Implementation and Outcomes of a Model of Care for Placenta Accreta Spectrum in a Community-Based Private Practice.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to describe a model of care and outcomes for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) implemented in the context of a community based non-academic health system. STUDY DESIGN: The program for management of PAS includes a multidisciplinary team approach with protocols for ultrasound assessment, diagnosis, and surgery. The program was implemented in the two largest private hospitals in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, United States. Maternal and fetal outcomes as well as cost were compared for histopathologic confirmed PAS cases before (2007-2014, n = 41) and after (2015-2017, n = 26) implementation of the PAS program. RESULTS: Implementation of the PAS program was associated with ICU admission reductions from 53.7 to 19.2%, p = 0.005; a decrease of 1,682 mL in mean estimated blood loss (EBL) (p = 0.061); a decrease in transfusion from 85.4 to 53.9% (p = 0.005). The PAS program also resulted in a (non-significant) decrease in both surgical complications from 48.8 to 38.5% (p = 0.408) and postoperative complications from 61.0 to 42.3% (p = 0.135). The total cost of care for PAS cases in the 3 years after implementation of the program decreased by 33%. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a model of care for PAS led by a perinatology practice at a large regional non-academic referral center resulted in reductions of ICU admissions, operating time, transfusion, selected surgical complications, overall postoperative complications, and cost. KEY POINTS: · Implementation of a PAS care model resulted in reduced ICU admissions from 53.7% to 19.2%.. · Patient safety increased by reducing blood loss, transfusions and postoperative complications.. · This model decreased operating time, as well as total cost of care by 33%..

The association between gestational age at delivery, closure type and perinatal outcomes in neonates with isolated gastroschisis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association between gestational age at delivery and closure type for neonates with gastroschisis. In addition, we compared perinatal outcomes among the cases of gastroschisis based on the following two factors: gestational age at delivery and abdominal wall closure technique.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all fetuses with isolated gastroschisis that were diagnosed prenatally and delivered between September 2000 and January 2017, in a single tertiary care center. Neonates were compared based on the gestational age at the time of delivery: early preterm (less than 350/7 weeks), late preterm (350/7 - 366/7 weeks), and early term (370/6 - 386/7 weeks), using bivariate and multivariate analyses. The primary outcome was the type of abdominal wall closure: primary surgical closure or delayed closure using spring-loaded silo. Secondary outcomes included length of ventilatory support, length of parenteral nutrition, and length of hospital stay.Results: The analysis included 206 pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis. In univariate analysis, no differences were detected in primary closure rates of gastroschisis among the gestational age at delivery groups (67.4%, at <35 weeks, 70.8% at 350/7-366/7 weeks, 73.7% at 370/6-386/7 weeks, p = .865). However, for every additional 100 grams of neonatal live birth weight there was an associated 9% increased odds of primary closure (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.14-1.19, p = .04). Delivery in the early preterm period compared to the other two groups, was associated with longer duration of ventilation support and longer dependence on the parenteral nutrition. Neonates who underwent primary closure had shorter ventilation support, shorter time to initiation of enteral feeds and to discontinue parenteral nutrition, and shorter length of stay. In multivariate analyses, controlling for gestational age at delivery and presence of bowel atresia, primary closure continued to be associated with the shorter duration of ventilation (by 5 days), earlier initiation of enteral feeds (by 7 days), shorter hospital stay (by 17 days) and lower odds of wound infection (OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.15-0.97).Conclusions: Our study did not find an association between gestational age at delivery and the rates of primary closure of the abdominal wall defect; however later gestational age at delivery was associated with shorter duration of ventilatory support and parenteral nutrition dependence. In addition, we found that primary closure of gastroschisis, compared with delayed closure technique, was associated with improved neonatal outcomes, including shorter time to initiate enteral feeds and discontinue parenteral nutrition, shorter hospital stay, and lower risk of surgical wound infection. Therefore, postponing delivery of fetuses with gastroschisis until 37 weeks may be considered. Other factors besides the gestational age at delivery should be explored as predictors of primary closure in neonates with gastroschisis.

The effect of placental location in cases of placenta accreta spectrum.

