Validity of a Delphi consensus definition of growth restriction in the newborn for identifying neonatal morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Small-for-gestational age (SGA) is defined as a birthweight below a birthweight-percentile threshold, usually the 10th percentile, with the 3rd or 5th percentile used to identify severe SGA. SGA is used as a proxy for growth restriction in the newborn, but SGA newborns can be physiologically small and healthy. This definition also excludes growth restricted newborns who have weights above the 10th percentile. To address these limits, a Delphi study developed a new consensus definition of growth restriction in the newborn based on neonatal anthropometric and clinical parameters, but it has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of growth restriction in the newborn according to the Delphi consensus definition and to investigate associated morbidity risks compared to definitions of SGA using birthweight-percentile thresholds. STUDY DESIGN: Data come from the 2016 and 2021 French National Perinatal Surveys which include all births ≥22 weeks and/or with birthweights ≥500 grams in all maternity units in France over a one-week period. Data are collected from medical records and interviews with mothers after the delivery. The study population included 23,897 liveborn singleton births. The Delphi consensus definition of growth restriction was birthweight <3rd percentile or at least 3 of the following criteria: birthweight, head circumference or length <10th percentile, antenatal diagnosis of growth restriction or maternal hypertension. A composite of neonatal morbidity at birth, defined as five-minute Apgar score <7, cord arterial pH <7.10, resuscitation and/or neonatal admission, was compared using the Delphi definition and usual birthweight-percentile thresholds for defining SGA using the following birthweight percentile groups: <3rd, 3rd-4th and 5th-9th percentiles. Relative risks were adjusted (aRR) for maternal characteristics (age, parity, body mass index, smoking, educational level, pre-existing hypertension and diabetes, and study year) and then for the consensus definition and birthweight percentile groups. Multiple imputation by chained equations was used to impute missing data. Analyses were carried out in the overall sample and among term and preterm newborns separately. RESULTS: 4.9% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 4.6-5.2) of newborns were identified with growth restriction, of whom 29.7% experienced morbidity, yielding a aRR of 2.5 (95% CI: 2.2-2.7) compared to newborns without growth restriction. Compared to birthweight ≥10th percentile, morbidity risks were higher for low birthweight percentiles (<3rd aRR=3.3 (95%CI: 3.0-3.7), 3rd-4th RR=1.4 (95%CI:1.1-1.7), 5th-9th RR=1.4, (95%CI:1.2-1.6)). In adjusted models including the definition of growth restriction and birthweight percentile groups and excluding birthweights <3rd percentile, which are included in both definitions, morbidity risks remained higher for birthweights at the 3rd-4th percentile (aRR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.7) and 5th-9th percentile (aRR= 1.4, 95%CI: 1.2-1.6), but not for the Delphi definition of growth restriction (aRR= 0.9, 95%CI: 0.7-1.2). Similar patterns were found for term and preterm newborns. CONCLUSION: The Delphi consensus definition of growth restriction did not identify more newborns with morbidity than definitions of SGA based on birthweight percentiles. These findings illustrate the importance of evaluating the results of Delphi consensus studies before their adoption in clinical practice.

Analysis of MRI brain biometrics in fetuses monitored for intra uterine growth restriction and their prognostic value: Results of a prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Show a prognostic value of brain changes in fetuses with intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR) on early neonatal outcome. STUDY DESIGN: We prospectively recruited pregnant women whose fetuses presented fetal weight < 5th centile. A brain MRI was performed between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation (WG). Several brain biometrics were measured (as fronto-occipital diameter (FOD) and transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD)). Neonatal prognosis was evaluated according to a composite criterion. RESULTS: Of the 78 patients included, 62 had a fetal brain MRI. The mean centile value of FOD was lower in the unfavorable outcome group (n = 9) compared to the favorable outcome group (n = 53) (24.5 ± 16.8 vs. 8.6 ± 13.2, p = 0.004). The ROC curve for predicting risk of unfavorable neonatal outcome based on FOD presented an area under the curve of 0.81 (95 % CI, [0.63---0.99]) and a threshold determined at the 3rd centile was associated with sensitivity of 0.78 and a specificity of 0.89. In multivariate analysis, a FOD less than the 3rd centile was significantly associated with an unfavorable neonatal risk. There also was a reduction in TCD (25.5 ± 21.5 vs. 10.4 ± 10.4, p = 0.03) in the unfavorable neonatal outcome group. CONCLUSION: We found an association between a reduction in FOD and TCD in fetal MRIs conducted between 28 and 32 WG in fetuses monitored for IUGR with an unfavorable neonatal outcome. Our results suggest that these biometric changes could constitute markers of poor neonatal prognosis.

