Is laterality of congenital diaphragmatic hernia a reliable prognostic factor? French national cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess whether the laterality of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) was a prognostic factor for neonatal survival. METHODS: This was a cohort study using the French national database of the Reference Center for Diaphragmatic Hernias. The principal endpoint was survival after hospitalization in intensive care. We made a comparative study between right CDH and left CDH by univariate and multivariate analysis. Terminations and stillbirths were excluded from analyses of neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 506 CDH were included with 67 (13%) right CDH and 439 left CDH (87%). Rate of survival was 49% for right CDH and 74% for left CDH (P < .01). Multivariate analysis showed two factors significantly associated with mortality: thoracic herniation of liver (OR 2.27; IC 95% [1.07-4.76]; P = .03) and lung-to-head-ratio over under expected (OR 2.99; IC 95% [1.41-6.36]; P < .01). Side of CDH was not significantly associated with mortality (OR 1.87; IC 95% [0.61-5.51], P = .26). CONCLUSION: Rate of right CDH mortality is more important than left CDH. Nevertheless after adjusting for lung-to-head-ratio and thoracic herniation of liver, right CDH does not have a higher risk of mortality than left CDH.

Antenatal prognostic factor of fetal echogenic bowel.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify antenatal prognostic factors of neonatal outcomes in cases of fetal echogenic bowel (FEB). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study in three tertiary referral centers including fetal echogenic bowel over a 10-year period (from January 2003 to December 2013). The echogenicity of the fetal bowel was graded from 1 to 3, according to Slotnick's definition. Associated echographic findings such as bowel dilations, gallbladder abnormalities, calcifications, extra-abdominal abnormalities, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and a decrease in amniotic fluid volume, if present were also recorded. This was followed by the FEB's sonographic evolution. The sonographic evolution was considered favorable if it was stable or decreasing and unfavorable if the echogenicity of the bowel increased or if additional sonographic findings appeared. Neonates had a pediatric examination in the delivery room and upon discharge from the maternity hospital. An outcome was considered good in the case of on-term delivery of a newborn with normal clinical examination and meconium elimination. RESULTS: Complete pregnancy outcome data were available for 409 pregnancies. 338 newborns had uneventful outcomes (82.6%). Antenatal exploration diagnosed 4 cases of aneuploidy (1 case of trisomy 13, 1 case of trisomy 18 and 2 cases of triploidies), 16 cases of congenital infections, 9 cases of cystic fibrosis and 11 cases of bowel abnormalities. After a multivariate analysis, we discovered the sonographic grade of the echogenic bowel was not a prognostic factor of neonatal outcome. The isolated fetal echogenic bowel had a 6.6-fold increase chance of uneventful outcomes (adjusted odd ratio (aOR) 6.6, 95% CI 3-14.4). Notably, favorable sonographic evolution (aOR 8.1, 95% CI 4.1-16) and late gestational age at the time of the diagnosis (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07-1.27) are independent, good prognostic factors of good neonatal outcomes. None of the 180 fetuses with isolated fetal echogenic bowel and favorable sonographic evolution had adverse outcomes. Among these, 4 cases (0.98%) of aneuploïdy, 17 cases (4.2%) of congenital infections and 9 cases (2.2%) of cystic fibroses were also diagnosed. No cases of Down syndrome (DS) were reported. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the grade should not be considered a prognostic factor of neonatal outcomes. Our data suggests the need to reevaluate the concept of systematic amniocentesis. Sonographic evolution of fetal bowel is an independent, strong prognostic factor for good neonatal outcomes. It also better defines the FEB prognostic.

