Term planned delivery based on fetal growth assessment with or without the cerebroplacental ratio in low-risk pregnancies (RATIO37): an international, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The cerebroplacental ratio is associated with perinatal mortality and morbidity, but it is unknown whether routine measurement improves pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to evaluate whether the addition of cerebroplacental ratio measurement to the standard ultrasound growth assessment near term reduces perinatal mortality and severe neonatal morbidity, compared with growth assessment alone. METHODS: RATIO37 was a randomised, open-label, multicentre, pragmatic trial, conducted in low-risk pregnant women, recruited from nine hospitals over six countries. The eligibility criteria were designed to be broad; participants were required to be 18 years or older, with an ultrasound-dated confirmed singleton pregnancy in the first trimester, an alive fetus with no congenital malformations at the routine second-trimester ultrasound, an absence of adverse medical or obstetric history, and the capacity to give informed consent. Women were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio (block size 100) using a web-based system to either the concealed group or revealed group. In the revealed group, the cerebroplacental ratio value was known by clinicians, and if below the fifth centile, a planned delivery after 37 weeks was recommended. In the concealed group, women and clinicians were blinded to the cerebroplacental ratio value. All participants underwent ultrasound at 36 + 0 to 37 + 6 weeks of gestation with growth assessment and Doppler evaluation. In both groups, planned delivery was recommended when the estimated fetal weight was below the tenth centile. The primary outcome was perinatal mortality from 24 weeks' gestation to infant discharge. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02907242) and is now closed. FINDINGS: Between July 29, 2016, and Aug 3, 2021, we enrolled 11 214 women, of whom 9492 (84·6%) completed the trial and were eligible for analysis (4774 in the concealed group and 4718 in the revealed group). Perinatal mortality occurred in 13 (0·3%) of 4774 pregnancies in the concealed group and 13 (0·3%) of 4718 in the revealed group (OR 1·45 [95% CI 0·76-2·76]; p=0·262). Overall, severe neonatal morbidity occurred in 35 (0·73%) newborns in the concealed group and 18 (0·38%) in the revealed group (OR 0·58 [95% CI 0·40-0·83]; p=0·003). Severe neurological morbidity occurred in 13 (0·27%) newborns in the concealed group and nine (0·19%) in the revealed group (OR 0·56 [95% CI 0·25-1·24]; p=0·153). Severe non-neurological morbidity occurred in 23 (0·48%) newborns in the concealed group and nine (0·19%) in the revealed group (0·58 [95% CI 0·39-0·87]; p=0·009). Maternal adverse events were not collected. INTERPRETATION: Planned delivery at term based on ultrasound fetal growth assessment and cerebroplacental ratio at term was not followed by a reduction of perinatal mortality although significantly reduced severe neonatal morbidity compared with fetal growth assessment alone. FUNDING: La Caixa foundation, Cerebra Foundation for the Brain Injured Child, Agència per la Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, and Instituto de Salud Carlos III.

The association between discordant umbilical arterial resistance in growth-restricted fetuses and adverse outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the umbilical artery pulsatility index via Doppler measurements plays a crucial role in evaluating fetal growth impairment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate perinatal outcomes associated with discordant pulsatility indices of umbilical arteries in fetuses with growth restriction. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective cohort study, all singleton pregnancies were included if their estimated fetal weight and/or abdominal circumference fell below the 10th percentile for gestational age (2017-2022). Eligible cases included singleton pregnancies with concurrent sampling of both umbilical arteries within 14 days of birth at the ultrasound evaluation closest to delivery. The exclusion criteria included births before 22 weeks of gestation, evidence of absent or reverse end-diastolic flow in either umbilical artery, and known fetal genetic or structural anomalies. The study compared cases with discordant umbilical artery pulsatility index values (defined as 1 umbilical artery pulsatility index at ≤95th percentile and the other umbilical artery pulsatility index at >95th percentile for gestational age) to pregnancies where both umbilical artery pulsatility indices had normal pulsatility index values and those with both umbilical arteries displaying abnormal pulsatility index values. The primary outcome assessed was the occurrence of composite adverse neonatal outcomes. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed, adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS: The study encompassed 1014 patients, including 194 patients (19.1%) with discordant umbilical artery pulsatility index values among those who had both umbilical arteries sampled close to delivery, 671 patients (66.2%) with both umbilical arteries having normal pulsatility index values, and 149 patients (14.7%) with both umbilical arteries exhibiting abnormal values. Pregnancies with discordant umbilical artery pulsatility index values displayed compromised sonographic parameters compared with those with both umbilical arteries showing normal pulsatility index values. Similarly, the number of abnormal umbilical artery pulsatility index values was associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in a dose-response manner. Cases with 1 abnormal (discordant) umbilical artery pulsatility index value showed favorable sonographic parameters and perinatal outcomes compared with cases with both abnormal umbilical artery pulsatility index values, and cases with both abnormal umbilical artery pulsatility index values showed worse sonographic parameters and perinatal outcomes compared with cases with discordant UA PI values. Multivariate analysis revealed that discordant umbilical artery pulsatility indices were significantly and independently associated with composite adverse perinatal outcomes, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.75 (95% confidence interval, 1.24-2.47; P = .002). CONCLUSION: Evaluating the resistance indices of both umbilical arteries may provide useful data and assist in assessing adverse perinatal outcomes among fetuses with growth restriction.

