Navigating Uncertain Waters: First-Trimester Screening's Role in Identifying Neonatal Complications.

Background: Contemporary diagnostic methods aimed at assessing neonatal outcomes predominantly rely on the medical history of pregnant women. Ideally, universal biomarkers indicating an increased risk of delivering infants in poor clinical condition, with a heightened likelihood of requiring hospitalization in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), would be beneficial for appropriately stratifying pregnant women into a high-risk category. Our study evaluated whether biochemical and ultrasonographical markers universally used in first-trimester screenings for non-heritable chromosomal aberrations could serve this purpose. Methods: This study encompassed 1164 patients who underwent first-trimester screening, including patient history, ultrasound examinations, and biochemical tests for pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and the free beta-HCG subunit (fbHCG), from January 2019 to December 2021. The research concentrated on the correlation between these prenatal test results and neonatal outcomes, particularly Apgar scores, umbilical blood pH levels, and the necessity for NICU admission. Results: In our cohort, neonates scoring lower than 8 on the Apgar scale at birth exhibited lower concentrations of PAPP-A in the first trimester, both in raw and normalized values (PAPP-A MoM 0.93 vs. 1.027, p = 0.032). We also observed a higher pulsatility index in the venous duct in the first trimester in full-term neonates born with <8 points on the Apgar scale. Additionally, newborns born with an umbilical blood pH < 7.2 had lower normalized first-trimester PAPP-A concentrations (0.69 vs. 1.01 MoM, p = 0.04). We also noted that neonates requiring NICU hospitalization post-delivery had lower first-trimester bHCG concentrations (0.93 MoM vs. 1.11 MoM, p = 0.03). However, none of the correlations in our study translated into a robust prognostic ability for predicting dichotomous outcomes. All areas under the curve achieved a value < 0.7. Conclusions: Low concentrations of PAPP-A and free bHCG subunit in the first trimester may be associated with poorer clinical and biochemical conditions in neonates post-delivery. However, the relationship is weak and has limited predictive capability. Further research evaluating these relationships is necessary for the appropriate stratification of pregnant women into high-risk categories for neonatological complications.

Conservative Management of Heterotopic Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND Tubal heterotopic pregnancy is an extremely rare complication of pregnancy, in which there is a simultaneous presence of a pregnancy in the uterine cavity and in an ectopic location, most commonly in the fallopian tube. The management of such cases is not clearly established. In the case of a desire to maintain an intrauterine pregnancy, the surgical procedure consisting of a salpingectomy or salpingostomy is the most common. Such a procedure is effective, but it involves potential complications typical of surgeries, so, in some cases, it seems reasonable to apply the expectant management. CASE REPORT A 31-year-old woman was admitted to the clinic due to pain in the right lower abdomen. An ultrasound examination revealed a gestational sac in the uterine cavity corresponding to 5 weeks of pregnancy with a yolk sac. A twin sac was found in the right fallopian tube. Due to the patient's mild symptoms, absence of bleeding into the peritoneal cavity, concerns about the safety of the embryo and the pregnant woman in case of surgery, conservative management was decided. On the 20th day, the patient was discharged from the clinic with a viable intrauterine pregnancy and a partially absorbed ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS In the case of an ectopic tubal pregnancy, if there are no symptoms of bleeding into the peritoneal cavity, it is possible to adopt a safe conservative approach with strict patient observation.

Repeatability and Reproducibility of Potential Ultrasonographic Bishop Score Parameters.

Determination of the Bishop score (BS) is a traditional method of assessing the cervix in obstetrics and gynecology. This examination is characterized by subjectivity of assessment and low repeatability. In scientific studies intended to evaluate the results of the procedure based on the initial assessment, it is necessary to find an objective scale based on ultrasonography. We selected five ultrasound parameters, measured with a transvaginal transducer, that are equivalent to the individual BS axes (dilatation assessed in three-dimensional ultrasound (DL), angle of progression (AoP), vagino-cervical angle (VCA), strain elastography using the E-Cervix module, and cervical length (CL)). All selected parameters were characterized by good to excellent repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.878-0.994) and reproducibility (ICC = 0.826-0.996). Each of the selected parameters significantly correlated with its corresponding BS axis. The highest value of the correlation coefficient was achieved with CL (-0.75) and DL (0.71). Other parameters were characterized by an average to high correlation (AoP and station = 0.69, hardness ratio and consistency = -0.33, position and VCA = -0.38). The best correlation with the sum of the BS points was exhibited by AoP (0.52) and CL (-0.61). The selected ultrasound parameters analogous to the BS axes were characterized by high repeatability and significant correlation with the axes of the original clinical BS. Further research into the predictive properties of a multivariate model based on these parameters is needed.

