Pregnancy and childbirth in patients with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia.

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare inherited platelet bleeding disorder caused by a quantitative and/or qualitative defect of the αIIbß3 integrin. Pregnancy and delivery pose special challenges as they entail increased risks of both maternal and foetal bleeding that may be life-threatening. Multidisciplinary management throughout the preconception, intrapartum and peripartum periods is vital to optimize pregnancy outcomes. This Nutshell review focuses on the challenging management of pregnancy and childbirth in patients with GT.

Does anti-HPA-1a affect birthweight in fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia?

BACKGROUND: Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) ensues from parental incompatibility for platelet alloantigens with maternal sensitization. HPA-1a/1b incompatibility is the most common cause of FNAIT in Caucasians. Placental villitis and lower birthweight in FNAIT suggest anti-HPA-1a may have effects beyond inducing thrombocytopenia. OBJECTIVES: Does FNAIT secondary to anti-HPA-1a result in smaller newborns and, the corollary, does antenatal management of FNAIT increase birthweight? STUDY DESIGN: Birthweights of 270 FNAIT-affected newborns from a randomized clinical trial and a NAITbabies.org survey (135 paired siblings) were compared with those of published controls and treated to untreated FNAIT-affected siblings. Birthweights were converted to percentiles to account for gestational age, sex, and role of birth order in birth weight. Body weights of FNAIT-affected and -unaffected pups in a mouse FNAIT model were analyzed. RESULTS: Untreated siblings in both the clinical trial and NAITbabies.org cohorts were not small, compared with normal controls. However, treated siblings in both cohorts had significantly higher birthweight percentiles compared with their previous untreated affected sibling. After accounting for gestational age, sex, and birth order, increased birthweight percentile in treated compared with the untreated siblings remained significant in both cohorts. FNAIT-affected neonatal mice had lower bodyweights than FNAIT-unaffected pups. CONCLUSIONS: Untreated FNAIT-affected newborns were not small; however, treatment of FNAIT-affected pregnancies increased newborn birthweights despite corrections to account for other factors that might have influenced the results. High dose IVIG is believed to "block" FcRn and lower maternal anti-HPA-1a levels, and thus increase birthweights by reducing levels of maternal anti-HPA-1a and reducing placental villitis.

Treatment of immune thrombocytopenia during pregnancy with thrombopoietin receptor agonists.

The introduction of thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) led to a paradigm shift in the management of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, TPO-RAs are not approved for use during pregnancy due to the absence of evidence and concerns for possible effects on the fetus due to their expected transplacental transfer. This comprehensive review examines the safety and efficacy of TPO-RA in 45 pregnancies of women with ITP (romiplostim n = 22; eltrombopag n = 21; both in the same pregnancy n = 2). Mothers experienced failure of the median of three treatment lines during pregnancy prior to TPO-RA administration. A platelet response (>30 × 109 /L) was seen in 86.7% of cases (including a complete response >100 × 109 /L in 66.7%) and was similar between eltrombopag and romiplostim (87.0% and 83.3%, p = 0.99). The maternal safety profile was favourable, with no thromboembolic events encountered. Neonatal thrombocytopenia was noted in one third of cases, with one case of ICH grade 3, and neonatal thrombocytosis was observed in three cases. No other neonatal adverse events attributable to TPO-RAs were seen. This review suggests that the use of TPO-RA during pregnancy is associated with a high response rate and appears safe. Nevertheless, TPO-RA should not be routinely used in pregnancy and should be avoided in the first trimester until further evidence is accumulated.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination elicits broad and potent antibody effector functions to variants of concern in vulnerable populations.

SARS-CoV-2 variants have continuously emerged in the face of effective vaccines. Reduced neutralization against variants raises questions as to whether other antibody functions are similarly compromised, or if they might compensate for lost neutralization activity. Here, the breadth and potency of antibody recognition and effector function is surveyed following either infection or vaccination. Considering pregnant women as a model cohort with higher risk of severe illness and death, we observe similar binding and functional breadth for healthy and immunologically vulnerable populations, but considerably greater functional antibody breadth and potency across variants associated with vaccination. In contrast, greater antibody functional activity targeting the endemic coronavirus OC43 is noted among convalescent individuals, illustrating a dichotomy in recognition between close and distant human coronavirus strains associated with exposure history. This analysis of antibody functions suggests the differential potential for antibody effector functions to contribute to protecting vaccinated and convalescent subjects as novel variants continue to evolve.

