Characteristics associated with antenatally unidentified small-for-gestational-age fetuses: prospective cohort study nested within DESiGN randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the clinical characteristics and patterns of ultrasound use amongst pregnancies with an antenatally unidentified small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetus, compared with those in which SGA is identified, to understand how to design interventions that improve antenatal SGA identification. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of singleton, non-anomalous SGA (birth weight < 10th centile) neonates born after 24 + 0 gestational weeks at 13 UK sites, recruited for the baseline period and control arm of the DESiGN trial. Pregnancy with antenatally unidentified SGA was defined if there was no scan or if the final scan showed estimated fetal weight (EFW) at the 10th centile or above. Identified SGA was defined if EFW was below the 10th centile at the last scan. Maternal and fetal sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were studied for associations with unidentified SGA using unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models. Ultrasound parameters (gestational age at first growth scan, number and frequency of ultrasound scans) were described, stratified by presence of indication for serial ultrasound. Associations of unidentified SGA with absolute centile and percentage weight difference between the last scan and birth were also studied on unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression, according to time between the last scan and birth. RESULTS: Of the 15 784 SGA babies included, SGA was not identified antenatally in 78.7% of cases. Of pregnancies with unidentified SGA, 47.1% had no recorded growth scan. Amongst 9410 pregnancies with complete data on key maternal comorbidities and antenatal complications, the risk of unidentified SGA was lower for women with any indication for serial scans (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.56 (95% CI, 0.49-0.64)), for Asian compared with white women (aOR, 0.80 (95% CI, 0.69-0.93)) and for those with non-cephalic presentation at birth (aOR, 0.58 (95% CI, 0.46-0.73)). The risk of unidentified SGA was highest among women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2 (aOR, 1.15 (95% CI, 1.01-1.32)) and lowest in those with underweight BMI (aOR, 0.61 (95% CI, 0.48-0.76)) compared to women with BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 . Compared to women with identified SGA, those with unidentified SGA had fetuses of higher SGA birth-weight centile (adjusted odds for unidentified SGA increased by 1.21 (95% CI, 1.18-1.23) per one-centile increase between the 0th and 10th centiles). Duration between the last scan and birth increased with advancing gestation in pregnancies with unidentified SGA. SGA babies born within a week of the last growth scan had a mean difference between EFW and birth-weight centiles of 19.5 (SD, 13.8) centiles for the unidentified-SGA group and 0.2 (SD, 3.3) centiles for the identified-SGA group (adjusted mean difference between groups, 19.0 (95% CI, 17.8-20.1) centiles). CONCLUSIONS: Unidentified SGA was more common amongst women without an indication for serial ultrasound, and in those with cephalic presentation at birth, BMI of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2 and less severe SGA. Ultrasound EFW was overestimated in women with unidentified SGA. This demonstrates the importance of improving the accuracy of SGA screening strategies in low-risk populations and continuing performance of ultrasound scans for term pregnancies. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Associations between ethnicity and admission to intensive care among women giving birth: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between ethnic group and likelihood of admission to intensive care in pregnancy and the postnatal period. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Maternity and intensive care units in England and Wales. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: A total of 631 851 women who had a record of a registerable birth between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016 in a database used for national audit. METHODS: Logistic regression analyses of linked maternity and intensive care records, with multiple imputation to account for missing data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Admission to intensive care in pregnancy or postnatal period to 6 weeks after birth. RESULTS: In all, 2.24 per 1000 maternities were associated with intensive care admission. Black women were more than twice as likely as women from other ethnic groups to be admitted (odds ratio [OR] 2.21, 95% CI 1.82-2.68). This association was only partially explained by demographic, lifestyle, pregnancy and birth factors (adjusted OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.37-2.09). A higher proportion of intensive care admissions in Black women were for obstetric haemorrhage than in women from other ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Black women have an increased risk of intensive care admission that cannot be explained by demographic, health, lifestyle, pregnancy and birth factors. Clinical and policy intervention should focus on the early identification and management of severe illness, particularly obstetric haemorrhage, in Black women, in order to reduce inequalities in intensive care admission. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Black women are almost twice as likely as White women to be admitted to intensive care during pregnancy and the postpartum period; this risk remains after accounting for demographic, health, lifestyle, pregnancy and birth factors.