The Assessment of Psychomotor Development in Full-Term Children at 12 Months of Age with Munich Functional Development Diagnostics Depending on the Feeding Method: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Psychomotor development is the most important outcome determining the proper growth and development of children. Optimizing childcare and modifying risk factors can provide the child with the best conditions to realize their developmental potential. The study aimed to assess the impact of the feeding method on the psychomotor development of full-term children at 12 months of age with Munich Functional Developmental Diagnostics (MFDD). METHODS: The study included 242 full-term children who were examined at 12 months of age by a child neurologist using MFDD. The children were divided into two groups depending on the feeding method: breastfed (146) vs. formula-fed (93). We analysed selected obstetric and neonatal risk factors as well as MFDD scores within the groups. RESULTS: The only axis on the MFDD scale on which we observed a difference between the groups was social skills. No differences were noted between the groups in the analysis of the gross and fine motor skills, with regard to perception or active and passive speech. CONCLUSIONS: The full-term, exclusively breastfed infants over their first 6 months of age or longer have greater social skills in comparison with the formula-fed infants when measured on the MFDD axis.

Could pelvic floor sonography be a standalone method for excluding genuine stress urinary incontinence in women?

OBJECTIVES: Determine whether introital pelvic floor sonography with transvaginal probe (PFS-TV) can be an independent method in the diagnosis of genuine stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and to create a ultrasonographic diagnostic model to objectify diagnostic process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 315 patients with a history of urinary incontinence problems. Based on the clinical examination and urodynamic examination, the final diagnosis was made. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I included women with SUI and Group II included patients without SUI (OAB and no-UI). Each patient underwent PFS-TV at rest and during straining. The groups were compared in terms of ultrasound parameters. RESULTS: Patients from both groups differed statistically in a significant way (p < 0.05) in terms of mean distance between the lower edge of the pubic symphysis at rest 19 mm vs 22 mm (Group I vs Group II) and during straining (D1 and D2) 22 mm vs 26 mm, the average value of the γ angle (at rest (γ1) 37.5° vs 40° and during straining (γ2) and 66° vs 58.5°, average difference value of angle γ during straining and at rest (γ2-γ1) 29° vs 14°, and frequency of urethral funneling 89% vs 17%. Two parameters studied during PFS-TV were included in the logistic regression model used to exclude the stress component of urinary incontinence. Diagnostic test parameters of model were sensitivity 86.6%, specificity 90.4%, accuracy 93.1%. CONCLUSIONS: PFS-TV makes it possible to exclude the stress component of urinary incontinence. The developed logistic regression model allows for the objectification of the results of ultrasound examination in patients with urinary incontinence.

Implementation of the Publicly Funded Prenatal Screening Programme in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected the entire healthcare system in Poland, causing medical personnel to be relocated to other duties and limiting patients' contacts with healthcare professionals. A large part of the planned diagnostics and treatment was delayed due to lack of equipment and personnel. Against this background, we analysed the implementation of the publicly funded prenatal screening programme (PSP) in Poland compared to the previous year. This is a cross-sectional study. We used nationwide datasets on the implementation of the prenatal testing programme over the period 2019−2020, datasets from the Statistics Poland on birth and the data on the development of the COVID-19 epidemic in Poland. In the year 2020, we observed a 12.41% decrease in woman enrolled to the programme compared to 2019. However, the decrease concerned only women under 35 years of age. With respect to the number of deliveries in the calendar year, the number of patients enrolled in the programme decreased by 3% (31% vs. 34%, p < 0.001). We also observed an increase in estriol measurements per the number of patients included in the programme, and a reduction in the number of PAPP-A tests in the first trimester, which proves an increased share of the triple test in the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal aberrations. With respect to the number of deliveries, the number of amniocentesis procedures performed under PSP decreased by 0.19% (1.8% vs. 1.99%, p < 0.0001). In 2020, compared to the previous year, the number of patients included in the prenatal testing programme in Poland decreased. In terms of the number of births in Poland, the number of integrated screening tests also decreased, at the expense of increasing the percentage of triple tests. There were also significant reductions in the number of invasive diagnostic tests.

