = 0.031) and adverse neonatal composite respiratory outcome (1.33% vs. 6.02%, P = 0.009). Responders were younger than non-responders (mean 30.03 years vs 31.73 years, P = 0.005) and had a lower nulliparity rate (50.99% vs 76.92%, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, failure to achieve cervical ripening was an independent risk factor for intrapartum cesarean delivery due to prolonged labor (aOR 11.90, 95% CI 6.13-23.25). Conclusion: Women who achieve cervical ripening with prostaglandin E2 vaginal inserts are younger and more often multiparous than women who fail to respond. Good response to the cervical ripening process is associated with lower rates of intrapartum cesarean delivery and of adverse outcomes.