Maintenance oxytocin in the immediate postpartum period: Frequency, determinants and practices in a tertiary maternity unit.

OBJECTIVE: To prevent post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), national and international guidelines recommend the administration of a prophylactic injection of oxytocin after all vaginal births. Although additional maintenance oxytocin is not recommended in the immediate postpartum, its administration is quite common (30 % of French births in 2021). To assess in a single center, the frequency and determinants associated with the administration of maintenance oxytocin in immediate postpartum. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective observational single-centre study was conducted in a tertiary-care university centre in Paris (France), with data from April-May 2022. All women who gave birth vaginally at or after 37 weeks, except for those with immediate PPH. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to compare determinants between the group receiving maintenance oxytocin and the control group without this intervention. A sensitivity analysis in a population of women at low risk of PPH was performed. Maternal, obstetrical, perinatal and organisational determinants were collected. RESULTS: This study included 584 patients, 278 (47.6 %) of whom received maintenance oxytocin. We observed a significantly higher rate of maintenance oxytocin administration to parous women (OR 1.57, 90 %CI 1.09-2.27) and women with a history of PPH (OR 2.88, 90 %CI 1.08-9.08). Additional maintenance oxytocin was also administered more often when the midwife handling the birth had more than 5 years of practice since completion of training (OR 1.77, 1.24-2.53) or during night-time births (OR 1.47, 90 %CI 1.03-2.10). CONCLUSION: Maintenance oxytocin administration is a frequent practice, performed for almost half the patients in our center. This practice is associated with maternal and obstetric factors, but also with health professionals' individual decisions and practices.

Population-based surveillance of congenital anomalies over 40 years (1981-2020): Results from the Paris Registry of Congenital Malformations (remaPAR).

INTRODUCTION: Registries of congenital anomalies (CAs) play a key role in the epidemiological surveillance of CAs. The objective was to estimate the prevalence of CAs and proportions of prenatal diagnosis, terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA) and infant mortality in the Paris Registry of Congenital Malformations (remaPAR) over 40 years, from 1981 to 2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS: remaPAR records all births (live births, stillbirths ≥22 weeks of gestation and TOPFA at any gestational age) with CAs detected prenatally until the early neonatal period. We estimated the prevalence of CAs and proportions of prenatal diagnosis, TOPFA and infant mortality, overall and for a selected group of CAs in 3-year intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of CAs remained stable during the study period: 2.9 % of total births and 2.1 % of live births. Genetic anomalies were the most frequent subgroup (about 23 %), followed by congenital heart defects (about 22 %) and limb defects (about 20 %). Among non-genetic anomalies, the prevalence per 10,000 births was the highest for hypospadias (about 18 %) and the lowest for bilateral renal agenesis (about 1 %). Prenatal diagnoses increased from about 17 % in the 1980s to approximately 70 % in the most recent period (2018-2020), whereas the proportion of early TOPFA <16 weeks of gestation increased from 0.4 % to 14 %. Infant mortality ranged from 0 % for transverse limb reduction defects to 86 % for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of CAs was fairly stable in Paris from 1981 to 2020. Prenatal diagnoses substantially increased, accompanied by much smaller increases in TOPFA.

Predicting Long-Term Childhood Survival of Newborns with Congenital Heart Defects: A Population-Based, Prospective Cohort Study (EPICARD).