Improving antenatal detection of small-for-gestational-age fetus: economic evaluation of Growth Assessment Protocol.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the Growth Assessment Protocol (GAP), as implemented in the DESiGN trial, is cost-effective in terms of antenatal detection of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate, when compared with standard care. METHODS: This was an incremental cost-effectiveness analysis undertaken from the perspective of a UK National Health Service hospital provider. Thirteen maternity units from England, UK, were recruited to the DESiGN (DEtection of Small for GestatioNal age fetus) trial, a cluster randomized controlled trial. Singleton, non-anomalous pregnancies which delivered after 24 + 0 gestational weeks between November 2015 and February 2019 were analyzed. Probabilistic decision modeling using clinical trial data was undertaken. The main outcomes of the study were the expected incremental cost, the additional number of SGA neonates identified antenatally and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) (cost per additional SGA neonate identified) of implementing GAP. Secondary analysis focused on the ICER per infant quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. RESULTS: The expected incremental cost (including hospital care and implementation costs) of GAP over standard care was £34 559 per 1000 births, with a 68% probability that implementation of GAP would be associated with increased costs to sustain program delivery. GAP identified an additional 1.77 SGA neonates per 1000 births (55% probability of it being more clinically effective). The ICER for GAP was £19 525 per additional SGA neonate identified, with a 44% probability that GAP would both increase cost and identify more SGA neonates compared with standard care. The probability of GAP being the dominant clinical strategy was low (11%). The expected incremental cost per infant QALY gained ranged from £68 242 to £545 940, depending on assumptions regarding the QALY value of detection of SGA. CONCLUSION: The economic case for replacing standard care with GAP is weak based on the analysis reported in our study. However, this conclusion should be viewed taking into account that cost-effectiveness analyses are always limited by the assumptions made. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Waterbirth: a national retrospective cohort study of factors associated with its use among women in England.

BACKGROUND: Waterbirth is widely available in English maternity settings for women who are not at increased risk of complications during labour. Immersion in water during labour is associated with a number of maternal benefits. However for birth in water the situation is less clear, with conclusive evidence on safety lacking and little known about the characteristics of women who give birth in water. This retrospective cohort study uses electronic data routinely collected in the course of maternity care in England in 2015-16 to describe the proportion of births recorded as having occurred in water, the characteristics of women who experienced waterbirth and the odds of key maternal and neonatal complications associated with giving birth in water. METHODS: Data were obtained from three population level electronic datasets linked together for the purposes of a national audit of maternity care. The study cohort included women who had no risk factors requiring them to give birth in an obstetric unit according to national guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine maternal (postpartum haemorrhage of 1500mls or more, obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI)) and neonatal (Apgar score less than 7, neonatal unit admission) outcomes associated with waterbirth. RESULTS: 46,088 low and intermediate risk singleton term spontaneous vaginal births in 35 NHS Trusts in England were included in the analysis cohort. Of these 6264 (13.6%) were recorded as having occurred in water. Waterbirth was more likely in older women up to the age of 40 (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) for age group 35-39 1.27, 95% confidence interval (1.15,1.41)) and less common in women under 25 (adjOR 18-24 0.76 (0.70, 0.82)), those of higher parity (parity ≥3 adjOR 0.56 (0.47,0.66)) or who were obese (BMI 30-34.9 adjOR 0.77 (0.70,0.85)). Waterbirth was also less likely in black (adjOR 0.42 (0.36, 0.51)) and Asian (adjOR 0.26 (0.23,0.30)) women and in those from areas of increased socioeconomic deprivation (most affluent versus least affluent areas adjOR 0.47 (0.43, 0.52)). There was no association between delivery in water and low Apgar score (adjOR 0.95 (0.66,1.36)) or incidence of OASI (adjOR 1.00 (0.86,1.16)). There was an association between waterbirth and reduced incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (adjOR 0.68 (0.51,0.90)) and neonatal unit admission (adjOR 0.65 (0.53,0.78)). CONCLUSIONS: In this large observational cohort study, there was no association between waterbirth and specific adverse outcomes for either the mother or the baby. There was evidence that white women from higher socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to be recorded as giving birth in water. Maternity services should focus on ensuring equitable access to waterbirth.

The Combined Use of Ultrasound and Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging for a Comprehensive Fetal Neurological Assessment in Fetal Congenital Cardiac Defects: Scientific Impact Paper No. 60.

