Effects of an animated educational video on knowledge of cell-free DNA screening among Thai pregnant women: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, pregnant women have insufficient knowledge about cell-free DNA screening. Reports from developed countries have found that various tools in prenatal genetic counseling can improve the knowledge of pregnant women who undergo cell-free DNA screening. Data are limited from developing countries where women have different baseline socio-educational backgrounds. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of an animated educational video combined with traditional counseling versus traditional counseling alone in changing pregnant women's knowledge of cell-free DNA screening. METHODS: This study was a randomized control trial at an antenatal clinic. Eligible subjects who were Thai pregnant women, were randomized to either view or not view the 4-minute animated educational video explaining cell-free DNA screening. Both groups received traditional counseling. The women were asked to complete a Thai questionnaire assessing knowledge of the screening before and after intervention. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic data of the research participants and their existing awareness about cell-free DNA testing; performance and limitations of cell-free DNA screening; and participants' attitudes toward the positive screening. Primary outcome was the change in knowledge scores. Secondary outcomes were attitudes toward positive screening test, levels of satisfaction with counseling, and screening acceptance rates. RESULTS: Data from 83 women in the video group and 82 in the non-video group were analyzed. The knowledge score (range 0-18) change after counseling was significantly higher in the video group than the non-video group (+ 7.1 ± 3.3 vs + 4.2 ± 2.5; p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in attitudes toward positive screening test (p = 0.83), levels of satisfaction (p = 0.24), or screening acceptance rates (p = 0.15) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adding the video to traditional counseling was better than traditional counseling alone in improving pregnant women's knowledge about cell-free DNA screening. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20210917001, 17/09/2021).

Validation of the Thai version of the obstetric quality of recovery score (obsqor-10-Thai) after elective cesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND: The Obstetric Quality of Recovery score (ObsQoR-10) is a questionnaire used to assess recovery after cesarean delivery. However, the original ObsQoR-10 is in English and was mainly validated in the Western population. We therefore evaluated the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the ObsQoR-10-Thai in patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery. METHODS: The original ObsQoR-10 was translated into Thai, and psychometric validation was performed to evaluate the quality of post-cesarean recovery. The ObsQoR-10-Thai, activities of daily living checklist, and 100-mm visual analog scale of global health (VAS-GH) questionnaires were administered to the study participants before and 24 and 48-h postpartum. Validity, reliability, responsiveness, and feasibility of the ObsQoR-10-Thai were assessed. RESULTS: We included 110 patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery. The mean ObsQoR-10-Thai score at baseline and 24 and 48-h postpartum was 83.35 ± 11.15, 56.75 ± 11.6, and 70.96 ± 13.65, respectively. The ObsQoR-10-Thai score differed significantly between the two groups divided based on the VAS-GH (≥ 70 vs. < 70): 75.58 ± 13.81 and 52.56 ± 10.61, respectively (P < 0.001). The convergent validity between the ObsQoR-10-Thai and VAS-GH was good (r = 0.60, P < 0.001). The ObsQoR-10-Thai displayed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87), split-half reliability (0.92), and test-retest reliability (0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-0.99). The median time to complete the questionnaire was 2 (IQR, 1-6) min. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the ObsQoR-10-Thai is valid and has good reliability, with a high degree of responsiveness in terms of assessment of recovery after elective cesarean delivery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered on the Thai Clinical Trials Registry, identifier TCTR20210204001, registered on 04/02/2021 (Prospectively registration).