The procoagulant potential before and after surgery for endometriosis and its association with disease severity.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have suggested that endometriosis is associated with increased hypercoagulable state. We aimed to determine the procoagulant potential among women with endometriosis before and after surgery. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study performed during 2020-2021 at a university hospital. Women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis served as the study group. Blood samples were taken preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. The degree of hypercoagulability was assessed by thrombin generation, a global marker of the activation of the coagulation system, expressed as the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP). Healthy volunteers, without any medical condition or medications use, matched for age and weight of the study group, served as a control group. RESULTS: Thirty women with histologically-proven endometriosis and thirty healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. Median preoperative ETP was significantly higher in women with moderate-to-severe endometriosis (3313 [interquartile range, IQR 3067-3632] nM) as compared to those with minimal-to-mild disease (2368 [IQR 1850-2621] nM) and the control group (2451 [2096-2617] nM) ( P  < 0.001 for both comparisons). Following surgery, the ETP significantly decreased in those with moderate-to-severe endometriosis (postoperative: 2368 vs. preoperative: 3313 nM, P  < 0.001) and was comparable to the ETP in the control group ( P  = 0.35). In multivariate analysis, moderate-to-severe endometriosis was the only independent predictor of the preoperative ETP level ( P  < 0.001), with a direct positive correlation between disease revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine severity score and the preoperative ETP level ( rs  = 0.67; P  < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Moderate-to-severe endometriosis is associated with enhanced hypercoagulable state, which decreases significantly after surgery. Disease severity was independently associated with the degree of hypercoagulability.

Prediction of the degree of abnormal invasive placentation by obstetric history.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of placenta accrete spectrum (PAS) disorders is of utmost importance and mostly relies on high index of suspicion and sonographic criteria. The degree of abnormal invasive placentation is strongly associated with patients' outcomes. We aimed to determine the association between prior obstetric characteristics and the degree of PAS. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study. The study cohort comprised all women who delivered by cesarean delivery with a histopathological diagnosis of PAS during 2005-2019. We divided the cohort into 2 groups: severe PAS (increta/percreta) and mild PAS (accrete). Obstetrical characteristics and last delivery and cesarean characteristics were compared. RESULTS: Overall, 130 cases of histopathologically proven PAS were included. Of those 104 (80.0%) were mild PAS and 26 (20.0%) severe PAS. Both groups did not differ in terms of age and obstetric history. Mean parity of both study groups was 4. Intrapartum fever as noticed in 2.9-3.8% of primary cesarean (P=1.0). Cervical dilation at time of primary cesarean delivery was similar between the groups (mean 5 vs. 6 centimeters, P=0.73). Urgent cesarean delivery rate did not differ between groups (69.2% vs. 50.%, P=0.07). Method of hysterotomy closure was comparable as well. The only different variable found between groups was the rate of cephalic presentation at previous cesarean was higher in mild PAS group 69 (66.3%) vs. 11 (42.3%), P=0.024. odds ratio 2.68, 95% confidence interval 1.11-6.45. CONCLUSIONS: Discrimination of PAS severity by obstetric and previous surgical history is questionable. Our findings might be limited by sample size. Future prospective studies are warranted.