Lung Hypoplasia in Fetuses with Skeletal Dysplasia Determined by Fetal Lung Weight: Which Ultrasound Measurement/Ratio Has the Highest Detection Rate.

INTRODUCTION: To determine lung hypoplasia in cases with fetal skeletal dysplasia based on the total lung weight at autopsy as the most accountable surrogate marker for pulmonary hypoplasia. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all pregnancies with antenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia (2012-2018). We included only cases in which information on fetal biometry was available within 2 weeks before delivery and had autopsy and skeletal X-rays + molecular analysis using extracted fetal DNA. We compared the predictive accuracy of fetal sonographic body-proportional ratios (BPRs) including: (1) thoracic circumference-to-abdominal circumference ratio, (2) the femur length-to-abdominal circumference (FL/AC) ratio, (3) head circumference-to-abdominal circumference ratio, and (4) foot length-to-femur length ratio. Lung hypoplasia was defined as total lung weight below -2 SD from the expected mean for gestational age. RESULTS: Fifty three pregnancies with antenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia underwent autopsy included. Lung hypoplasia was determined in 34 (64.1%). Median of gestational age at last sonographic assessment was 21.3 (19.9-24.9) weeks. FL/AC ratio demonstrated the highest area under the curve of 0.817 (95% CI: 0.685-0.949; p < 0.0001). FL/AC ≤0.1550 demonstrated the highest detection rate of 88.2% along with the highest negative predictive value of 75%. CONCLUSION: Using a novel, more practical approach to predict lung hypoplasia in skeletal dysplasia, fetal sonographic BPRs and, specifically, FL/AC ratio demonstrate a high detection rate of lung hypoplasia.

Comparison of circulating maternal placenta growth factor levels and sonographic evaluation of patients with abnormal first trimester screening analytes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of mid-trimester placental growth factor (PlGF) in patients with abnormal circulating levels of first-trimester biomarkers. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including singleton pregnancies complicated by abnormal first-trimester biomarkers (2017-2020). Pregnancies complicated with chromosomal/structural anomalies were excluded. All patients had ultrasound imaging including uterine artery Doppler combined with measurement of maternal circulating PlGF. Sonographic findings, maternal and perinatal outcomes, and placental histopathology were compared between pregnancies with normal and low (<10th percentile for gestational age) PlGF levels. The diagnostic accuracy of PlGF for the prediction of specific placental-mediated complications was compared with the uterine artery Doppler assessment and additional sonographic findings. RESULTS: Seventy-one pregnancies were assessed, of which 35 (49.3%) had low PlGF levels. Maternal sociodemographic characteristics, nulliparity, and aspirin consumption were comparable. In comparison with patients with normal PlGF levels, individuals with low PlGF levels had a higher rate of fetal growth restriction (EFW <3rd centile; 42.9% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.001), preterm-preeclampsia (22.9% vs. 0%, p = 0.002), preterm delivery <34 weeks (54.3% vs. 8.3%, p < 0.001) and maternal vascular malperfusion placental pathology (72.7% vs. 21.7%, p < 0.001) following delivery. Adjusting for uterine artery Doppler and fetal biometry status, mid-trimester low PlGF remained significantly associated with these placental-mediated complications. The predictive capacity of PlGF outperformed ultrasound imaging with only minimal diagnostic improvement when ultrasound information was combined with PlGF status. CONCLUSION: In pregnancies with unexplained abnormal first-trimester biomarkers, mid-trimester PlGF outperformed a comprehensive ultrasound assessment in the identification of a subset of patients destined to develop placental dysfunction. This blood test may be an alternative initial approach in this context, especially where access to specialist care is more geographically challenging.

