Clinical significance of true umbilical cord knot: a propensity score matching study.

OBJECTIVE: True umbilical cord knot (TUCK) is a rare finding that often leads to intensified surveillance and patient anxiety. This study sought to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes of TUCK. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary university medical center in 2007-2019. Patients with singleton pregnancies diagnosed postnatally with TUCK were identified and compared to women without TUCK for obstetric and neonatal outcomes using propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: TUCK was diagnosed in 780 of the 96,766 deliveries (0.8%). Women with TUCK were older than those without TUCK (32.57 vs. 31.06 years, P < 0.001) and had higher gravidity (3 vs. 2, P < 001) and a higher rate of prior stillbirth (1.76% vs. 0.43%, P < 0.01). Following covariate adjustment, 732 women with TUCK were compared to 7320 matched controls. TUCK was associated with emergency cesarean delivery due to non-reassuring fetal heart rate (2.54% vs. 4.35%, P = 0.008, OR 1.71, 95%CI 1.14-2.56) and intrapartum meconium-stained amniotic fluid (19.26% vs. 15.41%, P = 0.022, OR 1.31, 95%CI 1.04-1.65). Neonatal outcomes were comparable except for higher rates of 1-min Apgar score < 7 and neonatal seizures in the TUCK group. The stillbirth rate was higher in the TUCK group, but the difference was not statistically significant (1.23% vs 0.62%, P = 0.06, OR 1.96, 95%CI 0.96-4.03). CONCLUSIONS: TUCK has several identifiable risk factors. Pregnant women with TUCK may cautiously be informed of the relatively low risks of major obstetric or perinatal complications. The lower occurrence of stillbirth in the TUCK group warrants further study.

Mobile Self-Operated Home Ultrasound System for Remote Fetal Assessment During Pregnancy.

Background: Mobile medical devices for self-patient use are a rapidly evolving section of telehealth. We examined the INSTINCT® ultrasound system, a portable, self-operated ultrasound device attached to a commercial smartphone for remote fetal assessment. We aimed to evaluate whether it is feasible to use remote fetal assessment during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This is an observational noninterventional trial. We included women with a singleton fetus at 14 + 0 to 39 + 6 gestational weeks. Each participant received the device for a self-use period of 7-14 days and was instructed to perform one to three scans a day. Participants completed a self-assessment questionnaire to evaluate safety and usability (i.e., user experience and satisfaction). Each scan was evaluated for fetal heart activity, amniotic fluid volume, fetal tone, fetal body, and breathing movements. Results: One hundred women, completing 1,360 self scans, used the device for 8.1 ± 1.5 days, performing an average of 13.6 ± 6.2 scans each. There were no device-related serious adverse events. Success in detection was 95.3% for fetal heart activity, 88.3% for body movements, 69.4% for tone, 92.2% for normal amniotic fluid volume, and 23.8% for breathing movements. Interobserver agreement was 94.4% for fetal heart rate activity, 85.9% for body movements, 69.5% for fetal tone, 86.9% for amniotic fluid volume, and 94.0% for breathing movements. Self-assessed user experience was rated at 4.4/5, whereas device satisfaction was rated at 3.9/5. Conclusion: The INSTINCT ultrasound system is a feasible solution for remote sonographic fetal assessment. Further studies are needed to assess its role and impact in telehealth antenatal care and fetal surveillance.

Postpartum voiding dysfunction following vaginal versus caesarean delivery.