The Correlation Between Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Measurement of Fetal Adrenal Gland and Maternal Serum Fructosamine Level in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has an impact on fetal adrenal gland size and volume, which are greater in the GDM population. This study used 2D and 3D ultrasound scanning to determine the correlation of fetal adrenal gland size and volume with fructosamine levels, HbA1c levels, estimated fetal weight (EFW), and neonatal birth weight in GDM patients. Methods: This study included eighty singleton pregnant women diagnosed with GDM between 24-28 weeks of gestation. During weeks 32-34 of gestation, the length, width, and depth of the fetal zone and total adrenal gland were measured using transabdominal 2D ultrasound. Virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) software was used to evaluate fetal zone and total adrenal gland volume in 3D ultrasound. All the participants were followed until delivery. Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between fetal adrenal gland ultrasound measurements and the factors of interest. Results: The study consisted of sixty-six (82.5%) pregnant women with diet-controlled GDM (GDMA1) and fourteen (17.5%) pregnant women with insulin-managed GDM (GDMA2). There was no difference in fetal adrenal gland measurements between the diet-controlled (GDMA1) and the insulin-managed (GDMA2) groups. All the participants had achieved optimal glucose levels at the time of ultrasound acquisition. The total adrenal gland length and fetal zone volume had statistically significant positive correlations with EFW (r = 0.69, p = 0.02 and r = 0.84, p = 0.01, respectively). After adjusting for EFW, only the fetal zone volume was significantly correlated with fructosamine levels (adjusted-OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5, 3.9, p = 0.01) and HbA1c levels (adjusted-OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.6, 4.3, p = 0.01). Conclusion: The fetal zone volume is correlated with EFW, fructosamine levels, and HbA1c levels. This non-invasive technique may be beneficial as an indirect marker for glycemic monitoring in GDM.

The Comparative Study of Cervical Shear Wave Elastography Between Twin and Singleton Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cervical shear wave elastography (SWE) by using transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) between twin and singleton pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study involving the twin and singleton pregnant women who attended the antenatal care at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. The participants who met the inclusion criteria were serially measured the shear wave speed (SWS) by using TVS at early, mid-, and third trimester. The changes in SWS with advancing gestational age between twin and singleton pregnancies were evaluated. The gestational age at delivery and spontaneous preterm delivery rate were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 36 twin pregnancies and 38 singleton pregnancies were analyzed. No significant difference in baseline characteristics, except the age of participants (twin pregnancies 33.1±4.6 years, singleton pregnancies 29.9±5.4 years, p-value = 0.006) was observed. The cervical SWS decreased with advancing gestational age in both twin and singleton pregnancy, but there was a statistically significant difference of cervical SWS at the lower point in mid-trimester (twin pregnancies 2.27±0.4, singleton pregnancies 2.71±0.6 m/s, p-value = 0.001). However, no significant difference in cervical SWS at the upper point and the lower point in the early and third trimester was demonstrated. Even though the gestational age at delivery between both groups revealed a significant difference (twin pregnancies 35.9±2.8, singleton pregnancies 37.6±2.9 wk., p-value = 0.008) but the spontaneous preterm delivery rate did not differ significantly (twin pregnancies 22.2%, singleton pregnancies 15.8%, p-value = 0.483). CONCLUSION: The mid-trimester cervical SWS measurement at the lower point detects the difference in cervical softness between twin pregnancies and singleton pregnancies. The cervical SWS might be an additional option for monitoring the change in cervical softness in twin pregnancies.

A randomized controlled trial comparing early versus late oral feeding after cesarean section under regional anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the return of bowel movements in regionally anesthetized women undergoing cesarean section (C-section) given Early Oral Feeding (EOF) to that of women given Late Oral Feeding (LOF). Secondary outcomes of maternal satisfaction and gastrointestinal complications were also examined. METHODS: In a single-blinded randomized controlled trial (TCTR20181202001), 148 singleton pregnant women undergoing elective C-sections with regional anesthesia were assigned to receive either EOF or LOF. Participants began to sip water at 6-8 hrs or more than 12 hrs post-operation, for EOF or LOF respectively. Participants were then placed onto a stepping diet as tolerated. Participants failing to tolerate the stepping diet or those having surgical complications were excluded from the study. RESULTS: After exclusion, 69 women remained in the EOF group and 67 in the LOF group. The ages of participants ranged from 19 to 42, with a mean of 32.07. There was no-loss follow up and no significant difference in patient characteristics, except the site of the surgical incision. Participants given EOF were more likely to experience bowel sound the next morning than patients given LOF (EOF 87.0%, LOF 44.8%, P-value<0.001). However, there was no difference in time to passing flatus and time to passing stool. Maternal satisfaction regarding hunger (EOF 3.78±0.91, LOF 3.24±1.01, P-value 0.002) and maternal satisfaction with postoperative consumption (EOF 4.38±0.64, LOF 4.13±0.48, P-value 0.049) were significantly higher in the EOF group. There was no difference in gastrointestinal complications between the groups (P-value 0.978). CONCLUSION: The EOF group experienced an earlier return of bowel movement and greater maternal satisfaction than the LOF group, with no difference in gastrointestinal complications. These findings support the recommendation of EOF for women who undergo uncomplicated C-sections under regional anesthesia.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Immediate versus Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping in Multiple-Birth Infants Born Preterm.