Backgroud: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most frequent group of major congenital anomalies, accounting for almost 1% of all births. They comprise a very heterogeneous group of birth defects in terms of their severity, clinical management, epidemiology, and embryologic origins. Taking this heterogeneity into account is an important imperative to provide reliable prognostic information to patients and their caregivers, as well as to compare results between centers or to assess alternative diagnostic and treatment strategies. The Anatomic and Clinical Classification of CHD (ACC-CHD) aims to facilitate both the CHD coding process and data analysis in clinical and epidemiological studies. The objectives of the study were to (1) Describe the long-term childhood survival of newborns with CHD, and (2) Develop and validate predictive models of infant mortality based on the ACC-CHD. Methods: This study wasbased on data from a population-based, prospective cohort study: Epidemiological Study of Children with Congenital Heart Defects (EPICARD). The final study population comprised 1881 newborns with CHDs after excluding cases that were associated with chromosomal and other anomalies. Statistical analysis included non-parametric survival analysis and flexible parametric survival models. The predictive performance of models was assessed by Harrell's C index and the Royston-Sauerbrei RD2, with internal validation by bootstrap. Results: The overall 8-year survival rate for newborns with isolated CHDs was 0.96 [0.93-0.95]. There was a substantial difference between the survival rate of the categories of ACC-CHD. The highest and lowest 8-year survival rates were 0.995 [0.989-0.997] and 0.34 [0.21-0.50] for "interatrial communication abnormalities and ventricular septal defects" and "functionally univentricular heart", respectively. Model discrimination, as measured by Harrell's C, was 87% and 89% for the model with ACC-CHD alone and the full model, which included other known predictors of infant mortality, respectively. The predictive performance, as measured by RD2, was 45% and 50% for the ACC-CHD alone and the full model. These measures were essentially the same after internal validation by bootstrap. Conclusions: The ACC-CHD classification provided the basis of a highly discriminant survival model with good predictive ability for the 8-year survival of newborns with CHDs. Prediction of individual outcomes remains an important clinical and statistical challenge.

Impact of an e-learning training for interpreting intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring to avoid perinatal asphyxia: A before-after multicenter observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Perinatal asphyxia, a condition that results from compromised placental or pulmonary gas exchange during the birth process, is rare but can lead to serious neonatal and long-term consequences. The visual analysis of cardiotocography (CTG) is designed to avoid perinatal asphyxia, but its interpretation can be difficult. Our aim was to test the impact of an e-learning training program for interpreting CTG on the rate of avoidable perinatal asphyxia at term. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective multicenter before-after study comparing two periods, before and after the implementation of e-learning training program from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, in CTG interpretation for midwives and obstetricians in five maternity hospitals in the Paris area, France. The training involved theoretical aspects such as fetal physiology and heart rhythm abnormalities, followed by practical exercises using real case studies to enhance skills in interpreting CTG. We included all term births that occurred between the "before" period (July 1 to December 31, 2014) and the "after period (January 1 to June 30, 2017). We excluded multiple pregnancies, antenatal detection of congenital abnormalities, breech births and all scheduled caesarean sections. Perinatal asphyxia cases were analyzed by a pair of experts consisting of midwives and obstetricians, and avoidability of perinatal asphyxia was estimated. The main criterion was the prevalence of avoidable perinatal asphyxia. RESULTS: The e-learning program was performed by 83 % of the obstetrician-gynecologists and 65 % of the midwives working in the delivery rooms of the five centers. The prevalence of perinatal asphyxia was 0.45 % (29/7902 births) before the training and 0.54 % (35/7722) after. The rate of perinatal asphyxia rated as avoidable was 0.30 % of live births before the training and 0.28 % after (p = 0.870). The main causes of perinatal asphyxia deemed avoidable were delay in reactions to severe CTG anomalies and errors in the analysis and interpretation of the CTG. These causes did not differ between the two periods. CONCLUSION: One session of e-learning training to analyze CTG was not associated with a reduction in avoidable perinatal asphyxia. Other types of e-learning, repeated and implemented over a longer period should be evaluated.

[How to respond to a stubborn refusal of care during delivery]. / Quelle réponse apporter à un refus obstiné de soins lors de l'accouchement ?

