Population-based study of eclampsia: Lessons learnt to improve maternity care.

BACKGROUND: Among hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), eclampsia is a rare but serious event, often considered avoidable. Detailed assessment of the adequacy of care for the women who have eclampsia can help identify opportunities for improvement and for prevention of the associated adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. OBJECTIVE: 1/ To estimate the incidence and describe the characteristics of women with eclampsia and to compare them with those of women with non-eclamptic hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP)-related severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and of control women without SMM 2/ To analyse the quality of management in women who had eclampsia, at various stages of their care pathway. METHODS: It was a planned ancillary analysis of the EPIMOMS population-based study, conducted in six French regions in 2012-2013. Among the 182,309 maternities of the source population, all women with eclampsia (n = 51), with non-eclamptic HDP-related SMM (n = 351) and a 2% representative sample of women without SMM (n = 3,651) were included. Main outcome was the quality of care for eclampsia assessed by an independent expert panel at three different stages of management: antenatal care, care for pre-eclampsia and care for eclampsia. RESULTS: The eclampsia incidence was 2.8 per 10,000 (95%CI 2.0-4.0). Antenatal care was considered completely inadequate or substandard in 39% of women, as was pre-eclampsia care in 76%. Care for eclampsia was judged completely inadequate or substandard in 50% (21/42), mainly due to inadequate use of magnesium sulphate. CONCLUSION: The high proportion of inadequate quality of care underlines the need for an evidence-based standardisation of care for HDP.

Risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum disorders in women with any prior cesarean and a placenta previa or low lying: a prospective population-based study.

This study aimed to identify the risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in women who had at least one previous cesarean delivery and a placenta previa or low-lying. The PACCRETA prospective population-based study took place in 12 regional perinatal networks from 2013 through 2015. All women with one or more prior cesareans and a placenta previa or low lying were included. Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) was diagnosed at delivery according to standardized clinical and histological criteria. Of the 520,114 deliveries, 396 fulfilled inclusion criteria; 108 were classified with PAS at delivery. Combining the number of prior cesareans and the placental location yielded a rate ranging from 5% for one prior cesarean combined with a posterior low-lying placenta to 63% for three or more prior cesareans combined with placenta previa. The factors independently associated with PAS disorders were BMI ≥ 30, previous uterine surgery, previous postpartum hemorrhage, a higher number of prior cesareans, and a placenta previa. Finally, in this high-risk population, the rate of PAS disorders varies greatly, not only with the number of prior cesareans but also with the exact placental location and some of the women's individual characteristics. Risk stratification is thus possible in this population.

Conservative management or cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum: the PACCRETA prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Placenta accreta spectrum is a life-threatening condition that has increased dramatically in recent decades along with cesarean rates worldwide. Cesarean hysterectomy is widely practiced in women with placenta accreta spectrum; however, the maternal outcomes after cesarean hysterectomy have not been thoroughly compared with the maternal outcomes after alternative approaches, such as conservative management. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the severe maternal outcomes between women with placenta accreta spectrum treated with cesarean hysterectomy and those treated with conservative management (leaving the placenta in situ). STUDY DESIGN: From a source population of 520,114 deliveries in 176 hospitals (PACCRETA study), we designed an observational cohort of women with placenta accreta spectrum who had either a cesarean hysterectomy or a conservative management (the placenta left in situ) during cesarean delivery. Clinicians prospectively identified women meeting the inclusion criteria and included them at delivery. Data collection started only after the women had received information and agreed to participate in the study in the immediate postpartum period. The primary outcome was the transfusion of >4 units of packed red blood cells within 6 months after delivery. Secondary outcomes were other maternal complications within 6 months. We used propensity score weighting to account for potential indication bias. RESULTS: Here, 86 women had conservative management and 62 women had cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum during cesarean delivery. The primary outcome occurred in 14 of 86 women in the conservative management group (16.3%) and 36 of 61 (59.0%) in the cesarean hysterectomy group (risk ratio in propensity score weighted model, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.45). The rates of hysterectomy, total estimated blood loss exceeding 3000 mL, any blood product transfusion, adjacent organ injury, and nonpostpartum hemorrhage-related severe maternal morbidity were lower with conservative management than with cesarean hysterectomy (all adjusted, P≤.02); but, the rates of arterial embolization, endometritis, and readmission within 6 months of discharge were higher with conservative management than with cesarean hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Among women with placenta accreta spectrum who underwent cesarean delivery, conservative management was associated with a lower risk of transfusion of >4 units of packed red blood cells within 6 months than cesarean hysterectomy.

