Qualitative analysis of Doppler assessment used for surveillance of alloimmunized individuals.

OBJECTIVES: To summarize image quality variables for alloimmunized women at risk for fetal anemia. To investigate the association between image quality with the highest and median middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) at the last visit and fetal anemia based on hemoglobin. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a qualitative retrospective analysis of 192 Doppler ultrasound images used in the detection of fetal anemia in 26 alloimmunized women seen in a Minneapolis hospital over the past 3 years. Images were graded on seven criteria found in literature. RESULTS: Of the images analyzed, 23 (12.0%) of the 192 met all seven image quality criteria. Using the highest MCA-PSV value, the sensitivity, and specificity were 55.6% and 94.1%, respectively. Using the median MCA-PSV value, the sensitivity, and specificity were 44.4% and 94.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Only a minority of Doppler images meet all suggested image criteria. This could negatively impact the accuracy of the MCA-PSV measurements as indicated by the decreased sensitivity in our evaluations.

Fetal exposure to mercury and lead from intrauterine blood transfusions.

BACKGROUND: Mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) exposure during childhood is associated with irreversible neurodevelopmental effects. Fetal exposure to Hg and Pb from intrauterine blood transfusion (IUBT) has not been reported. METHODS: Fetal exposure was estimated based on transfusion volume and metal concentration in donor packed red blood cell (PRBCs). As biomarkers to quantify prenatal exposure are unknown, Hg and Pb in donor PRBCs were compared to estimated intravenous (IV) RfDs based on gastrointestinal absorption. RESULTS: Three pregnant women received 8 single-donor IUBTs with volumes ranging from 19 to 120 mL/kg. Hg and Pb were present in all donor PRBC units. In all, 1/8 IUBT resulted in Hg dose five times higher than the estimated IV RfD. Median Pb dose in one fetus who received 5 single-donor IUBTs between 20-32 weeks gestation was 3.4 µg/kg (range 0.5-7.9 µg/kg). One donor unit contained 12.9 µg/dL of Pb, resulting in a fetal dose of 7.9 µg/kg, 40 times higher than the estimated IV RfD at 20 weeks gestation. CONCLUSION: This is the first study documenting inadvertent exposure to Hg and Pb from IUBT and quantifying the magnitude of exposure. Screening of donor blood is warranted to prevent toxic effects from Hg and Pb to the developing fetus.

Mild fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly: prevalence, characteristics, and utility of ancillary testing in cases presenting to a tertiary referral center.

OBJECTIVE: Ventriculomegaly is the most common fetal brain anomaly identified during prenatal anatomy ultrasound. The aim of our study was to characterize cases of mild ventriculomegaly and investigate the utility of ancillary tests. METHOD: We reviewed 121 cases of mild ventriculomegaly, defined as lateral ventricle diameter of 10 to 15 mm. Characteristics of the ventricular dilation as well as each pregnancy were investigated. Ancillary tests performed included follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), chromosomal abnormality testing, and maternal serologic infection screening. The utility of each test was analyzed. RESULTS: We identified 56 cases of isolated and 65 cases of complex ventriculomegaly. Seventy-two (59.5%) were unilateral, and 49 (40.5%) were bilateral, with a mean gestational age at diagnosis of 24.5 weeks. MRI provided additional information in 3/24 (12.5%) cases of isolated ventriculomegaly compared with 18/23 (78.2%) cases of complex ventriculomegaly. Chromosomal abnormality testing identified 4/9 (44.4%) genetic abnormalities compared with 8/30 (26.7%) in cases of isolated and complex mild ventriculomegaly, respectively. Finally, maternal serology infection screening was negative in all cases. CONCLUSION: Ancillary testing is useful in isolated mild ventriculomegaly. Follow-up MRI and chromosome abnormality testing specifically provided clinically useful information. Although there were no cases of maternal infection, screening may be an important component in management. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Reference Values for Sonographically Estimated Fetal Weight in Twin Gestations Stratified by Chorionicity: A Single Center Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine reference values for sonography-based estimated fetal weight (EFW) in twin gestations in one single tertiary medical center in the United States. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal analysis of EFW evaluations of fetuses of twin gestations between November 2006 and June 2016. Fetuses with major congenital anomalies or chromosomal abnormalities were excluded. Estimated fetal weight was calculated using the Hadlock 1985 formula. Linear mixed models were used to allow for multiple but inconsistent observations among individuals, and to account for intertwin differences as well as for gender. Reference values were constructed using a best-fit regression model for estimation of mean and standard deviation at each gestational age after normalization of variables. Chorionicity-specific curves were constructed. RESULTS: A total of 5515 ultrasound examinations were performed in 2115 twin pregnancies between 24 and 38 weeks of gestation (2.6 ± 4.0 scans/pregnancy). Values corresponding to the 5th, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 95th percentiles for EFW are presented for every gestational age. At 28, 32, and 36 weeks, values were as follows: 855, 1109, and 1363 g; 1351, 1732, and 2294 g; and 1363, 2112, and 2881 g for the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles, respectively. Chorionicity-specific curves are presented for comparison with previously published references. CONCLUSIONS: Reference values for sonographic-based fetal growth are presented for clinical and research use.