The effect of BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine on menstrual cycle symptoms in healthy women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine on women's menstrual cycle. METHODS: In this questionnaire-based cross-sectional study, we assessed menstrual pattern and changes in women who completed the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine 3 months before and after receiving the vaccine. Included were women aged 18-50 years without known gynecologic comorbidities who regularly monitor their menstruation through electronic calendars. All participants competed a detailed questionnaire on their menstrual symptoms including information on any irregular bleeding. To minimize bias, each woman served as a self-control before and after vaccination. Primary outcome was rate of irregular bleeding following vaccination and secondary outcome was presence of any menstrual change, including irregular bleeding, mood changes, or dysmenorrhea following the vaccine. RESULTS: A total of 219 women met the inclusion critieria. Of them, 51 (23.3%) experienced irregular bleeding following the vaccine. Almost 40% (n = 83) of study participants reported any menstrual change following vaccination. Parity was positively asssociated with irregular bleeding with 26 (50%) of those suffering from irregular bleeding being multiparous compared with only 53 (31.5%) of women with no irregular bleeding (nulliparous 46% vs 60%, multiparous 50% vs 31%, rest 4% vs 8%, P = 0.049). The presence of medical comorbidities was also significantly higher among patients who experienced irregular bleeding (20.0% vs 6.0%, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study shows relatively high rates of irregular bleeding and menstrual changes after receiving the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. Further research is needed to confirm our findings and to better characterize the magnitude of change and any possible long-term implications.

Kinetics of Maternally Derived Anti-Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Antibodies in Infants in Relation to the Timing of Antenatal Vaccination.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 infection during early infancy can result in severe disease. We evaluated the durability of maternally-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in infants and its relation to antenatal vaccination timing. METHODS: Sera were prospectively collected at birth and 3 months after delivery from mother-infant pairs following antenatal BNT162b2 vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific IgG levels and neutralizing activity were evaluated. RESULTS: 56 mother-infant pairs were included: 15 (26.8%) were vaccinated in the first trimester, 16 (28.6%) in the second trimester, and 25 (44.6%) in the third trimester.At the time of delivery, all neonates were positive for anti-RBD-specific IgG with a median concentration of 4046 [IQR 2446-7896] AU/mL, with the highest concentration found after third trimester vaccination (median 6763 [IQR 3857-12561] AU/mL). At 3 months after delivery, anti RBD-specific IgG levels in infants significantly waned with a median concentration of 545 [IQR 344-810] AU/mL (P < .001). The half-life of anti-RBD-specific IgG was 66 days among mothers and 30 days among infants. While at the time of delivery, all neonates had detectable neutralizing activity regardless of gestational age at vaccination, at 3-months of age, a higher proportion of infants born to mothers vaccinated in third trimester had persistent neutralizing activity as compared to those born to mothers vaccinated in second trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal vaccination leads to efficient transplacental antibody transfer, with persistent anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected at 3 months of age in all infants. The observed effect of antenatal immunization timing on the kinetics of maternally-derived antibodies may have implications for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination strategies.

The effect of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine on the symptoms of women with endometriosis.

PURPOSE: As the use of the messenger RNA (mRNA) BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine has grown, reports on menstrual changes have arisen. We aimed to examine menstrual bleeding patterns and endometriosis-associated symptoms after receiving the mRNA BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in women with endometriosis, as compared to the control group. METHODS: This is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study including a total of 174 women. The study group included 86 women with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis and the control group included 88 women with no diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of endometriosis. Each woman completed a questionnaire on menstrual bleeding patterns and endometriosis-associated symptoms before and after receiving two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Primary outcomes were changes in amount or length of menstrual bleeding, rates of intermenstrual bleeding and worsening in dysmenorrhea in the endometriosis patient group, as compared to the control group. Secondary outcomes included changes in all endometriosis-associated symptoms. RESULTS: In our cohort, women with endometriosis were more likely to experience changes in bleeding patterns (women with endometriosis: 39.5%, control group: 31.0%, p = 0.02), and a significant worsening in endometriosis-associated symptoms with an almost 4.3-fold worsening in dysmenorrhea [95% CI 1.9-9.9, p < 0.01] and 5.5-fold odds for any worsening in symptoms in endometriosis patients, as compared to the control group [95% CI 2.7-11.1, p < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, endometriosis was shown to be a significant risk factor for worsening of menstrual symptoms, after receiving the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Twenty-four versus 48 hours of expectant management in the setting of premature rupture of membranes at term among women with a prior cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVES: Compare two approaches of expectant management in the setting of term premature rupture of membranes (PROM) among women with prior cesarean delivery. METHODS: A retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care center during 2006 to 2017, including primiparous women with singleton pregnancy and a prior low-transverse cesarean delivery who presented with term PROM and requested trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). Outcomes were compared between the two campuses at our center: campus A enabled expectant management up to 48 hours following PROM and campus B enabled up to 24 hours after PROM. RESULTS: A total of 158 women met the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups. Maternal characteristics of the two groups were similar. In campus B, the rate of oxytocin administration was significantly higher as compared with campus A (46.6% versus 26.0%, P = 0.01). The rate of successful TOLAC was similar between the groups (84.0% versus 84.5%, P = 0.96). Rates of chorioamnionitis, uterine rupture, postpartum hemorrhage, recurrent hospitalization, and Apg scores did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Expectant management up to 48 hours in women with TOLAC presenting with term PROM was associated with a lower rate of induction of labor and similar maternal and neonatal outcomes.