Anterior extension of the choroid plexus into the frontal horns of the fetal lateral cerebral ventricles: Prenatal findings and postnatal outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short- and long-term outcome of fetuses with evidence of extension of the choroid plexus into the frontal horns. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of fetuses diagnosed with isolated choroid plexi extending into the frontal horns. Fetuses with major central nervous system anomalies were excluded. Ultrasound and fetal/postnatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated. Postnatal outcomes, including developmental assessment, were obtained. RESULTS: Twenty nine fetuses were diagnosed with choroid plexus extension (22 unilateral and 7 bilateral). Gestational age at diagnosis was 19.3 weeks. Three cases (10.3%) presented with nonspecific extra-CNS findings. At presentation, 8/29 (28%) cases had single/multiple choroid plexus cysts (CPC). Twenty-six (89.6%) cases underwent antenatal MRI. On MRI, four cases had punctate susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) foci suggesting trace hemosiderin and two cases had ventriculomegaly. Antenatal follow-up demonstrated resolution of the choroid plexus extension in 90% (18/20). Gestational age at delivery was 39.6 weeks. All had normal neurologic examinations within 24 h of life. Postnatal MRI studies were notable for deep venous differences in seven cases. Long-term clinical outcome was assessed in 14 cases with a median follow-up of 1.75 years, with normal neurodevelopment reported in 13/14 (92.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Most fetuses with an anterior extension of the choroid plexus as the sole sonographic finding had favorable outcomes.

Guideline No. 442: Fetal Growth Restriction: Screening, Diagnosis, and Management in Singleton Pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Fetal growth restriction is a common obstetrical complication that affects up to 10% of pregnancies in the general population and is most commonly due to underlying placental diseases. The purpose of this guideline is to provide summary statements and recommendations to support a clinical framework for effective screening, diagnosis, and management of pregnancies that are either at risk of or affected by fetal growth restriction. TARGET POPULATION: All pregnant patients with a singleton pregnancy. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: Implementation of the recommendations in this guideline should increase clinician competency to detect fetal growth restriction and provide appropriate interventions. EVIDENCE: Published literature in English was retrieved through searches of PubMed or MEDLINE, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library through to September 2022 using appropriate controlled vocabulary via MeSH terms (fetal growth retardation and small for gestational age) and key words (fetal growth, restriction, growth retardation, IUGR, FGR, low birth weight, small for gestational age, Doppler, placenta, pathology). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. Grey literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies. VALIDATION METHODS: The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. See online Appendix A (Table A1 for definitions and Table A2 for interpretations of strong and conditional [weak] recommendations). INTENDED AUDIENCE: Obstetricians, family physicians, nurses, midwives, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, radiologists, and other health care providers who care for pregnant patients. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Updated guidelines on screening, diagnosis, and management of pregnancies at risk of or affected by FGR. SUMMARY STATEMENTS: RECOMMENDATIONS: Prediction of FGR Prevention of FGR Detection of FGR Investigations in Pregnancies with Suspected Fetal Growth Restriction Management of Early-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction Management of Late-Onset FGR Postpartum management and preconception counselling.

Directive clinique no 442 : Retard de croissance intra-utérin : Dépistage, diagnostic et prise en charge en contexte de grossesse monofœtale.

OBJECTIF: Le retard de croissance intra-utérin est une complication obstétricale fréquente qui touche jusqu'à 10 % des grossesses dans la population générale et qui est le plus souvent due à une pathologie placentaire sous-jacente. L'objectif de la présente directive clinique est de fournir des déclarations sommaires et des recommandations pour appuyer un protocole clinique de dépistage, diagnostic et prise en charge du retard de croissance intra-utérin pour les grossesses à risque ou atteintes. POPULATION CIBLE: Toutes les patientes enceintes menant une grossesse monofœtale. BéNéFICES, RISQUES ET COûTS: La mise en application des recommandations de la présente directive devrait améliorer la compétence des cliniciens quant à la détection du retard de croissance intra-utérin et à la réalisation des interventions indiquées. DONNéES PROBANTES: La littérature publiée a été colligée par des recherches effectuées jusqu'en septembre 2022 dans les bases de données PubMed, Medline, CINAHL et Cochrane Library en utilisant un vocabulaire contrôlé au moyen de termes MeSH pertinents (fetal growth retardation and small for gestational age) et de mots-clés (fetal growth, restriction, growth retardation, IUGR, FGR, low birth weight, small for gestational age, Doppler, placenta, pathology). Seuls les résultats de revues systématiques, d'essais cliniques randomisés ou comparatifs et d'études observationnelles ont été retenus. La littérature grise a été obtenue par des recherches menées dans des sites Web d'organismes s'intéressant à l'évaluation des technologies dans le domaine de la santé et d'organismes connexes, dans des collections de directives cliniques, des registres d'essais cliniques et des sites Web de sociétés de spécialité médicale nationales et internationales. MéTHODES DE VALIDATION: Les auteurs ont évalué la qualité des données probantes et la force des recommandations en utilisant le cadre méthodologique GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Voir l'annexe A en ligne (tableau A1 pour les définitions et tableau A2 pour l'interprétation des recommandations fortes et conditionnelles [faibles]). PROFESSIONNELS CONCERNéS: Obstétriciens, médecins de famille, infirmières, sages-femmes, spécialistes en médecine fœto-maternelle, radiologistes et autres professionnels de la santé qui prodiguent des soins aux patientes enceintes. RéSUMé POUR TWITTER: Mise à jour de la directive sur le dépistage, le diagnostic et la prise en charge du retard de croissance intra-utérin pour les grossesses à risque ou atteintes. DÉCLARATIONS SOMMAIRES: RECOMMANDATIONS: Prédiction du retard de croissance intra-utérin Prévention du retard de croissance intra-utérin Détection du retard de croissance intra-utérin Examens en cas de retard de croissance intra-utérin soupçonné Prise en charge du retard de croissance intra-utérin précoce Prise en charge du retard de croissance intra-utérin tardif Prise en charge du post-partum et consultations préconception.