Sex-specific effect of antenatal betamethasone exposure on renal oxidative stress induced by angiotensins in adult sheep.

Prenatal glucocorticoid administration in clinically relevant doses reduces nephron number and renal function in adulthood and is associated with hypertension. Nephron loss in early life may predispose the kidney to other insults later but whether sex influences increases in renal susceptibility is unclear. Therefore, we determined, in male and female adult sheep, whether antenatal glucocorticoid (betamethasone) exposure increased 8-isoprostane (marker of oxidative stress) and protein excretion after acute nephron reduction and intrarenal infusions of angiotensin peptides. We also examined whether renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs) could contribute to alterations in 8-isoprostane excretion in a sex-specific fashion. In vivo, ANG II significantly increased 8-isoprostane excretion by 49% and protein excretion by 44% in male betamethasone- but not in female betamethasone- or vehicle-treated sheep. ANG-(1-7) decreased 8-isoprostane excretion but did not affect protein excretion in either group. In vitro, ANG II stimulated 8-isoprostane release from PTCs of male but not female betamethasone-treated sheep. Male betamethasone-exposed sheep had increased p47 phox abundance in the renal cortex while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased only in females. We conclude that antenatal glucocorticoid exposure enhances the susceptibility of the kidney to oxidative stress induced by ANG II in a sex-specific fashion and the renal proximal tubule is one target of the sex-specific effects of antenatal steroids. ANG-(1-7) may mitigate the impact of prenatal glucocorticoids on the kidney. P47 phox activation may be responsible for the increased oxidative stress and proteinuria in males. The protection from renal oxidative stress in females is associated with increased SOD activity.

