A high protein low glycemic index diet has no adverse effect on blood pressure in pregnant women with overweight or obesity: a secondary data analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the effect of a diet rich in animal protein and low in glycemic index on blood pressure during pregnancy. Design: This post hoc, secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial, evaluated blood pressure in pregnant participants who were randomized either to an ad libitum diet with high protein and low glycemic index, rich in dairy and seafood, or an ad libitum control diet according to national recommendations. Setting: The study occurred in pregnant women in Copenhagen, Denmark. Sample: A total of 279 pregnant females with overweight or obesity were enrolled. Methods and outcome measure: Blood pressure was measured at 5 timepoints during pregnancy from gestational week 15 through week 36, and blood pressure between groups was compared. Results: There were no differences between diet arms in systolic or diastolic blood pressure over time. There were also no differences in most blood-pressure-related pregnancy complications, including the prevalence of premature birth, preeclampsia, or hypertension, but the frequency of total cesarean sections was lower in the active than the control group (16 out of 104 vs. 30 out of 104) (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Increased animal protein intake was not associated with changes in blood pressure in pregnant women with overweight or obesity. Clinical trial registration: [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT01894139].

Risk of adverse pregnancy outcome in isolated single umbilical artery diagnosed at the mid-trimester anomaly scan: a large Danish retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of isolated single umbilical artery (iSUA) confirmed at the mid-trimester anomaly scan and adverse pregnancy outcome and congenital malformations with up to 10 years postnatal follow up. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 116,501 singleton pregnancies consecutively enrolled in first trimester screening for aneuploidies and mid-trimester anomaly scan at three University Hospitals in the Capital Region of Copenhagen, Denmark.Data from the Danish Fetal Medicine Database (2008-2017) were verified by manually scrutinizing pre- and postnatal records. The main outcomes of interest were intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), small for gestational age (SGA), preterm delivery, cesarean section and unrecognized pre- and postnatal congenital malformations. RESULTS: In total, 775 pregnancies with iSUA were identified. Isolated SUA were associated with a significantly increased risk of IUFD (OR 4.16, 95% CI 2.06-8.44), SGA < 3rd centile (aOR 2.41, 95% 1.85-3.14) and SGA < 10th centile (aOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.53-2.21), but not with preterm delivery or cesarean section. The laterality of the missing artery was not associated with SGA. In total, 4.3% of pregnancies with iSUA had unrecognized congenital malformations. 1.5% with iSUA had congenital cardiovascular malformations, which were considered minor. CONCLUSION: Isolated SUA is associated with IUFD and SGA, supporting surveillance during third trimester. If, during the mid-trimester scan, the sonographer achieves thorough, extended cardiac views and finds no additional malformation other than SUA, fetal echocardiography seems not to be needed.

Triple trouble: uncovering the risks and benefits of early fetal reduction in trichorionic triplets in a large national Danish cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Triplet pregnancies are high risk for both the mother and the infants. The risks for infants include premature birth, low birthweight, and neonatal complications. Therefore, the management of triplet pregnancies involves close monitoring and may include interventions, such as fetal reduction, to prolong the pregnancy and improve outcomes. However, the evidence of benefits and risks associated with fetal reduction is inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of trichorionic triplet pregnancies with and without fetal reduction and with nonreduced dichorionic twin pregnancies and primary singleton pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: All trichorionic triplet pregnancies in Denmark, including those with fetal reduction, were identified between 2008 and 2018. In Denmark, all couples expecting triplets are informed about and offered fetal reduction. Pregnancies with viable fetuses at the first-trimester ultrasound scan and pregnancies not terminated were included. Adverse pregnancy outcome was defined as a composite of miscarriage before 24 weeks of gestation, stillbirth at 24 weeks of gestation, or intrauterine fetal death of 1 or 2 fetuses. RESULTS: The study cohort was composed of 317 trichorionic triplet pregnancies, of which 70.0% of pregnancies underwent fetal reduction to a twin pregnancy, 2.2% of pregnancies were reduced to singleton pregnancies, and 27.8% of pregnancies were not reduced. Nonreduced triplet pregnancies had high risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes (28.4%), which was significantly lower in triplets reduced to twins (9.0%; difference, 19.4%, 95% confidence interval, 8.5%-30.3%). Severe preterm deliveries were significantly higher in nonreduced triplet pregnancies (27.9%) than triplet pregnancies reduced to twin pregnancies (13.1%; difference, 14.9%, 95% confidence interval, 7.9%-21.9%). However, triplet pregnancies reduced to twin pregnancies had an insignificantly higher risk of miscarriage (6.8%) than nonreduced twin pregnancies (1.1%; difference, 5.6%; 95% confidence interval, 0.9%-10.4%). CONCLUSION: Triplet pregnancies reduced to twin pregnancies had significantly lower risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes, severe preterm deliveries, and low birthweight than nonreduced triplet pregnancies. However, triplet pregnancies reduced to twin pregnancies were potentially associated with a 5.6% increased risk of miscarriage.