Planned delivery route and outcomes of cephalic singletons born spontaneously at 24-31 weeks' gestation: The EPIPAGE-2 cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between planned mode of delivery and neonatal outcomes with spontaneous very preterm birth among singletons in cephalic presentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Etude Epidémiologique sur les Petits Ages Gestationnels 2 is a French national, prospective, population-based cohort study of preterm infants. For this study, we included women with a singleton cephalic pregnancy and spontaneous preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes at 24-31 weeks' gestation. The main exposure was the planned mode of delivery (ie planned vaginal delivery or planned cesarean delivery at the initiation of labor). The primary outcome was survival at discharge and secondary outcome survival at discharge without severe morbidity. Propensity scores were used to minimize indication bias in estimating the association. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 1008 women: 206 (20.4%) had planned cesarean delivery and 802 (79.6%) planned vaginal delivery. In all, 723 (90.2%) finally had a vaginal delivery. Overall, 187 (92.0%) and 681 (87.0%) neonates in the planned cesarean delivery and planned vaginal delivery groups were discharged alive, and 156 (77.6%) and 590 (76.3%) were discharged alive without severe morbidity. After matching on propensity score, planned cesarean delivery was not associated with survival (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-2.28) or survival without severe morbidity (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.36-1.16). CONCLUSIONS: Planned cesarean delivery for cephalic presentation at 24-31 weeks' gestation after preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes does not improve neonatal outcomes.

Externally Validated Score to Predict Cesarean Delivery After Labor Induction With Cervi Ripening.

OBJECTIVE: To build a score to predict the risk of cesarean delivery after labor induction with cervical ripening, and to compare its predictive capacities with other already existing scores. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of data collected in the prospective multicenter observational French population-based cohort study Methods of Induction of Labor and Perinatal Outcomes, the primary objective of which was to obtain national data regarding labor induction practices in 94 maternity units. A total of 1,692 patients were randomly split into a derivation data set of 1,024 patients (60%) and an internal validation set of 668 patients (40%). Statistical analyses were performed using a Bayesian approach, allowing the use of priors (ie, previous results published in the literature). The final score is a simplified 50-point score. The score was validated using the internal validation set and an external data set of 4,242 patients from the National Institutes of Health's Consortium for Safe Labor database. We compared the area under the curve (AUC) of our score with two other scores: the modified Bishop score and the Levine score, which is a recently published risk calculator for cesarean delivery after labor induction with unfavorable cervix. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, height, body mass index, gestational age, parity, dilation, effacement, fetal head station, medical indication, suspicion of macrosomia, premature rupture of membranes and concerning fetal status were found to be strongly associated with cesarean delivery. The AUC in the derivation set and internal validation set were 0.76 (0.73-0.79) and 0.74 (0.70-0.78), respectively. On the external validation set, the AUC for the present score, the Levine score, and the modified Bishop score were 0.81 (0.79-0.82), 0.76 (0.75-0.78), and 0.74 (0.73-0.76), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our easy-to-use, externally validated score is efficient in predicting cesarean delivery after labor induction with cervical ripening. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02477085.

Risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) and the role of episiotomy: A retrospective series of 496 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and identify risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), and to determine the prevalence of episiotomy and whether it is protective for the posterior perineum. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective case-control study carried out in a level 2 maternity unit and a level 3 maternity unit between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015. The sample population included all vaginal deliveries at term of a living singleton foetus in cephalic presentation. The case group comprised patients with an OASIS. The control group comprised patients without OASIS. Statistical analysis was subdivided into descriptive and inferential parts. RESULTS: 42,626 patients were included in the study of whom 496 were cases of OASIS, i.e. a rate of 1.2%. The overall episiotomy rate was 10.0%, which reflects a restrictive practice. Episiotomy doesn't appear to be a statistically significant protective factor for OASIS (OR=0.89-95%CI [0.68-1.16]). The principal independent risk factors for OASIS were nulliparity (ORa=4.19-95%CI [3.03-5.84] - p<0.001), previous caesarean (ORa=5.59-95%CI [3.68-8.44] - p<0.001), uterine fundal height greater than 32cm (ORa=1.35-95%CI [1.03-1.77] - p=0.03), gestational or pre-pregnancy diabetes (ORa=1.76-95%CI [1.22-2.46] - p=0.002), birthweight of more than 3500g (ORa=1.48-95%CI [1.17-1.87] - p=0.001), assisted delivery (ORa=1.81-95%CI [1.18-2.86] - p=0.007), and use of a second instrument or obstetrical manoeuvre (ORa=1.93-95%CI [1.05-3.30] - p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Episiotomy doesn't appear to be a statistically significant protective factor on the perineal prognosis. A deeper understanding of the factors which promote OASIS and greater awareness of them would improve the perineal prognosis of parturient women.

Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy: Laparoscopic Resection and Total Scar Dehiscence Repair.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To illustrate a laparoscopic technique for the resection of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, associated with isthmocele repair. DESIGN: Case report (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: A tertiary referral center in Strasbourg, France. BACKGROUND: Cesarean scar pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. The major risk of this type of pregnancy is the early uterine rupture with massive, sometimes life-threatening, bleeding. Thus, active management of these pregnancies starting immediately after diagnosis is crucial. Therapeutic options can be medical, surgical, or a combination. Numerous case reports or case series can be found in the literature, but there are few clinical studies, which are difficult to conduct because of case rarity and inconclusiveness. A 2016 meta-analysis that included 194 articles published between 1978 and 2014 (126 case reports, 45 cases series, and 23 clinical studies) concluded that hysteroscopy or laparoscopic hysterotomy seems to be the best first-line approach to treating cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, with uterine artery embolization reserved for significant bleeding and/or a high suspicion index for arteriovenous malformation [1]. There is no consensus on the treatment of reference, however. PATIENT: The case involves a 38-year-old primiparous women who underwent a cesarean section delivery in 2010 and who was diagnosed by ultrasound scan at 7 weeks gestation with cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, which was confirmed by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging. The patient initially received medical treatment with 2 intramuscular injections of methotrexate and one local intragestational injection of KCl. Her initial human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level was 82 000 IU/L. Rigorous weekly biological and ultrasound monitoring revealed an involution of the ectopic pregnancy associated with decreasing hCG. No bleeding or infectious complications occurred during this period. After 10 weeks of monitoring, her hCG had stabilized at 300 IU/L, and a residual image persisted next to the cesarean scar, and thus surgical treatment was considered. INTERVENTION: This video illustrates the laparoscopic resection of a cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy associated with isthmocele repair. The originality of this video lies in the fact that it is the first demonstration of the laparoscopic treatment of total caesarean scar dehiscence. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The total operative time was 180 minutes. First, hysteroscopic evaluation revealed the cesarean scar dehiscence and the posterior pole of the ectopic pregnancy. Then the diagnosis of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy was confirmed laparoscopically. The utero-ombilical truncs were clamped bilaterally. Complete enucleation of pregnancy was achieved after dissection of the vesicouterine peritoneum. Isthmocele repair was performed with closure in 2 planes. A blue dye test confirmed the tightness of the stitches. The utero-ombilical truncs were unclamped, and antiadhesion gel was applied to the new uterine scar [1]. The operation was performed successfully without complications. Intraoperative blood loss was <100 mL. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. No immediate complications were noticed. At 1 month after the intervention, ultrasound was normal. CONCLUSION: Surgical management of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy with total dehiscence of hysterotomy can be performed safely and efficiently under laparoscopy.

Providing active antenatal care depends on the place of birth for extremely preterm births: the EPIPAGE 2 cohort study.

