The introduction of a universal transvaginal cervical length screening program is associated with a reduced preterm birth rate.

BACKGROUND: Midtrimester sonographic short cervix is a good predictor of preterm birth in singleton pregnancies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of implementing a universal transvaginal cervical length screening program on preterm birth rate. STUDY DESIGN: This study consisted of 2 parts: a before-and-after multicenter study and a study on the ECHOCOL ("echo"="ultrasound" and "col"="cervix" in French) prospective cohort. We compared the rate of preterm birth before and after the introduction of universal cervical length screening at the time of midtrimester anatomy ultrasound. The multicenter before-and-after regional study included all women with a singleton pregnancy who gave birth after 24 weeks' gestation in the South East of France from January 1, 2012 to April 30, 2018. In parallel, the ECHOCOL cohort study was prospectively conducted from May 2015 to July 2018, including 17 maternity hospitals in the South East region of France. In case of asymptomatic short cervix <25 mm, treatments offered included 200 mg of vaginal progesterone, or cerclage, or a pessary until 34 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: We observed a significant decrease rate of preterm birth between periods A and B after multivariate analysis. (respectively, 5.8% vs 5.6%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-0.95; P<.0001). In parallel, the percentage of cervical length screening significantly increased from 28.9% in period A to 52.9% in period B (odds ratio, 2.76; 95% confidence interval, 2.71-2.80; P<.0001). Among the 3468 patients of the ECHOCOL prospective cohort, 38 (1.1%) asymptomatic short cervices were detected, and 192 patients gave birth prematurely (11 with an asymptomatic short cervix and 181 without). In the ECHOCOL cohort, a marked but statistically insignificant tendency toward a reduced rate of preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation was observed (from 5.8% to 5.5%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-1.03; P=.068). CONCLUSION: This study showed a significantly lower rate of preterm birth after the implementation of a universal cervical length screening and treating policy during the second trimester of pregnancy. The clinical trial was registered under NCT02598323.

[Role of whole-body ultrasound in severe pre-eclampsia and post-partum hemorrhage]. / Pré-éclampsie sévère et hémorragie post-partum: apport de l'échographie « corps entier ¼

PURPOSE: Management of severe pre-eclamptic patients is a challenge for the staff on obstetrical wards. We demonstrate that ultrasound applied to several organs performed at a patient's bedside gave the information required for the patient's management, without the need to transfer her to the radiology department or to call external consultants. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 29-yr-old severely pre-eclamptic patient with HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, cytolysis, thrombopenia) presented, in the post-partum period, with an occult uterine hemorrhage diagnosed with bedside abdominal/pelvic ultrasound. Ultrasound was also used to insert a central venous catheter. After undergoing a hysterectomy to control hemorrhage and receiving activated factor VII, the patient recovered uneventfully. Hemodynamic management was optimized non-invasively using pulmonary and cardiac ultrasound, when the patient developed hemorrhagic shock followed by pulmonary edema. Volume replacement was guided by cardiac ultrasound findings, and we were able to detect incipient interstitial pulmonary edema and follow its course using pulmonary ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Practitioners must be aware of the role of whole-body ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of complex, multi-organ conditions such as pre-eclampsia. Moreover, ultrasound helps in the management of global hemodynamics. The training of anesthesiologists in a variety of ultrasound techniques should be encouraged.

Neonatal and Long-Term Prognosis of Monochorionic Diamniotic Pregnancies Complicated by Selective Growth Restriction.

BACKGROUND: There are few data concerning the neonatal and long-term prognosis of monochorionic biamniotic twin pregnancies (MCBA) complicated by selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR). The aim of the study is to assess the neurological outcomes at two years of age of these newborns and compares these outcomes to those of newborns resulting from intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies. METHODS: The study focuses on a cross-sectional prospective cohort of patients treated between 2012 and 2019 in Marseille, France. The primary endpoint is the overall score of the Ages and Stages questionnaires (ASQ) at two years, which assesses the global neurodevelopment. The secondary endpoint is the assessment of neonatal morbi-mortality for both groups (composite endpoint). RESULTS: In total, 251 patients were included in the analysis: 67 in the sIUGR group and 184 in the IUGR group. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall ASQ score at two years but there was the finest motor skills impairment in the IUGR group. The areas most often impaired were communication and fine motor skills. There were no significant differences between the neonatal morbi-mortality of the two groups (adjusted OR = 0.95, p =0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Newborns from MCBA pregnancies with sIUGR appear to have similar overall neurological development to IUGR. Notably, IUGR seems to have the most moderate neurobehavioral disorder (fine motor) as a consequence of impaired antenatal brain development due to placenta insufficiency leading to chronic hypoxia.

Selective intrauterine growth restriction of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies: What is the neonatal prognosis?