Gestational weight gain in women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity and anthropometry of infants at birth.

Objective: To examine the association of gestational weight gain (GWG) among women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity with infant weight and BMI z-score at birth. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial including data from 208 infants at birth born by mothers with pre-pregnancy BMI between 28 and 45 kg/m2 who completed the APPROACH study (randomized to a high-protein low-glycemic index diet or a moderate-protein moderate-glycemic index diet). This analysis pooled the two diet treatment groups together and data were analyzed using a linear mixed model. Results: Limiting GWG by 1 kg was associated with lower birthweight (-16 g, P = 0.003), BMI z-score (-0.03SD, P = 0.019), weight z-score (-0.03SD, P = 0.004), and infant abdominal circumference (-0.06 cm, P = 0.039). Infants born by mothers whose GWG was ≤9 kg weighed less (122 g, 95% CI: 6-249, P = 0.040), had similar BMI z-score (0.2SD, 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.55, P = 0.120), and lower incidence of emergency cesarean deliveries (11.5% vs. 23.1%, P = 0.044) compared to infants born by mothers whose GWG was >9 kg. When women were classified into GWG quartiles, women in Q1 (GWG range: -7.0 to 3.2 kg) gave birth to smaller infants (3,420 g, P = 0.015) with lower BMI z-score (-0.5SD, P = 0.041) than women in Q2 (3.3-7.1 kg), Q3 (7.2-10.9 kg) and Q4 (11.1-30.2 kg). Conclusions: Limiting GWG among women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity was associated with lower infant weight, BMI z-score, weight z-score, and abdominal circumference at birth. Moreover, GWG below the Institute of Medicine guideline of a maximum of 9 kg was associated with lower birthweight and fewer emergency cesarean deliveries.

Neonatal complications and neurophysiological development in twins - a long-term follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between neonatal complications and neurophysiological development in twins at 18 and 48-60 months of age. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of 841 Danish mono- and dichorionic diamniotic twins from a randomized controlled trial (PREDICT study), which included an assessment of the twin's neurophysiological development using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) that had been filled out by the parents at 18 and 48 or 60 months. The correlation within twin pairs was accounted for by the method of generalized estimating equation. Models were adjusted for maternal educational score and gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: ASQ data were available for 823 children at 18 months and 425 children at 48 or 60 months. Low maternal educational score and preterm delivery <34 weeks were associated with a lower ASQ score at 48-60 months (-15.4 points (95%CI -26.4; -4.5) and -13.2 points (95%CI -23.8; -2.5), respectively). Neonatal sepsis and a compound of intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis (IVH/ROP/NEC) were associated with lower ASQ score at 18 months (-15.3 points (95%CI -28.1; -2.5) and -30.8 points (95%CI -59.5; -2.1), respectively). Children with IVH/ROP/NEC had a lower ASQ score at 48-60 months (-34.2 points (95%CI -67.9; -0.6)). The associations were not specific to only one ASQ domain. CONCLUSION: Several neonatal complications are associated with poorer neurophysiological development in twins during childhood, even after adjustment for gestational age at delivery.