The role of vaginal progesterone for preterm birth prevention in women with threatened labor and shortened cervix diagnosed after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether vaginal progesterone treatment for women with a short cervix, diagnosed after 24 weeks of pregnancy, reduces preterm birth rates. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study that included women with a singleton pregnancy, threatened preterm labor, and a short cervix measured between 24+0 and 33+6 weeks. Women who received vaginal progesterone were compared with women who did not receive progesterone. The primary outcome was spontaneous preterm birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy. RESULTS: Patients who received vaginal progesterone had a lower rate of preterm delivery at less than 37 weeks of pregnancy (18.2% [22/121] versus 28.9% [73/253]; adjusted hazard ratio 0.50; 95% confidence interval 0.28-0.73, P = 0.001). The diagnosis-to-delivery interval was significantly greater in patients who received progesterone than in those who did not-median time to delivery in weeks: 8.2 (interquartile range [IQR] 6.2-9.8) versus 6.6 (4.8-8.8), (P < 0.001). The frequency of neonatal intensive care unit admission was significantly lower in patients who received progesterone than in those who did not (8.3% [10/121] versus 16.2% [41/253], P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of vaginal progesterone to patients with an episode of threatened premature labor and a short cervix presenting after 24 weeks of pregnancy was associated with lower rates of premature births.

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination elicits broad and potent Fc effector functions to VOCs in vulnerable populations.

SARS-CoV-2 variants have continuously emerged even as highly effective vaccines have been widely deployed. Reduced neutralization observed against variants of concern (VOC) raises the question as to whether other antiviral antibody activities are similarly compromised, or if they might compensate for lost neutralization activity. In this study, the breadth and potency of antibody recognition and effector function was surveyed in both healthy individuals as well as immunologically vulnerable subjects following either natural infection or receipt of an mRNA vaccine. Considering pregnant women as a model cohort with higher risk of severe illness and death, we observed similar binding and functional breadth for healthy and immunologically vulnerable populations. In contrast, considerably greater functional antibody breadth and potency across VOC was associated with vaccination than prior infection. However, greater antibody functional activity targeting the endemic coronavirus OC43 was noted among convalescent individuals, illustrating a dichotomy in recognition between close and distant human coronavirus strains that was associated with exposure history. Probing the full-length spike and receptor binding domain (RBD) revealed that antibody-mediated Fc effector functions were better maintained against full-length spike as compared to RBD. This analysis of antibody functions in healthy and vulnerable populations across a panel of SARS-CoV-2 VOC and extending through endemic alphacoronavirus strains suggests the differential potential for antibody effector functions to contribute to protecting vaccinated and convalescent subjects as the pandemic progresses and novel variants continue to evolve. One Sentence Summary: As compared to natural infection with SARS-CoV-2, vaccination drives superior functional antibody breadth raising hopes for candidate universal CoV vaccines.

Maternal and Neonatal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant Neutralization After Antenatal Messenger RNA Vaccination.

We evaluated the neutralization efficiency against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in maternal and cord blood sera after antenatal BNT162b2 vaccination. Neutralizing antibodies against Omicron were lacking at the time of delivery after 2-dose vaccination. A third booster dose was essential in building neutralizing antibody capacity against Omicron among mothers and neonates.

Maternal antagonism of Glp1 reverses the adverse outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy on mouse offspring.

