A Comparison of Vaginal and Intramuscular Progesterone for the Prevention of Recurrent Preterm Birth.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether vaginal progesterone is noninferior to 17-α hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHP-C) in the prevention of recurrent preterm birth (PTB). STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study included singleton pregnancies among women with a history of spontaneous PTB who received prenatal care at a single tertiary center from 2011 to 2016. Pregnancies were excluded if progesterone was not initiated prior to 24 weeks or the fetus had a major congenital anomaly. The primary outcome was PTB <37 weeks. A priori, noninferiority was to be established if the upper bound of the adjusted two-sided 90% confidence interval (CI) for the difference in PTB fell below 9%. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to carefully control for confounding associated with choice of treatment and PTB. Adjusted differences in PTB proportions were estimated via IPTW regression, with standard errors adjustment for multiple pregnancies per woman. Secondary outcomes included PTB <34 and <28 weeks, spontaneous PTB, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: Among 858 pregnancies, 41% (n = 353) received vaginal progesterone and 59% (n = 505) were given 17OHP-C. Vaginal progesterone use was more common later in the study period, and among women who established prenatal care later, had prior PTBs at later gestational ages, and whose race/ethnicity was neither non-Hispanic white nor non-Hispanic Black. Vaginal progesterone did not meet noninferiority criteria compared with 17-OHPC in examining PTB <37 weeks, with an IPTW adjusted difference of 3.4% (90% CI: -3.5, 10.3). For secondary outcomes, IPTW adjusted differences between treatment groups were generally small and CIs were wide. CONCLUSION: We could not conclude noninferiority of vaginal progesterone to 17OHP-C; however, women and providers may be willing to accept a larger difference (>9%) when considering the cost and availability of vaginal progesterone versus 17OHP-C. A well-designed randomized trial is needed. KEY POINTS: · Vaginal progesterone is not noninferior to 17OHP-C.. · PTB risk may be 10% higher with vaginal progesterone.. · Associations did not differ based on obesity status..

Labor Induction versus Expectant Management in Low-Risk Nulliparous Women.

BACKGROUND: The perinatal and maternal consequences of induction of labor at 39 weeks among low-risk nulliparous women are uncertain. METHODS: In this multicenter trial, we randomly assigned low-risk nulliparous women who were at 38 weeks 0 days to 38 weeks 6 days of gestation to labor induction at 39 weeks 0 days to 39 weeks 4 days or to expectant management. The primary outcome was a composite of perinatal death or severe neonatal complications; the principal secondary outcome was cesarean delivery. RESULTS: A total of 3062 women were assigned to labor induction, and 3044 were assigned to expectant management. The primary outcome occurred in 4.3% of neonates in the induction group and in 5.4% in the expectant-management group (relative risk, 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64 to 1.00). The frequency of cesarean delivery was significantly lower in the induction group than in the expectant-management group (18.6% vs. 22.2%; relative risk, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Induction of labor at 39 weeks in low-risk nulliparous women did not result in a significantly lower frequency of a composite adverse perinatal outcome, but it did result in a significantly lower frequency of cesarean delivery. (Funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; ARRIVE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01990612 .).

Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Associated with Amniotomy among Nulliparous Women Undergoing Labor Induction at Term.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between amniotomy at various time points during labor induction and maternal and neonatal outcomes among term, nulliparous women. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a randomized trial of term labor induction versus expectant management in low-risk, nulliparous women (2014-2017) was conducted. Women met inclusion criteria if they underwent induction ≥38 weeks' gestation using oxytocin with documented time and type of membrane rupture. Women with antepartum stillbirth or fetal anomaly were excluded. The primary outcome was cesarean delivery. Secondary outcomes included maternal and neonatal complications. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared among women with amniotomy versus women with intact membranes and no amniotomy at six 2-hour time intervals: before oxytocin initiation, 0 to <2 hours after oxytocin, 2 to <4 hours after, 4 to <6 hours after, 6 to <8 hours after, and 8 to <10 hours after. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for maternal age, body mass index, race/ethnicity, modified Bishop score on admission, treatment group, and hospital (as a random effect). RESULTS: Of 6,106 women in the parent trial, 2,854 (46.7%) women met inclusion criteria. Of these 2,340 (82.0%) underwent amniotomy, and majority of the women had amniotomy performed between 2 and <6 hours after oxytocin. Cesarean delivery was less frequent among women with amniotomy 6 to <8 hours after oxytocin compared with women without amniotomy (21.9 vs. 29.7%; adjusted odds ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.89). Amniotomy at time intervals ≥4 hours after oxytocin was associated with lower odds of labor duration >24 hours. Amniotomy at time intervals ≥2 hours and <8 hours after oxytocin was associated with lower odds of maternal hospitalization >3 days. Amniotomy was not associated with postpartum or neonatal complications. CONCLUSION: Among a contemporary cohort of nulliparous women undergoing term labor induction, amniotomy was associated with either lower or similar odds of cesarean delivery and other adverse outcomes, compared with no amniotomy.