A high-protein low-glycemic index diet attenuates gestational weight gain in pregnant women with obesity: the "An optimized programming of healthy children" (APPROACH) randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Prepregnancy overweight and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) increase the risk of complications and offspring obesity. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effect of a high-protein low-glycemic index (HPLGI) diet on GWG, birth weight, and risk of gestational complications in pregnant women with obesity. METHODS: A total of 279 women with prepregnancy overweight or obesity (BMI: 28-45 kg/m2), between 18 and 45 y old, and in their late first trimester with singleton pregnancies, were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 ad libitum diets: a high-protein low-glycemic index diet (HPLGI: 25%-28% of energy from protein and glycemic index ≤ 55) and a moderate-protein moderate-glycemic index diet (MPMGI: 15%-18% of energy from protein and glycemic index ∼60). Diets were consumed from gestational week 15 and throughout pregnancy. Participants received dietary guidance by a clinical dietician 9 times to facilitate adherence. RESULTS: Out of 141 and 138 women randomly assigned to the HPLGI and MPMGI diets, 105 and 104 completed the intervention, respectively (75%). In the available case analyses, GWG was 6.8 ± 1.3 kg among women assigned the HPLGI diet and this was significantly lower, by -1.7 kg (95% CI: -2.8, -0.5 kg; P = 0.004), than the GWG of 8.5 ± 1.3 kg among women assigned the MPMGI diet. There were no significant differences between diets on major neonatal outcomes (birth weight and other anthropometric measures). The incidence of composite pregnancy complications was lower for the HPLGI than for the MPMGI diet (35.4% compared with 53.7%, respectively; P = 0.009), including cesarean delivery (15.4% compared with 28.8%, respectively; P = 0.03). There were no reported maternal, fetal, or neonatal deaths. Incidence of miscarriages (1%-2%) did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: A moderate increase in dietary protein in conjunction with a reduction in glycemic index during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy reduced GWG and limited complications and cesarean deliveries among women with overweight or obesity.

Second-trimester cardiovascular biometry in growth-restricted fetuses; a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular changes neonatally. However, the underlying pathways are poorly understood, and it is not clear whether the dysfunction is already present in the fetus. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate fetal cardiac dimensions assessed from images at the second trimester anatomy scan from fetuses classified postnatally as small for gestational age and intrauterine growth restricted and compare them with appropriate for gestational age fetuses. STUDY DESIGN: This was a substudy from The Copenhagen Baby Heart Study, a prospective, multicenter cohort study including fetuses from the second trimester of pregnancy in Copenhagen from April 2016 to October 2018. The mothers were recruited at the second trimester anatomy scan that included extended cardiovascular image documentation followed by consecutively measured heart biometry by 2 investigators blinded for the pregnancy outcome. The fetuses were classified postnatally as small for gestational age and intrauterine growth restricted according to the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2020 guidelines using birthweight and with a retrospective assessment of Doppler flow. The mean differences in the cardiovascular biometry were adjusted for gestational age at the time of the second trimester scan and the abdominal circumference. The z-scores were calculated, and the comparisons were Bonferroni corrected (significance level of P<.005). Receiver operating characteristic curves were computed after performing backward regression on several maternal characteristics and biomarkers. RESULTS: We included 8278 fetuses, with 625 (7.6%) of them being small for gestational age and 289 (3.5%) being intrauterine growth restricted. Both small for gestational age and intrauterine growth restricted fetuses had smaller heart biometry, including the diameter at the location of the aortic valve (P<.005), the ascending aorta in the 3-vessel view (P<.005), and at the location of the pulmonary valve (P<.005). The intrauterine growth restricted group had significantly smaller hearts with respect to length and width (P<.005) and smaller right and left ventricles (P<.005). After adjusting for the abdominal circumference, the differences in the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve remained significant in the intrauterine growth restricted group. Achievement of an optimal receiver operating characteristic curve included the following parameters: head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, gestational age, pregnancy associated plasma protein-A multiples of median, nullipara, spontaneous conception, smoking, body mass index <18.5, heart width, and pulmonary valve with an area under the curve of 0.91 (0.88-0.93) for intrauterine growth restricted cases. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine growth restricted fetuses had smaller prenatal cardiovascular biometry, even when adjusting for abdominal circumference. Our findings support that growth restriction is already associated with altered cardiac growth at an early stage of pregnancy. The heart biometry alone did perform well as a screening test, but combined with other factors, it increased the sensitivity and specificity for intrauterine growth restriction.