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the neonatal morbidity and mortality of the smallest twins of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancies complicated with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) with newborns from singleton pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients managed at the prenatal diagnosis center in a single tertiary care hospital between 2012 and 2019. MCDA twin pregnancies complicated with sIUGR (sIUGR group) were compared with singleton pregnancies with IUGR (IUGR group). The primary outcome was the comparison in neonatal morbidity and mortality between the two groups. RESULTS: The analysis included 251 patients: 67 in the sIUGR group and 184 in the IUGR group. The two groups were comparable in gestational age and birth weight (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis controlling for factors that may influence neonatal status showed no significant difference between the two groups in any of the neonatal morbidity criteria or the composite morbidity-mortality endpoint (adjusted OR = 0.946 [95% CI = 0.317-2.827]; p = 0.921). CONCLUSION: Despite supposedly different pathophysiological mechanisms, neonates from MCDA pregnancies complicated with sIUGR and those from singleton pregnancies with IUGR appear to have identical neonatal morbidity and mortality .

Impact of antibiotic treatment for chronic endometritis on unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) affects about 1% of all couples and is likely to cause therapeutic vagrancy and psychological distress. Multiple origins can explain RPL, and recent studies suggest the influence of chronic endometritis. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of antibiotic treatment on obstetrical prognosis among patients consulting for RPL with isolated chronic endometritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a monocentric retrospective comparative study. Patients consulting for RPL, with normal etiologic examinations (except for chronic endometritis), were included. In the case of chronic endometritis, patients could receive antibiotic treatment (14 days of doxycycline and metronidazole). Pregnancy outcomes, collected one year after inclusion, were compared between 3 groups: patients without chronic endometritis, patients with treated chronic endometritis, patients with untreated chronic endometritis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: 42 patients were included. 22 patients had chronic endometritis. Groups were comparable in terms of age, BMI, the number of miscarriages, tobacco consumption, AMH, and FSH levels on day 2. In multivariate analysis, a significant improvement of live birth rate was observed among patients treated for chronic endometritis, compared to the no endometritis group (OR 21.4 [1.93-236.70] p = 0.013) and the untreated endometritis group (OR 24.90 [1.64-376.93] p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: In our patients examined for RPL, the live birth rate was improved after treatment of chronic endometritis with 14-day antibiotic treatment in comparison to patients with untreated chronic endometritis.

Relevance of systematic anti-nuclear antibodies testing after obstetrical complications.

Adverses pregnancy outcomes are commonly encountered with autoimmune disease (AID). Although anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are often present several years before AID diagnosis, the importance of ANA testing has not been evaluated in this context. The objective of this study was to determine if ANA discovery after obstetrical complications is associated with a diagnosis of AID and improves the prognosis of subsequent pregnancies. All patients presented at the multidisciplinary board meeting (MBM) "Thrombophilia and Pregnancy", whose ANA were discovered after an obstetrical complication, were included in a multicenter descriptive study. All patients were referred to an internal medicine consultation for diagnosis. Data were collected retrospectively by computer chart analysis and updated by phone. A total of 404 patients were included, of which 50 (12.4 %) had a diagnosis of AID related to ANA. Patients with AID had higher ANA levels (p < 0.001), with more frequent specificity (26%, versus 6.7%, p < 0.0001), and more often persistent (84% versus 30.8%, p < 0.0001) compared to patients without AID. Subsequent pregnancy outcomes were not significantly affected by ANA levels and AID diagnoses. Our study shows that the discovery of ANA after obstetrical complications may lead to an early diagnosis of AID. It makes us reconsider the systematic determination of ANA after an obstetrical event because in the case where ANA are found positive, an adapted follow-up would reduce the negative impact of ANA presence on subsequent pregnancies.

Use of a personalized iterative score to evaluate risk of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and puerperium.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a personalized iterative venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk score improved preventive prophylaxis during pregnancy and puerperium. METHODS: An observational retrospective comparative study was conducted at single French hospital. Women who gave birth from February 1 to April 30, 2012 (n=557) or from February 1 to April 30, 2015 (n=512) underwent VTE risk assessment. The VTE risk score comprised known risk factors for this condition. RESULTS: Use of the VTE risk score at the first consultation increased the likelihood of appropriate treatment (odds ratio [OR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-1.9; P=0.002) and reduced the risk of undertreatment (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.7; P<0.001). During hospitalization and puerperium, the VTE risk score increased the likelihood of appropriate treatment. The ORs were 6.2 (95% CI 2.1-18.9; P<0.001) and 5.4 (95% CI 4.1-7.2; P<0.001), respectively. The risk of undertreatment was also reduced at these time points. CONCLUSION: Use of the VTE risk score increased the number of appropriately treated patients during pregnancy and puerperium.

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital dacryocystocele.

