A pilot study to understand feasibility and acceptability of stool and cord blood sample collection for a large-scale longitudinal birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available to guide biological sample collection around the time of birth for large-scale birth cohorts. We are designing a large UK birth cohort to investigate the role of infection and the developing immune system in determining future health and disease. We undertook a pilot to develop methodology for the main study, gain practical experience of collecting samples, and understand the acceptability of sample collection to women in late pregnancy. METHODS: Between February-July 2014, we piloted the feasibility and acceptability of collecting maternal stool, baby stool and cord blood samples from participants recruited at prolonged pregnancy and planned pre-labour caesarean section clinics at University College London Hospital. Participating women were asked to complete acceptability questionnaires. RESULTS: Overall, 265 women were approached and 171 (65%) participated, with ≥1 sample collected from 113 women or their baby (66%). Women had a mean age of 34 years, were primarily of white ethnicity (130/166, 78%), and half were nulliparous (86/169, 51%). Women undergoing planned pre-labour caesarean section were more likely than those who delivered vaginally to provide ≥1 sample (98% vs 54%), but less likely to provide maternal stool (10% vs 43%). Pre-sample questionnaires were completed by 110/171 women (64%). Most women reported feeling comfortable with samples being collected from their baby (<10% uncomfortable), but were less comfortable about their own stool (19% uncomfortable) or a vaginal swab (24% uncomfortable). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to collect a range of biological samples from women around the time of delivery, and this was acceptable for most women. These data inform study design and protocol development for large-scale birth cohorts.

The incidence of congenital syphilis in the United Kingdom: February 2010 to January 2015.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of congenital syphilis in the UK. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING AND POPULATION: United Kingdom. METHODS: Children born between February 2010 and January 2015 with a suspected diagnosis of congenital syphilis were reported through an active surveillance system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of congenital syphilis cases and incidence. RESULTS: For all years, reported incidence was below the WHO threshold for elimination (<0.5/1000 live births). Seventeen cases (12 male, five female) were identified. About 50% of infants (8/17) were born preterm (<37 weeks' gestation): median birthweight 2000 g (865-3170 g). Clinical presentation varied from asymptomatic to acute disease, including severe anaemia, hepatosplenomegaly, rhinitis, thrombocytopaenia, skeletal damage, and neurosyphilis. One infant was deaf and blind. Median maternal age was 20 years (17-31) at delivery. Where maternal stage of infection was recorded, 6/10 had primary, 3/10 secondary and 1/10 early latent syphilis. Most mothers were white (13/16). Country of birth was recorded for 12 mothers: UK (n = 6), Eastern Europe (n = 3), Middle East (n = 1), and South East Asia (n = 2). The social circumstances of mothers varied and included drug use and sex work. Some experienced difficulty accessing health care. CONCLUSION: The incidence of congenital syphilis is controlled and monitored by healthcare services and related surveillance systems, and is now below the WHO elimination threshold. However, reducing the public health impact of this preventable disease in the UK is highly dependent on the successful implementation of WHO elimination standards across Europe. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Congenital syphilis incidence in the UK is at a very low level and well below the WHO elimination threshold.

Syphilis screening in pregnancy in the United Kingdom, 2010-2011: a national surveillance study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the national antenatal syphilis screening programme and provide evidence for improving screening and management strategies. DESIGN: National population-based surveillance. SETTING: United Kingdom (UK). POPULATION: All pregnant women screening positive for syphilis, 2010-2011. METHODS: Demographic, laboratory and treatment details for each pregnancy were collected from UK antenatal units (~210), along with follow-up information on all infants born to women requiring syphilis treatment in pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of women with newly or previously diagnosed syphilis among those with positive screening tests in pregnancy; proportion requiring treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 77% (1425/1840) of reported pregnancies were confirmed syphilis screen-positive. Of these, 71% (1010/1425) were in women with previously diagnosed syphilis (155 requiring treatment), 26% (374/1425) with newly diagnosed syphilis (all requiring treatment) and 3% (41/1425) required treatment but the reason for treatment was unclear. Thus 40% (570/1425) required treatment overall; of these, 96% (516/537) were treated (missing data: 33/570), although for 18% (83/456), this was not until the third trimester (missing data: 60/537). Follow up of infants born to treated women was poor, with at least a third not followed. Six infants were diagnosed with congenital syphilis; two mothers were untreated, three had delayed treatment and one had incomplete treatment (first trimester). CONCLUSION: Over 2 years, among pregnant women with confirmed positive syphilis screening results in the UK, a quarter had newly diagnosed infections and 40% required treatment. Despite high uptake of treatment, antenatal syphilis management could be improved by earlier detection, earlier treatment, and stronger links between healthcare teams. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: 25% of pregnant women screening positive for syphilis in the UK were newly diagnosed and 40% needed treatment.