BACKGROUND: Delayed cord clamping (DCC) improves placental transfusion and increases blood volume in preterm infants when compared with immediate cord clamping (ICC). However, evidence to support DCC in multiple-birth preterm infants is still lacking. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of ICC versus DCC in preterm infants of multiple births. STUDY DESIGN: Women with a multiple pregnancy, including twins and triplets with a gestational age of 28-36 weeks, were randomized to receive ICC (23 women and 50 infants) or DCC for 30-60 s (24 and 51 infants). The infants' hematocrit on admission, superior vena cava (SVC) flow measured within 24 h, and hematocrit at 8 weeks of age were compared. The use of uterotonic agents during delivery was not controlled in this study. RESULT: All infants were delivered by cesarean section (CS) except for 2 sets of twins, 1 in each group. Maternal and infant baseline characteristics in both groups were comparable. There were no significant differences between the groups in admission hematocrit, SVC flow measured within 24 h, hematocrit at 8 weeks of age, or any other neonatal outcomes. The incidence of maternal postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) was higher in the DCC group (4.3% in ICC vs. 25% in DCC, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: DCC for 30-60 s did not improve placental transfusion or increase systemic blood flow in multiple-birth infants born preterm, mostly by CS, when compared with ICC. The finding of a higher PPH rate in the DCC group raises concerns about the maternal safety of this procedure in this patient population.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Gestational Diabetes With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study assessed the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in obese pregnant females with GDM and OSA. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted (April 2014 - June 2016). Obese females at 24 to 34 weeks gestation and with diet-controlled GDM were screened for OSA. Those with OSA were randomly assigned to receive 2 weeks nightly CPAP or be part of a waitlist control group. After 2 weeks, all patients were offered CPAP. The primary outcome was glucose metabolism, obtained from an oral meal tolerance test (MTT) at baseline and 2 weeks. Pregnancy outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were randomized to CPAP and 18 to control groups. There were no significant changes between groups in fasting glucose, glucose response to MTT, and insulin sensitivity or secretion after 2 weeks. Those adherent to CPAP had significantly improved insulin secretion (P = .016) compared to the control group. When a counterfactual instrumental variable approach was applied to deal with nonadherence, the CPAP group had significantly improved insulin secretion (P = .002) and insulin sensitivity (P = .015). Lower rates of preterm delivery (P = .002), unplanned cesarean section (P = .005), and neonatal intensive care unit admissions (P < .001) were observed among those who used CPAP longer than 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Two weeks of CPAP in females with GDM and OSA did not result in improved glucose levels, but insulin secretion improved in those adherent to CPAP. Continued CPAP use was possibly associated with improved pregnancy outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Title: Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Gestational Diabetes: Incidence and Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment on Glucose Metabolism; Identifier: NCT02108197; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02108197.

Obstructive sleep apnea and diet-controlled gestational diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was shown to be associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, prevalence of OSA in GDM women, its relationship to metabolic control, and predictive factors have not been studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-two obese pregnant women with diet-controlled GDM between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation participated. The Berlin questionnaire was used to assess OSA symptoms. OSA was diagnosed using an overnight monitor. Fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were obtained. Those with OSA underwent meal tolerance test (MTT) to assess their metabolic parameters. Classification tree analysis was used to develop a screening tool for OSA. RESULTS: At a median gestational age of 29 weeks, OSA was diagnosed in 52.4% of the women, with a median apnea hypopnea index of 9.4 (interquartile range 6.4, 12.4). More severe OSA was significantly correlated with higher fasting glucose but not HbA1c. For those with OSA, sleep parameters related to oxygen desaturation significantly correlated with higher fasting insulin resistance and more severe ß-cell dysfunction, as evaluated by MTT. A screening tool involving two variables, neck circumference and Berlin Questionnaire score, was developed. The sensitivity and specificity were 86% and 51%, respectively. The overall accuracy was 70%. CONCLUSION: OSA is prevalent in obese pregnant women with diet-controlled GDM in the late second to early third trimester. OSA severity, especially the degree of oxygen desaturation, correlated with fasting glucose, insulin resistance, and ß-cell function. A simple screening tool involving the Berlin Questionnaire and neck circumference can aid in predicting OSA in this patient group.