Survival rates of infants born before 25 weeks of gestation are low in France and have not improved over the past decade. Active perinatal care increases these infants' likelihood of survival. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to identify factors associated with active antenatal care, which is the first step of proactive perinatal care in extremely preterm births. METHODS: The population included 1020 singleton births between 220/6 and 260/6 weeks of gestation enrolled in the Etude Epidémiologique sur les Petits Ages Gestationnels 2 study, a French national population-based cohort of very preterm infants born in 2011. The main outcome was 'active antenatal care' defined as the administration of either corticosteroids or magnesium sulfate or delivery by caesarean section for fetal rescue. A multivariable analysis was performed using a two-level multilevel model taking into account the maternity unit of delivery to estimate the adjusted ORs (aORs) of receiving active antenatal care associated with maternal, obstetric and place of birth characteristics. RESULTS: Among the population of extremely preterm births, 42% received active antenatal care. After standardisation for gestational age, regional rates of active antenatal care varied between 22% (95% CI 5% to 38%) and 61% (95% CI 44% to 78%). Despite adjustment for individual and organisational characteristics, active antenatal care varied significantly between maternity units (p=0.03). Rates of active antenatal care increased with gestational age with an aOR of 6.46 (95% CI 3.40 to 12.27) and 10.09 (95% CI 5.26 to 19.36) for infants born at 25 and 26 weeks' gestation compared with those born at 24 weeks. No other individual characteristic was associated with active antenatal care. CONCLUSION: Even after standardisation for gestational age, active antenatal care in France for extremely preterm births varies widely with place of birth. The dependence of life and death decisions on place of birth raises serious ethical questions.

Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange for Preoxygenation Before Cesarean Delivery Under General Anesthesia: A Case Report.

Transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange has been shown to improve oxygenation and increase apnea time in difficult airway cases. It may also be beneficial in patients vulnerable to rapid desaturation due to limited pulmonary reserve. We report the use of transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange for preoxygenation before a cesarean delivery under general anesthesia in a patient with respiratory distress because of pneumonia and heart failure from severe mitral stenosis. To our knowledge, the use of this technique has not been previously reported in pregnant patients.

Association Between Planned Cesarean Delivery and Neonatal Mortality and Morbidity in Twin Pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the planned mode of delivery and neonatal mortality and morbidity in an unselected population of women with twin pregnancies. METHODS: The JUmeaux MODe d'Accouchement (JUMODA) study was a national prospective population-based cohort study. All women with twin pregnancies and their neonates born at or after 32 weeks of gestation with a cephalic first twin were recruited in 176 maternity units in France from February 2014 to March 2015. The primary outcome was a composite of intrapartum mortality and neonatal mortality and morbidity. Comparisons were performed according to the planned mode of delivery, planned cesarean or planned vaginal delivery. The primary analysis to control for potential indication bias used propensity score matching. Subgroup analyses were conducted, one according to gestational age at delivery and one after exclusion of high-risk pregnancies. RESULTS: Among 5,915 women enrolled in the study, 1,454 (24.6%) had planned cesarean and 4,461 (75.4%) planned vaginal deliveries, of whom 3,583 (80.3%) delivered both twins vaginally. In the overall population, composite neonatal mortality and morbidity was increased in the planned cesarean compared with the planned vaginal delivery group (5.2% compared with 2.2%; odds ratio [OR] 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.86-3.05). After matching, neonates born after planned cesarean compared with planned vaginal delivery had higher composite neonatal mortality and morbidity rates (5.3% compared with 3.0%; OR 1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.29-2.67). Differences in composite mortality and morbidity rates applied to neonates born before but not after 37 weeks of gestation. Multivariate and subgroup analyses after exclusion of high-risk pregnancies found similar trends. CONCLUSION: Planned vaginal delivery for twin pregnancies with a cephalic first twin at or after 32 weeks of gestation was associated with low composite neonatal mortality and morbidity. Moreover, planned cesarean compared with planned vaginal delivery before 37 weeks of gestation might be associated with increased composite neonatal mortality and morbidity.

Pilot randomised controlled trial comparing the risk of neonatal respiratory distress in elective caesarean section at 38 weeks' gestation following a course of corticosteroids versus caesarean at 39 weeks.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to compare neonatal respiratory morbidity and rate of emergency caesarean section between elective caesarean sections at 38 gestational weeks following a course of corticosteroids and planned caesarean sections at 39 gestational weeks. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a multicentre randomised controlled trial. The study was conducted between 2007 and 2013 in level 2 and 3 maternity units in France. A total of 208 women with an indication for elective caesarean section were enrolled and 200 analysed in per-protocol analysis. Women were randomised to either elective caesarean section at 38 gestational weeks after a course of corticosteroids (trial group) or elective caesarean section at 39 weeks (control group). The primary outcome was the rate of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory distress. RESULTS: Two (2.1%) newborn in the tested group were admitted because of respiratory distress versus four (3.8%) in the control group. The relative risk was 0.54 in favour of the corticosteroid group (95% CI: 0.10; 2.86). There were fewer emergency caesareans in the trial group than in the control group: 12 (12.69%) versus 28 (26.67%), p=0.01. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that planning caesarean sections at 38 gestational weeks after a course of corticosteroids would enable a significant reduction in the number of emergency caesareans without increasing the risk of neonatal respiratory distress. Limitations of this study include difficulties in patient recruitment and the small number of subjects.