Outcomes of labor induction at 39 weeks in pregnancies with a prior cesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of induction for those undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean section has not been established. The little data which supports the consideration of induction at 39 weeks gestation excludes those with a history of prior cesarean section. OBJECTIVE: To determine the risks and benefits of elective induction of labor (IOL) at 39 weeks compared with expectant management (EM) until 42 weeks in pregnancies complicated by one previous cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of singleton non-anomalous pregnancies in the United States between January 2015 and December 2017. Data was provided by the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Vital Statistics. Analyses included only pregnancies with a history of one previous cesarean delivery (CD). Perinatal outcomes of pregnancies electively induced at 39 weeks (IOL) were compared to pregnancies that were induced, augmented or underwent spontaneous labor between 40 and 42 weeks (EM). Unlabored cesarean deliveries were excluded. Outcomes of interest included: cesarean delivery, intra-amniotic infection, blood transfusion, adult intensive care unit (ICU) admission, uterine rupture, hysterectomy, 5-minute Apgar score ≤3, prolonged neonatal ventilation, neonatal ICU (NICU) admission, neonatal seizure, perinatal/neonatal death. Log-binomial regression analysis was performed to calculate the relative risk (RR) for each outcome of interest, adjusting for confounding variables. RESULTS: There were 50,136 pregnancies included for analysis with 9,381 women in the IOL group. Compared with EM, IOL at 39 weeks decreased the risk of intra-amniotic infection (1.7% vs 3.0%, p < .001; aRR: 0.58, 95% CI: [0.49-0.68]), blood transfusion (0.3% vs. 0.5%, p = .03; aRR: 0.66, 95% CI: [0.45-0.98]), and low 5-minute Apgar score (0.31% vs 0.47%, p = .031; aRR: 0.66, 95% CI: [0.44-0.97]). Conversely, IOL increased the risk of cesarean delivery (49.0% vs 27.6%, p < .001; aRR: 1.72, 95% CI: [1.68-1.77]). Furthermore, in the EM group, 919 pregnancies developed preeclampsia and 42 progressed to eclampsia. There were no differences in other perinatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: In pregnancies complicated by one previous cesarean delivery, elective induction of labor at 39 weeks reduced the risk of intra-amniotic infection, blood transfusion, and low 5-minute Apgar score while increased the risk of repeat cesarean delivery.

Fetal growth standards for Somali population.

BACKGROUND: Accurate assessment of fetal size is essential in providing optimal prenatal care. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) study from 2015 demonstrated that estimated fetal weight (EFW) differed significantly by race/ethnicity after 20 weeks. There is a large Somali population residing in Minnesota, many of whom are cared for at our maternal fetal medicine practice at the University of Minnesota. Anecdotally, we noticed an increased proportion of small-for-gestational age diagnoses within this population. We sought to use our ultrasound data to create a reference standard specific for this population and compare to currently applied references. PURPOSE: We aimed to model fetal growth standards within a healthy Somali population between 16 and 40 weeks gestation, and address possible differences in the growth patterns compared with standards for non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Asian singleton fetuses published by the NICHD in the Fetal Growth Study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study using ultrasound data from 527 low risk pregnancies of Somali ethnicity at single tertiary care center between 2011 and 2017. A total of 1107 scans were identified for these pregnancies and maternal and obstetrical data were reviewed. Women 18-40 years of age with low-risk pregnancies and established dating consistent with first trimester ultrasound scan were included. Exclusion criteria were any maternal, fetal or obstetrical conditions known to affect fetal growth. RESULTS: Estimated fetal weight among Somali pregnancies differed significantly at some time points from the NICHD four ethnic groups, but generally the EFW graph curves crossed over at most time points between the study groups. At week 18, EFW was significantly larger than all other four ethnic groups (all p<.001), it was also significantly larger from the Hispanic, Black, and Asian ethnic groups at some time points between 18 and 27 weeks gestation (p < .05). Additionally, EFW among Somali pregnancies was significantly smaller than the Black and Asian ethnicity at 32 and 35-36 weeks and smaller than the White ethnicity at 30 and 38-39 weeks (p < .05). Abdominal circumference (AC) for the Somali population was significantly smaller than the other ethnic groups, especially than the White ethnicity at various time points across 16-40 weeks (p < .05). Femur and humerus length were significantly longer when compared to all other ethnic groups at most time points from 16 to 40 weeks of gestation (p < .05). Biparietal diameter (BPD) was significantly smaller than all other ethnic groups specifically at time of fetal survey (18 weeks) and at time of fetal growth assessment (32 weeks) (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in fetal growth standards were found between the Somali ethnicity and other ethnic groups (White, Black, Asian, and Hispanic) at various time points from 16 to 40 weeks of gestation. Racial/ethnic-specific standards improve the precision for evaluating fetal growth and may decrease the proportion of fetuses of Somali ethnicity labeled as small-for-gestational age.

Developmental effect of antenatal exposure to betamethasone on renal angiotensin II activity in the young adult sheep.

