Delivery outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy following the conservative management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Cesarean hysterectomy is generally presumed to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality secondary to placenta accreta spectrum disorder. Recently, uterine-sparing techniques have been introduced in conservative management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder to preserve fertility and potentially reduce surgical complications. However, despite patients often expressing the intention for future conception, few data are available regarding the subsequent pregnancy outcomes after conservative management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder. Thus, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess these outcomes. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to September 2022. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included all studies, with the exception of case studies, that reported the first subsequent pregnancy outcomes in individuals with a history of placenta accreta spectrum disorder who underwent any type of conservative management. METHODS: The R programming language with the "meta" package was used. The random-effects model and inverse variance method were used to pool the proportion of pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 5 studies involving 1458 participants that were eligible for quantitative synthesis. The type of conservative management included placenta left in situ (n=1) and resection surgery (n=1), and was not reported in 3 studies. The rate of placenta accreta spectrum disorder recurrence in the subsequent pregnancy was 11.8% (95% confidence interval, 1.1-60.3; I2=86.4%), and 1.9% (95% confidence interval, 0.0-34.1; I2=82.4%) of participants underwent cesarean hysterectomy. Postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 10.3% (95% confidence interval, 0.3-81.4; I2=96.7%). A composite adverse maternal outcome was reported in 22.7% of participants (95% confidence interval, 0.0-99.4; I2=56.3%). CONCLUSION: Favorable pregnancy outcome is possible following successful conservation of the uterus in a placenta accreta spectrum disorder pregnancy. Approximately 1 out of 4 subsequent pregnancies following conservative management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder had considerable adverse maternal outcomes. Given such high incidence of adverse outcomes and morbidity, patient and provider preparation is vital when managing this population.

Surgical Techniques for the Management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum.

The surgical management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is often challenging. There are a variety of techniques and management options described in the literature ranging from uterine sparing to cesarean hysterectomy. Following the inaugural meeting of the Pan-American Society for Placenta Accreta Spectrum a multidisciplinary group collaborated to describe collective recommendations for the surgical management of PAS. In this manuscript, we outline individual components of the procedure and provide suggested direction at key points of a cesarean hysterectomy in the setting of PAS. KEY POINTS: · The surgical management of PAS requires careful planning and expertise.. · Multidisciplinary team care for pregnancies complicated by PAS can decrease morbidity and mortality.. · Careful surgical techniques can minimize risk of significant hemorrhage by avoiding pitfalls..

Critical Care in Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders-A Call to Action.

The rising in placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) incidence, highlights the need for critical care allotment for these patients. Due to risk for hemorrhage and possible hemorrhagic shock requiring blood product transfusion, hemodynamic instability and risk of end-organ damage, having an intensive care unit (ICU) with surgical expertise (surgical ICU or equivalent based on institutional resources) is highly recommended. Intensive care units physicians and nurses should be familiarized with intraoperative anesthetic and surgical techniques as well as obstetrics physiologic changes to provide postpartum management of PAS. Validated tools such of bedside point of care ultrasound and viscoelastic tests such as thromboelastogram/rotational thromboelastometry (TEG/ROTEM) are clinically useful in the assessment of hemodynamic status (shock diagnosis, assessment of both fluid responsiveness and tolerance) and transfusion guidance (in patients requiring massive transfusion as opposed to tranditional hemostatic resuscitation) respectively. The future of PAS management lies in the collaborative and multidisciplinary environment. We recommend that women with high suspicion or a confirmed PAS should have a preoperative plan in place and be managed in a tertiary center who is experienced in managing surgically complex cases. KEY POINTS: · The rising in placenta accreta spectrum incidence highlights the need for critical care expertise.. · Emerging tools such as point-of-care ultrasound and thromboelastography/rotational thromboelastometry represent new avenues for real time optimization of hemodynamic and hematological care of patients with PAS.. · Patients with PAS should be referred to a tertiary center having an intensive care unit (ICU) with surgical expertise (or equivalent based on institutional resources)..

General Management Considerations for Placenta Accreta Spectrum.