Treatment of Subclinical Hypothyroidism or Hypothyroxinemia in Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical thyroid disease during pregnancy may be associated with adverse outcomes, including a lower-than-normal IQ in offspring. It is unknown whether levothyroxine treatment of women who are identified as having subclinical hypothyroidism or hypothyroxinemia during pregnancy improves cognitive function in their children. METHODS: We screened women with a singleton pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation for subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as a thyrotropin level of 4.00 mU or more per liter and a normal free thyroxine (T4) level (0.86 to 1.90 ng per deciliter [11 to 24 pmol per liter]), and for hypothyroxinemia, defined as a normal thyrotropin level (0.08 to 3.99 mU per liter) and a low free T4 level (<0.86 ng per deciliter). In separate trials for the two conditions, women were randomly assigned to receive levothyroxine or placebo. Thyroid function was assessed monthly, and the levothyroxine dose was adjusted to attain a normal thyrotropin or free T4 level (depending on the trial), with sham adjustments for placebo. Children underwent annual developmental and behavioral testing for 5 years. The primary outcome was the IQ score at 5 years of age (or at 3 years of age if the 5-year examination was missing) or death at an age of less than 3 years. RESULTS: A total of 677 women with subclinical hypothyroidism underwent randomization at a mean of 16.7 weeks of gestation, and 526 with hypothyroxinemia at a mean of 17.8 weeks of gestation. In the subclinical hypothyroidism trial, the median IQ score of the children was 97 (95% confidence interval [CI], 94 to 99) in the levothyroxine group and 94 (95% CI, 92 to 96) in the placebo group (P=0.71). In the hypothyroxinemia trial, the median IQ score was 94 (95% CI, 91 to 95) in the levothyroxine group and 91 (95% CI, 89 to 93) in the placebo group (P=0.30). In each trial, IQ scores were missing for 4% of the children. There were no significant between-group differences in either trial in any other neurocognitive or pregnancy outcomes or in the incidence of adverse events, which was low in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism or hypothyroxinemia beginning between 8 and 20 weeks of gestation did not result in significantly better cognitive outcomes in children through 5 years of age than no treatment for those conditions. (Funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00388297 .).

Health resource utilization of labor induction versus expectant management.

BACKGROUND: Although induction of labor of low-risk nulliparous women at 39 weeks reduces the risk of cesarean delivery compared with expectant management, concern regarding more frequent use of labor induction remains, given that this intervention historically has been thought to incur greater resource utilization. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine whether planned elective labor induction at 39 weeks among low-risk nulliparous women, compared with expectant management, was associated with differences in health care resource utilization from the time of randomization through 8 weeks postpartum. STUDY DESIGN: This is a planned secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized trial in which low-risk nulliparous women were assigned to induction of labor at 39 weeks or expectant management. We assessed resource utilization after randomization in 3 time periods: antepartum, delivery admission, and discharge through 8 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: Of 6096 women with data available, those in the induction of labor group (n = 3059) were significantly less likely in the antepartum period after randomization to have at least 1 ambulatory visit for routine prenatal care (32.4% vs 68.4%), unanticipated care (0.5% vs 2.6%), or urgent care (16.2% vs 44.3%), or at least 1 antepartum hospitalization (0.8% vs 2.2%, P < .001 for all). They also had fewer tests (eg, sonograms, blood tests) and treatments (eg, antibiotics, intravenous hydration) prior to delivery. During the delivery admission, women in the induction of labor group spent a longer time in labor and delivery (median, 0.83 vs 0.57 days), but both women (P = .002) and their neonates (P < .001) had shorter postpartum stays. Women and neonates in both groups had similar frequencies of postpartum urgent care and hospital readmissions (P > .05 for all). CONCLUSION: Women randomized to induction of labor had longer durations in labor and delivery but significantly fewer antepartum visits, tests, and treatments and shorter maternal and neonatal hospital durations after delivery. These results demonstrate that the health outcome advantages associated with induction of labor are gained without incurring uniformly greater health care resource use.