The Relationship between Nuchal Cord and Adverse Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The twisting of the umbilical cord around the fetal neck is a common phenomenon in the delivery room, and despite the lack of univocal evidence of its negative impact on perinatal events, it causes anxiety and stress in patients. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of nuchal cord and its impact on adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study. All patients who gave birth in the clinic within one year (n = 1467) were included in the study group. We compared the prevalence of nuchal cord in distinct subgroups of patients. In the next stage, we estimated the chance of specific perinatal outcomes and compared the neonatal outcomes between groups with and without nuchal cord. Results: Nuchal cord was present in 24% of labors. It was twice as common among patients giving birth vaginally (32.14%) than among patients giving birth by a caesarean section (16.78%, p < 0.001). Nuchal cord was also more frequent in births with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (33.88% vs. 23.34%, p = 0.009). In the group of patients with nuchal cord, we observed a slight increase in the risk of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate trace (OR = 1.55, CI 95% 1.02−2.36) as an indication of the completion of labor by caesarean delivery. We did not note an increase in the risk of completing natural childbirth by vacuum extraction. In the group of nuchal cord patients, there was a higher chance of a serious or moderate neonatal condition in the first minute of life (Apgar 0−7 points) (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.14−3.49). Conclusions: Nuchal cord increases the risk of a caesarean delivery due to a non-reassuring fetal heart rate trace. Nuchal cord increases the chance of a reduced Apgar score (0−7 points) in the first minute of life. The observed relationships do not translate to neonatal arterial blood gas testing.

Repeatability and reproducibility of quantitative cervical strain elastography (E-Cervix) in pregnancy.

Strain elastography of the uterine cervix may be useful in the diagnosis and prediction of obstetric complications. The inability to obtain quantitative results, with only the possibility of visual semiquantitative evaluation of the obtained elastograms, has been the limitation of the method thus far. E-Cervix is a software program that uses intrinsic compression to excite tissue and allows the evaluation of quantitative parameters on the basis of pixel distribution in an elastogram. The aim of this study was to assess the repeatability and reproducibility of quantitative cervical strain elastography (E-Cervix) of the uterine cervix and to assess the correlation of the obtained parameters with selected clinical features of patients in the third trimester of pregnancy. In total, 222 patients participated in the study. We assessed 5 ultrasound parameters: elasticity index (ECI), hardness ratio (HR), internal os strain (IOS), external os strain (EOS) and IOS/EOS ratio. Each study was performed according to a predetermined standardized protocol. For all assessed elastographic parameters, we obtained good intra- and interobserver reproducibility. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0.77 to 0.838 for intraobserver variability and from 0.771 to 0.826 for interobserver variability. We demonstrated a significant correlation of some obtained elastographic parameters with the basic clinical features of patients, such as age, the number of previous caesarean sections, pregnancy weight and BMI. In each case, the correlation was very low. Quantitative elastographic assessment with the use of E-Cervix is characterized by good repeatability. Some clinical features may affect the value of the parameters obtained. The clinical relevance of this interference requires further investigation.

Relationship between Apgar score and umbilical cord blood acid-base balance in full-term and late preterm newborns born in medium and severe conditions.

OBJECTIVES: Application of Apgar scores (AS) and umbilical cord blood acid-base analysis is a base for the prediction of future neurological development in children. In clinical practice we often observe huge discrepancy between clinical and biochemical status of newborn. Because many obstetricians consider both assessments as substitute and measure of their proceeding's outcome, we decided to scientifically measure actual correlation between them among newborns born with Apgar less than 8 points. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was an observational retrospective study. The study included 141 newborns born in general medium and severe condition (Apgar < 8 points in first minute of life). Acid-base analysis of umbilical cord vein blood immediately after birth was performed. We correlated gasometer parameters with Apgar scores of newborns. RESULTS: The clinical condition of a newborn at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after birth correlates positively and significantly with pH values (0.25; 0.24; and 0.26; respectively) and bicarbonate levels (0.21; 0.27; 0.28; respectively) in the umbilical cord vein, however correlation was low. Subsequently we qualified newborns to four groups depending on the degree of invasiveness of respiratory support after delivery, and the groups were compared in terms of parameters of acid-based balance. No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of acid-base balance parameters. CONCLUSIONS: There is low, but significant correlation between clinical condition of a newborn after birth with most of acid-base parameters from umbilical vein blood. The assessment of the newborn's condition after birth using the Apgar score, (but not acid-base parameters) determines the degree of invasiveness of respiratory support activities for newborns after birth.