Heart problems are common in newborn babies, affecting approximately 5-10 in 1000 babies. Some are more serious than others, but most babies born with heart problems do not have other health issues. Of those babies who have a serious heart problem, almost 1 in 4 will have heart surgery in their first year. In the UK, pregnant women are offered a scan at around 20 weeks to try and spot any heart problems. In most cases there is not a clear reason for the problem, but sometimes other issues, such as genetic conditions, are discovered. In recent years the care given to these babies after they are born has improved their chances of surviving. However, it is recognised that babies born with heart problems have a risk of delays in their learning and development. This may be due to their medical condition, or as a result of surgery and complications after birth. In babies with heart problems, there is a need for more research on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to understand how the brain develops and why these babies are more likely to have delays in learning and development. This paper discusses the way ultrasound and MRI are used in assessing the baby's brain. Ultrasound is often used to spot any problems, looking at how the baby's brain develops in pregnancy. Advances in ultrasound technologies have made this easier. MRI is well-established and safe in pregnancy, and if problems in the brain have been seen on ultrasound, MRI may be used to look at these problems in more detail. While it is not always clear what unusual MRI findings can mean for the baby in the long term, increased understanding may mean parents can be given more information about possible outcomes for the baby and may help to improve the counselling they are offered before their baby's birth.

Infant adiposity following a randomised controlled trial of a behavioural intervention in obese pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: Randomised controlled trials are required to address causality in the reported associations between maternal influences and offspring adiposity. The aim of this study was to determine whether an antenatal lifestyle intervention, associated with improvements in maternal diet and reduced gestational weight gain (GWG) in obese pregnant women leads to a reduction in infant adiposity and sustained improvements in maternal lifestyle behaviours at 6 months postpartum. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a planned postnatal follow-up of a randomised controlled trial (UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT)) of a complex behavioural intervention targeting maternal diet (glycaemic load (GL) and saturated fat intake) and physical activity in 1555 obese pregnant women. The main outcome measure was infant adiposity, assessed by subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses. Maternal diet and physical activity, indices of the familial lifestyle environment, were assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 698 (45.9%) infants (342 intervention and 356 standard antenatal care) were followed up at a mean age of 5.92 months. There was no difference in triceps skinfold thickness z-scores between the intervention vs standard care arms (difference -0.14 s.d., 95% confidence interval -0.38 to 0.10, P=0.246), but subscapular skinfold thickness z-score was 0.26 s.d. (-0.49 to -0.02; P=0.03) lower in the intervention arm. Maternal dietary GL (-35.34; -48.0 to -22.67; P<0.001) and saturated fat intake (-1.93% energy; -2.64 to -1.22; P<0.001) were reduced in the intervention arm at 6 months postpartum. Causal mediation analysis suggested that lower infant subscapular skinfold thickness was partially mediated by changes in antenatal maternal diet and GWG rather than postnatal diet. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence from follow-up of a randomised controlled trial that a maternal behavioural intervention in obese pregnant women has the potential to reduce infant adiposity and to produce a sustained improvement in maternal diet at 6 months postpartum.

Do adverse pregnancy outcomes contribute to accelerated cardiovascular events seen in young women with systemic lupus erythematosus?

Cardiovascular events (CVEs) are prevalent in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and it is the young women who are disproportionately at risk. The risk factors for accelerated cardiovascular disease remain unclear, with multiple studies producing conflicting results. In this paper, we aim to address both traditional and SLE-specific risk factors postulated to drive the accelerated vascular disease in this cohort. We also discuss the more recent hypothesis that adverse pregnancy outcomes in the form of maternal-placental syndrome and resultant preterm delivery could potentially contribute to the CVEs seen in young women with SLE who have fewer traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The pathophysiology of how placental-mediated vascular insufficiency and hypoxia (with the secretion of placenta-like growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-tyrosine-like kinase-1 (sFlt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng) and other placental factors) work synergistically to damage the vascular endothelium is discussed. Adverse pregnancy outcomes ultimately are a small contributing factor to the complex pathophysiological process of cardiovascular disease in patients with SLE. Future collaborative studies between cardiologists, obstetricians, obstetric physicians and rheumatologists may pave the way for a better understanding of a likely multifactorial aetiological process.