Prevalence of Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Associated Aortopathy in Newborns in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Importance: The prevalence and characteristics of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) are mainly reported from selected cohorts. BAV is associated with aortopathy, but it is unclear if it represents a fetal developmental defect or is secondary to abnormal valve dynamics. Objective: To determine the prevalence of BAV and BAV subtypes and to describe the associated aortopathy in a large, population-based cohort of newborns. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Copenhagen Baby Heart Study was a cross-sectional, population-based study open to all newborns born in Copenhagen between April 1, 2016, and October 31, 2018. Newborns with BAV were matched 1:2 to newborns with a tricuspid aortic valve (non-BAV group) on sex, singleton/twin pregnancy, gestational age, weight, and age at time of examination. Exposures: Transthoracic echocardiography within 60 days after birth. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcome was BAV prevalence and types, ie, number of raphes and spatial orientation of raphes or cusps (no raphes), according to the classification system of Sievers and Schmidtke (classified as type 0, 1, or 2, with numbers indicating the number of raphes). Secondary outcome was valve function and BAV-associated aortopathy, defined as aortic diameter z score of 3 or greater or coarctation. Results: In total, 25 556 newborns (51.7% male; mean age, 12 [SD, 8] days) underwent echocardiography. BAV was diagnosed in 196 newborns (prevalence, 0.77% [95% CI, 0.67%-0.88%]), with male-female ratio 2.1:1. BAV was classified as type 0 in 17 newborns (8.7% [95% CI, 5.5%-13.5%]), type 1 in 178 (90.8% [95% CI, 86.0%-94.1%]) (147 [75.0% {95% CI, 68.5%-80.5%}] right-left coronary raphe, 27 [13.8% {95% CI, 9.6%-19.3%}] right coronary-noncoronary raphe, 4 [2.0% {95% CI, 0.8%-5.1%}] left coronary-noncoronary raphe), and type 2 in 1 (0.5% [95% CI, 0.1%-2.8%]). Aortic regurgitation was more prevalent in newborns with BAV (n = 29 [14.7%]) than in those without BAV (1.3%) (absolute % difference, 13.4% [95% CI, 7.8%-18.9%]; P < .001). Newborns with BAV had higher flow velocities across the valve (0.67 [95% CI, 0.65-0.69] m/s vs 0.61 [95% CI, 0.60-0.62] m/s; mean difference, 0.06 m/s [95% CI, 0-0.1]) and larger aortic root and tubular ascending aortic diameters than those without BAV (10.7 [95% CI, 10.7-10.9] mm vs 10.3 [95% CI, 10.2-10.4] mm; mean difference, 0.43 mm [95% CI, 0.2-0.6 mm] and 9.8 [95% CI, 9.6-10.0] mm vs 9.4 [95% CI, 9.3-9.5] mm; mean difference, 0.46 mm [95% CI, 0.30-0.70], respectively) (P < .001 for all). Aortopathy was seen in 65 newborns (33.2%) with BAV (62 with aortic z score ≥3; 3 with coarctation). Conclusions and Relevance: Among newborns in Copenhagen, the prevalence of BAV was 0.77%. Aortopathy was common in newborns with BAV, suggesting that it also represents a fetal malformation.