Antenatal corticosteroids may have long-term effects on renal development which have not been clearly defined. Our objective was to compare the responses to intrarenal infusions of ANG II in two groups of year-old, male sheep: one group exposed to a clinically relevant dose of betamethasone before birth and one not exposed. We wished to test the hypothesis that antenatal steroid exposure would enhance renal responses to ANG II in adult life. Six pairs of male sheep underwent unilateral nephrectomy and renal artery catheter placement. The sheep were infused for 24 h with ANG II or with ANG II accompanied by blockade of the angiotensin type 1 (AT(1)) or type 2 (AT(2)) receptor. Baseline mean arterial blood pressure among betamethasone-exposed sheep was higher than in control animals (85.8 +/- 2.2 and 78.3 +/- 1.0 mmHg, respectively, P = 0.003). Intrarenal infusion of ANG II did not increase systemic blood pressure (P >/= 0.05) but significantly decreased effective renal plasma flow and increased renal artery resistance (P < 0.05). The decrease in flow and increase in resistance were significantly greater in betamethasone- compared with vehicle-exposed sheep (betamethasone P < 0.05, vehicle P >/= 0.05). This effect appeared to be mediated by a heightened sensitivity to the AT(1) receptor among betamethasone-exposed sheep. Sodium excretion initially decreased in both groups during ANG II infusion; however, a rebound was observed after 24 h. AT(1) blockade was followed by a significant rebound after 24 h in both groups. AT(2) blockade blunted the 24-h rebound effect among the vehicle-exposed sheep compared with the betamethasone-exposed sheep. In conclusion, antenatal corticosteroid exposure appears to modify renal responsiveness to ANG II by increasing AT(1)- and decreasing AT(2) receptor-mediated actions particularly as related to renal blood flow and sodium excretion.

Contemporary management of migrainous disorders in pregnancy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Migraine is a frequent event among women of reproductive age. It is difficult to predict the course and severity of disease that migraineurs will endure during pregnancy. Treatment is often compromised during pregnancy because of concerns regarding pharmacotherapy and fetal well being. RECENT FINDINGS: The majority of women with migraine during pregnancy will not require ongoing pharmacotherapy or prophylaxis. Nonpharmacologic strategies should be the first-line treatment of migraines. For severe migraines, recent cohort studies documenting the use of triptans for treatment during pregnancy have shown no increase in adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes above the average rate. High-dose valproate is the only antiepileptic drug available for migraine prophylaxis that has been shown to cause long-term cognitive effects in infants exposed during gestation. Congenital syndromes have been described for most of the older antiepileptic drugs but less so for many of the newer drugs. These newer medications appear to have improved safety profiles for use in pregnancy but there is still information lacking from larger patient cohorts and longitudinal studies of neurodevelopmental outcomes. There is also evidence to support use of beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers for migraine prevention during pregnancy. SUMMARY: For those patients who develop debilitating migraine or whose migraines interfere with activities of daily living, there are several options for treatment and headache prevention that have a low likelihood of compromising fetal well being.

Neonatal outcomes and operative vaginal delivery versus cesarean delivery.

We compared outcomes for neonates with forceps-assisted, vacuum-assisted, or cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor. This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial in laboring, low-risk, nulliparous women at >or=36 weeks' gestation. Neonatal outcomes after use of forceps, vacuum, and cesarean were compared among women in the second stage of labor at station +1 or below (thirds scale) for failure of descent or nonreassuring fetal status. Nine hundred ninety women were included in this analysis: 549 (55%) with an indication for delivery of failure of descent and 441 (45%) for a nonreassuring fetal status. Umbilical cord gases were available for 87% of neonates. We found no differences in the base excess (P = 0.35 and 0.78 for failure of descent and nonreassuring fetal status) or frequencies of pH below 7.0 (P = 0.73 and 0.34 for failure of descent and nonreassuring fetal status) among the three delivery methods. Birth outcomes and umbilical cord blood gas values were similar for those neonates with a forceps-assisted, vacuum-assisted, or cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor. The occurrence of significant fetal acidemia was not different among the three delivery methods regardless of the indication.