In this prospective study, we evaluated postpartum voiding dysfunction stratified by mode of delivery - vaginal delivery versus elective caesarean delivery (CD). We recruited nulliparous women carrying singleton gestation at term admitted to delivery room or elective CD. Pre-labour voiding function was assessed by recording the post-voiding residual volume (PVRV) using a bladder scan. PVRV evaluation was repeated at least 12 hours following delivery and before discharge. PVRVs were considered abnormal if ≥150 mL. PVRVs were compared between vaginal and CD. Overall, 54 women were included. Of them, 34 (63%) delivered vaginally and 20 (37%) had an elective CD. Postpartum mean PVRVs were significantly higher compared to pre-labour PVRVs (215 vs. 133 mL, p<.001). Abnormal postpartum PVRV was significantly higher in vaginal delivery compared to CD (73.5% vs. 45%, p<.05). In conclusion, delivery adversely affects voiding function. Vaginal delivery is associated with more severe voiding dysfunction compared to elective CD.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Delivery is associated with voiding dysfunction. While most studies on postpartum voiding dysfunction were related to vaginal delivery, little is known on the effect of mode of delivery (vaginal versus caesarean delivery (CD)) on voiding dysfunction.What the results of this study add? In this study, we found that postpartum post-voiding residual volume is significantly higher than the pre-labour PVRV in women delivered vaginally. In addition, postpartum PVRV was significantly higher in women delivered vaginally compared to elective CD.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study implicates that women with vaginal delivery are more prone to voiding dysfunction compared to elective CD. However, larger observational studies are warranted to confirm these results and evaluate whether this difference still exists beyond the post-partum period.

Perinatal outcome in gestational diabetes according to different diagnostic criteria.

Objectives To evaluate whether gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosed by different criteria impacts perinatal outcome. Methods This was a retrospective study of deliveries with a diagnosis of GDM (2014-2016). Perinatal outcomes were compared between patients with: (1) GDM diagnosed according to a single abnormal value on the 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT); (2) two or more abnormal OGTT values; and (3) a 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) value ≥200 mg/dL. Results A total of 1163 women met the inclusion criteria, of whom 441 (37.9%) were diagnosed according to a single abnormal OGTT value, 627 (53.9%) had two or more abnormal OGTT values and 95 (8.17%) had a GCT value ≥200 mg/dL. Diet-only treatment was significantly higher in the single abnormal value group (70.3% vs. 65.1% vs. 50.5%) and rates of medical treatment were significantly higher in the GCT ≥ 200 mg/dL group (P < 0.05). Women in the GCT ≥ 200 mg/dL group had higher rates of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (10.5% vs. 2.7% vs. 2.8%, P < 0.001) and neonatal hypoglycemia (5.3% vs. 0.5% vs. 0.8%, P < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression, GCT ≥ 200 mg/dL was no longer associated with higher rates of NICU admission and neonatal hypoglycemia (P > 0.05). Conclusion No difference was noted in the perinatal outcome amongst the different methods used for diagnosing GDM.

Perinatal outcome following induction of labor in patients with good glycemic controlled gestational diabetes: does timing matter?

PURPOSE: To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with good glycemic controlled gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) undergoing induction of labor at early and late term. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all women with singleton pregnancies and well-controlled GDM undergoing induction of labor for non-GDM indications in the early (37 + 0-38 + 6 gestational weeks) and late term (39 + 0-40 + 6 weeks), in a single university-affiliated medical center (2014-2016). Exclusion criteria included: pre-gestational diabetes, multiple gestations and elective cesarean delivery. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between groups. Composite maternal outcome included: post-partum hemorrhage, blood products transfusion, and cesarean or instrumental delivery. Composite neonatal outcome included: neonatal intensive care unit admission, respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycemia and jaundice. RESULTS: Overall, 430 women met inclusion criteria. Amongst them, 193 (44.88%) were induced at early term and 237 (55.11%) were induced at late term. There were higher rates of hypertensive complications of any kind and pre-eclampsia, in women induced at early term (11.04% vs. 4.26%, p = 0.021, and 5.92% vs. 1.60%, p = 0.04, respectively). There were no differences in maternal and neonatal outcomes between groups. Rates of composite maternal outcome and composite neonatal outcome did not differ between groups (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.59-1.44, p = 0.73 and OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.47-1.3, p = 0.36, respectively). CONCLUSION: Women with good glycemic controlled GDM may be safely induced at early term, when other indications exist, without an increased risk for adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes.