Association Between Features of Spontaneous Late Preterm Labor and Late Preterm Birth.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between clinical and examination features at admission and late preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: The present study is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial of singleton pregnancies at 340/7 to 365/7 weeks' gestation. We included women in spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes and compared them by gestational age at delivery (preterm vs. term). We calculated a statistical cut-point optimizing the sensitivity and specificity of initial cervical dilation and effacement at predicting preterm birth and used multivariable regression to identify factors associated with late preterm delivery. RESULTS: A total of 431 out of 732 (59%) women delivered preterm. Cervical dilation ≥ 4 cm was 60% sensitive and 68% specific for late preterm birth. Cervical effacement ≥ 75% was 59% sensitive and 65% specific for late preterm birth. Earlier gestational age at randomization, nulliparity, and fetal malpresentation were associated with late preterm birth. The final regression model including clinical and examination features significantly improved late preterm birth prediction (81% sensitivity, 48% specificity, area under the curve = 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68-0.75, and p-value < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Four in 10 women in late-preterm labor subsequently delivered at term. Combination of examination and clinical features (including parity and gestational age) improved late-preterm birth prediction.

Discordance in Antenatal Corticosteroid Use and Resuscitation Following Extremely Preterm Birth.

OBJECTIVE: To describe discordance in antenatal corticosteroid use and resuscitation following extremely preterm birth and its relationship with infant survival and neurodevelopment. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter cohort study of 4858 infants 22-26 weeks of gestation born 2006-2011 at 24 US hospitals participating in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network, with follow-up through 2013. Survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes were available at 18-22 months of corrected age for 4576 (94.2%) infants. We described antenatal interventions, resuscitation, and infant outcomes. We modeled the effect on infant outcomes of each hospital increasing antenatal corticosteroid exposure for resuscitated infants born at 22-24 weeks of gestation to rates observed at 25-26 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Discordant antenatal corticosteroid use and resuscitation, where one and not the other occurred, were more frequent for births at 22 and 23 but not 24 weeks (rate ratio [95% CI] at 22 weeks: 1.7 [1.3-2.2]; 23 weeks: 2.6 [2.2-3.2]; 24 weeks: 1.0 [0.8-1.2]) when compared with 25-26 weeks. Among infants resuscitated at 23 weeks, adjusting each hospital's rate of antenatal corticosteroid use to the average at 25-26 weeks (89.2%) was projected to increase infant survival by 7.1% (95% CI 5.4-8.8%) and survival without severe impairment by 6.4% (95% CI 4.7-8.1%). No significant change in outcomes was projected for infants resuscitated at 22 weeks, where few (n = 22) resuscitated infants received antenatal corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: Infants born at 23 weeks were more frequently resuscitated without antenatal corticosteroids than other extremely preterm infants. When resuscitation is intended, consistent provision of antenatal corticosteroids may increase infant survival and survival without impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.govNCT00063063 (Generic Database) and NCT00009633 (Follow-Up Study).

Blood pressure trajectory and category and risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in nulliparous women.