The role of fetal growth restriction in the association between Down syndrome and perinatal mortality.

Objective: Down syndrome (DS) is associated with significant risk of perinatal mortality. We hypothesize that this association is primarily mediated through the effects of fetal growth restriction (FGR).Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis using the US Natality Database from 2011 to 2013. Analysis was limited to singleton nonanomalous pregnancies or confirmed DS pregnancies without severe structural anomalies between 24 and 42 w in gestation. The risk of stillbirth (SB) associated with DS was estimated using both Cox proportional Hazard (HR) regression and accelerated failure time (AFT) methods. The risk of neonatal mortality was estimated using logistic regression analyses. Mediation analysis was then performed to estimate the effect of small for gestational age (SGA), defined as birthweight ≤10th percentile for gestational age, on perinatal mortality associated with DS. All regression models were selected using backward stepwise elimination method. The final regression models included adjustment for maternal age, hypertension, and diabetes.Results: The final cohort included 2446 DS cases among 9,804,718 births. The overall SB rate was 223.6/1000 births in DS group and 4.7/1000 births without DS (p < .001, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 58.25; 95% CI [53.44,63.49]). Based on the AFT model, DS survival-to-delivery rate is 4.3 times lower (TR: 0.23; 95% CI [0.22,0.24]). Thirty-five percentage of the effect of DS on stillbirth was mediated through SGA (% mediation:35.1%; 95% CI [33.7,36.4]). The rate of neonatal mortality among DS was 69.0/1000 births compared with 2.8/1000 births without DS (p < .001, adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 27.16; 95% CI: [22.63,32.60]). Only 11.6% of the effect of DS on neonatal deaths was mediated through SGA (%mediation:11.6%; 95% CI [8.4,10.6]).Conclusion: Over one-third of overall stillbirths were mediated through SGA. Routine surveillance of fetal growth and standard SGA surveillance protocols may reduce the risk of perinatal mortality in DS pregnancies. Conversely, it is important to point out that these surveillance strategies may not be effective two-third of the cases not affected by growth restriction.

Sonographic findings in trisomy 9.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the most common prenatal sonographic findings in fetuses with complete trisomy 9. METHODS: A retrospective review of all cases of trisomy 9 at 5 participating institutions over a 15-year interval was conducted. Indications for referral and sonographic findings in each case were reviewed to identify characteristic fetal structural anomalies. RESULTS: Six cases of trisomy 9 are presented. Most patients were referred for abnormal sonographic findings on screening examinations (66%) or advanced maternal age (33%). Fetal heart defects and central nervous system malformations were the most frequent sonographic anomalies seen. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic findings in trisomy 9 are similar to those found in other autosomal trisomies. Because trisomy 9 is uniformly lethal and is not included as part of the standard prenatal aneuploidy screening by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, clinicians should be cautious in counseling patients with structurally abnormal fetuses until the full karyotype is available.

Ultrasound findings in trisomy 22.

We sought to identify the characteristic sonographic findings of fetal trisomy 22 by performing a retrospective review of nine cases of fetal trisomy 22. All cases of chromosomal mosaicism were excluded, as were first-trimester losses. Indications for sonography, gestational age, and sonographically detected fetal anomalies were analyzed. The majority of patients were referred for advanced maternal age or abnormal ultrasound findings on screening exam. Oligohydramnios was the most common sonographic finding, present in 55% of affected fetuses. Intrauterine growth restriction and increased nuchal thickness were slightly less frequent.

Pregnancy complicated by triploidy: a comparison of the three karyotypes.