Mothers that underwent bariatric surgery are at higher risk for delivering a small-for-gestational age (SGA) infant. This phenomenon is attributed to malabsorption and rapid weight loss following surgery. We compared pregnancy outcomes in lean mice that underwent sham surgery or sleeve gastrectomy (SG). SG led to a reduction in glucose levels and an increase in postprandial levels of glucagon-like peptide 1 (Glp1) without affecting mice weight during pregnancy. Pups of SG-operated mice (SG pups) were born SGA. The placenta and pancreas of the pups were not affected by SG, although a high-fat diet caused hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance in male SG pups. Treatment with a Glp1 receptor antagonist during pregnancy normalized the birth weight of SG pups and diminished the adverse response to a high-fat diet without affecting glucose levels of pregnant mice. The antagonist did not affect the birth weight of pups of sham-operated mice. Our findings link elevated Glp1 signaling, rather than weight loss, to the increased prevalence of SGA births following bariatric surgery with metabolic consequences for the offspring. The long-term effects of bariatric surgery on the metabolic health of offspring of patients require further investigation.

The Effect of Gestational Age at BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccination on Maternal and Neonatal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Antibody Levels.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancy and early infancy can result in severe disease. Evaluating the effect of gestational age at the time of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination on maternal antibody levels and transplacental antibody transfer has important implications for maternal care and vaccination strategies. METHODS: Maternal and cord blood sera were collected from mother-newborn dyads (n = 402), following term delivery after antenatal 2-dose SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) and receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific IgG levels were evaluated in the samples collected. RESULTS: Median anti-S and anti-RBD-specific IgG levels in maternal sera at the time of delivery were lowest following first-trimester vaccination (n = 90; anti-S IgG: 76 AU/mL; anti-RBD-specific IgG: 478 AU/mL), intermediate in those vaccinated in the second trimester (n = 124; anti-S IgG: 126 AU/mL; anti-RBD-specific IgG: 1263 AU/mL), and highest after third-trimester vaccination (n = 188; anti-S IgG: 240 AU/mL; anti-RBD-specific IgG: 5855 AU/mL). Antibody levels in neonatal sera followed a similar pattern and were lowest following antenatal vaccination in the first trimester (anti-S IgG: 126 AU/mL; anti-RBD-specific IgG: 1140 AU/mL). In a subgroup of parturients vaccinated in the first trimester (n = 30), a third booster dose was associated with significantly higher maternal and neonatal antibody levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a considerable antibody waning throughout pregnancy in those vaccinated at early gestation. The observed boosting effect of a third vaccine dose hints at its potential benefit in those who completed the 2-dose vaccine series at early pregnancy or before conception. The impact of antenatal immunization timing on SARS-CoV-2 transplacental antibody transfer may influence neonatal seroprotection.

Duration of the second stage of labour and risk of subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) associated with the length of second stage of labour in the first term delivery. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. POPULATION: Women with first two consecutive singleton births and the first birth at term. Those who did not reach the second stage of labour in the first delivery were excluded. METHODS: Charts from 2007 to 2019 were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of sPTB (<37 weeks of gestation) in the second delivery. RESULTS: Of 13 958 women who met study inclusion criteria, 1464 (10.5%) parturients had a prolonged second stage (≥180 min) in their first term delivery. The rate of sPTB in the second delivery was similar in those with and without a prolonged second stage in first delivery (2.8% versus 2.8%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.35, 95% CI 0.96-1.90). After adjustment for mode of delivery, prolonged second stage was also not associated with subsequent sPTB in those who delivered by spontaneous and operative vaginal delivery. Those delivered by second-stage caesarean section in the first delivery had a higher risk of sPTB in the second delivery (25/526, 4.8%; aOR 2.66, 95% CI 1.71-4.12; p < 0.001), with a more pronounced risk in those with second-stage caesarean following a prolonged second stage of labour (15/259, 5.8%; aOR 3.40, 95% CI 1.94-5.94; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Second-stage duration in a first term vaginal delivery is not associated with subsequent sPTB. The risk of sPTB is increased following second-stage caesarean section, particularly if performed after a prolonged second stage. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Second-stage caesarean delivery, particularly after prolonged second stage, increases the risk of preterm birth.

