Low-Dose Aspirin Use Does Not Increase Disease Activity in Pregnant Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: The adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs on the gastrointestinal system are well recognized, but the effect of NSAID use on disease activity patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unresolved. Low-dose aspirin (LDA) is recommended for all pregnant patients with risk factors for developing preeclampsia, including autoimmune conditions. As recognition of risk factors for preeclampsia improves, the preventative use of LDA is likely to increase. AIMS: To investigate if LDA use for prevention of preeclampsia increases the risk of disease activity in pregnant women with IBD. METHODS: Single-center retrospective cohort study of pregnant patients with IBD who delivered from 2012 to 2020, comparing those with and without LDA use. Primary outcome was odds of clinical IBD activity in patients in remission at time of conception. Secondary outcomes were rate of elevated inflammatory biomarkers, defined as C-reactive protein > 5 ug/mL or fecal calprotectin > 250 ug/g, and rate of preeclampsia. Univariate analyses tested for associations. RESULTS: Patients taking LDA were older (p = 0.003) and more likely to have chronic hypertension (p = 0.002), to have undergone in vitro fertilization (p < 0.001), and to be on biologics (p = 0.03). Among patients in remission at conception, there was no difference in clinical disease activity or biomarker elevation during pregnancy based on LDA use (OR 1.27, 95% CI [0.55-2.94], p = 0.6). Rates of preeclampsia were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: LDA use for preeclampsia prevention did not increase the incidence of disease activity in pregnant patients with IBD.

History of Cholestasis Is Not Associated with Worsening Outcomes in Subsequent Pregnancy with Cholestasis.

OBJECTIVE: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including intrauterine fetal demise, spontaneous preterm labor, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Studies have yet to determine if patients with a history of pregnancy complicated by cholestasis had an association with more severe adverse outcomes in a subsequent pregnancy complicated by cholestasis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of multiparous, singleton, nonanomalous live gestations complicated by cholestasis at Elmhurst Hospital Center from 2005 to 2019. We compared rates of adverse outcomes in multiparous pregnancies complicated by cholestasis with versus without prior cholestasis. Our primary outcome was rates of spontaneous preterm labor. Our secondary outcomes included rates of iatrogenic preterm birth, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal heart tracing. Chi-square and multivariate regression tests were used to determine the strength of association. In all analyses, a p-value less than 0.05 and 95% confidence interval not crossing 1.00 indicated statistical significance. Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this project. RESULTS: Of the 795 multiparous pregnancies complicated by cholestasis, 618 (77.7%) had no prior history of cholestasis and 177 (23.3%) had prior history of cholestasis. Multiparous pregnancies with history of cholestasis had higher rates of prior preterm birth, earlier gestational age at diagnosis and delivery, and were more likely to receive ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. Pregnancies with history of cholestasis were not associated with spontaneous preterm labor in subsequent pregnancies with cholestasis, but history of cholestasis was associated with iatrogenic preterm birth and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. After adjusting for confounders, the association with iatrogenic preterm birth and NICU admission were no longer statistically significant. There was no significant association between history of cholestasis and other adverse obstetric outcomes. CONCLUSION: Findings suggests that history of prior cholestasis is not associated with worsening outcomes in subsequent pregnancies complicated by cholestasis. KEY POINTS: · Prior cholestasis may not alter risk in subsequent pregnancies.. · Unclear relationship between cholestasis and hepatobiliary disease.. · Studies needed to develop cholestasis screening protocol..

Use of Respiratory and Contact Precautions to Decrease the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Was Not Associated with a Decrease in Endometritis-Intra-Amniotic Infection.