A descriptive single-centre experience of the management and outcome of maternal alloantibodies in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) occurs when maternal IgG alloantibodies to fetal red blood cell antigens cross the placenta, causing haemolysis in the fetus and/or neonate. After delivery, the main concern is hyperbilirubinaemia, which can cause neurological damage. OBJECTIVES: To summarise our current management and outcome data to inform health-care professionals counselling women whose pregnancies are at risk of HDFN and to compare these data with relevant studies. METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study of all high-risk pregnancies at risk of HDFN at Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTFT) Maternity Unit over a 7-year period. We defined high-risk pregnancies as those in whom anti-D, anti-c, anti-K or high (>32 or doubling strength) titres of all other antibodies were identified. RESULTS: A total of 130 pregnancies in 112 women were followed up. A single alloantibody was found in 93 pregnancies (71.5%) and multiple alloantibodies in 37 pregnancies (28.5%). Anti-D was most commonly encountered (n = 48, 36.9%), followed by anti-c (n = 31, 23.8%) and anti-E (n = 15, 11.5%). In 65 of 130 pregnancies (50%), antibody concentrations triggered scans to screen for fetal anaemia. Of 130 pregnancies, 6 (4.6%) required intrauterine transfusions, and 31 of 130 (26%) neonates required post-natal intervention. Overall, morbidity was 0.1% and mortality 0.002%. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that morbidity and mortality caused by HDFN is minimal. These results are reassuring for women at risk of HDFN as even severely affected cases are successfully managed in most instances. Further studies are needed to identify predictors of disease severity.

Parental physical and lifestyle factors and their association with newborn body composition.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the parental physical and lifestyle determinants of newborn body composition. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Cork University Maternity Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in Cork, Ireland. POPULATION: All babies were recruited as part of a prospective birth cohort, Babies After SCOPE: Evaluating the Longitudinal Impact Using Neurological and Nutritional Endpoints (BASELINE). These babies were recruited from women who had participated in the Screening of Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) study Ireland, a prospective, multicentre cohort study METHODS: Multivariate linear regression was used to analyse the effect of a range of maternal and paternal physical and lifestyle features on neonatal body fat percentage (BF%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Neonatal BF%. Neonatal adiposity was assessed within 48 hours of birth using air displacement plethysmography (PEAPOD(®) ). RESULTS: In all, 1243 infants were enrolled in the study. Increasing maternal body mass index (adjusted mean difference 0.09; 0.04, 0.15) and waist height ratio (adjusted mean difference 6.59; 0.27, 12.92) were significantly associated with increased neonatal BF%. In contrast, maternal smoking was associated with reduced neonatal BF% compared with non smokers (adjusted mean difference -0.55; -1.07, -0.03). Infant sex significantly altered neonatal BF%, with female infants having higher neonatal BF% compared with male infants (adjusted mean difference 1.98; 1.54, 2.53). No association was observed between paternal body mass index (BMI), paternal age or paternal smoking and neonatal BF%. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal smoking, BMI, waist height ratio and infant sex were associated with altered BF%. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Maternal smoking, BMI, waist height ratio and infant sex are associated with altered neonatal body fat percentage.

Short-term outcome of periviable small-for-gestational-age babies: is our counseling up to date?