Our team was confronted with a situation of stubborn refusal of care, including the indication of a cesarean section for an adult patient able to express her wishes. This refusal was formulated during pregnancy follow-up, during the discussion of the birth plan and during delivery, the patient having accepted the indication of a possible emergency cesarean section under general anesthesia only in the occurrence of severe fetal heart rate abnormalities. The impasse forced caregivers to violate the rules of good clinical practice, which indicated the performance of a cesarean section, and to wait for a complication to arise in order to be able to act, taking the risk of intervening too late. This situation has led to direct risks to the health of the mother and the unborn child, without putting the life of either of them in imminent danger. Finally, the time devoted to this patient in a tense organization was to the detriment of the care of other patients.

Prenatal diagnosis of isolated bilateral clubfoot: Is amniocentesis indicated?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefit of cytogenetic testing by amniocentesis after an ultrasound diagnosis of isolated bilateral talipes equinovarus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multicenter observational retrospective study includes all prenatally diagnosed cases of isolated bilateral talipes equinovarus in five fetal medicine centers from 2012 through 2021. Ultrasound data, amniocentesis results, biochemical analyses of amniotic fluid and parental blood samples to test neuromuscular diseases, pregnancy outcomes, and postnatal outcomes were collected for each patient. RESULTS: In all, 214 fetuses with isolated bilateral talipes equinovarus were analyzed. A first-degree family history of talipes equinovarus existed in 9.8% (21/214) of our cohort. Amniocentesis was proposed to 86.0% (184/214) and performed in 70.1% (129/184) of cases. Of the 184 karyotypes performed, two (1.6%) were abnormal (one trisomy 21 and one triple X syndrome). Of the 103 microarrays performed, two (1.9%) revealed a pathogenic copy number variation (one with a de novo 18p deletion and one with a de novo 22q11.2 deletion) (DiGeorge syndrome). Neuromuscular diseases (spinal muscular amyotrophy, myasthenia gravis, and Steinert disease) were tested for in 56 fetuses (27.6%); all were negative. Overall, 97.6% (165/169) of fetuses were live-born, and the diagnosis of isolated bilateral talipes equinovarus was confirmed for 98.6% (139/141). Three medical terminations of pregnancy were performed (for the fetuses diagnosed with Down syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, and the 18p deletion). Telephone calls (at a mean follow-up age of 4.5 years) were made to all parents to collect medium-term and long-term follow-up information, and 70 (33.0%) families were successfully contacted. Two reported a rare genetic disease diagnosed postnatally (one primary microcephaly and one infantile glycine encephalopathy). Parents did not report any noticeably abnormal psychomotor development among the other children during this data collection. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low rate of pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities diagnosed prenatally after this ultrasound diagnosis, the risk of chromosomal aberration exceeds the risks of amniocentesis. These data may be helpful in prenatal counseling situations.

Re-evaluating fetal scalp pH thresholds: An examination of fetal pH variations during labor.

INTRODUCTION: Since the 1970s, fetal scalp blood sampling (FSBS) has been used as a second-line test of the acid-base status of the fetus to evaluate fetal well-being during labor. The commonly employed thresholds that delineate normal pH (>7.25), subnormal (7.20-7.25), and pathological pH (<7.20) guide clinical decisions. However, these experienced-based thresholds, based on observations and common sense, have yet to be confirmed. The aim of the study was to investigate if pH drop rate accelerates at the common thresholds (7.25 and 7.20) and to explore the possibility of identifying more accurate thresholds. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary maternity hospital between June 2017 and July 2021. Patients with at least one FSBS during labor for category II fetal heart rate and delivery of a singleton cephalic infant were included. The rate of change in pH value between consecutive samples for each patient was calculated and plotted as a function of pH value. Linear regression models were used to model the evolution of the pH drop rate estimating slope and standard errors across predefined pH intervals. Exploration of alternative pH action thresholds was conducted. To explore the independence of the association between pH value and pH drop rate, multiple linear regression adjusted on age, body mass index, parity, oxytocin stimulation and suspected small for gestational age was performed. RESULTS: We included 2047 patients with at least one FSBS (total FSBS 3467); with 2047 umbilical cord blood pH, and a total of 5514 pH samples. Median pH values were 7.29 1 h before delivery, 7.26 30 min before delivery. The pH drop was slow between 7.40 and 7.30, then became more pronounced, with median rates of 0.0005 units/min at 7.25 and 0.0013 units/min at 7.20. Out of the alternative pH thresholds, 7.26 and 7.20 demonstrated the best alignment with our dataset. Multiple linear regression revealed that only pH value was significantly associated to the rate of pH change. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the validity and reliability of current guideline thresholds for fetal scalp pH in category II fetal heart rate.