Predicting the difficulty of operative vaginal delivery by ultrasound measurement of fetal head station.

BACKGROUND: Clinical assessment of fetal head station is difficult and subjective; it is mandatory before attempting operative vaginal delivery. OBJECTIVE: The principal objective of our study was to assess whether measurement of the perineum-to-skull ultrasound distance was predictive of a difficult operative vaginal delivery. Secondary objectives included evaluation of the interobserver reproducibility of perineum-to-skull ultrasound distance and comparison of this measurement and digital examination in predicting a difficult operative delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study including all cases of operative vaginal deliveries in singleton pregnancies in cephalic presentation >34 weeks' gestation, from 2012 through 2015. All data were entered prospectively in a medical record system specially devised to meet the requirements of this study. RESULTS: Of the 659 patients in whom perineum-to-skull ultrasound distance was measured prior to operative vaginal delivery, 120 (18%) met the composite criterion for a difficult extraction. Perineum-to-skull ultrasound distance measurement of ≥40 mm was significantly associated with the occurrence of a difficult extraction based on the composite criterion, after adjustment for parity, presentation type, and fetal macrosomia (odds ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.51-3.74; P = .0002). The intraclass correlation coefficient between the perineum-to-skull ultrasound distance measured by the first operator and that measured by the second operator was 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.95-0.97; P < .0001). Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, perineum-to-skull ultrasound distance was a more accurate predictor of difficult operative delivery than digital vaginal examination (P = .036). CONCLUSION: Measurement of the perineum-fetal skull ultrasound distance is a reproducible and predictive index of the difficulty of instrumental extraction. Ultrasound is a useful supplementary tool to the usual clinical findings.

Impact of Latency Duration on the Prognosis of Preterm Infants after Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes at 24 to 32 Weeks' Gestation: A National Population-Based Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of latency duration on survival, survival without severe morbidity, and early-onset sepsis in infants born after preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) at 24-32 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN: This study was based on the prospective national population-based Etude Épidémiologique sur les Petits Ȃges Gestationnels 2 cohort of preterm births and included 702 singletons delivered in France after PPROM at 24-32 weeks' gestation. Latency duration was defined as the time from spontaneous rupture of membranes to delivery, divided into 4 periods (12 hours to 2 days [reference], 3-7 days, 8-14 days, and >14 days). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between latency duration and survival, survival without severe morbidity at discharge, or early-onset sepsis. RESULTS: Latency duration ranged from 12 hours to 2 days (18%), 3-7 days (38%), 8-14 days (24%), and >14 days (20%). Rates of survival, survival without severe morbidity, and early-onset sepsis were 93.5% (95% CI 91.8-94.8), 85.4% (82.4-87.9), and 3.4% (2.0-5.7), respectively. A crude association found between prolonged latency duration and improved survival disappeared on adjusting for gestational age at birth (aOR 1.0 [reference], 1.6 [95% CI 0.8-3.2], 1.2 [0.5-2.9], and 1.0 [0.3-3.2] for latency durations from 12 hours to 2 days, 3-7 days, 8-14 days, and >14 days, respectively). Prolonged latency duration was not associated with survival without severe morbidity or early-onset sepsis. CONCLUSION: For a given gestational age at birth, prolonged latency duration after PPROM does not worsen neonatal prognosis.

Prevention of spontaneous preterm birth: Guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF).