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data for counseling on and management of periviable small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses. We therefore aimed to investigate the short-term outcome of periviable SGA fetuses in relation to the likely underlying cause. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of data from three London tertiary fetal medicine centers obtained between 2000 and 2015. We included viable singleton pregnancies with a severely small fetus, defined as those with an abdominal circumference ≤ 3rd percentile, identified between 22 + 0 and 25 + 6 weeks' gestation. Data obtained included fetal biometry, presence of placental anomalies, uterine and fetal Doppler and neonatal outcome. We excluded cases with structural abnormalities, proven or suspected abnormal karyotype or genetic syndromes. Cases were classified according to the suspected underlying cause of the small fetal size into one of the following categories: uteroplacental insufficiency, evidence of placental damage with normal uterine artery Doppler, viral infection, or unclassied. RESULTS: There were 245 cases included in the study. Of these, at diagnosis of SGA, 201 (82%) were categorized as uteroplacental cause, 13 (5%) as suspected placental cause, one (0.4%) as suspected viral cause and 30 (12%) could not be assigned to any of these categories. Overall, 101 (41%) cases survived the neonatal period; 89 (36%) underwent in-utero fetal demise, 22 (9%) died neonatally and 33 (14%) pregnancies were terminated. The diagnosis-to-delivery interval was 8.1 weeks in those that survived and 4.5 weeks in those that died neonatally. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 90% of periviable SGA cases are associated with uteroplacental insufficiency or intraplacental damage. Survival is related to gestational age at delivery, with outcomes better than might be assumed at diagnosis and some pregnancies reaching term. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Dichorionic triplet pregnancies: risk of miscarriage and severe preterm delivery with fetal reduction versus expectant management. Outcomes of a cohort study and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: In trichorionic pregnancies, fetal reduction from three to two lowers the risk of severe preterm delivery, but provides no advantage in survival. Similar data for dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplets is not readily available. OBJECTIVES: To document the natural history of DCTA triplets and the effect of reduction on the risk of miscarriage and severe preterm delivery, compared with expectant management. SEARCH STRATEGY: Systematic search on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. SELECTION CRITERIA: DCTA triplets with three live fetuses at 8-14 weeks of gestation, outcome data with expectant management and/or reduction, miscarriage before 24 weeks of gestation and/or severe preterm delivery before 32-33 weeks of gestation. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Five studies were included. Data from these were combined with data from three centres. MAIN RESULTS: There were 331 DCTA triplets. The miscarriage rate was 8.9% (95% CI 5.8-13.3%) and the severe preterm delivery rate was 33.3% (95% CI 27.5-39.7%), with expectant management. The miscarriage rate was 14.5% (95% CI 7.6-26.2%) with a reduction of the monochorionic pair, 8.8% (95% CI 3.0-23.0%) with a reduction of one fetus of the monochorionic pair, and 23.5% (9.6-47.3%) with a reduction of the fetus with a separate placenta. Severe preterm delivery rates were 5.5% (95% CI 1.9-14-9%), 11.8% (95% CI 4.7-26.6%), and 17.6% (95% CI 6.2-41.0%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In DCTA triplets, expectant management is a reasonable choice when the top priority is a liveborn infant. Where the priority is to minimise severe preterm delivery, the most advisable option is fetal reduction. Further studies are needed to clarify which particular technique is advisable to optimise the outcome.

Perinatal and maternal outcomes in planned home and obstetric unit births in women at 'higher risk' of complications: secondary analysis of the Birthplace national prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore and compare perinatal and maternal outcomes in women at 'higher risk' of complications planning home versus obstetric unit (OU) birth. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: OUs and planned home births in England. POPULATION: 8180 'higher risk' women in the Birthplace cohort. METHODS: We used Poisson regression to calculate relative risks adjusted for maternal characteristics. Sensitivity analyses explored possible effects of differences in risk between groups and alternative outcome measures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Composite perinatal outcome measure encompassing 'intrapartum related mortality and morbidity' (intrapartum stillbirth, early neonatal death, neonatal encephalopathy, meconium aspiration syndrome, brachial plexus injury, fractured humerus or clavicle) and neonatal admission within 48 hours for more than 48 hours. Two composite maternal outcome measures capturing intrapartum interventions/adverse maternal outcomes and straightforward birth. RESULTS: The risk of 'intrapartum related mortality and morbidity' or neonatal admission for more than 48 hours was lower in planned home births than planned OU births [adjusted relative risks (RR) 0.50, 95% CI 0.31-0.81]. Adjustment for clinical risk factors did not materially affect this finding. The direction of effect was reversed for the more restricted outcome measure 'intrapartum related mortality and morbidity' (RR adjusted for parity 1.92, 95% CI 0.97-3.80). Maternal interventions were lower in planned home births. CONCLUSIONS: The babies of 'higher risk' women who plan birth in an OU appear more likely to be admitted to neonatal care than those whose mothers plan birth at home, but it is unclear if this reflects a real difference in morbidity. Rates of intrapartum related morbidity and mortality did not differ statistically significantly between settings at the 5% level but a larger study would be required to rule out a clinically important difference between the groups.

Prediction of gestational diabetes in obese pregnant women from the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity (UPBEAT) pilot trial.