OBJECTIVE: To decrease the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the Mount Sinai Hospital's obstetric service, additional contact and respiratory precautions for patients and staff were implemented. Patients were allowed only one support person, SARS-CoV-2 tested on admission, and required to mask during hospitalization. Staff were required to wear masks and eye shields, gloves for all patient care, and gowns for care with SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. This study determined if the risk of endometritis/intra-amniotic infection (IAI) changed under the new pandemic precautions. STUDY DESIGN: A single-center, historical cohort study via electronic medical record review compared singleton deliveries among patients who labored during the "pandemic period" (from March 1 through May 31, 2020) with those who labored during the "prepandemic period" (March 1 through May 31, 2019) to determine if the risk of endometritis/IAI differed. The analysis was done using logistic regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to adjust for possible differences in obstetric practice and patient population between the two periods. RESULTS: Four percent (53/1,318) of patients in the pandemic period and 5.1% (82/1,596) of patients in the prepandemic period were diagnosed with endometritis/IAI (p = 0.15). Compared with patients who delivered in the prepandemic period, those who delivered during the pandemic period had a higher body mass index at delivery (median: 28.36 [interquartile range, IQR: 25.70, 32.07] vs. 28.00 [IQR: 25.23, 31.50], p = 0.01) and experienced fewer digital exams (median: 4 [range: 1, 10] vs. 4 (range: 1, 19], p = 0.004), a practice not included in the SARS-CoV-2 prevention strategy. In multivariable logistic regression with IPTW adjusting for risk factors for endometritis/IAI, period of delivery was not associated with endometritis/IAI (odds ratio = 0.76, 95% confidence interval [0.52, 1.11], p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: The use of respiratory and contact precautions to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 was not associated with risk of endometritis/IAI. KEY POINTS: · Pandemic infection control precautions were not associated with a decrease in endometritis/IAIs.. · The early months of the pandemic were associated with the performance of fewer digital cervical exams.. · The early months of the pandemic were associated with a higher BMI at delivery..

Preoperative Application of Chlorhexidine to Reduce Infection with Cesarean Delivery after Labor (PRACTICAL): A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether use of both preoperative 2% chlorhexidine gluconate abdominal cloth and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate vaginal scrub is effective in reducing surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing cesarean delivery after labor. STUDY DESIGN: This is a single-center, randomized clinical trial in which patients were randomized 1:1 to receive 2% chlorhexidine gluconate cloth applied to the abdomen in addition to the application of 4% chlorhexidine gluconate vaginal scrub versus standard of care. The primary outcome was rate of SSIs, including endometritis, by 6 weeks postdelivery. The secondary outcomes were other wound complications (erythema at the operative site, skin separation, drainage, fever, hematoma, seroma) by 6 weeks postdelivery, hospital readmission for wound complications, and day of discharge after cesarean delivery. RESULTS: A total of 319 patients between September 2018 and February 2021 met eligibility criteria: 160 were randomized to the chlorhexidine gluconate abdominal cloth and vaginal scrub group and 159 were randomized to the standard of care group. The groups did not have significant differences in maternal demographic characteristics. Of the 302 (95%) individuals included in primary analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in SSI and endometritis rate by 6 weeks postdelivery (6.6% in chlorhexidine vs. 5.3% standard of care, p = 0.65). Secondary outcomes were also similar among the two groups. CONCLUSION: The combination of preoperative 2% chlorhexidine gluconate abdominal cloth and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate vaginal scrub does not appear to reduce the risk of SSI with cesarean delivery after trial of labor when compared with standard of care. KEY POINTS: · Preoperative chlorhexidine abdominal cloth/vaginal scrub does not decrease SSI in cesarean after labor.. · Preoperative chlorhexidine abdominal cloth/vaginal scrub does not decrease other wound complications in cesarean after labor.. · There was no difference in discharge day, 2-week or 6-week SSI rates..

Is Increasing Parity Associated with Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Dichorionic Twin Gestations?