Induction of labor and risk of postpartum hemorrhage in women with vaginal delivery: A propensity score analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between induction of labor (IOL) and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after vaginal delivery. METHODS: We included women from the merged database of three randomized prospective trials (TRACOR, CYTOCINON, and TRAAP) that measured postpartum blood loss precisely, with standardized methods. IOL was considered overall and according to its method. The association between IOL and PPH was tested by multivariate logistic regression modeling, adjusted for confounders, and by propensity score matching. The role of potential intermediate factors, i.e. estimated quantity of oxytocin administered during labor and operative vaginal delivery, was assessed with structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Labor was induced for 1809 of the 9209 (19.6%) women. IOL was associated with a significantly higher risk of PPH of 500 mL or more (adjusted odds ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.42-1.70) and PPH of 1000 mL or more (adjusted odds ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.16-1.96). The risk of PPH increased similarly regardless of the method of induction. The results were similar after propensity score matching (odds ratio for PPH ≥500 mL 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.33-1.87, odds ratio for PPH ≥1000 mL 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.07). Structural equation modeling showed that 34% of this association was mediated by the quantity of oxytocin administered during labor and 1.3% by women who underwent operative vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Among women with vaginal delivery, the risk of PPH is higher in those with IOL, regardless of its method, and after accounting for indication bias. The quantity of oxytocin administered during labor may explain one third of this association.

Association of severe postpartum hemorrhage and development of psychological disorders: Results from the prospective and multicentre HELP MOM study.

OBJECTIVE: Post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading preventable cause of worldwide maternal morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for psychological disorders following PPH are currently unknown. HELP-MOM study aimed to determine the incidence and identify risk factors for psychological disorders following PPH. METHODS: HELP-MOM study was a prospective, observational, national, and multicentre study including patients who experienced severe PPH requiring sulprostone. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of psychological disorders (anxiety and/or post-traumatic disorder and/or depression) following PPH, assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months after delivery using HADS, IES-R, and EPDS scales. RESULTS: Between November 2014 and November 2016, 332 patients experienced a severe PPH and 236 (72%) answered self-questionnaires at 1, 3, and 6 months. A total of 161 (68%) patients declared a psychological disorder following severe PPH (146 (90.1%) were screened positive for anxiety, 96 (58.9%) were screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder, and 94 (57.7%) were screened positive for post-partum depression). In multivariable analysis, the use of intra-uterine tamponnement balloon was associated with a lower risk to be screened positive for psychological disorder after severe PPH (OR = 0.33 [IC95% 0.15-0.69], p = 0.004, and after propensity score matching (OR=0.34 [IC95% 0.12-0.94], p = 0.04)). Low hemoglobin values during severe PPH management were associated with a higher risk of being screened positive for psychological disorders. Finally, we did not find differences in desire or pregnancy between patients without or with psychological disorders occurring in the year after severe PPH. DISCUSSION: Severe PPH was associated with significant psychosocial morbidity including anxiety, post-traumatic disorder, and depression. This should engage a psychological follow-up. Large cohorts are urgently needed to confirm our results. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov under number NCT02118038.