BACKGROUND: Recently updated American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines redefine blood pressure categories as stage 1 hypertension (systolic, 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic, 80-89 mm Hg), elevated (systolic, 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic, <80 mm Hg), and normal (<120/<80 mm Hg), but their relevance to an obstetric population is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the risk of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia based on early pregnancy blood pressure category and trajectory. STUDY DESIGN: We utilized data from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be cohort, a prospective observational study of nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies conducted at 8 clinical sites between 2010 and 2014. Women included in this analysis had no known history of prepregnancy hypertension (blood pressure, ≥140/90 mm Hg) or diabetes. We compared the frequency of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, among women based on ACC/AHA blood pressure category at a first-trimester study visit and blood pressure trajectory between study visits in the first and second trimesters. Blood pressure trajectories were categorized based on blood pressure difference between visits 1 and 2 as stable (<5 mm Hg difference), upward (≥5 mm Hg), or downward (≤-5 mm Hg). Associations of blood pressure category and trajectory with preeclampsia and gestational hypertension were assessed via univariate analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis with covariates identified a priori. RESULTS: A total of 8899 women were included in the analysis. Study visit 1 occurred at a mean gestational age of 11.6 ± 1.5 weeks and study visit 2 at a mean gestational age of 19.0 ± 1.6 weeks. First-trimester blood pressure category was significantly associated with both preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, with increasing blood pressure category associated with a higher risk of all hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Elevated blood pressure was associated with an adjusted relative risk of 1.54 (95% confidence interval, 1.18-2.02) and stage 1 hypertension was associated with adjusted relative risk of 2.16 (95% confidence interval, 1.31-3.57) of any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Stage 1 hypertension was associated with the highest risk of preeclampsia with severe features, with an adjusted relative risk of 2.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.38-8.74). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure trajectories were also significantly associated with the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy independent of blood pressure category (P < .001). Women with a blood pressure categorized as normal and with an upward systolic trajectory had a 41% increased risk of any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (adjusted relative risk, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.65) compared to women with a downward systolic trajectory. CONCLUSION: In nulliparous women, blood pressure category and trajectory in early pregnancy are independently associated with risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. Our study demonstrates that blood pressure categories with lower thresholds than those traditionally used to identify individuals as hypertensive may identify more women at risk for preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.

Neonatal outcomes of elective early-term births after demonstrated fetal lung maturity.

BACKGROUND: Studies of early-term birth after demonstrated fetal lung maturity show that respiratory and other outcomes are worse with early-term birth (370-386 weeks) even after demonstrated fetal lung maturity when compared with full-term birth (390-406 weeks). However, these studies included medically indicated births and are therefore potentially limited by confounding by the indication for delivery. Thus, the increase in adverse outcomes might be due to the indication for early-term birth rather than the early-term birth itself. OBJECTIVE: We examined the prevalence and risks of adverse neonatal outcomes associated with early-term birth after confirmed fetal lung maturity as compared with full-term birth in the absence of indications for early delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This is a secondary analysis of an observational study of births to 115,502 women in 25 hospitals in the United States from 2008 through 2011. Singleton nonanomalous births at 37-40 weeks with no identifiable indication for delivery were included; early-term births after positive fetal lung maturity testing were compared with full-term births. The primary outcome was a composite of death, ventilator for ≥2 days, continuous positive airway pressure, proven sepsis, pneumonia or meningitis, treated hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia (phototherapy), and 5-minute Apgar <7. Logistic regression and propensity score matching (both 1:1 and 1:2) were used. RESULTS: In all, 48,137 births met inclusion criteria; the prevalence of fetal lung maturity testing in the absence of medical or obstetric indications for early delivery was 0.52% (n = 249). There were 180 (0.37%) early-term births after confirmed pulmonary maturity and 47,957 full-term births. Women in the former group were more likely to be non-Hispanic white, smoke, have received antenatal steroids, have induction, and have a cesarean. Risks of the composite (16.1% vs 5.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-4.8 from logistic regression) were more frequent with elective early-term birth. Propensity scores matching confirmed the increased primary composite in elective early-term births: adjusted odds ratios, 4.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.8-10.5) for 1:1 and 3.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.8-6.5) for 1:2 matching. Among components of the primary outcome, CPAP use and hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy were significantly increased. Transient tachypnea of the newborn, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and prolonged neonatal intensive care unit stay (>2 days) were also increased with early-term birth. CONCLUSION: Even with confirmed pulmonary maturity, early-term birth in the absence of medical or obstetric indications is associated with worse neonatal respiratory and hepatic outcomes compared with full-term birth, suggesting relative immaturity of these organ systems in early-term births.

Genetic Variation, Magnesium Sulfate Exposure, and Adverse Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Following Preterm Birth.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) exposure and candidate gene polymorphisms with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes following preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a nested case-control analysis of a randomized trial of maternal MgSO4 before anticipated preterm birth for the prevention of cerebral palsy (CP). Cases were children who died within 1 year of life or were survivors with abnormal neurodevelopment at age 2 years. Controls were race- and sex-matched survivors with normal neurodevelopment. We analyzed 45 candidate gene polymorphisms in inflammation, coagulation, and vascular regulation pathways and their association with (1) psychomotor delay, (2) mental delay, (3) CP, and (4) combined outcome of death/CP. Logistic regression analyses, conditional on maternal race and child sex, and adjusted for treatment group, gestational age at birth and maternal education, were performed. RESULTS: Four hundred and six subjects, 211 cases and 195 controls, were analyzed. The strongest association was for IL6R (rs 4601580) in which each additional copy of the minor allele was associated with an increased risk of psychomotor delay (adjusted odds ratio 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-6.5; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Candidate gene polymorphisms are associated with death and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes following preterm birth. MgSO4 may abrogate this genotype association for some loci.