OBJECTIVE: Dichorionic twins have increased risk of preterm birth and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Grand multiparity may be associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies, although the effect of increasing parity in twins is unclear. This study aimed to elucidate whether grand multiparity leads to adverse outcomes in dichorionic twins compared with multiparity and nulliparity. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of dichorionic twins at a single institution between January 2008 and December 2019 comparing pregnancy outcomes among grand multiparity, multiparity, and nulliparity. Primary outcome was preterm birth less than 37 weeks. Multivariable regression controlled for differing demographics, prior preterm birth, use of reproductive technologies, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Chi square and Fisher's exact were used for categorical variables and Kruskal-Wallis was used for continuous variables. RESULTS: A total of 843 (60.3%) pregnancies were nulliparous, 499 (35.7%) multiparous, and 57(4.1%) grand multiparous. Univariate analysis indicated that multiparous women had lower incidence of preterm birth less than 37, 34, and 32 weeks (57 vs. 51%, p = 0.04; 19.2 vs. 14.0%, p = 0.02; 9.6 vs. 5.6%, p = 0.01) and that grand multiparous women had lower incidence of preterm birth less than 34 weeks (19.2 vs. 5.3%, p = 0.008) compared with nulliparous women. Multivariable regression confirmed multiparous women had lower odds of preterm birth less than 34 and 32 weeks compared with nulliparous women (<34 wk: odds ratio [OR] = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.49-0.97, p = 0.03; <32 wk: OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.29-0.79, p = 0.004) and that multiparous women (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.42-0.77, p = 0.0002) and grand multiparous women (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.08-0.68, p = 0.0074) had lower incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy when compared with nulliparous women. CONCLUSION: Grand multiparity is not associated with adverse perinatal outcomes compared with nulliparity or multiparity in dichorionic twins. Increasing parity may protect against incidence of preterm birth and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy even among grand multiparous women. KEY POINTS: · Incidence of preterm birth may decrease with increasing parity in twins.. · Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy may decrease with increasing parity in twins.. · Grand multiparity is not associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in twins..

Grand Multiparity and Obstetric Outcomes in a Contemporary Cohort: The Role of Increasing Parity.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence is inconsistent regarding grand multiparity and its association with adverse obstetric outcomes. Few large American cohorts of grand multiparas have been studied. We assessed if increasing parity among grand multiparas is associated with increased odds of adverse perinatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort of patients with parity ≥ 5 who delivered a singleton gestation in New York City from 2011 to 2019. Outcomes included postpartum hemorrhage, preterm delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, shoulder dystocia, birth weight > 4,000 and <2,500 g, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Parity was analyzed continuously, and multivariate analysis determined if increasing parity and other obstetric variables were associated with each adverse outcome. RESULTS: There were 2,496 patients who met inclusion criteria. Increasing parity among grand multiparas was not associated with any of the prespecified adverse outcomes. Odds of postpartum hemorrhage increased with history (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.65, 95% confidence interval [1.83, 3.84]) and current cesarean delivery (aOR: 4.59 [3.40, 6.18]). Preterm delivery was associated with history (aOR: 12.36 [8.70-17.58]) and non-White race (aOR: 1.90 [1.27, 2.84]). Odds of shoulder dystocia increased with history (aOR: 5.89 [3.22, 10.79]) and birth weight > 4,000 g (aOR: 9.94 [6.32, 15.65]). Birth weight > 4,000 g was associated with maternal obesity (aOR: 2.92 [2.22, 3.84]). Birth weight < 2,500 g was associated with advanced maternal age (aOR: 1.69 [1.15, 2.48]), chronic hypertension (aOR: 2.45 [1.32, 4.53]), and non-White race (aOR: 2.47 [1.66, 3.68]). Odds of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy increased with advanced maternal age (aOR: 1.79 [1.25, 2.56]), history (aOR: 10.09 [6.77-15.04]), and non-White race (aOR: 2.79 [1.95, 4.00]). NICU admission was associated with advanced maternal age (aOR: 1.47 [1.06, 2.02]) and non-White race (aOR: 2.57 [1.84, 3.58]). CONCLUSION: Among grand multiparous patients, the risk factor for adverse maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes appears to be occurrence of those adverse events in a prior pregnancy and not increasing parity itself. KEY POINTS: · Increasing parity is not associated with adverse obstetric outcomes among grand multiparas.. · Prior adverse pregnancy outcome is a risk factor for the outcome among grand multiparas.. · Advanced maternal age is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes among grand multiparas..

Antenatal Corticosteroids Decrease the Risk of Composite Neonatal Respiratory Morbidity in Planned Early Term Cesarean Deliveries.