Diagnostic utility of serial circulating placental growth factor levels and uterine artery Doppler waveforms in diagnosing underlying placental diseases in pregnancies at high risk of placental dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Placental pathology assessment following delivery in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, abruption, and stillbirth reveals a range of underlying diseases. The most common pathology is maternal vascular malperfusion, characterized by high-resistance uterine artery Doppler waveforms and abnormal expression of circulating maternal angiogenic growth factors. Rare placental diseases (massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition and chronic histiocytic intervillositis) are reported to have high recurrence risks, but their associations with uterine artery Doppler waveforms and angiogenic growth factors are presently ill-defined. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the patterns of serial placental growth factor measurements and uterine artery Doppler waveform assessments in pregnancies that develop specific types of placental pathology to gain insight into their relationships with the timing of disease onset and pregnancy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study conducted between January 2017 and November 2021 included all singleton pregnancies with at least 1 measurement of maternal circulating placental growth factor between 16 and 36 weeks' gestation, delivery at our institution, and placental pathology analysis demonstrating diagnostic features of maternal vascular malperfusion, fetal vascular malperfusion, villitis of unknown etiology, chronic histiocytic intervillositis, or massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition. Profiles of circulating placental growth factor as gestational age advanced were compared between these placental pathologies. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 337 pregnancies from 329 individuals met our inclusion criteria. These comprised placental pathology diagnoses of maternal vascular malperfusion (n=109), fetal vascular malperfusion (n=87), villitis of unknown etiology (n=96), chronic histiocytic intervillositis (n=16), and massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition (n=29). Among patients who developed maternal vascular malperfusion, placental growth factor levels gradually declined as pregnancy progressed (placental growth factor <10th percentile at 16-20 weeks' gestation in 42.9%; 20-24 weeks in 61.9%; 24-28 weeks in 77%; and 28-32 weeks in 81.4%) accompanied by mean uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index >95th percentile in 71.6% cases. Patients who developed either fetal vascular malperfusion or villitis of unknown etiology mostly exhibited normal circulating placental growth factor values in association with normal uterine artery Doppler waveforms (mean [standard deviation] pulsatility index values: fetal vascular malperfusion, 1.14 [0.49]; villitis of unknown etiology, 1.13 [0.45]). Patients who developed either chronic histiocytic intervillositis or massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition exhibited persistently low placental growth factor levels from the early second trimester (placental growth factor <10th centile at 16-20 weeks' gestation in 80% and 77.8%, respectively; 20-24 weeks in 88.9% and 63.6%; 24-28 weeks in 85.7% and 75%), all in combination with normal uterine artery Doppler waveforms (mean pulsatility index >95th centile: chronic histiocytic intervillositis, 25%; massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition, 37.9%). Preeclampsia developed in 83 of 337 (24.6%) patients and was most common in those developing maternal vascular malperfusion (54/109, 49.5%) followed by chronic histiocytic intervillositis (7/16, 43.8%). There were 29 stillbirths in the cohort (maternal vascular malperfusion, n=10 [9.2%]; fetal vascular malperfusion, n=5 [5.7%]; villitis of unknown etiology, n=1 [1.0%]; chronic histiocytic intervillositis, n=7 [43.8%]; massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition, n=6 [20.7%]). Most patients experiencing stillbirth exhibited normal uterine artery Doppler waveforms (21/29, 72.4%) and had nonmaternal vascular malperfusion pathologies (19/29, 65.5%). By contrast, 28 of 29 (96.5%) patients experiencing stillbirth had ≥1 low placental growth factor values before fetal death. CONCLUSION: Serial circulating maternal placental growth factor tests, in combination with uterine artery Doppler waveform assessments in the second trimester, may indicate the likely underlying type of placental pathology mediating severe adverse perinatal events. This approach has the potential to test disease-specific therapeutic strategies to improve clinical outcomes. Serial placental growth factor testing, compared with uterine artery Doppler studies, identifies a greater proportion of patients destined to have a poor perinatal outcome because diseases other than maternal vascular malperfusion are characterized by normal uteroplacental circulation.