In France, 60,000 neonates are born preterm every year (7.4%), half of them after the spontaneous onset of labor. Among preventable risk factors of spontaneous prematurity, only cessation of smoking is associated with decreased prematurity (level of evidence [LE]1). It is therefore recommended (Grade A). Routine screening and treatment of vaginal bacteriosis is not recommended in the general population (Grade A). The only population for which vaginal progesterone is recommended is that comprising asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies, no history of preterm delivery, and a short cervix at 16-24 weeks of gestation (Grade B). A history-indicated cerclage is not recommended for women with only a history of conization (Grade C), uterine malformation (professional consensus), isolated history of preterm delivery (Grade B), or twin pregnancies for primary (Grade B) or secondary (Grade C) prevention of preterm birth. A history-indicated cerclage is recommended for a singleton pregnancy with a history of at least 3 late miscarriages or preterm deliveries (Grade A). Ultrasound cervical length screening is recommended between 16 and 22 weeks for women with a singleton previously delivered before 34 weeks gestation, so that cerclage can be offered if cervical length <25mm before 24 weeks (Grade C). A cervical pessary is not recommended for the prevention of preterm birth in a general population of asymptomatic women with twin pregnancies (Grade A) or in populations of asymptomatic women with a short cervix (professional consensus). Although the implementation of universal screening by transvaginal ultrasound for cervical length at 18-24 weeks of gestation in women with a singleton gestation and no history of preterm birth can be considered by individual practitioners, this screening cannot be universally recommended. In cases of preterm labor, (i) it is not possible to recommend any one of the several methods (ultrasound of the cervical length, vaginal examination, or fetal fibronectin assay) over any other to predict preterm birth (Grade B); (ii) routine antibiotic therapy is not recommended (Grade A); (iii) prolonged hospitalization (Grade B) and bed rest (Grade C) are not recommended. Compared with placebo, tocolytics are not associated with a reduction in neonatal mortality or morbidity (LE2) and maternal severe adverse effects may occur with all tocolytics (LE4). Atosiban and nifedipine (Grade B), unlike beta-agonists (Grade C), can be used for tocolysis in spontaneous preterm labor without preterm premature rupture of membranes. Maintenance tocolysis is not recommended (Grade B). Antenatal corticosteroid administration is recommended for all women at risk of preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation (Grade A). After 34 weeks, the evidence is insufficiently consistent to justify recommending systematic antenatal corticosteroid treatment (Grade B), but a course of this treatment might be indicated in clinical situations associated with high risk of severe respiratory distress syndrome, mainly in case of planned cesarean delivery (Grade C). Repeated courses of antenatal corticosteroids are not recommended (Grade A). Rescue courses are not recommended (Professional consensus). Magnesium sulfate administration is recommended for women at high risk of imminent preterm birth before 32 weeks (Grade A). Cesareans are not recommended for fetuses in vertex presentation (professional consensus). Both planned vaginal and elective cesarean delivery are possible for breech presentations (professional consensus). Delayed cord clamping may be considered if the neonatal or maternal state allows (professional consensus).

A comparison of vaginal ultrasound and digital examination in predicting preterm delivery in women with threatened preterm labor: a cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility of digital examination in addition to ultrasonic measurement of cervical length for predicting spontaneous preterm delivery in women with threatened preterm labor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study in Strasbourg University Hospital, France, between January 2013 and January 2015. All women with a singleton pregnancy hospitalized with threatened preterm labor between 23 and 34 weeks of gestation were included. Cases of iatrogenic preterm delivery were excluded. A multivariable logistic regression model to estimate the significant predictive parameters of spontaneous preterm delivery was performed. The primary endpoint of our study was a preterm birth before 34 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: A total of 395 women were included in our study. The rate of preterm delivery before 34 weeks was 13%. In univariate analysis every single cervical parameter assessed by the digital examination and all the ultrasound parameters were significantly associated with preterm delivery. The final model included five variables predicting preterm birth: visualization of the membranes at the speculum examination (OR 15.8, 95% CI 2.43-146), ultrasound cervical length (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75-0.89), signs of inflammation (OR 6.23, 95% CI 2.07-22.9), gestational age on admission (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71-1.0), and presence of vaginal infection (OR 4.28, 95% CI 1.52-12.7). None of the cervical parameters assessed by the digital examination provided additional predictive value of preterm delivery. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that digital examination does not add to the information given by vaginal ultrasound evaluation in predicting preterm labor.