AIM: To examine the prediction of gestational diabetes in obese women using routine clinical measures and measurement of biomarkers related to insulin resistance in the early second trimester. METHODS: A total of 117 obese pregnant women participating in a pilot trial of a complex intervention of dietary advice and physical activity were studied. Blood samples were obtained at recruitment (15⁺°-17⁺6 weeks' gestation) and demographic, clinical history and anthropometric measures recorded. The biomarkers analysed were plasma lipids (HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, ferritin, fructosamine, insulin, adiponectin, tissue plasminogen activator, interleukin-6, visfatin and leptin. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors and area under the receiver-operating curve was calculated for the model. RESULTS: Of the 106 participants included in the analysis, 29 (27.4%) developed gestational diabetes. Participants with gestational diabetes were older (P = 0.002), more often of parity ≥ 2, had higher systolic (P = 0.02) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.02) and were more likely to be black (P = 0.009). Amongst the blood biomarkers measured, plasma adiponectin alone remained independently associated with gestational diabetes in adjusted models (P = 0.002). The area under the receiver-operating curve for clinical factors alone (0.760) increased significantly (area under the curve 0.834, chi-square statistic (1) = 4.00, P = 0.046) with the addition of adiponectin. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of routinely measured clinical factors and adiponectin measured in the early second trimester in obese women may provide a useful approach to the prediction of gestational diabetes. Validation in a large prospective study is required to determine the usefulness of this algorithm in clinical practice.

The sonopartogram: a novel method for recording progress of labor by ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: Progress of labor has hitherto been assessed by digital vaginal examination (VE). We introduce the concept of a non-intrusive ultrasound (US)-based assessment of labor progress (the 'sonopartogram') and investigate its feasibility for assessing cervical dilatation and fetal head descent and rotation. METHODS: This was a prospective study performed in 20 women in the first stage of labor in two European maternity units. Almost simultaneous assessment of cervical dilatation and fetal head descent and rotation were made by US and digital VE. RESULTS: The total number of paired US and digital VE assessments was 52, with a median of three per woman. Overall, 5% of sonopartogram parameters were not obtained compared with 18% of conventional digital VE parameters (P < 0.001). Assessment of cervical dilatation was possible in 86.5% of US examinations and 100% of digital VEs (P = 0.02), and dilatation was assessed as being greater by digital VE than by US (mean difference, 1.16 (95% limits of agreement, -0.76, 3.08) cm, r(2) = 0.68, P = 0.01). Fetal head descent was measured in all 52 cases by both methods (r(2) = 0.33, P < 0.001), but correlation between the two was only moderate. Head rotation was obtainable in 98% of US examinations and 46% of digital VEs (P < 0.001), with a mean difference of -3.9° (95% limits of agreement, -144.1°, 136.3°). CONCLUSION: In this proof-of-concept study, the acquisition of data regarding progress of labor was more successful for the sonopartogram than the conventional partogram. The agreement between digital VE and US was good for cervical dilatation and head rotation but less so for head descent. US assessment of the progress of labor is feasible in most cases.

Accuracy of nuchal translucency measurement depends on equipment used and its calibration.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of different ultrasound machine-probe combinations on nuchal translucency (NT) measurements and to assess how this impacts on the accuracy of the NT-derived component of first-trimester screening for trisomy 21. METHODS: Sixteen different ultrasound machine-probe combinations were used for axial measurement of 2.0-, 3.0- and 4.0-mm spaced targets in an ultrasound phantom. Differences between the measured and known values were determined. The mean of the axial measurements was used to calculate adjusted risks for trisomy 21, given specific clinical scenarios. RESULTS: Differences observed using different machine-probe combinations for the 2.0-mm target ranged from 1.8-2.2 mm; for the 3.0-mm target, 2.7-3.2 mm; and for the 4-mm target, 3.7-4.3 mm, and exceeded those due to intraobserver variability. For a fetal crown-rump length of 50.0 mm and NT measurement of 2.0 mm, the maximum/minimum measurements in the fetus of a 40-year-old woman led to derived risks ranging from 1 in 32 (NT, 2.2 mm) to 1 in 189 (NT, 1.8 mm) and in the fetus of a 20-year-old with an NT of 3.0 mm these ranged from 1 in 102 (NT, 3.2 mm) to 1 in 160 (NT, 2.7 mm). CONCLUSIONS: We have described the effect of machine-probe combinations on small but very precise ultrasound measurements. Such machine-probe combinations led to greater variability than those ascribed to intraobserver differences, and significantly affected the screening risk for the same fixed measurement. This finding has implications for Down syndrome screening algorithms and audit of ultrasound operators. Furthermore, most ultrasound machines are neither calibrated nor specified for measurements of tenths of a mm.