Pre-versus postnatal presentation of posterior urethral valves: a multi-institutional experience.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of pre- vs postnatally diagnosed posterior urethral valves (PUV) at two large paediatric centres in North America to ascertain if the prenatal diagnosis of PUV is associated with better outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All boys with PUV were identified at two large paediatric institutions in North America between 2000 and 2020 (The Hospital for Sick Children [SickKids, SK] and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia [CHOP]). Baseline characteristics and outcome measures were compared between those diagnosed pre- vs postnatally. Main outcomes of interest included progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), and bladder function compromise, as determined by need for clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC). Time-to-event analyses were completed when possible. RESULTS: During the study period, 152 boys with PUV were treated at the SK (39% prenatal) and 216 were treated at the CHOP (71% prenatal). At the SK, there was no difference between the pre- and postnatal groups in the proportion of boys who required RRT, progressed to CKD Stage ≥3, or who were managed with CIC when comparing the timing of diagnosis. The time to event for RRT and CIC was significantly younger for prenatally detected PUV. At the CHOP, significantly more prenatal boys required RRT; however, there was no significant difference in the age this outcome was reached. The proportion of boys managed with CIC was not different but the time to event was significantly earlier in the prenatal group. CONCLUSION: This study represents the largest multi-institutional series of boys with PUV and failed to identify any difference in the outcomes of pre- vs postnatal detection of PUV. A multidisciplinary approach with standardisation of the treatment pathways will help in understanding the true impact of prenatal/early detection on outcomes of PUV.

Acute Adnexal Torsion: Is Immediate Surgical Intervention Associated with a Better Outcome?

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate whether surgery for adnexal detorsion within 6 h from admission to the hospital was associated with less adnexal ischemia. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at two university-affiliated medical centers and assessed women aged 18-45 years with adnexal torsion who were hospitalized within 12 h from the pain onset and underwent surgery for detorsion within 24 h. The study group was divided into 2 groups: early, surgical intervention within less than 6 h and late, surgical intervention between 6 and 24 h. The primary outcome was the rate of macroscopic appearance of ischemic adnexa. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty women fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In 101 women, the adnexa with the torsion appeared macroscopically ischemic. There was no difference in ischemic adnexa between the early and late intervention groups (48% vs. 40%; p = 0.269). No significant association was found between the physical examination or ultrasonographic findings and the rate of ischemic adnexa within each group. LIMITATIONS: The main limitations of our study are its retrospective nature. Much of the clinical and ultrasonographic data are subjective and operator-dependent. The decision to operate may vary from one surgeon to another. CONCLUSION: Immediate surgical intervention in patients with adnexal torsion is not associated with a lower rate of adnexal ischemia. These findings suggest that in acute adnexal torsion, there is a wider time window for a thorough evaluation before surgery.

Gestational diabetes and fetal growth in twin compared with singleton pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with accelerated fetal growth in singleton pregnancies but may affect twin pregnancies differently because of the slower growth of twin fetuses during the third trimester of pregnancy and their greater predisposition to fetal growth restriction. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association of gestational diabetes mellitus with longitudinal fetal growth in twin pregnancies and to compare this association with that observed in singleton pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of all women with a singleton or twin pregnancy who were followed up at a single tertiary referral center between January 2011 and April 2020. Data on estimated fetal weight and individual fetal biometric indices were extracted from ultrasound examinations of eligible women. Generalized linear models were used to model and compare the change in fetal weight and individual biometric indices as a function of gestational age between women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus in twin pregnancies and between women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus in singleton pregnancies. The primary outcome was estimated fetal weight as a function of gestational age. The secondary outcomes were longitudinal growth of individual fetal biometric indices and the rate of small for gestational age and large for gestational age at birth. RESULTS: A total of 26,651 women (94,437 ultrasound examinations) were included in the analysis: 1881 with a twin pregnancy and 24,770 with a singleton pregnancy. The rate of gestational diabetes mellitus in the twin and singleton groups was 9.6% (n=180) and 7.6% (n=1893), respectively. The estimated fetal weight in singleton pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus was significantly higher than that in pregnancies without gestational diabetes mellitus (P<.001) starting at approximately 30 weeks of gestation. The differences remained similar after adjusting for maternal age, chronic hypertension, nulliparity, and neonatal sex (P<.001). In twin pregnancies, fetal growth was similar between pregnancies with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (P=.105 and P=.483 for unadjusted and adjusted models, respectively). The findings were similar to the association of gestational diabetes mellitus with the risk of large for gestational fetuses and the growth of each biometric index. When stratified by type of gestational diabetes mellitus treatment, twin pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus was associated with accelerated fetal growth only in the subgroup of women with medically treated gestational diabetes mellitus (P<.001), which represented 12% (n=21) of the twin pregnancy group with gestational diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: In contrast to singleton pregnancies, twin pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus is less likely to be associated with accelerated fetal growth. This finding has raised the question of whether the diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus and the blood glucose targets in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus should be individualized for twin pregnancies.