BACKGROUND: Placenta accreta spectrum affects approximately 3 in 1000 pregnancies. There is a paucity of data evaluating the effect of placental location on diagnosis, risk factors, and resultant outcomes in cases of placenta accreta spectrum. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed placenta accreta spectrum cases to assess whether risk factors or maternal outcomes varied based on placental location. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of pathology-confirmed cases of placenta accreta spectrum from patients delivering at 2 large urban hospitals in the same healthcare system from 2007 to 2017. Placental location was defined by ultrasound images and confirmed by pathology reports. Location was categorized as anterior, posterior, or anterior/posterior for those with placental location at both sites. Fisher exact tests and analysis of variance were used to examine associations with measures of diagnosis, risk factors, and maternal outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 86 pathology-confirmed placenta accreta spectrum cases were reviewed. The distribution of placental location on ultrasound was as follows: 19% posterior, 59% anterior, and 22% anterior/posterior. We found that prior cesarean delivery was lower with posterior placenta accreta spectrum (63% vs 94% vs 84% in the anterior and anterior/posterior groups respectively; (P = .007); however, in vitro fertilization rates were significantly higher (38% vs 2% vs 5% in the anterior and anterior/posterior groups respectively; P = .001). There was also lower incidence of percreta with posterior placenta accreta spectrum compared to the anterior and anterior/posterior groups (19% vs 47% vs 58% respectively; P = .055). Posterior cases were less likely to have placenta accreta spectrum suspected prenatally (50%) compared to anterior (80%) and anterior/posterior (89%) cases (P = .019). Despite late diagnosis, ureteral injury was the only surgical complication that was more common in patients with posterior placenta accreta spectrum (13% vs 0% vs 5% for anterior and anterior/posterior groups respectively; P = .037). CONCLUSION: Placenta accreta spectrum with posterior placental location is associated with delayed diagnosis, surgical complications, assisted reproductive technology, and lower numbers of prior cesarean deliveries relative to anterior location. These differences in outcomes and risk factors based on placental location may allow for heightened clinical awareness, and improved diagnosis and management.

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid as a predictor of poor outcomes in gastroschisis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) was associated with neonatal outcomes in gastroschisis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of gastroschisis patients from 2000 to 2014 at a single, tertiary institution was performed. Statistical analysis was performed with Fisher exact test, Welch's t-test, logistic regression and/or linear regression with significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Sixty-four of 135 (47.4%) gastroschisis patients had MSAF. On univariate analysis, patients with MSAF were more likely to require staged closure (30 (46.9%) vs. 18(25.4%), p = 0.012), had more ventilator days (8.9 ±â€¯11.1 vs. 5.3 ±â€¯6.3, p = 0.021) and longer times to commence enteral feeds (24.9 ±â€¯21.7 vs. 18.5 ±â€¯14.5, p = 0.045). However, multi-variate regression analysis controlling for the type of closure, showed that delayed closure, but not MSAF, was associated with worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In gastroschisis patients, MSAF is associated with delayed closure but is not associated with outcomes independent of closure type. This association may be because of the matting of the bowel or increased intestinal damage. The MSAF status will aid in setting expectations for parents during their initial NICU stay and further investigation is warranted. TYPE OF STUDY: Clinical Research Paper Level of evidence: III.

Protective proteins and telomere length in placentas from patients with pre-eclampsia in the last trimester of gestation.

INTRODUCTION: Visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), an enzyme involved in energy metabolism and sirtuins, SIRT1 and SIRT3, which are NAD-dependent deacetylases, are critical for cellular function. All three either regulate or are regulated by intracellular NAD+ levels and therefore available cellular energy, important for placental cell survival and successful pregnancy. This study investigates whether these protective proteins are involved in the placental pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia (PE) and if they are associated with 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), a marker of oxidative damage or with placental telomere length. METHODS: Maternal blood and placental samples were collected from 31 patients with PE and 30 controls between 31 and 40 weeks gestation. Quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed on placental specimens for visfatin/Nampt, SIRT1, SIRT3, and nuclear 8OHdG. Plasma visfatin was measured by ELISA and telomere length by Southern blot analysis of telomere restriction fragments. RESULTS: Visfatin/Nampt and SIRT1 in syncytiotrophoblast decreased in PE compared to controls (p < 0.0001, p = 0.004 respectively). SIRT3 decreased in PE most significantly at preterm (p = 0.002). 8OHdG was only significantly lower in preterm controls compared to term controls (p = 0.01) and correlated with SIRT1 in all samples (r = 0.27). Telomere length was not different in PE and controls. DISCUSSION: Decreased visfatin/Nampt, SIRT1 and SIRT3 in syncytiotrophoblast in PE suggests a lack of placental reserve in metabolic energy efficiency, increased inflammation, and lower resistance to environmental stressors. However, there was little effect on nuclear function, or evidence of genomic DNA damage, which would lead to cellular senescence and death.

