Utilization of noninvasive prenatal testing: impact on referrals for diagnostic testing.

OBJECTIVE: Since the introduction of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), a marked decrease in prenatal diagnostic testing (chorionic villus sampling [CVS] and amniocentesis) has been observed with unknown potential effects on genetic diagnosis of these pregnancies. The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of NIPT on genetics counseling referrals, diagnostic testing with CVS/amniocentesis, and appropriate use of NIPT. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was performed on all women referred for genetic counseling and prenatal testing during the 2 years preceding the introduction of NIPT (pre-NIPT) and 2 years following (post-NIPT). The primary outcome was the difference in the number of women referred for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis during the pre-NIPT period compared with the post-NIPT period. The secondary outcome was the difference in the number of women referred who were not considered candidates for NIPT between the 2 study periods. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction in the number of referrals for genetic counseling and diagnostic testing in the post-NIPT compared with the pre-NIPT period (2824 vs 3944, P = .001), a reduction of 28.4%. During the post-NIPT period there was a significant reduction in referrals of women who would not be candidates for NIPT (467 pre-NIPT vs 285 post-NIPT, P = .043). In women who had diagnostic testing with CVS during the study period, 32.4% of the aneuploidies identified would not have been detected by NIPT. CONCLUSION: There was a significant reduction in the number of patients referred for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis following the introduction of NIPT. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the number of patients referred for counseling and testing who would not be candidates for NIPT. This suggests that an increasing number of potential patients are being offered NIPT screening instead of diagnostic testing, including those at risk for fetal single gene disorders and aneuploidies not detectable by NIPT, potentially leading to misdiagnosis.

Defining fetal growth restriction: abdominal circumference as an alternative criterion.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine if using abdominal circumference percentile (AC) to define fetal growth restriction (FGR) improves ultrasound at ≥36 weeks as a screening test for small for gestational age (SGA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All non-anomalous singletons undergoing ultrasound at a single center at ≥36 weeks during 12/2008-5/2014 were included. FGR was defined as (estimated fetal weight) estimated fetal weight (EFW) and/or abdominal circumference (AC) < 10 for gestational age (GA). The primary outcome was SGA (birthweight ≤10th percentile for GA). Data were stratified by maternal race/ethnicity and BMI. Sensitivity, specificity, false-positive rate (FPR), positive- and negative-predictive values (positive-predictive value (PPV), negative-predictive value (NPV)), and areas under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC were calculated. RESULTS: There were 1594 ultrasounds. Median (IQR) ultrasound GA was 37.3 (36.6-38.0), days to delivery 10.6 (5.0-18.4), and delivery GA 39.29 (38.6-39.9). EFW <10 had the following characteristics: sensitivity 50.6%, FPR 2.0%, PPV 83.8%, and AUC 0.743. Using AC <10, these were 64.0, 2.9, 81.3, and 0.806, respectively. Using AC or EFW <10, these were 67.5, 3.3, 80.3, and 0.821, respectively; this criterion has the largest AUC (p < .008). This finding persisted when stratified by maternal race/ethnicity and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: AC <10 is more sensitive and has a similar PPV compared with EFW <10 for SGA. Using AC <10 or EFW <10 has the best balance of sensitivity and specificity as a screening test and has a low FPR. AC may be a reasonable alternative criterion to EFW for FGR diagnosis.

Predictors of eclampsia in California.

OBJECTIVE: Eclampsia is a rare yet dangerous complication of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The objective was to elucidate the predictors of eclampsia in a large cohort of pregnant women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 143 093 pregnancies with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension in California during 2005-2008 of which 1719 had eclampsia. Predictors included race/ethnicity, parity, chronic hypertension (CHTN), diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm delivery <32 weeks, maternal age ≥ 35, maternal age ≤ 20, socioeconomic status, education, and <5 prenatal visits. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Factors that increased the risk of eclampsia included Black (OR 1.46 [1.19-1.80]) and Hispanic race (OR 1.56 [1.35-1.79]), nulliparity (OR 1.59 [1.42-1.77]), maternal age ≤ 20 (OR 1.85 [1.61-2.11]), preterm delivery <32 weeks (OR 1.41 [1.16-1.70]), and <5 prenatal care visits (1.74 [1.46-2.07]). Factors that decreased the risk of eclampsia included CHTN (OR 0.06 [0.03-0.10]), GDM (OR 0.80 [0.67-0.96]), maternal age ≥ 35 (OR 0.70 [0.59-0.82]), and college education (OR 0.83 [0.74-0.94]). CONCLUSIONS: Black and Hispanic race, nulliparity, maternal age ≤ 20, preterm delivery <32 weeks, and <5 prenatal care visits increase the risk of eclampsia while CHTN, GDM, maternal age ≥ 35, and college education are protective. The protective effect of CHTN is the most striking. The mechanisms are likely different and warrant further investigation.