The ideal management of a patient with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) includes close antepartum management culminating in a planned and coordinated delivery by an experienced multidisciplinary PAS team. Coordinated team management has been shown to optimize outcomes for mother and infant. This section provides a consensus overview from the Pan-American Society for the Placenta Accreta Spectrum regarding general management of PAS.

Title: Is Mild Idiopathic Polyhydramnios Associated with an Increased Risk for an Intrauterine Fetal Demise? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Antenatal fetal surveillance has been recommended for moderate/severe idiopathic polyhydramnios but not for mild idiopathic polyhydramnios. The purpose of this study is to determine if pregnancies with mild idiopathic polyhydramnios have an increased risk for an intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). Methods: Medical records and amniotic fluid volume ultrasound data from 2016 to 2021 at a university medical center were examined. Pregnancies with fetal anomalies, fetal infection, isoimmunization, multiple gestation, maternal diabetes and oligohydramnios were excluded. Normal amniotic fluid volume was defined as an amniotic fluid index (AFI) <24 cm which was compared to mild idiopathic polyhydramnios, AFI of ≥24.0 cm-29.9 cm, and moderate/severe polyhydramnios which is an AFI ≥30 cm. Results: Of 12,725 patients meeting inclusion study criteria, there were 249 with idiopathic polyhydramnios (n = 249) which was associated with an increased odds of IUFD (aOR) of 3.27 (CI 1.50-7.15), NICU admission (aOR 1.28, CI 0.96-1.70), 5-minute APGAR score less than 7 (aOR 2.16, CI 1.52-3.07), and large for gestational age infant (LGA) (aOR 4.04, CI 2.83-5.78) compared to normal amniotic fluid volume (AFV). In the mild polyhydramnios group (n = 204, out of the 249 women with polyhydramnios) compared to the 12,476 pregnancies with normal AFV group, IUFD (aOR 3.38, CI 1.46-7.82), NICU admission (aOR 1.19, CI 0.87-1.64), 5-minute APGAR score less than 7 (aOR 1.68, CI 1.10-2.55) and LGA (aOR 3.87, CI 2.59-5.78). In moderate/severe polyhydramnios group (n = 45) compared to the normal AFV group, there was no increased odds of IUFD (aOR 2.78, CI 0.38-20.29) or NICU admission (aOR 1.74, CI 0.93-3.26) but an increased odds for a 5-minute APGAR score less than 7 (aOR 4.94, CI 2.57-9.53) and LGA fetus (aOR 4.80, CI 2.26-10.22). Conclusion: There is an increased odds of IUFD in pregnancies complicated by mild idiopathic polyhydramnios. Patients should be counseled on an increased odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with idiopathic polyhydramnios, and in those pregnancies with mild idiopathic polyhydramnios, antenatal fetal surveillance should be considered.

Risk of vascular complications in prophylactic compared to emergent resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in the management of placenta accreta spectrum.

OBJECTIVE: To compare prophylactic and emergent resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) catheter placement in the management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of all patients with PAS (January 2018 to January 2020) at a single tertiary center who underwent prophylactic or emergent REBOA for cesarean hysterectomy for PAS. RESULTS: A total of 16 pregnant patients with PAS underwent percutaneous REBOA placement by acute care surgeons in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary PAS team. The REBOA catheter was placed prophylactically in 11 cases and emergently in 5 cases. No complications occurred in the prophylactic placement group. In the emergent placement group, 3 of 4 surviving patients had vascular access site complications requiring intervention. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary approach for the management of PAS utilizing REBOA is feasible in the setting of both planned and emergent cesarean hysterectomy and can aid in the control of acute hemorrhage. The risk for vascular access site complications related to REBOA catheter placement is higher in the emergent setting compared to prophylactic placement.

Management of pregnancies complicated by placenta accreta spectrum utilizing a multidisciplinary care team in a rural state.