Principal Component Analysis of Munich Functional Developmental Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: Munich Functional Developmental Diagnosis (MFDD) is a scale for assessing the psychomotor development of children in the first months or years of life. The tool is based on standardized tables of physical development and is used to detect developmental deficits. It consists of eight axes on which the following skills are assessed: crawling, sitting, walking, grasping, perception, speaking, speech understanding, social skills. METHODS: The study included 110 children in the first year of life examined with the MFDD by the same physician. The score obtained on a given axis was coded as a negative value (defined in months) below the child's age-specific developmental level. Next, we examined the dimensionality of the scale and the intercorrelation of its axes using polychoric correlation and principal component analysis. RESULTS: Correlation matrix analysis showed high correlation of MFDD axes 1-4, and MFDD 6-8. The PCA identified three principal components consisting of children's development in the areas of large and small motor skills (axis 1-4), perception (axis 5), active speech, passive speech and social skills (axis 6-8). The three dimensions obtained together account for 80.27% of the total variance. CONCLUSIONS: MFDD is a three-dimensional scale that includes motor development, perception, and social skills and speech. There is potential space for reduction in the number of variables in the scale.

Misoprostol vs dinoprostone vaginal insert in labour induction: comparison of obstetrical outcome.

Induction of labour (IOL) is increasingly used in obstetric practice. For patients with unfavourable cervix, we are constantly looking for an optimal, in terms of effectiveness and safety, ripening of cervix protocol. It was retrospective cohort study. We analyzed obstetrical results in 481 patients undergoing IOL in one center using two different vaginal inserts that release prostaglandins at a constant rate for 24 h-misoprostol vaginal insert (MVI) with 200 µg of misoprostol (n = 367) and dinoprostone vaginal insert (DVI) with 10 mg of dinoprostone (n = 114). Full-term, single pregnancy patients with intact fetal membranes and the cervix evaluated in Bishop score ≤ 6 were included in the analysis. In the group of MVI patients, the labour ended with caesarean section more often (OR 2.71 95% CI 1.63-4.47) and more frequent unreassuring cardiotocographic trace indicating the surgical delivery occurred (OR 2.38 95% CI 1.10-5.17). We did not notice any differences in the percentage of vacuum extraction and patients in whom the use of oxytocin was necessary during labour induction. The clinical status of newborns after birth and the pH of cord blood did not differ between groups.The use of MVI 200 µg in patients with an unriped cervix is associated with a greater chance of completing delivery by caesarean section and increased chance of abnormal intrapartum CTG trace compared to the use of DVI 10 mg. These differences do not affect the clinical and biochemical status of the newborn.

Collection of umbilical cord blood and the risk of complications in postpartum women after natural labour in the context of the possibility of umbilical cord stem cells usage in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: Comparison of changes in peripheral blood venous morphology and the frequency of select complications in patients who underwent umbilical cord blood collection during the third stage of labour by in the utero method compared to patients who did not undergo this procedure. Presentation of current therapeutic possibilities of cord blood stem cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 248 patients who had a vaginal delivery and had umbilical cord blood taken by in utero method during the third stage of labour. The control group consisted of the first 400 patients who gave vaginal delivery starting in 2019. Each patient had a venous peripheral blood count taken before delivery and 18 hours after delivery. Changes in the results of laboratory tests and the occurrence of adverse outcomes, such as postpartum curettage, postpartum haemorrhage and manual removal of placenta, in the 3rd and 4th stage delivery periods, were analysed. RESULTS: In the blood donor group there were significantly lower haemoglobin (11.32 g/L vs 11.61 g/L, p = 0.004) and haematocrit (32.83% vs 33.82% p = 0.001) concentrations after delivery. Umbilical cord donors had a greater difference in haemoglobin (postpartum minus prepartum) (-1.4 g/L vs -0.9 g/L, p = 000), and haematocrit (-4.05% vs -2.5% , p = 0.000). The study group had a higher percentage of patients with postpartum anaemia (haemoglobin concentration < 10 g/L) (15.9% vs 10.64%, p = 0.05), but the result were borderline significant. The groups did not differ in terms of the percentage of postpartum curettage, PPH, manual removal of placenta, percentage of severe anaemia (Hb < 7g/L) or transfusion requirement. CONCLUSION: Collection of umbilical cord blood during the 3rd stage of labour using the in utero method is associated with a statistically significant increase of blood loss and a higher probability of postpartum anaemia. The observed changes are minor and may have little clinical significance in otherwise healthy patients.