We evaluated triploid pregnancy to determine whether there are clinically important differences between the three karyotypes: 69,XXX, 69,XXY, and 69,XYY. Prospectively maintained cytogenetic databases at five tertiary care centers were retrospectively reviewed over a 10-year period to identify all triploid pregnancies. Targeted ultrasounds were reviewed to identify fetal and placental findings. Sonographic findings were compared by karyotype. There was a total of 549 triploid gestations; preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) detected 413 triploid embryos, and the cytogenetic databases provided 136 clinical pregnancies with triploidy. In triploid embryos with PGD, the frequency of the 69,XYY karyotype was 8.7% (36/413), compared with 0.74% (1/136) during the first trimester of clinical pregnancies (p = 0.002). In clinical pregnancies, 60% (36/60) of 69,XXY fetuses survived the first trimester of development compared with 69% (52/75) of 69,XXX fetuses (p = NS). No clinically important differences were observed between 69,XXX and 69,XXY karyotypes in terms of type, number, or severity of fetal or placental anomalies. Gestations with a 69,XYY karyotype are found less frequently compared with gestations with a 69,XXX or 69,XXY karyotype. The decline in fetal survival of the 69,XYY triploid karyotype needs further investigation. There are significant abnormalities detected during prenatal sonography in most all clinically recognized cases of triploidy. Sonography cannot reliably distinguish between the 69,XXY and 69,XXX karyotypes.

Adverse perinatal outcomes associated with trial of labor after cesarean section at term in pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with higher risks for intrapartum complications. Therefore, we sought to determine if trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC) will lead to higher maternal and neonatal complications compared to repeat cesarean section (RCD). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of singleton nonanomalous births between 37 and 42 weeks GA complicated by maternal obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) and history of one or two previous cesarean deliveries. Outcomes were compared between TOLAC and RCD. The maternal outcomes of interest included blood transfusion, uterine rupture, hysterectomy, and intensive care unit admission. Neonatal outcomes of interest included 5-minute Apgar score <7, prolonged assisted ventilation, neonatal intensive care unit admission, neonatal seizures, and neonatal death. RESULTS: There were 538,264 pregnancies included. Compared with RCD, TOLAC was associated with an absolute increase in the following neonatal outcomes: low 5-min Apgar score (0.6%, p < .001), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (0.8%, p < .001), neonatal seizure (0.1 per 1000 births, p = .037), and neonatal death (0.2 per 1000 births, p = .028). Additionally, TOLAC was associated with an absolute increase in following maternal outcomes: blood transfusion (0.1%, p < .001), uterine rupture (0.18%, p < .001) and ICU admission (0.1%, p = .011). CONCLUSIONS: TOLAC among obesity pregnancies at term increases the risk of maternal and neonatal complications compared with RCD.

Association of Maternal Obesity With Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Cases of Uterine Rupture.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the risk of adverse outcomes associated with uterine rupture in the setting of maternal obesity. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of singleton nonanomalous neonates born after uterine rupture between 34 and 42 weeks of gestation. We derived data from the U.S. Natality Database from 2011 to 2014. Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) was categorized according to the World Health Organization classification. The rates of neonatal and maternal complications were calculated for each BMI class. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the risks of these complications among obese pregnancies compared with normal-weight pregnancies. RESULTS: There were 3,942 cases of uterine rupture identified among 15,860,954 births (0.02%) between 2011 and 2014. Of these, 2,917 (74%) met inclusion criteria for analysis. There was an increased risk of low 5-minute Apgar score (22.9% compared with 15.9%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.49 [1.19-1.87]), neonatal intensive care unit admission (31% compared with 24.6%; adjusted OR 1.51 [1.23-1.85]), and seizure (3.7% compared with 1.9%; adjusted OR 1.80 [1.05-3.10]) in obese compared with normal-weight pregnancies. The rate of prolonged assisted ventilation was 8.5% compared with 6.2% (P=.13), which, after adjustment for confounders, was a statistically significant difference (adjusted OR 1.47 [1.05-2.07]). The rate of neonatal death was similar (12.4 compared with 6.5/1,000 births; adjusted OR 2.03 [0.81-5.05]). The rates of various maternal complications were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: In the setting of uterine rupture, maternal obesity moderately increases the risks of low Apgar score, neonatal intensive care unit admission, prolonged ventilation, and seizure. Risk of maternal complications and the risk of neonatal death, however, are similar to risks in patients of normal BMI.