Induction of labour versus expectant management for large-for-date fetuses: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Macrosomic fetuses are at increased risk of shoulder dystocia. We aimed to compare induction of labour with expectant management for large-for-date fetuses for prevention of shoulder dystocia and other neonatal and maternal morbidity associated with macrosomia. METHODS: We did this pragmatic, randomised controlled trial between Oct 1, 2002, and Jan 1, 2009, in 19 tertiary-care centres in France, Switzerland, and Belgium. Women with singleton fetuses whose estimated weight exceeded the 95th percentile, were randomly assigned (1:1), via computer-generated permuted-block randomisation (block size of four to eight) to receive induction of labour within 3 days between 37(+0) weeks and 38(+6) weeks of gestation, or expectant management. Randomisation was stratified by centre. Participants and caregivers were not masked to group assignment. Our primary outcome was a composite of clinically significant shoulder dystocia, fracture of the clavicle, brachial plexus injury, intracranial haemorrhage, or death. We did analyses by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00190320. FINDINGS: We randomly assigned 409 women to the induction group and 413 women to the expectant management group, of whom 407 women and 411 women, respectively, were included in the final analysis. Mean birthweight was 3831 g (SD 324) in the induction group and 4118 g (392) in the expectant group. Induction of labour significantly reduced the risk of shoulder dystocia or associated morbidity (n=8) compared with expectant management (n=25; relative risk [RR] 0·32, 95% CI 0·15-0·71; p=0·004). We recorded no brachial plexus injuries, intracranial haemorrhages, or perinatal deaths. The likelihood of spontaneous vaginal delivery was higher in women in the induction group than in those in the expectant management group (RR 1·14, 95% CI 1·01-1·29). Caesarean delivery and neonatal morbidity did not differ significantly between the groups. INTERPRETATION: Induction of labour for suspected large-for-date fetuses is associated with a reduced risk of shoulder dystocia and associated morbidity compared with expectant management. Induction of labour does not increase the risk of caesarean delivery and improves the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal delivery. These benefits should be balanced with the effects of early-term induction of labour. FUNDING: Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and the University of Geneva.

17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate does not prolong pregnancy or reduce the rate of preterm birth in women at high risk for preterm delivery and a short cervix: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHP-C) in prolonging gestation in patients with a short cervix and other risk factors for preterm delivery, such as previous preterm birth, cervical surgery, uterine anomalies, or prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure. STUDY DESIGN: This open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial included asymptomatic singleton pregnancies from 20(+0) through 31(+6) weeks of gestation with a cervical length less than 25 mm and a history of preterm delivery or cervical surgery or uterine malformation or prenatal DES exposure. Randomization assigned them to receive (or not) 500 mg of intramuscular 17OHP-C weekly until 36 weeks. The primary outcome was time from randomization to delivery. RESULTS: After enrolling 105 patients, an interim analysis demonstrated the lack of efficacy of 17OHP-C in prolonging pregnancy. The study was discontinued because of futility. The groups were similar for maternal age, body mass index, parity, gestational age at inclusion, history of uterine anomalies, DES syndrome, previous preterm delivery or midtrimester abortion, and cervical length at randomization. The enrollment-to-delivery interval did not differ between patients allocated to 17OHP-C (n = 51) and those allocated to the control group (n = 54) (median [interquartile range] time to delivery: 77 [54-103] and 74 [52-99] days, respectively). The rate of preterm delivery less than 37 (45% vs 44%, P > .99), less than 34 (24% vs 30%, P = .51), or less than 32 (14% vs 20%, P = .44) weeks was similar in patients allocated to 17OHP-C and those in the control group. CONCLUSION: 17OHP-C did not prolong pregnancy in women with singleton gestations, a sonographic short cervix, and other risk factors of preterm delivery (prior history, uterine malformations, cervical surgery, or prenatal DES exposure).

Prevention of preterm delivery by 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with a short cervix: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) to reduce preterm delivery in women with a twin pregnancy and short cervix. STUDY DESIGN: This open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial included women with a twin pregnancy between 24(+0) and 31(+6) weeks of gestation who were asymptomatic and had a cervical length of 25 mm or less measured by routine transvaginal ultrasound. Women were randomized to receive (or not) 500 mg of intramuscular 17P, repeated twice weekly until 36 weeks or preterm delivery. The primary outcome was time from randomization to delivery. Analysis was performed according to the intent-to-treat principle. RESULTS: The 17P and control groups did not differ significantly for median [interquartile range] time to delivery: 45 (26-62) and 51 (36-66) days, respectively. However, treatment with 17P was associated with a significant increase in the rate of preterm delivery before 32 weeks. CONCLUSION: Twice-weekly injections of 17P did not prolong pregnancy significantly in asymptomatic women with a twin pregnancy and short cervix.