Why we succeed and fail in detecting fetal growth restriction: A population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to explore the association between detection of fetal growth restriction and maternal-, healthcare provider- and organizational factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A historical, observational, multicentre study. All women who gave birth to a child with a birthweight <2.3rd centile from 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2015 in Zealand, Denmark, were included. The population was identified through the Danish Fetal Medicine Database. Medical charts were reviewed to obtain data regarding maternal characteristics and information on the healthcare professionals. Date of authorization for the midwives and obstetricians involved was extracted from the Danish Health Authorization Registry. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to identify predictors of antenatal detection of fetal growth restriction, and analyses were adjusted for hospital, body mass index, parity, the presence of at least one risk factor and experience of the first midwife, number of midwife visits, number of visits to a doctor, the experience of the consultant midwife or the educational level of the doctor, the number of scans and gaps in continuity of midwife-care. Antenatal detection was defined as an ultrasound estimated fetal weight <2.3rd centile (corresponding to -2 standard deviations) prior to delivery. RESULTS: Among 78 544 pregnancies, 3069 (3.9%) had a fetal growth restriction. Detection occurred in 31% of fetal growth-restricted pregnancies. Clinical experience (defined as years since graduation) of the first consultation midwife was positively associated with detection, with a hazard ratio [HR] of 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.28), for every 10 years of additional experience. The hazard of detection increased with the number of midwife consultations (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.26) and with multiparity (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.03-1.58). After adjusting for all covariates, an unexplained difference between hospitals (P = .01) remained. CONCLUSIONS: The low-risk nullipara may constitute an overlooked group of women at increased risk of antenatal non-detection of fetal growth restriction. Being screened by experienced midwives during early pregnancy and having access to multiple midwife consultations may improve future diagnosis.

National data on the early clinical use of non-invasive prenatal testing in public and private healthcare in Denmark 2013-2017.

INTRODUCTION: In Denmark, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has been used since 2013. We aimed to evaluate the early clinical use of NIPT in Danish public and private healthcare settings before NIPT became an integrated part of the national guidelines on prenatal screening and diagnosis in 2017. MATERIAL AND METHODS: NIPT data were collected between March 2013 and June 2017 from national public registries and private providers. Results from follow-up samples (chorionic villi, amniotic fluid, postnatal blood or fetal tissue) were included from The Danish Cytogenetics Central Registry and indications and outcome from The Danish Fetal Medicine Database. RESULTS: A total of 3936 NIPT results were included in the study from public hospitals (n = 3463, 88.0%) and private clinics (n = 473, 12.0%). The total number of prenatal tests was 19 713 during the study period: 20% were NIPT analyses (n = 3936) and 80% invasive procedures (n = 15 777). Twenty-five percent of NIPTs in the private clinics were performed before gestational week 11+0 , whereas NIPT in public settings was used only after combined first trimester screening (P < .001). Regardless of indication, the national public sensitivity was 96.9% (95% CI 82.0%-99.8%) for trisomy 21, 100% (95% CI 46.3%-100%) for trisomy 18, 100% (95% CI 5.5%-100%) for trisomy 13, and 87.0% (95% CI 74.5%-92.4%) for any fetal chromosomal aberration. Forty-seven true-positive NIPT results included cases of common aneuplodies (trisomy 21, n = 31; trisomy 18, n = 5; and trisomy 13, n = 1), sex chromosomal aberrations (n = 7) and atypical chromosomal aberrations (n = 3). One false-negative NIPT result occurred (trisomy 21). Of 47 cases, 21 (45%) cases with a true-positive NIPT result resulted in live births by choice; 11 of these children had Down and 4 had Edwards syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The total number of NIPT analyses was low compared with the number of invasive procedures in the implementation period. In contrast to the generally high termination rate after a positive result following invasive testing in Denmark, a high proportion of true-positive NIPT results from the public setting resulted in live births. NIPT may be an important risk-free alternative to invasive testing for a minority of women in the public setting who wish to use prenatal genetic testing for information only and not for reproductive decision-making.