Reinforcing cerclage for a short cervix at follow-up after the primary cerclage procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a reinforcing cerclage (RC) for a short cervix measured after the primary cerclage procedure prolonged pregnancy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 157 women with singleton gestations who underwent cerclage for standard indications. Women were grouped according to cervical length (CL) at the time of follow-up 1-2 weeks after the initial cerclage placement: ≥25 mm (106 women) and <25 mm with (20 women) or without RC (31 women). Gestational age (GA) at delivery was compared by ANOVA. Survival risk analysis was applied to model GA at delivery adjusted for indication and CL before and after the first cerclage. RESULTS: Women with CL ≥25mm delivered later than women with CL < 25mm after the first cerclage (p < 0.01). RC did not delay delivery for women with CL < 25 mm (p = 0.17) after the primary procedure. Indication for the primary cerclage (p < 0.01) and CL (p < 0.01) after the primary cerclage were the best predictors for GA at delivery. CONCLUSION: Placement of RC for short cervix did not prolong duration of pregnancy, GA at delivery or modify the probability of preterm birth.

Cumulative first live birth after elective cryopreservation of all embryos due to ovarian hyperresponsiveness.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate cumulative chance for first live birth after elective pronuclear stage cryopreservation of all embryos due to ovarian hyperresponsiveness. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis with longitudinal follow-up. SETTING: Academic hospital. PATIENT(S): Thirty subjects with elective cryopreservation of all embryos due to ovarian hyperresponsiveness. INTERVENTION(S): Elective cryopreservation of all embryos at the pronuclear stage (n = 30) and subsequent cryopreserved-thawed ET (n = 51). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Cumulative chance for first live birth. RESULT(S): Cumulative chance for first live birth was 77% when analyzed by intention to treat and 82% by treatment with ET. Nearly 40% of live births were multiple. CONCLUSION(S): Cumulative first live birth increased with repetitive ET after elective pronuclear stage cryopreservation of all embryos due to ovarian hyperresponsiveness. Multiple births, however, were frequent. In the context of initial ET attempts in young women, transfer of no more than two cryopreserved-thawed embryos is advised.

Antenatal betamethasone exposure alters renal responses to angiotensin-(1-7) in uninephrectomized adult male sheep.

Antenatal corticosteroid exposure reduces renal function and alters the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system to favor angiotensin activation of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) mediated responses in ovine offspring. This study aimed to assess whether antenatal steroid exposure would affect renal responses to the direct intrarenal infusion of angiotensin-(1-7) in rams and the angiotensin receptors involved in mediating responses to the peptide. Adult, uninephrectomized rams exposed to either betamethasone or vehicle before birth received intrarenal angiotensin-(1-7) infusions (1 ng/kg/min) alone or in combination with antagonists to angiotensin receptors for 3 h. Basal sodium excretion (UNa) was significantly lower and mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in betamethasone- compared to the vehicle-treated sheep. Angiotensin-(1-7) decreased UNa more in betamethasone- than in vehicle-treated sheep. Candesartan reversed the response to angiotensin-(1-7) but D-Ala(7)-angiotensin-(1-7) did not. Angiotensin-(1-7) infusion decreased effective renal plasma flow in both groups to a similar extent and the response was reversed by candesartan, but was not blocked by D-Ala(7)-angiotensin-(1-7). Glomerular filtration rate increased significantly in both groups after 3 h infusion of angiotensin-(1-7) plus candesartan. These results suggest that antenatal exposure to a clinically relevant dose of betamethasone impairs renal function in rams. Moreover, angiotensin-(1-7) appears capable of activating the AT1R in uninephrectomized rams.