Five-year outcomes for extremely preterm babies with active perinatal management: A clinical prediction model.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a clinical prediction model for outcomes at 5 years of age for children born extremely preterm and receiving active perinatal management. DESIGN: The EPIPAGE-2 national prospective cohort. SETTING: France, 2011. POPULATION: Live-born neonates between 24+0 and 26+6 weeks of gestation who received active perinatal management (i.e. birth in a tertiary-level hospital, with antenatal steroids and resuscitation at birth). METHODS: A prediction model using logistic modelling, including gestational age, small-for gestational-age (SGA) status and sex, was developed. Model performance was assessed through calibration and discrimination, with bootstrap internal validation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival without moderate or severe neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) at 5 years. RESULTS: Among the 557 neonates included, 401 (72%) survived to 5 years, of which 59% survived without NDD (95% CI 54% to 63%). Predicted rates of survival without NDD ranged from 45% (95% CI 33% to 57%), to 56% (95% CI 49% to 64%) to 64% (95% CI 57% to 70%) for neonates born at 24, 25 and 26 weeks of gestation, respectively. Predicted rates of survival without NDD were 47% (95% CI 18% to 76%) and 62% (95% CI 49% to 76%) for SGA and non-SGA children, respectively. The model showed good calibration (calibration slope 0.85, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.16; calibration-in-the-large -0.0123, 95% CI -0.25 to 0.23) and modest discrimination (C-index 0.59, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: A simple prediction model using three factors easily known antenatally may help doctors and families in their decision-making for extremely preterm neonates receiving active perinatal management.

Assessing the external validity and clinical relevance of umbilical doppler resistance index references in daily practice.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the external validity and clinical relevance of current references for umbilical artery resistance index (UA RI) in daily practice. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional single center study including all UA RI measurements between 22 and 40 gestational weeks (GW) from distinct patients between 2014 and 2022. Patients with normal pregnancies and normal neonatal outcomes that had an UA RI measurement between 2014 and 2019 were used to calculate reference ranges. The established reference for the 95th centile was compared to two current references. The clinical relevance of the established reference was tested by comparing neonatal outcomes according to the 95th percentile among the consecutive distinct patients between 2020 and 2022. RESULTS: Among the 13342 consecutive distinct patients with a singleton pregnancy that had an UA RI measurement between 22 and 40 GW between 2014 and 2022, 5298 patients were included to establish the reference ranges, and 3634 patients to validate these ranges. For each gestational age, the established references were similar to current references. Using the established references, the proportion of patients presenting an UA RI>95th percentile among the patients with normal pregnancies in the validation population was comparable to the proportion when using the two current references. Among the validation population, 268 patients (7.4 %) (95%CI[6.5-8.2]) presented an UA RI ≥ 95th percentile. Of these 268 patients, 67.9% had a SGA newborn (versus 19.2%, p<0.001) and 59% a preterm birth (versus 13.9%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The reference range obtained from daily practice is clinically relevant and similar to current references.

Delivery of twins : lessons learnt from the national observational prospective comparative study JUMODA / L'accouchement des femmes enceintes de jumeaux : les enseignements de l'étude nationale observationnelle prospective comparative JUMODA.

OBJECTIVES: To summerize the results of the JUMODA study (JUmeaux MODe d'Accouchement) on the planned mode of delivery of twin pregnancy and the management of second twin delivery. METHODS: JUMODA was a national observational prospective comparative study that took place between february 2014 and march 2015 in 176 french maternity units performing more than 1500 deliveries per year. Its main objectives were the comparison of neonatal and maternal morbidity according to the planned mode of delivery and the determination of the managements of second twin delivery associated with the best neonatal outcomes. To control for potential confounding factors and indication biases, statistical analyses comprized multivariate logistic regressions and matching on propensity scores. RESULTS: The JUMODA study recruited 8823 women with twin delivery at or beyond 22 weeks of gestation. For twin pregnancies with a cephalic first twin at 32 weeks of gestation and beyond, severe neonatal morbidity was higher in the planned cesarean (150/2908 (5.2 %) than in the planned vaginal delivery group (199/8922 (2.2 %), aOR 1.56, 95 % CI 1.19-2.04). Increased neonatal morbidity in the planned cesarean delivery group was explained by higher severe morbidity in neonates born preterm (aOR 1.64, 95 % CI 1.13-2.39, for deliveries between 32+0 and 34+6 weeks of gestation, aOR 2.04, 95 % CI 1.22-3.41, for deliveries between 35+0 SA and 36+6 weeks of gestation) but not in neonates born at term (aOR 1.19, 95 % CI 0.58-2.44). In comparison with planned cesarean delivery, planned vaginal delivery was not associated with increased severe neonatal morbidity in case of breech presenting first twin after 32 weeks of gestation or with decreased survival witout severe neonatal morbidity in case of delivery before 32 weeks of gestation whatever the first twin presentation. In comparison with planned vaginal delivery, planned cesarean delivery was associated with increased severe maternal morbidity only in women aged 35 and higher. Delivery of non cephalic second twin was associated with similar severe neonatal morbidity rate than delivery of cephalic second twin. Finally, in case of cephalic second twin, internal version followed by total breech extraction was associated with less cesarean for the second twin but with higher severe neonatal morbidity in case of preterm birth in comparison with pushing efforts, ocytocin perfusion and artificial rupture of membranes. CONCLUSIONS: Planned vaginal delivery is the planned mode of delivery to encourage for the majority of pregnant women with twins, whatever first twin presentation and gestational age at delivery. No management of cephalic second twin appears better than an other, its choice will rest on obstetrician preferences.