Changes in bone mineral density following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: 2-year outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that sleeve gastrectomy (SG) leads to significant bone mineral density (BMD) losses, but there is a paucity of studies evaluating skeletal consequences beyond 12-months post-operatively. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate BMD changes 2 years postoperatively. SETTING: A university hospital. METHODS: Thirty-three women (mean age: 34.4 ± 12.3 years) who underwent SG and completed 24 months of follow-up were evaluated prospectively at baseline and at 3 (M3), 6 (M6), 12 (M12), and 24 (M24) months postoperatively. Data collected included BMD at the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and anthropometrics, biochemical, nutritional, and physical activity parameters. RESULTS: At M24, patients achieved a mean body mass index and excess weight loss of 32.4 ± 5.1 kg/m2 and 64.5 ± 21.4%, respectively; however, weight stabilized at M12. Femoral neck BMD decreased significantly from baseline to M24 (.924 ± .124 versus .870 ± .129 g/cm2, P < .001), with no change between M12 and M24 (P = .273). Total hip BMD decreased significantly from baseline to M24 (1.004 ± .105 versus .965 ± .132 g/cm2, P < .001) but increased between M12 and M24 (P = .001). No significant changes were noted in lumbar spine BMD. The percentage of changes in the femoral neck and the total hip BMD from baseline to M24 positively correlated with postoperative excess weight loss (r = .352, P = .045, and r = .416, P = .018, respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite notable weight loss, women who underwent SG experienced significant bone loss at the total hip and femoral neck more than 2 years postoperatively. Future studies should investigate intervention strategies to attenuate skeletal deterioration after SG.

Factors Associated With Operatively Confirmed Adnexal Torsion Among Pregnant Women - A Multicenter Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound findings with the surgical diagnosis of adnexal torsion in a retrospective cohort of women operated for suspected torsion during pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study of pregnant women who underwent urgent laparoscopy for suspected adnexal torsion during 2004-2019 in three tertiary medical centers. RESULTS: Adnexal torsion was found in 143/208 (68.8 %) cases. Women with adnexal torsion had lower parity and lower rates of previous cesarean section, but higher rates of fertility treatments and multiple gestations, and were more likely to report right lower abdominal pain, with shorter duration of symptoms (< 24 hrs) and vomiting but not nausea. Women with adnexal torsion were found to have higher rates of sonographic findings suggestive of ovarian edema, while normal-appearing ovaries on ultrasound were more common in women without torsion. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that complaints of right abdominal pain were positively associated with adnexal torsion (aOR [95 % CI] 5.03 (1.45-17.49), while previous cesarean delivery and ultrasound findings of normal-appearing ovaries were negatively associated with adnexal torsion (aOR of 0.17 (0.05-0.52) and 0.10 (0.02-0.43), respectively). CONCLUSION: Clinical characteristics and ultrasound findings may be incorporated into the emergency room workup of pregnant women with suspected adnexal torsion.

Is real-time dynamic cervical shortening predictive of preterm birth?- A case control study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the risk of preterm birth in those with real-time dynamic cervical shortening. METHODS: A retrospective matched case-control study. The study group comprised all women with dynamic cervical shortening (≥4 mm) noted from 24 to 34 weeks of gestation during 2010-2017 at a university hospital. Two control groups of women were established by matching the minimal and maximal cervical length measured, as well as age, parity, gestational age, history of spontaneous preterm birth, symptoms of preterm labor, and delivery year. RESULTS: Data from 339 women were analyzed, 113 with dynamic cervical shortening comprised the study group, and two groups with 113 women each, matched for the minimal and maximal cervical lengths measured comprised the control groups. Rates of spontaneous preterm birth rate at <37 weeks (32.7% vs. 15.9%; OR [95% CI]: 2.60 (1.36, 4.87), p = .004) and <35 weeks (15.9% vs. 5.3%; OR [95% CI]: 3.38 (1.29, 8.86), p = .013) were significantly higher among those with dynamic cervix than among the control group matched for the maximal cervical length, and comparable to the control group matched for the minimal cervical length. The negative predictive values of cervical length for preterm birth occurrence at various cutoff values were lower in those with dynamic cervix. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal cervical length measured should be used to guide patient management when dynamic cervix is noted. In the setting of dynamic cervical change, the value of cervical length as a negative predictor of preterm birth is limited.