The association among cytochrome P450 3A, progesterone receptor polymorphisms, plasma 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate concentrations, and spontaneous preterm birth.

BACKGROUND: Infants born <37 weeks' gestation are of public health concern since complications associated with preterm birth are the leading cause of mortality in children <5 years of age and a major cause of morbidity and lifelong disability. The administration of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate reduces preterm birth by 33% in women with history of spontaneous preterm birth. We demonstrated previously that plasma concentrations of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate vary widely among pregnant women and that women with 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate plasma concentrations in the lowest quartile had spontaneous preterm birth rates of 40% vs rates of 25% in those women with higher concentrations. Thus, plasma concentrations are an important factor in determining drug efficacy but the reason 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate plasma concentrations vary so much is unclear. Predominantly, 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate is metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 enzymes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to: (1) determine the relation between 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate plasma concentrations and single nucleotide polymorphisms in CYP3A4 and CYP3A5; (2) test the association between progesterone receptor single nucleotide polymorphisms and spontaneous preterm birth; and (3) test whether the association between plasma concentrations of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate and spontaneous preterm birth varied by progesterone receptor single nucleotide polymorphisms. STUDY DESIGN: In this secondary analysis, we evaluated genetic polymorphism in 268 pregnant women treated with 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate, who participated in a placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the benefit of omega-3 supplementation in women with history of spontaneous preterm birth. Trough plasma concentrations of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate were measured between 25-28 weeks of gestation after a minimum of 5 injections of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate. We extracted DNA from maternal blood samples and genotyped the samples using TaqMan (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assays for the following single nucleotide polymorphisms: CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A4*1G, CYP3A4*22, and CYP3A5*3; and rs578029, rs471767, rs666553, rs503362, and rs500760 for progesteronereceptor. We adjusted for prepregnancy body mass index, race, and treatment group in a multivariable analysis. Differences in the plasma concentrations of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate by genotype were evaluated for each CYP single nucleotide polymorphism using general linear models. The association between progesterone receptor single nucleotide polymorphisms and frequency of spontaneous preterm birth was tested using logistic regression. A logistic model also tested interaction between 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate concentrations with each progesterone receptor single nucleotide polymorphism for the outcome of spontaneous preterm birth. RESULTS: The association between CYP single nucleotide polymorphisms *22, *1G, *1B, and *3 and trough plasma concentrations of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate was not statistically significant (P = .68, .44, .08, and .44, respectively). In an adjusted logistic regression model, progesterone receptor single nucleotide polymorphisms rs578029, rs471767, rs666553, rs503362, and rs500760 were not associated with the frequency of spontaneous preterm birth (P = .29, .10, .76, .09, and .43, respectively). Low trough plasma concentrations of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate were statistically associated with a higher frequency of spontaneous preterm birth (odds ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence ratio, 0.61-0.99; P = .04 for trend across quartiles), however no significant interaction with the progesterone receptor single nucleotide polymorphisms rs578029, rs471767, rs666553, rs503362, and rs500760 was observed (P = .13, .08, .10, .08, and .13, respectively). CONCLUSION: The frequency of recurrent spontaneous preterm birth appears to be associated with trough 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate plasma concentrations. However, the wide variation in trough 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate plasma concentrations is not attributable to polymorphisms in CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genes. Progesterone receptor polymorphisms do not predict efficacy of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate. The limitations of this secondary analysis include that we had a relative small sample size (n = 268) and race was self-reported by the patients.

Role of early second-trimester uterine artery Doppler screening to predict small-for-gestational-age babies in nulliparous women.