Demographic and Obstetric Outcomes of Pregnancies conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) compared to Non-ART Pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Use of assisted reproductive technology has increased steadily, yet multiple socioeconomic and demographic disparities remain between the general population and those with infertility. Additionally, both mothers and infants experience higher rates of adverse outcomes compared to their non-ART counterparts. METHODS: Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) coding, we performed a retrospective review of all ART-conceived deliveries in California in 2009. A total of 551 ART pregnancies were compared to Non-ART pregnancies (n=406,885). RESULTS: The majority of ART deliveries belonged to women of advanced maternal age (AMA) and Caucasian or Asian race. Nearly half of all ART deliveries were multiple gestations. Compared to non-ART deliveries, ART pregnancies were associated with placenta previa, placental abruption, mild preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. CONCLUSION: While not powered to detect all outcomes, our study highlights significant racial and ethnic disparities between ART and Non-ART pregnancies.

Differentially expressed genes in adipocytokine signaling pathway of adipose tissue in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To profile the differential gene expression of the KEGG Adipocytokine Signaling pathway in omental compared to subcutaneous tissue in normal pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Subjects included 14 nonobese, normal glucose tolerant, healthy pregnant women. Matched omental and subcutaneous tissue were obtained at elective cesarean delivery. Gene expression was evaluated using microarray and validated by RT-PCR. Differential gene expression was defined as ≥1.5 fold increase at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Six genes were significantly downregulated with two upregulated genes in omental tissue. Downregulation of Adiponectin and Insulin Receptor substrate, key genes mediating insulin sensitivity, were observed with borderline upregulation of GLUT-1. There were downregulations of CD36 and acyl-CoA Synthetase Long-chain Family Member 1which are genes involved in fatty acid uptake and activation. There was a novel expression of Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1C. CONCLUSION: Differential gene expression of Adipocytokine Signaling Pathway in omental relative to subcutaneous adipose tissue in normal pregnancy suggests a pattern of insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and inflammation.

Using the health-care matrix to teach and improve patient safety culture in an OB/GYN residency training program.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of health-care matrix in teaching patient safety in terms of the Institute of Medicine Aims for health-care improvement and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies. METHODS: As part of residency education, health-care matrix conference is held monthly. A multidisciplinary team is invited. Residents choose cases and develop a draft matrix under faculty supervision. The matrix is presented, and consensus action plan is generated after discussion. Approximately 2 years after initiation of the program, residents completed an anonymous 15-item survey. RESULTS: The study included 26 health-care matrix conferences from 2007 to 2009. Main reasons for residents' selection of cases were management issues (42%), bleeding complications (35%), and medication errors (23%). Major contributors to patient safety concerns by Institute of Medicine Aims were timeliness (65%), and those by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies were system issues (77%), medical knowledge (69%), and communication issues (66%).Residents agreed that the program was useful. No resident thought that the program should be cancelled. Only 39% feel their communication skills were improved, 48% felt that preparation was time consuming, and 29% felt awkward presenting errors of superiors. Review of action plans developed after each matrix showed that implementation of recommendations was initiated in 92% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The health-care matrix curriculum can be used to teach patient safety culture, assess system processes, and improve patient care. This report highlights the importance of system issues, timeliness, medical knowledge, and communication for patient safety concerns.

Evaluating professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice: utilization of a compliance form and correlation with conflict styles.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to develop and determine the utility of a compliance form in evaluating and teaching the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies of professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. METHODS: In 2006, we introduced a 17-item compliance form in an obstetrics and gynecology residency program. The form prospectively monitored residents on attendance at required activities (5 items), accountability of required obligations (9 items), and completion of assigned projects (3 items). Scores were compared to faculty evaluations of residents, resident status as a contributor or a concerning resident, and to the residents' conflict styles, using the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict MODE Instrument. RESULTS: Our analysis of 18 residents for academic year 2007-2008 showed a mean (standard error of mean) of 577 (65.3) for postgraduate year (PGY)-1, 692 (42.4) for PGY-2, 535 (23.3) for PGY-3, and 651.6 (37.4) for PGY-4. Non-Hispanic white residents had significantly higher scores on compliance, faculty evaluations on interpersonal and communication skills, and competence in systems-based practice. Contributing residents had significantly higher scores on compliance compared with concerning residents. Senior residents had significantly higher accountability scores compared with junior residents, and junior residents had increased project completion scores. Attendance scores increased and accountability scores decreased significantly between the first and second 6 months of the academic year. There were positive correlations between compliance scores with competing and collaborating conflict styles, and significant negative correlations between compliance with avoiding and accommodating conflict styles. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining a compliance form allows residents and residency programs to focus on issues that affect performance and facilitate assessment of the ACGME competencies. Postgraduate year, behavior, and conflict styles appear to be associated with compliance. A lack of association with faculty evaluations suggests measurement of different perceptions of residents' behavior.