OBJECTIVE: While administration of antenatal corticosteroids prior to term elective cesarean deliveries has been shown in international randomized controlled trials to decrease the rates of respiratory distress syndrome and transient tachypnea of the newborn, this is not a standard practice in the United States. We aim to determine if the administration of antenatal corticosteroids for fetal lung maturation within 1 week of scheduled early term cesarean delivery resulted in decreased composite respiratory morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: Historical cohort study including women who underwent scheduled early term cesarean delivery of a singleton, non-anomalous neonate at Mount Sinai Hospital between May 2015 and August 2019, comparing those who completed a course of antenatal corticosteroids within 1 week of delivery to those who did not. The primary outcome was composite respiratory morbidity defined as respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, and neonatal intensive care unit admission for respiratory morbidity. Maternal and neonatal characteristics were compared between groups using t-tests or Wilcoxon-Rank Sum tests for continuous measures and Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical measures, as appropriate. The outcomes were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: History of preterm birth was significantly higher in those who received antenatal corticosteroids compared with those who did not (24.0 vs. 10.9%, p = 0.01). Neonates who were not exposed to antenatal corticosteroids were more likely to experience the composite respiratory morbidity compared with those who were exposed (RR 4.1, 95% CI 1.2-13.7; p = 0.02). Between 37 and 38 weeks, neonates who did not receive steroids were at increased risk of composite respiratory morbidity (RR 11.7, 95% CI 1.5-89.0, p < 0.01), however, there was no difference for those born between 38 and 39 weeks. CONCLUSION: Betamethasone course administered prior to planned early term cesarean delivery was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the neonatal composite respiratory morbidity compared with routine management. KEY POINTS: · Steroids administered prior to scheduled cesarean lead to decreased neonatal respiratory morbidity.. · Steroid administration was not associated with increased adverse neonatal outcomes.. · Steroid administration was most beneficial between 37 and 38 weeks..

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Postpartum Readmission Rates at a Single Tertiary Care Center in New York City.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to mitigate transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and decrease exposure to the hospital setting, Mount Sinai Hospital implemented new protocols, including early postpartum discharge. Early discharge would allow for more single-bedded rooms, limiting exposure to other patients and their support persons. During the pandemic, patients were discharged to home on postpartum day 1 or 2 after vaginal or cesarean delivery, respectively, instead of day 2 or 3, unless longer hospitalization was needed for medical indications. We aim to determine if the readmission rate was increased in the setting of earlier discharge during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: Historical cohort study comparing the readmission rate in SARS-CoV-2 negative women who presented to Mount Sinai Hospital for delivery admission from March to May 2019 versus March to May 2020. The primary outcome was readmission rate within 6 weeks of discharge day. Maternal and neonatal characteristics and outcomes were compared between groups using t-tests or Wilcoxon's rank-sum test for continuous measures and chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests for categorical measures, as appropriate. Primary and secondary outcomes were assessed using linear and logistic univariable and multivariable regression. RESULTS: Patients in the 2020 cohort (n = 1,078) were significantly less likely to have public/state insurance (p = 0.02), more likely to have pregestational diabetes (p = 0.02), gestational diabetes (p = 0.04), gestational hypertension (p < 0.01), and an operative vaginal or cesarean delivery (vs. spontaneous vaginal delivery, p = 0.01) compared with 2019 cohort patients (n = 1,910). Patients in the 2020 cohort were significantly more likely to have an earlier postpartum day of discharge and a shorter median length of stay compared with 2019 cohort patients (both p < 0.01). Despite differences in length of stay, the rate of readmission was similar between the two groups (p = 0.45). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no difference in readmission rate despite shorter hospital stays. KEY POINTS: · Maternal length of stay during COVID-19 was shorter.. · Earlier maternal discharge occurred during COVID-19.. · Shorter maternal postpartum stay did not increase readmission rate..

Pregnant women with severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019 have increased composite morbidity compared with nonpregnant matched controls.