Pregnancies in older women living with HIV in the UK and Ireland.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes in women aged < 40 years and ≥ 40 years in a large unselected population of HIV-positive women delivering in the UK and Ireland between 2000 and 2014. METHODS: Comprehensive population-based surveillance data on all HIV-positive pregnant women and their children seen for care in the UK and Ireland are collected through the National Study of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood. All singleton and multiple pregnancies reported by the end of June 2015 resulting in live birth or stillbirth to women diagnosed with HIV infection before delivery and delivering in 2000-2014 were included. Logistic regression models were fitted in analyses examining the association between older maternal age and specific outcomes (preterm delivery and stillbirth). RESULTS: Among 15 501 pregnancies in HIV-positive women, the proportion in older women (≥ 40 years) increased from 2.1% (73 of 3419) in 2000-2004 to 8.9% (510 of 5748) in 2010-2014 (P < 0.001). Compared with pregnancies in younger women, those in older women were more likely to result in multiple birth (3.0 vs. 1.9% in younger women; P = 0.03), stillbirth (adjusted odds ratio 2.39; P = 0.004) or an infant with a chromosomal abnormality (1.6 vs. 0.2%, respectively; P < 0.001). However, there was no increased risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight or mother-to-child HIV transmission among older mothers. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a significant increase over time in the proportion of deliveries to women living with HIV aged ≥ 40 years, which has implications for pregnancy management, given their increased risk of multiple births, stillbirth and chromosomal anomalies, as also apparent in the general population.

Duration of ruptured membranes and mother-to-child HIV transmission: a prospective population-based surveillance study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between duration of rupture of membranes (ROM) and mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) rates in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). DESIGN: The National Study of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood (NSHPC) undertakes comprehensive population-based surveillance of HIV in pregnant women and children. SETTING: UK and Ireland. POPULATION: A cohort of 2398 singleton pregnancies delivered vaginally, or by emergency caesarean section, in women on cART in pregnancy during the period 2007-2012 with information on duration of ROM; HIV infection status was available for 1898 infants. METHODS: Descriptive analysis of NSHPC data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of MTCT. RESULTS: In 2116 pregnancies delivered at term, the median duration of ROM was 3 hours 30 minutes (interquartile range, IQR 1-8 hours). The overall MTCT rate for women delivering at term with duration of ROM ≥4 hours was 0.64% compared with 0.34% for ROM <4 hours, with no significant difference between the groups (OR 1.90, 95% CI 0.45-7.97). In women delivering at term with a viral load of <50 copies/ml, there was no evidence of a difference in MTCT rates with duration of ROM ≥4 hours, compared with <4 hours (0.14% for ≥4 hours versus 0.12% for <4 hour; OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.07-18.27). Among infants born preterm with infection status available, there were no transmissions in 163 deliveries where the maternal viral load was <50 copies/ml. CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between duration of ROM and MTCT in women taking cART. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Rupture of membranes of more than 4 hours is not associated with MTCT of HIV in women on effective ART delivering at term.

Trends in management and outcome of pregnancies in HIV-infected women in the UK and Ireland, 1990-2006.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the changing demographic profile of diagnosed HIV-infected pregnant women over time and trends in pregnancy outcome, uptake of interventions and mother-to-child transmission. DESIGN: National surveillance study. SETTING: UK and Ireland. POPULATION: Diagnosed HIV-infected pregnant women, 1990-2006. METHODS: Active surveillance of obstetric and paediatric HIV conducted through the National Study of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal characteristics, pregnancy outcome, use of antiretroviral therapy, mode of delivery and mother-to-child transmission. RESULTS: A total of 8327 pregnancies were reported, increasing from 82 in 1990 to 1394 in 2006, with an increasing proportion from areas outside London. Injecting drug use as the reported risk factor for maternal HIV acquisition declined from 49.2% (185/376) in 1990-1993 to 3.1% (125/4009) in 2004-2006 (P < 0.001), while the proportion of women born in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 43.5% (93/214) in 1990-1993 to 78.6% (3076/3912) in 2004-2006 (P < 0.004). Reported pregnancy terminations decreased from 29.6% (111/376) in 1990-1993 to 3.4% (135/4009) in 2004-2006 (P < 0.001). Most (56.4%, 3717/6593) deliveries were by elective caesarean section, with rates highest in 1999 (66.4%, 144/217). Vaginal deliveries increased from 16.6% (36/217) in 1999 to 28.3% (321/1136) in 2006 (P < 0.001). Use of antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy increased over time, reaching 98.4% (1092/1110) in 2006, and the overall mother-to-child transmission rate declined from 18.5% (35/189) in 1990-1993 to 1.0% (29/2832) in 2004-2006. CONCLUSIONS: The annual number of reported pregnancies increased dramatically between 1990 and 2006, with changing demographic and geographic profiles and substantial changes in pregnancy management and outcome.

Resective surgery: an esthetic application.

The esthetic influence of gingival architecture on symmetry and tooth length as they relate to the "smile line" can be altered through periodontal surgical techniques. An internal bevel gingivectomy can be utilized, with some modifications in technique, to increase the beauty of a smile. The practitioner can influence the appearance of the smile by correcting tooth length problems as they relate to upper lip line and correction of right-to-left asymmetries. The surgical techniques are described in detail for various clinical situations.