Evaluation of long-term neurodevelopment in twin-twin transfusion syndrome after laser therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of our study was to evaluate the long-term neurodevelopment outcome after laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The secondary objective was to identify perinatal prognostic factors associated with neurodevelopmental impairment. METHOD: This was a single-center cohort prospective study carried out in pregnancies complicated by TTTS and treated by laser. Neurodevleopmental assesment included the administration of Ages and Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ), for the infants between 2 and 5 years of age. RESULTS: A total of 187 patients underwent a laser for TTTS between 2004 and 2013. Significant brain lesions were detected in eight (2.9%) cases by ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging including intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and porencephaly. Questionnaires were administered to 126 children (50.4%) at 24 months or older at the moment of testing. There were 13.5% of those infants who had an abnormal ASQ (established as one area or more scoring < 2 SD) at 3.6 years ±1.3 follow-up. There was a higher rate of abnormal ASQ among the infants with a birth weight below the fifth percentile (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Twin-twin transfusion syndrome is associated with a risk of abnormal neurological development, even in case of laser surgery. Further studies are necessary to identify the risk factors for neurological impairment. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Acupuncture version of breech presentation: a randomized sham-controlled single-blinded trial.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have investigated the efficacy of moxibustion with or without acupuncture for fetal version, but the results are discordant. Meta-analyses pointed out the need for robust, methodologically sound, randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture with fire needling on acupoint BL67 for version of breech presentation. STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized, sham-controlled, single-blinded trial, which took place in Strasbourg teaching maternity hospital, France. A total of 259 patients between 32 and 34 weeks of gestation have been randomized and analyzed. Patients were randomized to either acupuncture with fire needling or sham group, and were analyzed in their initial allocation group. Statistical analysis was conducted using Bayesian methods, in univariate analysis and in multivariate analysis after adjustment on parity. RESULTS: The primary outcome was the rate of cephalic presentations at ultrasound examination performed between 35 and 36 weeks of gestation. A total of 49 (37.7%) fetuses were in cephalic presentation in the acupuncture group, versus 37 (28.7%) in the sham group: RR 1.34 [0.93-1.89], Pr RR>1=94.3%. After adjustment on parity, the acupuncture did not increase the rate of fetal cephalic version: OR 1.47 [0.84-2.42], Pr OR>1=90.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that acupuncture with fire needling on acupoint BL67 does not promote fetal cephalic version. Further studies might investigate effectiveness of other protocols of acupuncture. Randomization should be stratified for nulliparous and parous patients.

Postpartum hemorrhage: guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF): in collaboration with the French Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (SFAR).

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is defined as blood loss ≥500mL after delivery and severe PPH as blood loss ≥1000mL, regardless of the route of delivery (professional consensus). The preventive administration of uterotonic agents just after delivery is effective in reducing the incidence of PPH and its systematic use is recommended, regardless of the route of delivery (Grade A). Oxytocin is the first-line prophylactic drug, regardless of the route of delivery (Grade A); a slowly dose of 5 or 10 IU can be administered (Grade A) either IV or IM (professional consensus). After vaginal delivery, routine cord drainage (Grade B), controlled cord traction (Grade A), uterine massage (Grade A), and routine bladder voiding (professional consensus) are not systematically recommended for PPH prevention. After caesarean delivery, placental delivery by controlled cord traction is recommended (grade B). The routine use of a collector bag to assess postpartum blood loss at vaginal delivery is not systematically recommended (Grade B), since the incidence of severe PPH is not affected by this intervention. In cases of overt PPH after vaginal delivery, placement of a blood collection bag is recommended (professional consensus). The initial treatment of PPH consists in a manual uterine examination, together with antibiotic prophylaxis, careful visual assessment of the lower genital tract, a uterine massage, and the administration of 5-10 IU oxytocin injected slowly IV or IM, followed by a maintenance infusion not to exceed a cumulative dose of 40IU (professional consensus). If oxytocin fails to control the bleeding, the administration of sulprostone is recommended within 30minutes of the PPH diagnosis (Grade C). Intrauterine balloon tamponade can be performed if sulprostone fails and before recourse to either surgery or interventional radiology (professional consensus). Fluid resuscitation is recommended for PPH persistent after first line uterotonics, or if clinical signs of severity (Grade B). The objective of RBC transfusion is to maintain a haemoglobin concentration (Hb) >8g/dL. During active haemorrhaging, it is desirable to maintain a fibrinogen level ≥2g/L (professional consensus). RBC, fibrinogen and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) may be administered without awaiting laboratory results (professional consensus). Tranexamic acid may be used at a dose of 1 g, renewable once if ineffective the first time in the treatment of PPH when bleeding persists after sulprostone administration (professional consensus), even though its clinical value has not yet been demonstrated in obstetric settings. It is recommended to prevent and treat hypothermia in women with PPH by warming infusion solutions and blood products and by active skin warming (Grade C). Oxygen administration is recommended in women with severe PPH (professional consensus). If PPH is not controlled by pharmacological treatments and possibly intra-uterine balloon, invasive treatments by arterial embolization or surgery are recommended (Grade C). No technique for conservative surgery is favoured over any other (professional consensus). Hospital-to-hospital transfer of a woman with a PPH for embolization is possible once hemoperitoneum is ruled out and if the patient's hemodynamic condition so allows (professional consensus).

