Effectiveness of pentoxifylline in severe early-onset fetal growth restriction: A randomized double-blinded clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Management of pregnancy complicated by severe early-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) is one of the most challenging obstetrical issues. So far, there has not been a proven option for the treatment or improvement of this condition. Improper immune response during placentation leads to inadequate trophoblast invasion and impaired utero-placental perfusion. Pentoxifylline improves the endothelial function and induces vasodilation by reducing the inflammatory-mediated cytokines. We have evaluated the effect of Pentoxifylline on fetal-placental perfusion, neonatal outcome, and the level of oxidative stress markers before and after the intervention in the setting of severe early-onset FGR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a pilot randomized clinical trial on 40 pregnant women who had developed early-onset growth restricted fetus. Pentoxifylline and placebo were given with a dose of 400 mg per os two times daily until delivery. Serial ultrasound examination regarding fetal weight, amniotic fluid and also utero-placenta-fetal Doppler's were done. For the assessment of serum Antioxidant level, blood sampling was done once at the beginning of the study and again, at least, three weeks after the investigation. After delivery, umbilical-cord blood gas analysis, APGAR score at 1 and 5 min, NICU admission, and neonatal death were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Utero-placenta-fetal Doppler's in the Pentoxifylline group did not significantly change compared to the control group. Fetal weight gain was significantly higher in the Pentoxifylline group before (996.33 ± 317.41) and after (1616.89 ± 527.90) treatment (P = 0.002). Total serum antioxidant capacity significantly increased in the Pentoxifylline group (p < 0.036). Average 5 min Apgar score was significantly higher (P < 0.036) and the percentage of babies admitted to NICU was significantly lower (P < 0.030) in the treated group. CONCLUSION: Using Pentoxifylline in pregnancy affected by FGR might show promising effects. In this study, Pentoxifylline improved the neonatal outcome, increased fetal weight gain, and reduced neonatal mortality by decreasing the level of oxidative stress markers and cutting down the inflammatory cascade.

Vaginal misoprostol and intravenous oxytocin for success of termination in the second-trimester intrauterine fetal demise: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIM: To compare the success rate of vaginal misoprostol versus intravenous (IV) oxytocin in termination of pregnancy in the second trimester intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). METHODS: This was an open-label randomized controlled study for 106 women with second trimester IUFD. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: women given vaginal misoprostol (400 mcg every 6 h up to 48 h) versus those given IV oxytocin (starting with 50 units up to a maximum of 300 units). When the first-line treatment (as mentioned above) failed, treatment methods were replaced with each other. When the second-line treatment failed, the patients underwent dilation and evacuation. RESULTS: The first-line treatment yielded the successful rate of 88.7% versus 73.7% for misoprostol versus oxytocin, respectively (p = 0.047). Among those with first-line treatment failure, the second-line treatment yielded success rate of 85.7% versus 83.3% for misoprostol versus oxytocin (p = 0.891). The mean duration of induction to delivery in women with successful response to first-line treatment was 28.72 and 20.55 h after initially receiving misoprostol versus oxytocin, respectively (p < 0.001). While during second-line treatment, this mean interval was not significantly different among those with misoprostol versus oxytocin (p = 0.128). No severe adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Vaginal misoprostol was associated with higher termination rate than oxytocin without adverse events when used as the first-line treatment. Both methods yielded the same success rate when used as the second-line treatment.

Vaginal misoprostol versus intracervical Foley catheter for cervical ripening in postdate primigravid women: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Being one of the most common indications of labor induction, postdate pregnancy can lead to serious maternal and fetal complications. In this study we aimed to compare vaginal misoprostol with intracervical Foley catheter (FC) for cervical ripening in postdate primigravid women. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial included 120 primigravid women aged 18-35 years with singleton,  postdate pregnancies, and Bishop score ≤ 4. Participants were randomized into two equal groups. The first group received 25 µg vaginal misoprostol and the second group had an 18 Fr FC inserted into their cervical canal. Labor induction was performed using oxytocin in both groups if progression of labor or true contractions did not occur within 6 h of the interventions. In case of nonreassuring fetal heart rate, fetal distress, placental abruption, or prolonged labor, C-section was performed. RESULTS: The frequency of normal vaginal delivery, Cesarean section, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and neonatal intensive care unit admission did not differ significantly between groups. Placental abruption and uterine tachysystole occurred more frequently in the misoprostol group (15.0 vs. 1.7%, P = 0.008 and 21.7 vs. 0.0%, P < 0.001, respectively). A significantly higher number of women in the FC group required oxytocin (73.3 vs. 41.7%, P < 0.001). Duration of labor was significantly higher in the FC group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the lower rate of placental abruption and uterine tachysystole observed with FC, it appears to be superior to vaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening in postdate primigravid women; however, its longer labor duration and higher oxytocin requirement should be taken into consideration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20181218042033N4 . Registered 19/04/2020. Retrospectively registered, https://www.irct.ir/trial/47037.

The effect of aspirin on preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and preterm delivery among healthy pregnancies with a history of preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Due to the significance of preeclampsia (PE) and its adverse outcomes in the health of both mother and newborn, the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of aspirin on preventing the occurrence of PE, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and preterm delivery in women with a previous history of PE. METHODS: The present clinical trial was conducted on 90 pregnant women with a previous history of PE referred to the Khalij Fars Hospital in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province Iran from April 2017 to August 2018. The subjects of the study were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention and control to receive either 80 mg of aspirin or placebo daily during the pregnancy. Patients' information was obtained and recorded upon entering the study, follow-up visits, and childbirth. RESULTS: Among participants who entered the clinical trial, 86 patients (95.6%) completed the study. During the pregnancy, systolic blood pressure increased by 8.25 ± 14.83 and 19.06 ± 18.33 mmHg in aspirin and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.001). Also, the same happened with diastolic blood pressure (6.12 ± 11.46 vs 13.48 ± 13.95 mmHg, p = 0.010). The rate of PE was equal to 27 (62.8%) and 38 (88.4%) in the aspirin and placebo groups, respectively (aOR = 0.23, p = 0.013). In the aspirin group, the rate of IUGR was equal to 27.9% compared with 25.6% of newborns in the control group (aOR = 1.18, p = 0.750). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the rate of preterm delivery between the two groups (p = 0.061). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study conducted exclusively on women with previous documented PE revealed that taking aspirin may have a preventive effect on PE in the current pregnancy.

Obstetrics Healthcare Providers' Mental Health and Quality of Life During COVID-19 Pandemic: Multicenter Study from Eight Cities in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become the most challenging issue for healthcare organizations and governments all over the world. The lack of evidence-based data on the management of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy causes an additional stress for obstetrics healthcare providers (HCPs). Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate depression, perceived social support, and quality of life among obstetrics HCPs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in eight cities in Iran. During the study period, 599 HCPs were separated into direct, no direct, and unknown contact groups according to their exposure to COVID-19-infected pregnant patients. The Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) were used to assess depression, perceived social support, and quality of life. RESULTS: Obstetrics and gynecology specialists had significantly higher social functioning and general health scores compared to other HCPs (residents/students or nurses/midwives). Depression was negatively correlated with most of the domains of quality of life, regardless of the COVID-19 contact status of the study participants. Social support, however, was positively correlated with some domains of quality of life, such as physical functioning, energy/fatigue, and emotional well-being, among staff members who had either direct contact or no contact with COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 outbreak, the depression score among obstetrics HCPs was negatively associated with quality of life. Social support, however, had a reinforcing effect on quality of life.