BACKGROUND: In March 2020, as community spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 became increasingly prevalent, pregnant women seemed to be equally susceptible to developing coronavirus disease 2019. Although the disease course usually appears mild, severe and critical cases of coronavirus disease 2019 seem to lead to substantial morbidity, including intensive care unit admission with prolonged hospital stay, intubation, mechanical ventilation, and even death. Although there are recent reports regarding the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on pregnancy, there is a lack of information regarding the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant vs nonpregnant women. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the outcomes of severe and critical cases of coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant vs nonpregnant, reproductive-aged women. STUDY DESIGN: This is a multicenter, retrospective, case-control study of women with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection hospitalized with severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019 in 4 academic medical centers in New York City and 1 in Philadelphia between March 12, 2020, and May 5, 2020. The cases consisted of pregnant women admitted specifically for severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019 and not for obstetrical indications. The controls consisted of reproductive-aged, nonpregnant women admitted for severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019. The primary outcome was a composite morbidity that includes the following: death, a need for intubation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, or a need for high-flow nasal cannula O2 supplementation. The secondary outcomes included intensive care unit admission, length of stay, a need for discharge to long-term acute care facilities, and discharge with a home O2 requirement. RESULTS: A total of 38 pregnant women with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 polymerase chain reaction-confirmed infections were admitted to 5 institutions specifically for coronavirus disease 2019, 29 (76.3%) meeting the criteria for severe disease status and 9 (23.7%) meeting the criteria for critical disease status. The mean age and body mass index were markedly higher in the nonpregnant control group. The nonpregnant cohort also had an increased frequency of preexisting medical comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The pregnant women were more likely to experience the primary outcome when compared with the nonpregnant control group (34.2% vs 14.9%; P=.03; adjusted odds ratio, 4.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-18.2). The pregnant patients experienced higher rates of intensive care unit admission (39.5% vs 17.0%; P<.01; adjusted odds ratio, 5.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-17.5). Among the pregnant women who underwent delivery, 72.7% occurred through cesarean delivery and the mean gestational age at delivery was 33.8±5.5 weeks in patients with severe disease status and 35±3.5 weeks in patients with critical coronavirus disease 2019 status. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with severe and critical coronavirus disease 2019 are at an increased risk for certain morbidities when compared with nonpregnant controls. Despite the higher comorbidities of diabetes and hypertension in the nonpregnant controls, the pregnant cases were at an increased risk for composite morbidity, intubation, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit admission. These findings suggest that pregnancy may be associated with a worse outcome in women with severe and critical cases of coronavirus disease 2019. Our study suggests that similar to other viral infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, pregnant women may be at risk for greater morbidity and disease severity.

Mid-trimester sonographic placenta previa thickness and persistence at delivery.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing placental thickness is associated with adverse outcomes including earlier gestational age at delivery, lower birthweight, and lower umbilical artery pH. We aim to determine whether mid-trimester placenta previa thickness is associated with persistence of previa at time of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Single-center retrospective cohort study of singleton gestations with previa diagnosed at 18-24 weeks delivering between 2015 and 2019. The thickest portion of the placenta was measured in a longitudinal plane on transabdominal imaging to determine placental thickness. We defined three cohorts: 1) thick placenta (>1 standard deviation above the mean), 2) thin placenta (>1 standard deviation below the mean), and 3) average placenta (within 1 standard deviation above or below the mean). Primary outcome was previa persistence at time of delivery. Secondary outcomes included postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean delivery, placenta accreta spectrum, and maternal morbidity composite (use of Bakri balloon, B-lynch, or O'Leary, peripartum hysterectomy, blood transfusion, ICU admission, or death). In all analyses, average thickness was used as the base comparator. RESULTS: Of 239 pregnancies with mid-trimester previa there were 34 thin, 166 average, and 39 thick placentas. Patients with thick placenta were older, more likely to have prior cesarean delivery, fibroid uterus, and delivery at an earlier gestational age. After adjusting for confounders, thick placenta was associated with persistent previa (aOR 6.85 [3.13-15.00]) and cesarean delivery (aOR 2.76 [1.26-6.08]). CONCLUSION: At diagnosis of mid-trimester previa, thick placenta is associated with persistence at time of delivery and delivery by cesarean section. This suggests placental thickness may assist with risk stratification and coordination of care.