PURPOSE: To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes following the development of a multidisciplinary care team for the management of pregnancies complicated by placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in a rural state. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study evaluating pregnancies managed before PAS team care management formation (2010-2015) and after (2016-2020) in a university medical center. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were analyzed. Patients were grouped by delivery date to either before or after dedicated PAS team formation. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were analyzed. Frequencies and percentages were reported for categorical measures while means and standard deviations were computed for continuous measures. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for continuous variables while Chi-square or Fisher's exact was used for categorical measures. FINDINGS: There were 82 patients with PAS managed at our institution (29 in Pre-PAS team group and 53 in Post-PAS team group). The number of units of packed red blood cells (PRBCS) transfused intraoperatively was significantly higher in the Pre-PAS care team group (6.52 vs. 3.26, p = .0057). The total number of units PRBCS transfused (9.93 vs. 3.51, p = .0014) and total number of cryoprecipitate transfused (0.77 vs. 0.08, p = .0225) during the entire hospital stay were increased in the Pre-PAS team group. Median neonatal 1 min and 5 min APGAR scores were lower in the Pre-PAS care team group (2 vs 6 at 1 min, p = .0035; 6 vs. 7at 5 min, p = .0301). CONCLUSIONS: Management of PAS by a dedicated, multidisciplinary team results in less blood transfusion requirements and improved maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Management of Critically Ill Pregnant Patients with COVID-19 Infection in a Rural State.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited data on the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnancy. Arkansas saw an increase in COVID-19 cases in June 2020. The first critically ill pregnant patient was admitted to our institution on May 21st, 2020. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes in critically ill pregnant women with COVID-19 at a single tertiary care center who received remdesivir and convalescent plasma (CCP). STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective observational review of critically ill pregnant women with COVID-19 who received remdesivir and CCP. This study was approved by the institutional review board (#261354). RESULTS: Seven pregnant patients with COVID-19 were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). All received remdesivir and CCP. Six received dexamethasone. The median ICU length of stay (LOS) was 8 days (range 3-17). Patient 1 had multi-organ failure requiring vasopressors, renal dialysis, and had an intrauterine fetal demise. Patients 4 and 6 required mechanical ventilation, were delivered for respiratory distress and were extubated at 2 and 1 days postpartum, respectively. The only common risk factor was obesity. There were no adverse events noted with remdesivir or CCP. CONCLUSION: There is little data regarding the use of remdesivir or CCP for the treatment of COVID-19 in pregnant women. In our cohort, these were well tolerated with no adverse events. Previously reported median ICU LOS in critically ill pregnant women with COVID-19 was 8 days (range 4-15).1 Our study found a similar ICU LOS (8 days; range 3-17). Patient 1 did not receive remdesivir or CCP until transport to our facility on hospital day 3. Excluding patient 1, median ICU LOS was 6.5 days (range 3-9). Our institution's treatment of pregnant women with critical illness with remdesivir, CCP and dexamethasone combined with delivery in select cases has thus far had good outcomes. KEY POINTS: · Combined therapy: remdesivir, CCP, dexamethasone.. · Remdesivir, CCP and dexamethasone was effective in treating critically ill pregnant women with COVID-19.. · No adverse events were associated with combined therapy.. · Delivery improved respiratory status..

A Fetal Presentation of a Ruptured Right Ventricular Diverticulum.

Ruptured diverticula and ventricular aneurysms are rare in the fetus, with a limited number of case reports published previously. Additional fetal complications secondary to these ventricular wall abnormalities can be seen. Interventional measures can be considered and attempted either in utero or postnatally to improve the chance of survival. We present a case of a ruptured diverticulum in a fetus and the clinical course.

A comparison of placental pathology between small for gestational age infants at < 5 % versus 5-9.

INTRODUCTION: Among SGA newborns, those < 5th % for GA are more likely to have adverse outcomes than those at 5-9th %. The differential morbidity and mortality may be due to abnormal placental pathology between groups. Our purpose was to compare placental pathology characteristics and composite placental pathology among SGA infants with birth weights <5th % vs. 5-9th %. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Placental pathological variables and composite placental pathology (CPP) among SGA infants <5th % and 5-9th % were compared. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the probability of an infant's birth weight being classified as <5th % based on pathology characteristics. RESULTS: Of 11,487 live singleton births, 925 SGA infants met inclusion criteria. Placental pathology was available for review in 407 (44 %) SGA infants: 210 (51.6 %) <5th % and 197 (48.4 %) 5-9th %. A decreased placental weight for GA, was more common in the <5th % group compared to the 5-9th % group (p = 0.0019). No significant differences in the distribution of pathological variables or in CPP (p = 0.3) was observed between the two centile groups. A decreased placental weight was the only reliable predictor of an infant's birth weight centile group (p = 0.0018). CONCLUSIONS: Placental hypoplasia, reflected by a decreased placental weight for GA, was significantly more common among SGA infants < 5th % compared to the 5-9th %. There was no difference in placental pathological features or CPP between the two centile groups of SGA infants.