Tocolysis after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes and 5-year outcomes: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The administration of tocolytics after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes remains a controversial practice. In theory, reducing uterine contractility should delay delivery and allow for optimal antenatal management, thereby reducing the risks for prematurity and adverse consequences over the life course. However, tocolysis may be associated with neonatal death or long-term adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, mainly related to prolonged fetal exposure to intrauterine infection or inflammation. In a previous study, we showed that tocolysis administration was not associated with short-term benefits. There are currently no data available to evaluate the impact of tocolysis on neurodevelopmental outcomes in school-aged children born prematurely in this clinical setting. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether tocolysis administered after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes is associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 5.5 years of age. STUDY DESIGN: We used data from a prospective, population-based cohort study of preterm births recruited in 2011 (referred to as the EPIPAGE-2 study) and for whom the results of a comprehensive medical and neurodevelopmental assessment of the infant at age 5.5 years were available. We included pregnant individuals with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes at 24 to 32 weeks' gestation in singleton pregnancies with a live fetus at the time of rupture, birth at 24 to 34 weeks' gestation, and participation of the infant in an assessment at 5.5 years of age. Exposure was the administration of any tocolytic treatment after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. The main outcome was survival without moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disabilities at 5.5 years of age. Secondary outcomes included survival without any neurodevelopmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, full-scale intelligence quotient, developmental coordination disorders, and behavioral difficulties. A propensity-score analysis was used to minimize the indication bias in the estimation of the treatment effect on outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 596 of 803 pregnant individuals (73.4%) received tocolytics after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. At the 5.5-year follow-up, 82.7% and 82.5% of the children in the tocolysis and no tocolysis groups, respectively, were alive without moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disabilities; 52.7% and 51.1%, respectively, were alive without any neurodevelopmental disabilities. After applying multiple imputations and inverse probability of treatment weighting, we found no association between the exposure to tocolytics and survival without moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disabilities (odds ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-1.60), survival without any neurodevelopmental disabilities (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-1.61), or any of the other outcomes. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 5.5 years among children with and without antenatal exposure to tocolysis after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. To date, the health benefits of tocolytics remain unproven, both in the short- and long-term.

Circumstances, causes and timing of death in extremely preterm infants admitted to NICU: The EPIPAGE-2 study.

AIM: To describe the circumstances, causes and timing of death in extremely preterm infants. METHODS: We included from the EPIPAGE-2 study infants born at 24-26 weeks in 2011 admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Vital status and circumstances of death were used to define three groups of infants: alive at discharge, death with or without withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment (WWLST). The main cause of death was classified as respiratory disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, infection, central nervous system (CNS) injury, other or unknown. RESULTS: Among 768 infants admitted to NICU, 224 died among which 89 died without WWLST and 135 with WWLST. The main causes of death were respiratory disease (38%), CNS injury (30%) and infection (12%). Among the infants who died with WWLST, CNS injury was the main cause of death (47%), whereas respiratory disease (56%) and infection (20%) were the main causes in case of death without WWLST. Half (51%) of all deaths occurred within the first 7 days of life, and 35% occurred within 8 and 28 days. CONCLUSION: The death of extremely preterm infants in NICU is a complex phenomenon in which the circumstances and causes of death are intertwined.