BACKGROUND: Trophoblastic invasion of the uterine spiral arteries substantially increases compliance to accommodate increased blood flow to the placenta. Failure of this process impedes uterine artery blood flow, and this may be detected by uterine artery Doppler flow studies. However, the clinical utility of uterine artery Doppler flow studies in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes in a general population remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the utility of early second-trimester uterine artery Doppler studies as a predictor of small-for-gestational-age neonates. STUDY DESIGN: Nulliparous women with a viable singleton pregnancy were recruited during their first trimester into an observational prospective cohort study at 8 institutions across the United States. Participants were seen at 3 study visits during pregnancy and again at delivery. Three indices of uterine artery Doppler flow (resistance index, pulsatility index, and diastolic notching) were measured in the right and left uterine arteries between 16 weeks 0 days' and 22 weeks 6 days' gestation. Test characteristics for varying thresholds in the prediction of small for gestational age (defined as birthweight <5th percentile for gestational age [Alexander growth curve]) were evaluated. RESULTS: Uterine artery Doppler indices, birthweight, and gestational age at birth were available for 8024 women. Birthweight <5th percentile for gestational age occurred in 358 (4.5%) births. Typical thresholds for the uterine artery Doppler indices were all associated with birthweight <5th percentile for gestational age (P < .0001 for each), but the positive predictive values for these cutoffs were all <15% and areas under receiver operating characteristic curves ranged from 0.50-0.60. Across the continuous scales for these measures, the areas under receiver operating characteristic curves ranged from 0.56-0.62. Incorporating maternal age, early pregnancy body mass index, race/ethnicity, smoking status prior to pregnancy, chronic hypertension, and pregestational diabetes in the prediction model resulted in only modest improvements in the areas under receiver operating characteristic curves ranging from 0.63-0.66. CONCLUSION: In this large prospective cohort, early second-trimester uterine artery Doppler studies were not a clinically useful test for predicting small-for-gestational-age babies.

Effect of Modifiable Risk Factors on Preterm Birth: A Population Based-Cohort.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence, impact, and interaction of short interpregnancy interval (IPI), pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) category, and pregnancy weight gain (PWG) on the rate of preterm birth. Methods This is a population-based retrospective cohort study using vital statistics birth records from 2006 to 2011 in OH, US, analyzing singleton live births to multiparous mothers with recorded IPI (n = 393,441). Preterm birth rate at <37 weeks gestational age was compared between the referent pregnancy (defined as normal pre-pregnancy maternal BMI, IPI of 12-24 months, and Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended PWG) and those with short or long IPI, abnormal BMI (underweight, overweight, and obese), and high or low PWG (under or exceeding IOM recommendations). Results Only 6 % of the women in this study had a referent pregnancy, with a preterm birth rate of 7.6 % for this group. Short IPIs of <6 and 6-12 months were associated with increased rates of preterm birth rate to 12.9 and 10.4 %, respectively. Low PWG compared to IOM recommendations for pre-pregnancy BMI class was also associated with increased preterm birth rate of 13.2 % for all BMI classes combined. However, the highest rate of preterm birth of 25.2 % occurred in underweight women with short IPI and inadequate weight gain with adjOR 3.44 (95 % CI 2.80, 4.23). The fraction of preterm births observed in this cohort that can be attributed to short IPIs is 5.9 %, long IPIs is 8.3 %, inadequate PWG is 7.5 %, and low pre-pregnancy BMI is 2.2 %. Conclusions Our analysis indicates that a significant proportion of preterm births in Ohio are associated with potentially modifiable risk factors. These data suggest public health initiatives focused on preterm birth prevention could include counseling and interventions to optimize preconception health and prenatal nutrition.

Predictive Accuracy of Serial Transvaginal Cervical Lengths and Quantitative Vaginal Fetal Fibronectin Levels for Spontaneous Preterm Birth Among Nulliparous Women.