Outcomes of monoamniotic twin pregnancies managed primarily in outpatient care-a Danish multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Monoamniotic twin pregnancies are high-risk pregnancies, and management by inpatient or frequent outpatient care is recommended. We report the outcomes of a national cohort of monoamniotic twin pregnancies managed primarily as outpatients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively analyzed the recorded data from the Danish Fetal Medicine Database, local databases, and medical records of all monoamniotic twin pregnancies diagnosed at the first trimester scan or later, and managed at the six major fetal medicine centers in Denmark over a 10-year period. RESULTS: Sixty-one monoamniotic twin pregnancies were included. Thirteen pregnancies were terminated early. Of the remaining 48 pregnancies with a normal first trimester scan, there were 36 fetal losses (25 spontaneous miscarriages <22+0  weeks, 3 late terminations and 8 intrauterine deaths >22 weeks) and 60 liveborn children (62.5%), all of whom were delivered by cesarean delivery at a median gestational age of 33+0  weeks. Three children had minor malformations and there was 1 pregnancy with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. After 26+0  weeks, 78.8% were managed as outpatients. Intrauterine death occurred in 3.8% of outpatients and in 28.6% of inpatients (admitted due to complications). At weeks 32, 33 and 34, the prospective risk of intrauterine death was 6.9%, 4.2% and 5.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide, unselected population, only 62.5% of fetuses with a normal first trimester scan were born alive. In contrast, the mortality was 3.8% after 26 weeks among the 78.8% of the cohort that was managed as outpatients. More knowledge is still needed to predict which pregnancies are at the highest risk of intrauterine death.

Copenhagen Baby Heart Study: a population study of newborns with prenatal inclusion.

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are reported in 0.8% of newborns. Numerous factors influence cardiovascular development and CHD prevalence, and possibly also development of cardiovascular disease later in life. However, known factors explain the probable etiology in only a fraction of patients. Past large-scale population-based studies have made invaluable contributions to the understanding of cardiac disease, but none recruited participants prenatally and focused on the neonatal period. The Copenhagen Baby Heart Study (CBHS) is a population-based study of the prevalence, spectrum, and prognosis of structural and functional cardiac abnormalities. The CBHS will also establish normal values for neonatal cardiac parameters and biomarkers, and study prenatal and early childhood factors potentially affecting later cardiovascular disease risk. The CBHS is an ongoing multicenter, prospective study recruiting from second trimester pregnancy (gestational weeks 18-20) (expected n = 25,000). Information on parents, pregnancy, and delivery are collected. After birth, umbilical cord blood is collected for biochemical analysis, DNA purification, and biobank storage. An echocardiographic examination, electrocardiography, and post-ductal pulse oximetry are performed shortly after birth. Infants diagnosed with significant CHD are referred to a specialist or admitted to hospital, depending on CHD severity. CBHS participants will be followed prospectively as part of specific research projects or regular clinical follow-up for CHD. CBHS design and methodology are described. The CBHS aims to identify new mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease development and new targets for prevention, early detection, and management of CHD and other cardiac diseases presenting at birth or developing later in life.

Short- and long-term perinatal outcome in twin pregnancies affected by weight discordance.