Congenital bilateral dacryocystocele was diagnosed prenatally by ultrasonography in 3 female fetuses at 32.5 weeks gestation. After birth, first baby developed respiratory distress and was treated with endoscopic marsupialization of the cysts; the second baby had no respiratory symptoms and had spontaneous resolution of the cysts without surgery. The last one was expected to have a left dacryocystocele in US but the clinical examination after birth showed a bilateral lesion, with predominance on the right side and underwent an endoscopic marsupialization for nasal obstruction. Prenatal diagnosis with ultrasonography facilitated the education of the mothers and staff and helped minimize the risk of potential complications.

Increased risk of gestational vascular complications in women with low free tissue factor pathway inhibitor plasma levels out of pregnancy.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) plays a crucial role in haemostasis by regulating TF-induced initiation of coagulation. Since it is expressed by endothelial and trophoblastic cells, TFPI is of particular importance at the placental level and might be involved in the occurrence of gestational vascular complications (GVC). In the present study, we investigated plasma free TFPI antigen in four groups of women: healthy non-pregnant women without history of pregnancy complications; women at the beginning (<12 weeks) and women during the third trimester of a normal pregnancy; women with late pregnancy complications (pre-eclampsia / HELLP syndrome, intra-uterine fetal death, fetal growth retardation) at the time of obstetrical event and/or at distance from pregnancy. In normal pregnancy, TFPI increased between first trimester and delivery (median 5.0 ng/ml vs. 7.1 ng/ml; p<0.0001) but remained lower than in non-pregnant controls (median 8.2 ng/ml; p<0.0001). In patients, when measured concomitantly to the obstetrical event, TFPI showed no difference with normal late pregnancy levels. In contrast, at distance from pregnancy, in the absence of any hormonal influence, TFPI was significantly lower than in non-pregnant controls (median 5.9 vs. 8.2ng/ml, p < 0.0001). After categorisation into quartiles, an inverse dose-effect relationship was demonstrated between TFPI categories recorded apart from pregnancy and GVC risk, with a crude odds ratio of 43.5 (95% confidence interval 8.2-230) for patients with TFPI values in the lowest quartile (< 5.7 ng/ml). In conclusion, low free TFPI at distance from pregnancy appears to be a strong indicator of GVC risk.

Prenatal diagnosis of Pierre-Robin sequence as part of Stickler syndrome.

Stickler syndrome or hereditary progressive arthro-ophthalmopathy, is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by ocular manifestations, arthritic changes, orofacial features and deafness, in variable degrees.We report the first case of prenatal diagnosis of Stickler syndrome in a child with a Pierre-Robin sequence (PRS) causing a polyhydramnios. When isolated polyhydramnios is not explained by immunological, metabolic or infectious causes, swallowing difficulty due to PRS must be considered. As PRS is aetiologically heterogeneous, the prognosis depends on the cause. Genetic investigations and familial history must be taken into account. Here, in a context of familial Stickler syndrome, making the prenatal diagnosis of PRS as part of Stickler syndrome allowed us to reassure the parents and to anticipate airway trouble at the child's birth.

Erythropoietin as treatment for late hyporegenerative anemia in neonates with Rh hemolytic disease after in utero exchange transfusion.

We report the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in the treatment of late hyporegenerative anemia in 2 neonates with Rh hemolytic disease who had received several in utero exchange transfusions. In both cases anemia occurred at 6 weeks of age and we started therapy at approximately 70 days of age. We used rHuEPO at 250 U/kg three times a week. We also used high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. One week after initiation of erythropoietin treatment, an increase in reticulocyte count and Hb level was noted in our 2 patients. They did not require further erythrocyte transfusions but they already had received two transfusions after birth. There were no side effects attributable to rHuEPO treatment.

Prenatal screening: invasive diagnostic approaches.

INTRODUCTION: Fetal invasive procedures provide ovular samples that are helpful in establishing diagnosis, etiology, and prognosis when ultrasonography and MRI show a central nervous system (CNS) anomaly or when the fetus is at high risk of such pathology. PROCEDURES: Invasive procedure techniques are amniocentesis, fetal blood sampling (FBS), and chorionic villous sampling (CVS). They provide material for fetal DNA, biochemical analysis, or identification of various infectious agents. COMPLICATIONS: The main complications are miscarriage and premature delivery. Counseling the parents about the risks and benefits of these procedures is therefore mandatory. DISCUSSION: Amniocentesis may be performed as early as 15 weeks' gestation and is the most widely used invasive technique. FBS is performed after 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy and CVS may be carried out after 11 weeks. Indications for invasive techniques include DNA and cytogenetic analysis, diagnosis of neural tube defects, identification of infectious agents (toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, rubella, and varicella), and etiology of intracerebral hemorrhage (fetal platelets and coagulation factors).