Misoprostol vaginal insert and Foley catheter in labour induction - single center retrospective observational study of obstetrical outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Induction of labour is one of the most common procedures used in obstetrics and its prevalence tends to increase. In patients with an unripe cervix (Bishop score < 7) pre-induction procedures are used before the start of oxytocin induction. Currently there is no consensus among scientific societies on the optimal way of pre-induction. We have conducted a single-centre retrospective observational study comparing obstetric induction results of patients after 37 weeks of gestation who were pre-induced with misoprostol vaginal insert (MVI) with 200 µg of misoprostol (Misodel - Ferring Pharmaceuticals Poland) or Foley catheter (20 F, 60 mL baloon). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have reviewed the medical records of 503 patients (group A pre-induced MVI - 135 patients, group B pre-induced Foley catheter - 368 patients) who were in a single, full-term pregnancy, pre-induced due to unripe cervixes (Bishop score < 7) with a Foley catheter or Misodel (MVI 200 µg). We compared obstetric results between groups. RESULTS: Group A patients had a lower chance of using oxytocin in labour induction/augmentation (OR = 0.21 95% CI = 0.13-0.32), and a greater chance of surgical delivery by caesarean section (OR = 2.14 95% CI = 1.42-3.23) and vacuum extraction (OR = 3.29 95% CI = 1.08-10.00). Group A patients also had a greater chance of abnormal CTG (OR = 2.66 95% CI = 1.5-4.7) compared to group B. The groups did not differ in terms of meconium stained amniotic fluid and postpartum haemorrhage. The percentage of children born with a pH from umbilical cord blood < 7.2 and < 7.1 and newborns of medium general condition (Apgar 4-7) did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatological results of children from Foley catheters and MVI induced delivery do not differ. Patients pre-induced with MVI rarely require labour augmentation with oxytocin. MVI-preinduced patients have a better chance of having a delivery by CS or VE compared to the Foley catheter.

Principal component analysis and internal reliability of the Polish version of MESA and UDI-6 questionnaires.

OBJECTIVES: Urinary incontinence (UI) can affect up to 50% of the population of women over the age of 50. In order to objectively assess discomfort in women with UI prior to initiating treatment and monitoring the outcomes of the treatment, validated questionnaires need to be used to examine the impact of UI on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). The Urogenital Distress Inventory - Short Form (UDI-6) and the Medical Epidemiologic and Social Aspects of Ageing (MESA) questionnaires are used typically. Assessment of the Polish translation of the MESA and UDI-6 questionnaires. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 155 patients with symptoms of UI were enrolled. Each of the patients completed the MESA and UDI questionnaires prior to being examined. The final diagnosis was made after diagnostic tests were carried out in the patients. RESULTS: Principle component analysis showed division of the Polish versions of the questionnaires into domains identical to the original version. Analyses of internal consistency reliability revealed high internal consistency for the MESA questionnaire (0.90) and a low reliability of the UDI-6 questionnaire (0.44). CONCLUSIONS: The Polish version of the MESA questionnaire was demonstrated to be a clinically useful diagnostic tool in the studied population, UDI-6 did not reached a sufficiently high reliability in the study group to be recommended as a diagnostic tool.

Cerebral palsy and obstetric-neonatological interventions.

Cerebral palsy is a disease that puts a great mental burden on caregivers and generates very high social costs. Children with CP require many years of rehabilitation and medical care. The etiology of the disease is undoubtedly multifactorial, and the pathogenesis is associated with focal damage to the central nervous system. One can find descriptions of well-documented interventions in the literature that reduce the risk of CP in certain groups of pregnant and neonatal patients, and interventions that have a potentially protective effect. In this review, we have analyzed the available literature in terms of prenatal and postnatal interventions that may have an impact on reducing the incidence of this condition in children.