Prevention of preterm delivery after successful tocolysis in preterm labor by 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) to reduce preterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial included women with singleton pregnancies admitted at 24-31 weeks' gestation and cervical length less than 25 mm for preterm labor successfully arrested by tocolytic treatment. Randomization assigned them to receive (or not) 500 mg of intramuscular 17P after tocolysis ended, repeated semiweekly until 36 weeks or preterm delivery. The primary outcome was the time from randomization to delivery. RESULTS: Outcome data were available for 184 of 188 women randomized. The 17P and control groups (similar for most baseline characteristics) did not differ significantly for median [interquartile range] time to delivery (64 [42-79] and 67 [46-83] days, respectively) or rates of delivery before 37, 34, or 32 weeks of gestation or adverse perinatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Semiweekly injections of 17P did not prolong pregnancy significantly in women with tocolysis-arrested preterm labor.

Does the experience of the provider affect pregnancy rates after embryo transfer?

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of provider experience in a university hospital where resident physicians need to learn how to perform embryo transfer (ET). STUDY DESIGN: A cohort prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care university medical center between March 2008 and August 2009. A total of 443 women undergoing fresh ET after in vitro fertilization were studied. ET with Frydman catheter or tight difficult transfer (TDT), conducted by three groups of providers of varying experience were studied: attending physicians with > 20 years of experience, assistant physicians with 2-5 years of experience and resident physicians with < 6 months of experience. The main outcomes were clinical pregnancy and implantation rates. RESULTS: The provider's experience had an impact on the pregnancy rate: 29.9% for attending physicians, 28.2% for assistant physicians and 19.1% for resident physicians (p < 0.05). Resident physicians used TDT catheter more often than attending physicians: 42% vs. 21.3% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Resident physicians must be better monitored to avoid the lower pregnancy rates. ET should be further standardized. In this study, the ET protocol was modified in our assisted reproductive technology unit.

Preeclampsia: impaired inflammatory response mediated by Toll-like receptors.

Monocytes may be activated in preeclampsia (PE). Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and TLR-2 are involved in inflammatory responses of monocytes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), an inflammatory cytokine, and interleukin (IL)-10, an immunoregulatory cytokine, by monocytes from PE patients stimulated with TLR ligands. TLR-4 and TLR-2 responses were similar in normal pregnancy and non-pregnant women. The production of TNF by monocytes stimulated with TLR ligands was significantly impaired in PE, whereas IL-10 production was not affected. The imbalance between an inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pattern of monocytes may play a role in PE pathophysiology.

Results of endovascular treatment in cases of abnormal placentation with post-partum hemorrhage.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical success of selective arterial embolization in cases of post-partum hemorrhage due to abnormal placentation. METHODS: Six patients with persistent hemorrhage and abnormal placental implantation underwent uterine artery embolization over a period of three years. RESULTS: In four patients, the placenta was left in place after a gentle attempt at removal and post-partum hemorrhage was controlled during or shortly after the procedure. In all cases, embolization was possible even when there was previous arterial ligation (two cases). In one case, a hysterectomy was required at 21 d later due to uterus and bladder necrosis. Arterial embolization in cases of abnormal placental implantation remains an uncommon treatment and is less efficient in these cases than in normal placental implantation. CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed that even in cases of moderate bleeding, conservation treatment and embolization are possible, but that complications may be more common than in normal placentation.

[The worrying rise in the frequency of cesarean section]. / L'inquiétante augmentation du nombre de césariennes.

The rise in the incidence of Cesarean section over the last thirty years is due to several factors. In particular, maternal age is increasing, parity is declining, and situations potentially requiring Cesarean section are more frequently encountered than before (prematurity, medically assisted procreation, antenatal diagnosis, previous Cesarean section, etc.). Medicolegal pressure is also increasing, and the precautionary principle is leading more and more physicians to propose Cesarean section rather than trial labor. However, although the risks of this form of delivery have decreased, they are still higher than those of vaginal delivery, except in the emergency setting. Moreover, various pathophysiologic studies have demonstrated marked changes in the elevator muscles, nerves and pelvic support after vaginal delivery. The maternal morbidity and mortality of elective caesarean delivery at term, before the onset of labor, appear to be similar to those associated with vaginal birth. However, the maternal risks (particularly placenta praevia, placenta accreta, and uterine rupture) during subsequent pregnancies following Cesarean delivery require careful evaluation. After Cesarean section, the risk of placenta praevia during the next pregnancy is between 1% and 4%. There is subsequently a linear increase, with the risk of placenta praevia reaching nearly 10% after four Cesarean deliveries. The risks and benefits of each form of delivery are extremely difficult to weigh up, and predictors of safe vaginal delivery are lacking.