Effect of dialysis on fetal heart rate: is inpatient admission for fetal monitoring necessary?

OBJECTIVE: Pregnant patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) have long hospital stays for the purpose of electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) during HD, which allows for monitoring of fetal well-being. However, more frequent dialysis allows for smaller fluid shifts, preventing maternal hypotension. Our aim was to determine differences in rates of EFM abnormalities during HD versus non-stress testing (NST) off dialysis for gravid women with renal failure. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study over a 13-year period (2000-2013) identified five patients with renal failure in pregnancy. EFM tracings were reviewed during HD (cases) and routine inpatient NST off HD (controls). Standardized nomenclature was used to identify EFM abnormalities. The rate of abnormalities per hour of EFM was calculated. Kruskal-Wallis test was used and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in late decelerations (p = 0.2) between cases and controls. Significantly fewer variable decelerations (p = 0.01) and contractions (p ≤0.001) were noted during dialysis compared to controls. Significantly more prolonged decelerations (p = 0.02) were noted during HD compared to controls. CONCLUSION: There may be no fetal benefit of EFM during HD for gravid women with renal disease attributed to hypertensive and diabetic nephropathy. There may be cost savings by shifting HD to the outpatient setting.

Systemic and placental α-klotho: Effects of preeclampsia in the last trimester of gestation.

INTRODUCTION: α-klotho is an anti-aging protein, potentially important in preeclampsia (PE). Produced by kidney, brain and placenta, and by mRNA splicing is both a full-length membrane-bound and a truncated soluble protein in the circulation. The membrane-bound protein is an obligate co-receptor for fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and its action on receptor (FGFR), but ADAM proteinases also cause its shedding. The aims of this study were to investigate levels of maternal plasma, placental, and fetal membrane α-Klotho and their association with placental accelerated villous maturation (AVM) in PE. In addition, placental and membrane levels of ADAM17 and FGFR were measured in the same patients. METHODS: Maternal blood, placenta and fetal membranes from 61 women (31 with PE and 30 controls) between 32 and 40 weeks gestation were collected. Plasma α-klotho was measured by ELISA, and quantitative immunohistochemistry used for α-klotho, ADAM17 and FGFR1 in tissues. Placental AVM was histologically assessed. RESULTS: Maternal plasma levels of α-Klotho were higher in PE compared to controls (p = 0.01) and patients with the highest levels had significantly less AVM (p = 0.03). α-Klotho, ADAM17, and FGFR were all present in syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast of membranes. Between 32 and 40 weeks gestation, all placental levels decreased in controls respectively (p = 0.04, p = 0.004, p = 0.05), but not in PE. Fetal membrane levels were unchanged. DISCUSSION: Maternal plasma α-Klotho was increased in PE and its levels associated with reduced placental AVM. Changes in placental α-Klotho, ADAM17, and FGFR suggest their involvement in the pathophysiology of PE.

Obesity and the challenges of ultrasound fetal abnormality diagnosis.

Prenatal ultrasound has become an essential clinical tool for aneuploidy screening, detection of fetal congenital anomalies, and assessment of fetal growth and well-being. Maternal obesity, an increasing global problem, has been shown to decrease the accuracy of ultrasound examination in high-risk pregnancy. The purpose of this review is to provide an evidenced-based perspective on the challenges of performing fetal ultrasound in obese women and to provide a practical guide on how to care for these patients in the ultrasound suite.

The perinatal presentation of cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome.

There is limited information available related to the perinatal course of cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC) compared to other syndromes within the Ras-MAP kinase pathway (rasopathies) such as Noonan and Costello syndrome. Retrospective chart review revealed four cases of CFC with molecular confirmation between 2005 and 2012 at Hawaii's largest obstetric and pediatric referral center. We report on details of the prenatal, neonatal, and infancy course and long-term follow-up beyond infancy in two patients. This report includes novel features including systemic hypertension, hyponatremia, and chronic respiratory insufficiency, not previously reported in CFC. We provide pathologic diagnosis of loose anagen hair in one patient. Some of these findings have been reported in the other rasopathies, documenting further clinical overlap among these conditions. Molecular testing can be useful to differentiate CFC from other rasopathies and in counseling families about potential complications and prognosis. We recommend a full phenotypic evaluation including echocardiogram, renal ultrasound, brain imaging, and ophthalmology examination. We additionally recommend close follow-up of blood pressure, pulmonary function, and monitoring for electrolyte disturbance and extra-vascular fluid shifts.