The association between fetal head station at the first diagnosis of the second stage of labor and delivery outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Controversy surrounds the impact of the fetal head station on labor duration and mode of delivery. Although an extensive body of evidence has been published evaluating fetal head station in early labor, there is a paucity of data on the impact of fetal head descent during the second stage. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between fetal head station at the diagnosis of the second stage of labor and the second stage duration and the risk of operative delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of all singleton vertex deliveries in a single tertiary center (2011-2016). Women were grouped according to fetal head station upon the diagnosis of the second stage of labor as follows: above (S<0), at the level (S=0), and below (S>0) the level of the ischial spine. The duration of the second stage and the risk of operative delivery were compared between the groups and stratified by parity. RESULTS: Overall, 34,334 women met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 18,743 (54.6%) were nulliparous and 15,591 (45.4%) were multiparous. Of the nulliparous women, 8.1%, 35.8%, and 56.1% were diagnosed as having fetal head above, at the level, and below the ischial spine upon second stage diagnosis. Of the multiparous women, 19.7%, 35.6%, and 44.7% were diagnosed as having fetal head above, at the level, and below the ischial spine. Fetal head station upon second stage diagnosis was independently and significantly associated with second stage duration (P<.001); however, its contribution was 4.5-fold among nulliparous women compared with multiparous women. In multivariable analysis, after controlling for maternal age, gestational age at delivery, prepregnancy body mass index, epidural anesthesia, and birthweight, the risk of operative delivery was substantially increased in a dose-dependent pattern for both nulliparous and multiparous women. CONCLUSION: The fetal head station at the first diagnosis of the second stage is significantly and independently associated with the duration of the second stage and correlated with the risk of operative delivery in both nulliparous and multiparous women (P<.001).

Trial of labor after previous single cesarean delivery in grand-multiparous women: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To compare pregnancy outcomes in grand-multiparous (GMP) women with and without one previous cesarean delivery (CD), and to evaluate the number of previous successful vaginal deliveries after a CD needed to reduce the complication rate of trials of labor after a previous CD. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of women with singleton pregnancy at term who had a trial of vaginal delivery between 2007 and 2014 at a tertiary medical center. We compared pregnancy outcomes in GMP women with and without one previous cesarean delivery. The primary outcome was mode of delivery and secondary outcomes were uterine rupture and composite maternal and neonatal morbidity. For the secondary objective, we compared pregnancy outcomes in women in TOLAC, stratified by the number of previous vaginal deliveries. RESULTS: Overall, 2815 GMP women met the study criteria, of which 310 (11%) had a previous cesarean delivery. The rate of a successful vaginal deliveries (VBAC) was similar, regardless of the presence of a previous cesarean delivery. No other differences in outcomes were found between the groups. In a secondary analysis, it was found that the presence of a single previous VBAC (compared to no previous VBACs) increased the odds of achieving a vaginal delivery in the next trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC) (aOR 5.66; 95% CI 3.73-8.60), and decreased the risk of maternal or neonatal adverse outcomes (aOR 0.62; 95% CI 0.39-0.97, and aOR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25-0.97, respectively). Multiple prior VBACs (as compared to a single prior VBAC) did not increase the odds of achieving another VBAC. CONCLUSION: Grand-multiparous women with and without previous uterine scar have comparable pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, after the first VBAC, additional successful VBACs do not improve the success rate in the next TOLAC.