Neonatal Outcomes of Infants Diagnosed with Fetal Growth Restriction during Late Pregnancy versus after Birth.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential differences in the outcomes of neonates in whom FGR was diagnosed late in pregnancy as compared to those in whom growth restriction was diagnosed after birth. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary medical center between 2017 and 2019. The study included women carrying a single infant with an estimated fetal weight below the tenth percentile in whom FGR was diagnosed during late pregnancy, after 32 gestational weeks (known late-onset FGR; study group) or only after birth (unknown FGR; control group). Data were collected by review of the electronic health records. The primary outcome measure was the rate of composite adverse neonatal outcome. Results: A total of 328 women were included, 77 (23.47%) in the known-FGR group and 251 (75.53%) in the unknown-FGR group. In the known-FGR group, an etiology for the FGR was identified in 28.57% cases, most commonly placental insufficiency (21.74%). Compared to the unknown-FGR group, the known-FGR group was characterized by significantly higher rates of elective cesarean delivery (15.58% vs. 9.96%, p < 0.001), preterm birth (18.18% vs. 3.98%, p < 0.01), and labor induction (67.53% vs. 21.51%, p < 0.01). A significantly higher proportion of neonates in the known-FGR group had a positive composite adverse outcome (38.96% vs. 15.53%, p < 0.01). For multivariate regression analysis adjusted for maternal age, gestational age at delivery, and mode of delivery, there was no difference between groups in the primary outcome (aOR 1.73, CI 0.89-3.35, p = 0.1). Every additional gestational week at delivery was a protective factor (aOR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.56-0.86, p < 0.01). Conclusions: A prenatal diagnosis of late-onset FGR is associated with higher intervention and preterm birth rates as compared to a diagnosis made after birth. Fetuses diagnosed with late-onset FGR during pregnancy should undergo specific and personalized assessment to determine the cause and severity of the growth delay and the best management strategy. This study highlights the importance of careful decision-making regarding the induction of labor in late-onset FGR.

Flat maternal glucose response curve and adverse pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The significance of a flat oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) response curve in pregnancy remains unclear. We investigated the association of a flat curve with pregnancy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. Flat OGTT curve was defined by an area under the curve below the 10th percentile. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between flat and normal curve. RESULTS: Of the 2673 eligible women, 269 had a flat response curve. Compared with the normal-response group, the flat-curve group had a lower mean birthweight (3363 ± 547 g vs. 3459 ± 519 g, p < 0.005), higher probability of small for gestational age (SGA) (19% vs. 12%, p < 0.005, aOR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.24-2.47), and 5-min Apgar score < 7 (1.12% vs. 0.29%, p < 0.05, aOR = 3.95, 95% CI 1.01-15.5). There were no differences in obstetric or maternal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Flat OGTT is associated with lower birthweight, higher rates of SGA, and low Apgar scores. Detecting this previously unrecognized risk group, could potentially reduce these complications.

Risks of urgent cesarean delivery preceding the planned schedule: A retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to ascertain risk factors and outcomes of elective cesarean deliveries performed urgently prior to their scheduled date. METHODS: Women carrying a viable singleton fetus who were scheduled for elective cesarean delivery at a tertiary medical center between 2012-2020 were identified by retrospective database. Differences in maternal and neonatal parameters between those who ultimately required urgent cesarean delivery and those who underwent the procedure as scheduled were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 4403 women who met the inclusion criteria, 559 underwent urgent cesarean delivery before the scheduled date. On multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with a risk of transformation to an urgent cesarean delivery were chronic hypertension (aOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.30-2.83 P = 0.001), antenatal corticosteroids administration (aOR 3.26, 95% CI 2.38-4.47, P <0.001), and contraindication for vaginal delivery as the reason for elective cesarean delivery (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.32-2.12, P <0.001). Neonates born via urgent cesareans had an increased risk of 1-minute Apgar <7 (6% vs. 1.7%, P <0.001), intensive care unit admission (6.6% vs. 2.5%, P <0.001); their mothers were at risk of postpartum hemorrhage (5.9% vs. 3%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study sheds light on the risk factors and maternal and fetal morbidities associated with elective cesarean deliveries that become urgent before the originally scheduled date. Physicians should take this information into account when planning an optimal date for elective cesarean delivery.