Single-balloon catheter with concomitant vaginal misoprostol is the most effective strategy for labor induction: a meta-review with network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been conducted to summarize the evidence for the efficacy of various labor induction agents. However, the most effective agents or strategies have not been conclusively determined. We aimed to perform a meta-review and network meta-analysis of published systematic reviews to determine the efficacy and safety of currently employed pharmacologic, mechanical, and combined methods of labor induction. DATA SOURCES: With the assistance of an experienced medical librarian, we performed a systematic search of the literature using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials. We systematically searched electronic databases from inception to May 31, 2021. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We considered systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials comparing different agents or methods for inpatient labor induction. METHODS: We conducted a frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis employing data from randomized controlled trials of published systematic reviews. We performed direct pairwise meta-analyses to compare the efficacy of the various labor induction agents and placebo or no treatment. We performed ranking to determine the best treatment using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve. The main outcomes assessed were cesarean delivery, vaginal delivery within 24 hours, operative vaginal delivery, hyperstimulation, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, and Apgar scores of <7 at 5 minutes of birth. RESULTS: We included 11 systematic reviews and extracted data from 207 randomized controlled trials with a total of 40,854 participants. When assessing the efficacy of all agents and methods, the combination of a single-balloon catheter with misoprostol was the most effective in reducing the odds of cesarean delivery and vaginal birth >24 hours (surface under the cumulative ranking curve of 0.9 for each). Among the pharmacologic agents, low-dose vaginal misoprostol was the most effective in reducing the odds of cesarean delivery, whereas high-dose vaginal misoprostol was the most effective in achieving vaginal delivery within 24 hours (surface under the cumulative ranking curve of 0.9 for each). Single-balloon catheter (surface under the cumulative ranking curve of 0.8) and double-balloon catheter (surface under the cumulative ranking curve of 0.9) were the most effective in reducing the odds of operative vaginal delivery and hyperstimulation. Buccal or sublingual misoprostol (surface under the cumulative ranking curve of 0.9) and the combination of single-balloon catheter and misoprostol (surface under the cumulative ranking curve of 0.9) most effectively reduced the odds of abnormal Apgar scores and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. CONCLUSION: The combination of a single-balloon catheter with misoprostol was the most effective method in reducing the odds for cesarean delivery and prolonged time to vaginal delivery. This method was associated with a reduction in admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Patient experiences with prenatal cell-free DNA screening in a safety net setting.

OBJECTIVES: Thirty-five states, including Florida, now cover cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening of fetuses for all pregnant patients enrolled in state public insurance programs. We interviewed Black and Hispanic obstetric patients at a safety net clinic in Florida shortly after the state rolled out cfDNA as a first-tier screening method for publicly insured patients. METHODS: Black and Hispanic patients receiving prenatal care from a prenatal or maternal fetal medicine clinic at a federally qualified health center in Jacksonville, FL were invited to participate in a qualitative interview in English or Spanish to explore experiences and perceptions of prenatal cfDNA screening. Participants were recruited following their first prenatal visit when cfDNA is typically introduced. Interview transcripts were qualitatively analyzed for iterative themes based on principles of grounded theory. RESULTS: One hundred Black and Hispanic patients (n = 51 non-Hispanic Black, n = 43 Hispanic, n = 3 Hispanic Black, n = 3 Not Reported/Other) completed an interview. Participants described minimal opportunity for pre-screening counseling and limited health literacy about cfDNA or its uses. Some believed that cfDNA could positively impact pregnancy health. Many were unsure if they had received cfDNA even though they were aware of the information provided by it. Most participants expressed an interest in cfDNA as a means for early detection of fetal sex and as an additional indication of general fetal health. CONCLUSIONS: Patient experiences indicate limited informed consent and decision-making for cfDNA, discordant with professional guidelines on pre-screen counseling. Our findings suggest that there should be additional investment in implementing cfDNA in safety net settings to ensure that patients and providers receive the support necessary for effective patient counseling and follow-on care for the ethical implementation of cfDNA.

Hemorrhage from Umbilical Cord Ulceration Identified on Real-Time Ultrasound in a Fetus with Duodenal Atresia.

Umbilical cord ulceration has been associated with congenital upper intestinal (duodenal or jejunal) atresia and can lead to fatal fetal intrauterine hemorrhage. We report a case of spontaneous hemorrhage from the umbilical cord, incidentally noted at the time of ultrasound in a 33-week fetus with suspected duodenal atresia, in which immediate delivery resulted in a good outcome. Despite many reports in the literature of congenital upper intestinal atresia and its association with umbilical cord ulceration, the propensity for this lesion for fetal hemorrhage, and the resulting perinatal morbidity and mortality, there appears to be a gap in the dissemination of this knowledge. In fetuses with suspected congenital upper intestinal atresia, recognition of the entity of umbilical cord ulceration may be improved by ultrasound with special attention to the amount of Wharton's jelly within the cord. Routine antepartum fetal surveillance may reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality from this condition. A high index of suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis of umbilical cord ulceration in association with congenital upper intestinal atresia. The role of amniotic fluid bile acids in the genesis of this disorder needs further study.

Embolic stroke in a postpartum patient with Fontan physiology.

In cardiac physiology, single ventricle typically refers to the presence of a dominant systemic ventricle along with a hypoplastic ventricle. The Fontan operation is used to repair the single ventricle by directing deoxygenated systemic venous flow to the pulmonary arterial circulation. Normal pregnancy physiology, particularly increased intravascular volume, increased heart rate, increased cardiac output, hypercoagulability and decreased systemic vascular resistance, can exacerbate cardiac disease in patients with Fontan circulation, leading to pregnancy complications. Despite the known risks, there are limited data addressing the question of anticoagulation in pregnant patients with Fontan physiology. Herein we present the case of a Fontan patient who had a successful pregnancy and delivery, and developed an embolic stroke in the postpartum period.