Accuracy of the Ultrasound Estimate of the Amniotic Fluid Volume (Amniotic Fluid Index and Single Deepest Pocket) to Identify Actual Low, Normal, and High Amniotic Fluid Volumes as Determined by Quantile Regression.

OBJECTIVES: To identify abnormal amniotic fluid volumes (AFVs), normal volumes must be determined. Multiple statistical methods are used to define normal amniotic fluid curves; however, quantile regression (QR) is gaining favor. We reanalyzed ultrasound estimates in identifying oligohydramnios, normal fluid, and polyhydramnios using normal volumes calculated by QR. METHODS: Data from 506 dye-determined or directly measured AFVs along with ultrasound estimates were analyzed. Each was classified as low, normal, or high for both the single deepest pocket (SDP) and amniotic fluid index (AFI). A weighted κ statistic was used to assess the level of agreement between the AFI and SDP compared to actual AFVs by QR. RESULTS: The overall level of agreement for the AFI was fair (κ = 0.26), and that for the SDP was slight (κ = 0.19). Although not statistically significant (P = .792), the positive predictive value to classify a low volume using the AFI was lower compared to the SDP (35% vs 43%). The positive predictive value for a high volume was higher using the AFI compared to the SDP (55% versus 31%) but not statistically significant. The missed-call rate for high-volume identification by the SDP versus AFI was statistically significant (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.04-14.97). The missed-call rate for low-volume identification by the AFI versus SDP was not statistically significant (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-11.53). CONCLUSIONS: Both the AFI and SDP identify actual normal AFVs by QR, with sensitivity higher than 90%. The SDP is superior for identification of oligohydramnios, and the AFI superior for identification of polyhydramnios.

Surrogacy and Pregnancy.

IMPORTANCE: Surrogacy allows for parenthood when it is otherwise impossible or exceedingly difficult; however, the risks of surrogate pregnancy for the gestational surrogate and the fetus are not well defined. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the literature to examine the prevalence and requirements of surrogate pregnancy and maternal and perinatal outcomes. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A CINAHL and 2 PubMed searches were undertaken using the terms "surrogate mothers" OR "(surrogate or surrogacy)" AND "(mothers OR pregnancy OR pregnant)." The second search used these terms and pregnancy outcomes. The search was limited to the English language, but the years searched were unlimited. RESULTS: The search identified 153 articles, 36 of which are the basis for this review. The number of surrogate pregnancies is increasing in the United States. Fetal risks associated with surrogacy include low birth weight, increased risk of multiple gestation, and preterm birth. Maternal complications associated with surrogate pregnancy include hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, postpartum hemorrhage, and gestational diabetes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Surrogacy is a route to parenting that is not without risk to the surrogate or the fetus, and surrogate pregnancy is increasing in frequency in the United States.

Teleultrasound for pre-natal diagnosis: A validation study.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: There are no large validation trials comparing teleultrasound to on-site ultrasound. We aim to compare the sensitivity and accuracy of teleultrasound and demonstrate that teleultrasound is not inferior to on-site ultrasound in the pre-natal diagnosis of fetal anomalies. METHODS: All targeted ultrasounds performed between November 2010 and December 2012 were considered. We excluded studies performed at less than 17 weeks' gestation, on multiple gestations and for reasons other than an anatomical survey. Post-natal diagnoses were obtained from a state level mandatory birth defects surveillance programme. Descriptive statistics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy) were calculated for both groups. A test of non-inferiority was performed, with the non-inferiority difference set at 0.15. RESULTS: The teleultrasound and on-site ultrasound groups consisted of 2368 and 3145 studies, respectively. The sensitivity of teleultrasound and on-site ultrasound was 57.46% and 76.57%, and the accuracy was 95.9% and 90.97%, respectively. The observed sensitivity difference was -0.1911. The accuracy, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of teleultrasound are similar to on-site ultrasound. DISCUSSION: Teleultrasound is inferior to on-site ultrasound in the detection of fetal anomalies; however, it has improved accuracy, as well as higher negative and positive predictive values. A negative teleultrasound is more likely to identify a non-anomalous fetus, and a positive teleultrasound is more likely to correctly identify an anomalous fetus. CONCLUSION: Teleultrasound has an important role in pre-natal diagnosis for those patients unable or unwilling to travel for an on-site ultrasound.