Timing of antenatal corticosteroids and survival without neurologic disabilities at 5½ years in children born before 35 weeks of gestation.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of antenatal corticosteroids for neonatal preterm complications wanes beyond 7 days after treatment. The neurodevelopmental effects of longer treatment-to-birth intervals have not been adequately evaluated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of antenatal corticosteroid timing on survival without moderate or severe neurologic disabilities at 5½ years. STUDY DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of the EPIPAGE-2 study, a national population-based cohort (France) that recruited neonates in 2011 and followed them up at 5½ years (results first reported in 2021). Participants were children born alive between 24+0 and 34+6 weeks, with a complete corticosteroid course, delivery >48 hours after the first injection, and neither limitation of care decided before birth nor severe congenital malformation. The study included 2613 children, 2427 of whom were alive at 5½ years; 71.9% (1739/2427) had a neurologic assessment at this age; 1537 had a clinical examination (complete for 1532), and 202 were assessed with a postal questionnaire. Exposure was defined as the interval between the first injection of the last antenatal corticosteroid course and delivery in days, studied in 2 categories (days 3-7 and after day 7), in 4 categories (days 3-7, 8-14, 15-21, and after day 21), and continuously in days. The main outcome was survival at 5½ years without moderate/severe neurologic disabilities, defined as moderate/severe cerebral palsy, or unilateral or bilateral blindness or deafness, or Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient 2 standard deviations below the mean. A multivariate analysis with a generalized estimated equation logistic regression model assessed the statistical association between the main outcomes and the interval from the first corticosteroid injection of the last course to birth. Multivariate analyses were adjusted for potential confounders, defined with a directed acyclic graph: gestational age in days, number of corticosteroid courses, multiple pregnancy, and cause of prematurity in 5 categories. Because neurologic follow-up was complete in only 63.2% of cases (1532/2427), the analyses used imputed data. RESULTS: Among 2613 children, 186 died between birth and 5½ years. Overall survival was 96.6% (95% confidence interval, 95.9-97.0), and survival without moderate or severe neurologic disabilities was 86.0% (95% confidence interval, 84.7-87.0). Survival without moderate or severe neurologic disabilities was lower after day 7 (85.0%) than during the interval from day 3 to day 7 (87.0%) (adjusted odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.89). CONCLUSION: The association of a >7-day interval between antenatal corticosteroid administration and birth with a lower rate of survival without moderate or severe neurologic disabilities among children aged 5½ years emphasizes the importance of better targeting women at risk of preterm delivery to optimize the timing and thus benefits of treatment.

A Novel Screening Method for Scoliosis Using a Bodysuit and 3-Dimensional Imaging.

STUDY DESIGN: A single-center prospective observational study. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the usefulness of a novel scoliosis screening method using a 3-dimensional (3D) human fitting application and a specific bodysuit. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Several scoliosis screening methods, such as scoliometer and Moiré topography, are available for detecting scoliosis. In the present study, a novel screening method for scoliosis using a 3D human fitting application and a specific bodysuit was developed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with scoliosis or suspected scoliosis, patients with non-scoliosis, and healthy volunteers were enrolled. They were divided into "non-scoliosis" and "scoliosis" groups. The scoliosis group was further subdivided into "mild," "moderate," and "severe-scoliosis" groups. Patients' characteristics and Z values, which were calculated by a 3D virtual human body model created by a 3D human fitting application and a specific bodysuit to evaluate trunk asymmetry caused by scoliosis, were compared between the non-scoliosis and scoliosis groups or among the non, mild, moderate and severe-scoliosis groups. Finally, the optimal cutoff of the Z value was determined to detect moderate to severe scoliosis using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included. The non-scoliosis group consisted of 47 patients, and the scoliosis group included 54 patients, with 11, 31, and 12 patients in the mild, moderate, and severe-scoliosis groups, respectively. The scoliosis group showed a significantly higher Z value than the non-scoliosis group. The moderate or severe-scoliosis group had a significantly higher Z value than the non or mild-scoliosis group. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the optimal cutoff of the Z value was 19.9 mm (sensitivity, 95.3% and specificity, 58.6%). CONCLUSION: A novel scoliosis screening method consisting of a 3D human fitting application and a specific bodysuit may be useful for detecting moderate to severe scoliosis.