Rapid systematic review of interventions to improve antenatal screening rates for syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV in low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases including syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B are major contributors to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The World Health Organization has prioritized elimination of vertical transmission of these three diseases. OBJECTIVES: To rapidly assess the impact of interventions designed to improve antenatal screening rates for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B in LMICs and to identify areas for future implementation research. SEARCH STRATEGY: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and EconLit, targeting articles published between January 1, 2013, and June 27, 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included quantitative interventional studies in English, involving pregnant adults (15 years or older) from LMICs. Exclusions were studies based in high-income countries, qualitative studies, or those investigating accuracy of diagnostic methods. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: From an initial 5549 potential studies, 27 were finalized for review after various screening stages. Data extraction covered aspects such as study design, intervention details, and outcomes. Findings were qualitatively synthesized within a systems thinking framework. MAIN RESULTS: The interventions assessed varied in terms of geographic locations, health care system levels, and modalities. The review highlighted the effectiveness of interventions such as community health interventions, service quality improvements, and financial incentives. CONCLUSIONS: The study underscores the potential of specific interventions in enhancing antenatal screening rates in LMICs. However, there is a discernible research gap concerning hepatitis B. The findings emphasize the importance of capacity building and health systems strengthening in public health interventions.

Sexually transmitted infections: Prevalence and clinical outcomes among pregnant women in Western Sydney.

OBJECTIVE: We report the prevalence, characteristics and clinical outcomes of women with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnancy in the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) serving a large culturally and socio-economically diverse community in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, over the last 10 years. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all pregnant women booked for antenatal care at three hospitals in WSLHD between September 2012 and August 2022 inclusive. Characteristics and birth outcomes associated with STIs diagnosed in pregnancy (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) are reported using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for relevant confounders. RESULTS: During 2012-2022, there were 102 905 births and 451 women (0.44%) with an STI diagnosis during pregnancy. The number of women with a history of chlamydia prior to their current pregnancy has increased over the last 10 years (P < 0.001). STIs in pregnancy were more common in younger women aged <20 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.04-10.57), 20-24 years (aOR 3.12, 95% CI 2.46-3.96), and >40 years (adj OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.07-2.59), in women with body mass index >30 (aOR 1.73, 95%CI 1.37-2.19), and those who smoked (aOR 2.24, 95% CI 1.71-2.94) and consumed alcohol (aOR 3.14, 95% CI 1.88-5.23) and illicit drugs (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.31-3.36). STIs in pregnancy were borderline associated with stillbirth (aOR 2.19 95% CI 0.90-5.36) but did not have a significant impact on preterm birth (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 0.87-1.68), admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (aOR 1.02, 95% CI 0.77-1.34), or having a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) baby (aOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.74-1.27). CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic factors such as age, weight, smoking, and alcohol and drug use, were associated with the STI incidence in pregnancy. While the latter did not have an impact on preterm birth, NICU admission, and SGA in our cohort, there was a borderline association with stillbirth. Future research should identify barriers and facilitators to testing in a multicultural population and understanding the drivers of higher rates of STIs in certain population groups.

Disproportionate body composition and perinatal outcome in large-for-gestational-age infants to mothers with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if disproportionate body composition is a risk factor for perinatal complications in large-for-gestational-age infants born to mothers with type 1 diabetes. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: Data from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry from 1998 to 2007. POPULATION: National cohort of 3517 infants born to mothers with type 1 diabetes. Only singletons with gestational age 32-43 weeks were included. METHODS: Large for gestational age (LGA) was defined as birthweight > 90th centile and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) as birthweight between 10th and 90th centiles. Disproportionate (D) infants were defined as having a ponderal index [PI: calculated as birthweight in grams/(length in cm)(3) > 90th centile] and proportionate (P) as PI ≤ 90th centile. LGA infants were classified as P-LGA or D-LGA. Odds ratios were calculated for D-LGA and P-LGA infants, with AGA infants as the reference category. Odds ratios were adjusted for mode of delivery, fetal distress and stratified by gestational age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was a composite of neonatal morbidities, i.e. any of the following diagnoses: Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes, birth trauma (Erb's palsy or clavicle fracture), respiratory disorder, hyperbilirubinaemia or hypoglycaemia requiring treatment. RESULTS: Composite morbidity was significantly more frequent in LGA as opposed to AGA infants, but there was no difference in risk between P-LGA and D-LGA infants. CONCLUSIONS: High birthweight, irrespective of body proportionality, is a risk factor for neonatal complications in offspring of women with type 1 diabetes.