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to investigate the association between chorionicity-specific intertwin birthweight discordance and adverse outcomes including long-term follow up at 6, 18, and 48-60 months after term via Ages and Stages Questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this secondary analysis of a cohort study (Oldenburg et al., n = 1688) and a randomized controlled trial (PREDICT study, n = 1045) twin pairs were divided into three groups according to chorionicity-specific birthweight discordance: <75th percentile, 75th-90th percentile and >90th percentile. Information on infant mortality, admittance to neonatal intensive care units, and gestational age at delivery was available for all pairs. Detailed neonatal outcomes were available for 656 pairs from PREDICT, of which 567 pairs had at least one Ages and Stages Questionnair follow-up. Logistic regression models were used for dichotomous outcomes. Ages and Stages Questionnair scores were compared using the method of generalized estimating equation to account for the correlation within twins. RESULTS: The 75th and 90th percentiles for birthweight discordance were 14.8 and 21.4% for monochorionic and 16.0 and 23.8% for dichorionic twins. After adjustment for small for gestational age and gender, birthweight discordance >75th and >90th percentile was associated with induced delivery <34 weeks [odds ratio 1.71 (95% confidence interval 1.11-2.65) and odds ratio 2.83 (95% confidence interval 1.73-4.64), respectively]. Discordance >75th-percentile was associated with an increased risk of infant mortality after 28 days [odds ratio 4.69 (95% confidence interval 1.07-20.45)] but not with major neonatal complications or with low mean Ages and Stages Questionnair scores at 6, 18, and 48-60 months after term. CONCLUSION: Chorionicity-specific intertwin birthweight discordance is a risk factor for induced preterm delivery and infant mortality, but not for lower scores for neurophysiological development at 6, 18, and 48-60 months.

[Heterotopic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization with excision of ruptured cornual pregnancy and eventually caesarean section close to term].

We describe a rare case of heterotopic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization with transferring of two embryos in a 39-year-old woman with previous bilateral salpingectomy. An ultrasound examination was performed on the day before admission showing a vital intrauterine pregnancy and no ectopic pregnancy. The woman was admitted with a ruptured cornual pregnancy at ten weeks of gestation. Laparotomy was performed on vital indication with excision of the ruptured haemorrhagic cornual pregnancy. The intrauterine pregnancy continued uneventfully with obstetric and fetal medicine specialist monitoring. A healthy boy was delivered by elective caesarean section.

The Danish Fetal Medicine Database: establishment, organization and quality assessment of the first trimester screening program for trisomy 21 in Denmark 2008-2012.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the establishment and organization of the Danish Fetal Medicine Database and to report national results of first-trimester combined screening for trisomy 21 in the 5-year period 2008-2012. DESIGN: National register study using prospectively collected first-trimester screening data from the Danish Fetal Medicine Database. POPULATION: Pregnant women in Denmark undergoing first-trimester screening for trisomy 21. METHODS: Data on maternal characteristics, biochemical and ultrasonic markers are continuously sent electronically from local fetal medicine databases (Astraia Gmbh software) to a central national database. Data are linked to outcome data from the National Birth Register, the National Patient Register and the National Cytogenetic Register via the mother's unique personal registration number. First-trimester screening data from 2008 to 2012 were retrieved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Screening performance was assessed for the years 2008-2012 by calculating detection rates and screen-positive rates. RESULTS: A total of 268 342 first-trimester risk assessments for trisomy 21 were performed in singleton pregnancies. Participation rate in first-trimester screening was >90%. The national screen-positive rate increased from 3.6% in 2008 to 4.7% in 2012. The national detection rate of trisomy 21 was reported to be between 82 and 90% in the 5-year period. CONCLUSION: A national fetal medicine database has been successfully established in Denmark. Results from the database have shown that at a national level first-trimester screening performance for trisomy 21 is high with a low screen-positive rate and a high detection rate.

Use of 'non-medical' ultrasound imaging before mid-pregnancy in Copenhagen.