Neonatal Mortality and Long-Term Outcome of Infants Born between 27 and 32 Weeks of Gestational Age in Breech Presentation: The EPIPAGE Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether breech presentation is an independent risk factor for neonatal morbidity, mortality, or long-term neurologic morbidity in very preterm infants. DESIGN: Prospective population-based cohort. POPULATION: Singletons infants without congenital malformations born from 27 to 32 completed weeks of gestation enrolled in France in 1997 in the EPIPAGE cohort. METHODS: The neonatal and long-term follow-up outcomes of preterm infants were compared between those in breech presentation and those in vertex presentation. The relation of fetal presentation with neonatal mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes was assessed using multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among the 1518 infants alive at onset of labor included in this analysis (351 in breech presentation), 1392 were alive at discharge. Among those eligible to follow up and alive at 8 years, follow-up data were available for 1188 children. Neonatal mortality was significantly higher among breech than vertex infants (10.8% vs. 7.5%, P = 0.05). However the differences were not significant after controlling for potential confounders. Neonatal morbidity did not differ significantly according to fetal presentation. Severe cerebral palsy was less frequent in the group born in breech compared to vertex presentation but there was no difference after adjustment. There was no difference according to fetal presentation in cognitive deficiencies/learning disabilities or overall deficiencies. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that breech presentation is not an independent risk factor for neonatal mortality or long-term neurologic deficiencies among very preterm infants.

Anti-pseudo-PCNA type 1 (anti-SG2NA) pattern: Track down Cancer, not SLE.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the clinical significance of anti-SG2NA antibodies also called anti-pseudo-PCNA type 1 (proliferating cell nuclear antigen auto-antibodies) which are rare antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) staining distinctly S/G2 proliferative HEp-2 cells by indirect immunofluorescence. By analogy with anti-PCNA antibodies, they have been suspected to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cancers or viral diseases. METHODS: From May 2006 to February 2013, 16,827 patients were tested positive for ANAs in the Laboratory of Immunology, Strasbourg, France. We retrospectively analyzed clinical and biological data from 126 patients with anti-pseudo-PCNA type 1 antibodies. RESULTS: There was a 0.75% prevalence of anti-pseudo-PCNA type 1 Abs among ANAs(+) patients. Median age was 56.9 years (standard deviation [SD] 13.4 years) with a sex ratio female/male of 1.9. Compared to ANAs(+) patients, many more patients have been hospitalized in the Oncology and Hematology Department (23% vs. 6.3%, P < 0.05). Indeed, anti-pseudo-PCNA type 1 Abs were detected in 33 patients suffering from solid and hematological cancers (26%). Another group of patients presented various auto-immune diseases but surprisingly none of our patients was affected with SLE when 5 out of 8 patients in anti-PCNAs(+) Abs group (P < 5.10(-6)) were. Finally, the presence of anti-pseudo-PCNA type 1 Abs was associated in 30 cases with other auto-Abs reflecting a more general breakdown of B cell tolerance against other self-antigens. CONCLUSION: Considering our results, explorations for tumors should be at least recommended for patients with anti-pseudo-PCNA type 1 Abs. Lupus disease is not associated with these autoAbs.