Teleultrasound: How Accurate Are We?

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound serves an important role in the prenatal diagnosis of fetal structural anomalies. Recently, there has been increased use of teleultrasound protocols. We aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and accuracy of teleultrasound. METHODS: We conducted an Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective cohort study determining the sensitivity and accuracy of teleultrasound. In addition, we evaluated the number of ultrasound examinations required to complete an anatomic survey. Only ultrasound examinations performed for anatomic surveys were included. Studies were excluded if performed before 16 completed weeks' gestation, if they had multiple gestations, or for reasons other than anatomy (eg, Doppler studies and fluid assessment). Prenatal diagnoses were compared with postnatal diagnoses obtained from a robust mandatory birth defects surveillance program that records all birth defects in the entire state, from deliveries before 20 weeks' gestation through infants up to 2 years of age. RESULTS: A total of 2499 studies were evaluated; 2368 were included. The teleultrasound cohort had a congenital anomaly prevalence of 5.66%. The sensitivity of teleultrasound was 57.46%; the specificity was 98.21%; and the accuracy was 95.9%. Anatomic surveys were completed after 1 visit in 82% of patients, whereas 63% and 61% of the remaining patients required 2 and 3 visits, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Teleultrasound for prenatal diagnosis has similar sensitivity and accuracy as the published literature for on-site ultrasound. Further studies are needed to compare the sensitivity and accuracy within the same population and further validate this potentially cost-saving modality.

Normal amniotic fluid volume across gestation: Comparison of statistical approaches in 1190 normal amniotic fluid volumes.

AIM: Ultrasound estimation and evaluation of amniotic fluid volume (AFV) is an important component of pregnancy surveillance and fetal well-being. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast four statistical methods used to construct gestational age-specific reference intervals for the assessment of AFV. METHODS: A total of 1095 normal AFV derived from four studies that measured AFV using dye-dilution or direct measurement at the time of hysterotomy were used to construct reference intervals using polynomial regression, quantile regression, Royston and Wright mean and SD, and Cole's lambda mu sigma (LMS) methods. The 2.5th, 5th, 50th, 95th, and 97.5th centiles were derived for each statistical method. RESULTS: AFV increased curvilinearly from 15 gestational weeks and onward. Based on the 50th centile, the maximum value occurred at 30 weeks' gestation for the polynomial regression and mean and SD methods while the maximum was achieved at week 31 for the quantile regression and LMS methods. When data were sparse, the quantile regression method produced dramatically different estimates at the higher centile. CONCLUSION: The four statistical methods produced similar results at gestational ages in which AFV was high. The quantile regression approach, however, produces results that are more reflective of the data when the data are sparse. Given the flexibility and robustness of the quantile regression method, we recommend its use in constructing reference intervals when the interest lies in the tails of the reference distribution.

National In-Hospital Outcomes of Pregnancy in Women With Single Ventricle Congenital Heart Disease.

Most patients with single ventricle (SV) congenital heart disease are expected to survive to adulthood. Women with SV are often counseled against pregnancy; however, data on pregnancies in these women are lacking. We sought to evaluate in-hospital outcomes of pregnancy in women with SV. We used nationally representative data from the 1998 to 2012 National Inpatient Sample to identify women ≥18 years of age admitted to the hospital with International Classification of Diseases-9th Revision codes for an intrauterine pregnancy and a diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, tricuspid atresia, or common ventricle. A matched comparison group without a diagnosis of congenital heart disease or pulmonary hypertension was identified from the database. National estimates of hospitalizations were calculated. Length of stay, hospital charges, and complications were analyzed and compared between groups. Charge data were adjusted to 2012 dollars. There were 282 admissions of pregnant women with SV (69% with deliveries) and 1,405 admissions in the control group (88% with deliveries). Vaginal delivery was more common in SV (74% vs 71%, p <0.001). Length of stay (4.1 ± 0.91 vs 2.8 ± 0.18 days, p <0.001) and charges ($30,787 ± 8,109 vs $15,536 ± 1,006, p <0.0001) were higher in the SV group. Complications occurred in most SV admissions and were more common in the SV group than in the control group. No deaths occurred. Cardiovascular complications occurred in 25% of pregnancy-related hospitalizations, although in-hospital pregnancy-related death is rare. Vaginal delivery is common in these patients. These data suggest that pregnancy and vaginal delivery can be tolerated in women with SV, although the risk for a cardiovascular event is significantly higher than in the general population.