Importance: Spontaneous preterm birth is a leading cause of infant mortality. Prediction, largely based on prior pregnancy outcomes, is not possible in women pregnant for the first time. Objective: To assess the accuracy of universal screening to predict spontaneous preterm birth in nulliparous women using serial measurements of vaginal fetal fibronectin levels and cervical length. Design, Settings, and Participants: A prospective observational cohort study of nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies, from 8 clinical sites across the United States between October 2010 and May 2014. Women and clinicians were blinded to results unless cervical shortening less than 15 mm was identified. Exposures: Transvaginal cervical length and quantitative vaginal fetal fibronectin levels were reviewed at 2 study visits 4 or more weeks apart. Main Outcomes and Measures: Spontaneous preterm birth at less than 37 weeks was the primary outcome. Cervical length and quantitative fetal fibronectin were considered independently and together at each visit. Measurement distributions were compared for spontaneous preterm birth vs all other births. Spontaneous preterm birth before 32 weeks was a secondary outcome. Results: The study included 9410 women (median age, 27.0 [interquartile range, 9.0] years; 60.7% non-Hispanic white, 13.8% non-Hispanic black, 16.5% Hispanic, 4.0% Asian, and 5.1% other), of whom 474 (5.0%) had spontaneous preterm births, 335 (3.6%) had medically indicated preterm births, and 8601 (91.4%) had term births. Among women with spontaneous preterm birth, cervical length of 25 mm or less occurred in 35 of 439 (8.0%) at 16 to 22 weeks' gestation and in 94 of 403 (23.3%) at 22 to 30 weeks' gestation. Fetal fibronectin levels of 50 ng/mL or greater at 16 to 22 weeks identified 30 of 410 women (7.3%) with spontaneous preterm birth and 31 of 384 (8.1%) at 22 to 30 weeks. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for screening between 22 and 30 weeks for fetal fibronectin level alone was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.56-0.62), for transvaginal cervical length alone was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.64-0.70), and for the combination as continuous variables was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.64-0.70). Conclusions and Relevance: Among nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies, quantitative vaginal fetal fibronectin and serial transvaginal ultrasound cervical length had low predictive accuracy for spontaneous preterm birth. These findings do not support routine use of these tests in such women.

Evaluation of delivery options for second-stage events.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor is common, whereas the frequency of operative vaginal delivery has been declining. However, data comparing outcomes for attempted operative vaginal delivery vs cesarean in the second stage are scant. Previous studies that examine operative vaginal delivery have compared it to a baseline risk of complications from a spontaneous vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery. However, when a woman has a need for intervention in the second stage, spontaneous vaginal delivery is not an option she or the provider can choose. Thus, the appropriate clinical comparison is cesarean vs operative vaginal delivery. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare outcomes by the first attempted operative delivery (vacuum, forceps vs cesarean delivery) in patients needing second-stage assistance at a fetal station of +2 or below. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted secondary analysis of an observational obstetric cohort in 25 academically affiliated US hospitals over a 3-year period. A subset of ≥37 weeks, nonanomalous, vertex, singletons, with no prior vaginal delivery who reached a station of +2 or below and underwent an attempt at an operative delivery were included. Indications included for operative delivery were: failure to descend, nonreassuring fetal status, labor dystocia, or maternal exhaustion. The primary outcomes included a composite neonatal outcome (death, fracture, length of stay ≥3 days beyond mother's, low Apgar, subgaleal hemorrhage, ventilator support, hypoxic encephalopathy, brachial plexus injury, facial nerve palsy) and individual maternal outcomes (postpartum hemorrhage, third- and fourth-degree tears [severe lacerations], and postpartum infection). Outcomes were examined by the 3 attempted modes of delivery. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for primary outcomes adjusting for confounders. Final mode of delivery was quantified. RESULTS: In all, 2531 women met inclusion criteria. No difference in the neonatal composite outcome was observed between groups. Vacuum attempt was associated with the lowest frequency of maternal complications (postpartum infection 0.2% vs 0.9% forceps vs 5.3% cesarean, postpartum hemorrhage 1.4% vs 2.8% forceps vs 3.8% cesarean), except for severe lacerations (19.1% vs 33.8% forceps vs 0% cesarean). When confounders were taken into account, both forceps (OR, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.49) and vacuum (OR, 0.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.17) were associated with a significantly lower odds of postpartum infection. The neonatal composite and postpartum hemorrhage were not significantly different between modes of attempted delivery. Cesarean occurred in 6.4% and 4.4% of attempted vacuum and forceps groups (P = .04). CONCLUSION: In patients needing second-stage delivery assistance with a station of +2 or below, attempted operative vaginal delivery was associated with a lower frequency of postpartum infection, but higher frequency of severe lacerations.

Development and validation of a spontaneous preterm delivery predictor in asymptomatic women.