Diagnostic accuracy of random urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio for proteinuria in patients with suspected pre-eclampsia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR) and proteinuria in a 24-h urine collection and to calculate the predicative accuracy of different cutoffs of UPCR for the diagnosis of proteinuria. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study including women who admitted for the evaluation for suspected preeclampsia (PET) beyond 20 weeks of gestation in a single tertiary center. Both UPCR test and quantification of proteinuria using 24-h urine collection were obtained during their index hospitalization no more than 48 h apart. Women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus, known renal disease or proteinuria prior to pregnancy or chronic hypertension were excluded. Predictive accuracy of UPCR for several cutoffs of proteinuria was evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess diagnostic accuracy of UPCR in sub-populations according to obstetrical characteristics. RESULTS: Overall 463 patients were included. Of them 316 (68.3%) have 24-h urine protein collection of ≥ 300 mg/day. Mean gestational age at evaluation was 34.0 ± 3.4 weeks. Median (and interquartile range) time interval between UPCR and 24-h urine collection was 1.8 (1.6-1.9) days. Sensitivity and specificity of UPCR of 0.3 for predicting proteinuria ≥ 300 mg/day were 90.1% and 63.3%, respectively. The corresponding values for difference proteinuria cutoffs: ≥ 1000 mg/day and 5000 mg/day were 98.4, 100% and 29.1, 36.0%, respectively. The optimal UPCR thresholds for 24-h urine protein collection of ≥ 300 mg/day, ≥ 1000 mg/day and 5000 mg/day were 0.31, 0.70 and 2.49, respectively. The predictive accuracy of UPCR > 0.30 in predicting proteinuria was unaffected by demographic and obstetrical characteristics as maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational age at examination, creatinine levels or by multiple gestation [adjusted OR 18.27 (95% CI 9.97-33.47)]. CONCLUSION: UPCR was strongly correlated with various cutoffs of proteinuria obtained by 24-h urine collection. UPCR cutoff varied depending on the specific measured outcome. This correlation was not affected by gestational age at examination.

Pathologic Basis for the Definition of Discordant Growth in Dichorionic Twins.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to identify the optimal cutoff that should define discordance in dichorionic twin gestations through correlation with abnormal placental pathology as a specific measure of fetal growth restriction of the smaller twin. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all women with dichorionic twin pregnancies who gave birth in a single center between 2002 and 2015. We investigated the association between the level of growth discordance and maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) pathology in the placenta of the smaller twin, with and without adjustment for whether the smaller twin is small for gestational age (SGA). RESULTS: A total of 1,198 women with dichorionic twin gestation met the study criteria. The rate of MVM pathology in the placenta of the smaller twin increased with the level of discordance and was most obvious for discordance ≥25% (rate of MVM 12.0% compared with 2.8% in cases with discordance <10%, adjusted relative risk [aRR] 3.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.97-6.99). When the analysis was adjusted for SGA of the smaller twin, discordance was independently associated with MVM pathology only when growth discordance was ≥25% (aRR 2.18, 95%-CI 1.01-4.93), while SGA was strongly associated with MVM pathology irrespective of the level of discordance. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that discordant growth in dichorionic twins should raise the concern of fetal growth restriction of the smaller twin, irrespective of whether the smaller twin is SGA, only when the discordance s ≥25%. The association of lower levels of discordance with abnormal placental pathology is mainly driven by the confounding effect of SGA of the smaller twin.

Contemporary patterns of labor in nulliparous and multiparous women.

BACKGROUND: Controversy surrounds the definition of "normal" and "abnormal" labor. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we used contemporary labor charts to explore labor patterns in large obstetric population (2011-2016). STUDY DESIGN: Detailed information from electronic medical records of live singleton deliveries at term (≥37 weeks of gestation) was extracted. Cases of elective cesarean deliveries, nonvertex presentation, and cesarean deliveries during the first stage of labor were excluded. RESULTS: Overall, 35,146 deliveries were included, of whom 15,948 deliveries (45.3%) were of nulliparous women. Median cervical dilation at admission was not significantly different between nulliparous (median, 4 cm; interquartile range, 3-5 cm) and multiparous women (median, 4 cm; interquartile range, 3-6 cm). In all, 99.3% of the women delivered vaginally. For nulliparous women, the median duration of the first stage of labor was 274 minutes (interquartile range, 145-441 minutes; 95th percentile, 747.5 minutes). Likewise, for multiparous women, the corresponding duration was 133 minutes (interquartile range, 56-244 minutes; 95th percentile, 494 minutes). During the latent phase (cervical dilation at admission, ≤4 cm), the time elapsed to the second stage of labor was 120-140 minutes longer in nulliparous women, whereas the gap between the groups decreased dramatically with advanced cervical dilation on admission. Nulliparous and multiparous women appeared to progress at a similar pace during the latent phase; however, after 5 cm, labor accelerated faster in multiparous women. Epidural anesthesia lengthens duration first and second stages of labor in all parities. Partograms according to cervical dilation at presentation are proposed. CONCLUSION: Cervical dilation rate is relatively constant between nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women during the latent phase. Time interval of the first stage was far slower than previously described, which allowed labor to continue for a longer period during this stage. These findings may reduce the rate of intrapartum iatrogenic interventions.