We have investigated prospectively how many pregnant women purchase ultrasound imaging before week 20, why they purchase scans, and which professional skills and certifications women expect the person performing the scan to have. In addition, we wanted to investigate whether the women were aware of any professional authorization procedures. Women attending the second trimester malformation scan of the Danish Prenatal Screening Program (n = 645) filled in a questionnaire about their use of non-medical ultrasound scans. Of these women, 154 (24%) had bought ultrasound scans: 50% wanted to have the fetal health and development checked and 49% wanted to find out the gender of the fetus. In addition, 68% felt that they received an evaluation of the fetal health state and 58% believed that there was legislation demanding a professional authorization needed to perform ultrasound imaging. This study shows that there is a significant demand among pregnant women for commercial ultrasound imaging of their fetus for various reasons. Knowledge of certifications and requirements for legal authorization is, however, sparse.

Prenatal detection of congenital heart disease in a low risk population undergoing first and second trimester screening.

OBJECTIVES: The prenatal detection rate of congenital heart disease (CHD) is low compared with other fetal malformations. Our aim was to evaluate the prenatal detection of CHD in Eastern Denmark. METHODS: Fetuses and infants diagnosed with CHD in the period 01.01.2008-31.12.2010 were assessed regarding prenatal detection rate and accuracy, as well as correlation with nuchal translucency (NT) thickness. RESULTS: Out of 86 121 infants, 831 were born with CHD (0.96%). The prenatal detection rate of 'all CHD' was 21.3%, of 'Major CHD' 47.4%. Full agreement between prenatal and postnatal/autopsy findings was found in 96% of prenatally detected diagnoses. An NT thickness >95(th) percentile was found in 15.0% fetuses with 'Major CHD'. Of 'Major CHDs' detected prenatally, 77% were picked up at the time of the malformation scan at weeks 18-21. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of 'Major CHDs' were detected prenatally. The prenatal cardiac diagnoses showed a high degree of accuracy. Increased NT thickness as a screening tool for CHD performed moderately but is an important high risk group for specialist examination. A minority of the prenatally detected CHDs was identified because of extra scans performed in high risk pregnancies. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[A rare form of twin-twin transfusion syndrome].

Twin anaemia-polycythaemia sequence (TAPS) is a rare form of feto-fetal transfusion between monochorionic twins. It occurs spontaneously or after laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome. TAPS is characterized by a large inter-twin haemoglobin difference and can be detected both ante- and postnatally. This is a case report of TAPS, detected antenatally by a routine scanning of monochorionic twins in gestational week 29.

Cytokines and the risk of preterm delivery in twin pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between cytokine levels in twin pregnancies and risk of spontaneous preterm delivery, including the effect of progesterone treatment. METHODS: This secondary analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled trial investigating the effect of progesterone treatment on preterm delivery in twin pregnancies included 523 women with available dried blood spot samples collected before treatment with progesterone (n=258) or placebo (n=265) and after 4-8 weeks of treatment. Samples were analyzed for cytokines using a sandwich immunoassay. Cytokine levels in spontaneous preterm delivery at 34-37 weeks of gestation and spontaneous preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation were compared with delivery at 37 weeks of gestation or more for placebo-treated women. The association between interleukin (IL)-8 and risk of spontaneous preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation was estimated further, including comparison according to treatment. Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, linear regression, and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant association between IL-8 and spontaneous preterm delivery. At 23-33 weeks of gestation, the median IL-8 level was 52 pg/mL (interquartile range 39-71, range 19-1,061) for term deliveries compared with 65 pg/mL (interquartile range 43-88, range 14-584) for spontaneous preterm delivery at 34-37 weeks of gestation and 75 pg/mL (interquartile range 57-102, range 22-1,715) for spontaneous preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation (P<.001). Risk of spontaneous preterm delivery was associated with a large weekly increase in IL-8 (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-3.3). There was no effect of progesterone treatment on IL-8 levels. Levels of IL-8 at 18-24 weeks of gestation were associated with a cervix less than 30 mm (odds ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7). CONCLUSION: Risk of spontaneous preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation is increased in women with high IL-8 levels. Progesterone treatment does not affect IL-8 levels.