BACKGROUND: Preterm delivery remains the leading cause of perinatal mortality. Risk factors and biomarkers have traditionally failed to identify the majority of preterm deliveries. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a mass spectrometry-based serum test to predict spontaneous preterm delivery in asymptomatic pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 5501 pregnant women were enrolled between 17(0/7) and 28(6/7) weeks gestational age in the prospective Proteomic Assessment of Preterm Risk study at 11 sites in the United States between 2011 and 2013. Maternal blood was collected at enrollment and outcomes collected following delivery. Maternal serum was processed by a proteomic workflow, and proteins were quantified by multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry. The discovery and verification process identified 2 serum proteins, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IBP4) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), as predictors of spontaneous preterm delivery. We evaluated a predictor using the log ratio of the measures of IBP4 and SHBG (IBP4/SHBG) in a clinical validation study to classify spontaneous preterm delivery cases (<37(0/7) weeks gestational age) in a nested case-control cohort different from subjects used in discovery and verification. Strict blinding and independent statistical analyses were employed. RESULTS: The predictor had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.75 and sensitivity and specificity of 0.75 and 0.74, respectively. The IBP4/SHBG predictor at this sensitivity and specificity had an odds ratio of 5.04 for spontaneous preterm delivery. Accuracy of the IBP4/SHBG predictor increased using earlier case-vs-control gestational age cutoffs (eg, <35(0/7) vs ≥35(0/7) weeks gestational age). Importantly, higher-risk subjects defined by the IBP4/SHBG predictor score generally gave birth earlier than lower-risk subjects. CONCLUSION: A serum-based molecular predictor identifies asymptomatic pregnant women at risk of spontaneous preterm delivery, which may provide utility in identifying women at risk at an early stage of pregnancy to allow for clinical intervention. This early detection would guide enhanced levels of care and accelerate development of clinical strategies to prevent preterm delivery.

Measuring the Cervical Length.

An important step toward the goal of eradicating spontaneous preterm birth was achieved with the advent of cervical sonography, a tool that advanced our knowledge of the entity of preterm parturition, improved our ability to detect women at risk for early delivery, and allowed us to prevent some of these premature births. We will describe here the correct technique for obtaining such measurements and will review the literature regarding the use of this tool in specific pregnant populations.

Prediction of Spontaneous Preterm Birth Among Nulliparous Women With a Short Cervix.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether demographic and sonographic factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth among nulliparous women with a cervical length of less than 30 mm could be combined into an accurate prediction model for spontaneous preterm birth. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a trial of nulliparous women with a singleton gestation and a cervical length of less than 30 mm on transvaginal sonography between 16 and 22 weeks who lacked other risk factors for spontaneous (eg, prior cervical excisional procedure) or medically indicated (eg, chronic hypertension) preterm birth, who were randomized to either 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate treatment or a placebo. Risk factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth within the entire cohort were identified by univariable analysis. Factors significantly associated (P < .05) with spontaneous preterm birth were included in a multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine whether an accurate prediction model could be developed. RESULTS: Of the 657 randomized patients, 109 (16.6%) had spontaneous preterm birth before 37 weeks' gestation. Logistic regression analysis revealed only cervical length (odds ratio, 1.06 per 1-mm decrease; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.10) to be associated with spontaneous preterm birth. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve based on this regression was low (0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.69). Results were similar for the outcome of spontaneous preterm birth before 34 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: An accurate prediction model for spontaneous preterm birth among nulliparous women with a short cervix could not be developed.

Antenatal Magnesium and Cerebral Palsy in Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of maternal antenatal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) with neonatal cranial ultrasound abnormalities and cerebral palsy (CP). STUDY DESIGN: In a randomized trial of MgSO4 or placebo in women at high risk of preterm delivery, up to 3 cranial ultrasounds were obtained in the neonatal period. Images were reviewed by at least 2 pediatric radiologists masked to treatment and other clinical conditions. Diagnoses were predefined for intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, intracerebral echolucency or echodensity, and ventriculomegaly. CP was diagnosed at 2 years of age by standardized neurologic examination. RESULTS: Intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, intracerebral echolucency or echodensity, and ventriculomegaly were all strongly associated with an increased risk of CP. MgSO4 administration did not affect the risk of cranial ultrasound abnormality observed at 35 weeks postmenstrual age or later. However, for the 82% of infants born at <32 weeks gestation, MgSO4 was associated with a reduction in risk of echolucency or echodensity. The reduction in risk for echolucency explained 21% of the effect of MgSO4 on CP (P = .04), and for echodensity explained 20% of the effect (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: MgSO4 given prior to preterm delivery was associated with decreased risk of developing echodensities and echolucencies at <32 weeks gestation. However, this effect can only partially explain the effect of MgSO4 on CP at 2 years of age. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00014989.