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Arkansas: Prenatal Genetics Clinic Experience and Lessons Learned.

The term NIPT (non-invasive prenata. testing). is used to d Qscribe a relativel new screening test designed to. identit .pregnancies at increased risk for certain fetal aneuploidlies. Since May of 2012, the UAMS Malernal'Tbtal Medicine, division has provided genetic 'counseling, obtiained informed consent; and I ordered NIPT 6n over 400 high-risk pregnancies. We wish to . present data collect6d from, these results,,as well as offer tips for primary obstetricians/practition'ers. Who consider ordering NIPT for some of their patients.

Childhood Respiratory Morbidity after Late Preterm and Early Term Delivery: a Study of Medicaid Patients in South Carolina.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of research documenting an increased risk of neonatal morbidity for late preterm infants (LPI, 34(0/7) weeks to 36(6/7) weeks) and early term infants (ETI, 37(0/7) weeks to 38(6/7) weeks) compared with term infants (TI, 39(0/7) to 41(6/7) ); however, there has been little research on outcomes beyond the first year of life. In this study, we examined respiratory outcomes of LPI and ETI in early childhood. METHODS: South Carolina Medicaid claims data for maternal delivery and infant birth hospitalisations were linked to vital records data for the years 2000 through 2003. Medicaid claims for all infants were then followed until their fifth birthday or until a break in their eligibility. Infants born between 34(0/7) and 41(6/7) weeks were eligible. Infants with congenital anomaly, birthweight below 500 g or above 6000 g, and multiple births were excluded. We fit Cox proportional hazard models from which adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were derived. RESULTS: A total of 3476 LPI, 12 398 ETI, and 25 975 term infants were included. Both LPI and ETI were associated with an increased risk for asthma (LPI: HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.10, 1.40; ETI: HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06, 1.19), and bronchitis (LPI: HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00, 1.34; ETI: HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.05, 1.2) at 3 to 5 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: Late preterm infants and early term infants are at increased risk for asthma and bronchitis.

Fetal Mortality in the Delta.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the fetal mortality rate in the Delta counties of a state in the Mississippi Delta region of the United States with that of the non-Delta counties of the same state. METHODS: Hospital discharge data for maternal hospitalizations were linked to fetal death and birth certificates for 2004-2010. Data on maternal characteristics and comorbidities and pregnancy characteristics and outcomes were evaluated. The frequency of characteristics of pregnant women and pregnancy outcomes between Delta and non-Delta areas of the state was compared. RESULTS: There were a total of 248,255 singleton births, of which 35,605 occurred in the Delta counties. Delta patients were more likely to be younger than 20 years old, African American, multigravida, Medicaid recipients, smokers, and not married (P < 0.001) when compared with the non-Delta patients. The overall odds of fetal death within Delta counties are 1.40 times (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-1.61) higher than the non-Delta counties, and the odds of fetal death at ≤28 weeks are 1.56 times (95% CI 1.28-1.91) higher. After controlling for maternal age, race/ethnicity, level of prenatal care, and maternal comorbidities, the odds of fetal death remained 1.21 times higher (95% CI 1.05-1.41) and 1.28 times higher at ≤28 weeks' gestational age (95% CI 1.03-1.60). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal mortality is significantly greater in the Delta counties compared with the non-Delta counties, with a 21% increase in the odds of overall fetal death in the Delta counties compared with non-Delta counties and a 28% increase in the odds of fetal death at ≤28 weeks.