Interpregnancy interval and the risk for recurrence of placental mediated pregnancy complications.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short or long interpregnancy interval (IPI) with placental mediated pregnancy complications after already complicated first delivery. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of all women with singleton pregnancies who delivered their first three consecutive deliveries in one university-affiliated medical center (1994-2013). Placental mediated complications included placental abruption, small for gestational age, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, or preterm delivery. Following first complicated delivery, IPI was compared stratified by second delivery outcome. Following two complicated deliveries, IPI was compared stratified by third delivery outcome. IPI was evaluated as continuous or categorical variable (>18, 18-60, >60 months). Related samples Cochrans' Q test and Mann-Whitney analysis were used as appropriate. Results Overall, 4310 women entered analysis. Of them, 18.3%, 10.5%, and 9.3% had complicated first, second, and third delivery, consecutively. Evaluated continuously, longer IPI, but not short IPI, was associated with higher rates of complicated second delivery. Stratified to categories, IPI had no effect on recurrent complications evaluated separately or as composite. Conclusion Our results suggest that long IPI may increase risk for placental mediated pregnancy complications. Further studies are needed to evaluate this effect.

Obstetrical outcomes following laparoscopy during pregnancy: a retrospective case-control study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate pregnancy outcome of patients who undergo laparoscopy during pregnancy. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study, conducted in a single university-affiliated tertiary care medical center, comparing pregnancy outcomes of women who underwent laparoscopy during pregnancy to women without operations during pregnancy. The study group (n = 232) included all pregnant women who underwent a single laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy (4-28 weeks of gestation) which culminated in delivery between 2006 and 2017; this study group was matched to a control group (n = 463) without surgical intervention during pregnancy, in a 2:1 ratio by maternal age, parity, and multiple gestation. RESULTS: The main pregnancy outcomes included preterm birth, cesarean section, small for gestational age (≤ 10 percentile), and Apgar score of less than 7 in 5 min. Laparoscopy during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk for cesarean section (32.3% vs. 24.6%, adjusted OR = 1.9, CI 1.2-3.1, p = 0.011). We found no difference between the groups with regard to other outcomes, including rates of preterm birth (12.1% vs. 10.4%, adjusted OR = 1.3, CI 0.64-2.72, p = 0.451). In a subgroup analysis of the study group, various perioperative parameters such as operation duration, hospitalization length, and others, did not correlate with adverse pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy during pregnancy may be associated with an increased rate of cesarean section. We did not find an increase in any other pregnancy or neonatal complication. Different perioperative parameters did not appear to predict adverse pregnancy outcome.

Induction of labor versus expectant management for gestational diabetes mellitus at term.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether induction of labor (IOL), as compared with expectant management, in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) mothers at term (between 370/7 and 406/7), decreases caesarean section (CS) rate and the rate of adverse composite neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, of all women with GDM and a singleton gestation who delivered at term in a single, tertiary, university-affiliated medical center (2007-2014). We compared outcomes of women who underwent IOL at each week of gestation between 370/7 and 406/7 weeks with women who were managed expectantly. The primary outcome was CS rate. RESULTS: Overall, 2472 GDM patients included in the study, of which 880 women had IOL. CS rate was not found to be significantly different between the groups at any gestational age. IOL at 37 weeks was associated with adverse composite neonatal outcome (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.6) and NICU admission (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.4). At 38 weeks, with NICU admission (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.9), and at 39 weeks with fracture of the clavicle. In a sub-analysis of nulliparous women, IOL at 37 weeks had higher odds of NICU admission and adverse composite neonatal outcomes, at 38 weeks with CS and at 39 weeks with fracture of the clavicle. CONCLUSIONS: IOL in GDM mothers at term does not reduce CS rate and may be associated with increased CS rate among nulliparous women at 38 weeks. It is also associated with increased risk for adverse composite neonatal outcome or NICU admission when done prior to 390/7 weeks.

Sonographic prediction of macrosomia in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes: finding the best formula.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the best performing formula for macrosomia prediction in pregnancies complicated by diabetes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 1060 sonographic fetal biometrical measurements performed within 7 days of delivery in term pregnancies (37-42 gestational weeks) complicated by diabetes. Sonographic prediction of macrosomia (≥ 4000, ≥ 4250, and ≥ 4500 g) was evaluated utilizing ten previously published formulas by: (1) calculating for each macrosomia threshold the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and ± likelihood ratio for macrosomia prediction; (2) comparing the systematic and random error and the proportion of estimates < 10% of birth weights between macrosomic and non-macrosomic neonates. Best performing formula was determined based on Euclidean distance. RESULTS: 97 (9.2%) macrosomic neonates (> 4000 g) were included. Median birth weight was 3380 (1866-3998) g for non-macrosomic and 4198 (4000-5180) g for macrosomic neonates. Higher macrosomia cutoff was associated with higher specificity and lower sensitivity. We found a considerable variation between formulas in different accuracy parameters. Hadlock's formula (1985), based on abdominal circumference, femur length, head circumference and biparietal diameter, had the shortest Euclidean distance, reflecting the highest accuracy. CONCLUSION: Prediction of macrosomia among women with diabetes differs significantly between formulas. In our cohort, the best performing formula for macrosomia prediction was Hadlock's formula (1985).