Ventilatory Assistance Before Umbilical Cord Clamping in Extremely Preterm Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Providing assisted ventilation during delayed umbilical cord clamping may improve outcomes for extremely preterm infants. Objective: To determine whether assisted ventilation in extremely preterm infants (23 0/7 to 28 6/7 weeks' gestational age [GA]) followed by cord clamping reduces intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or early death. Design, Setting, and Participants: This phase 3, 1:1, parallel-stratified randomized clinical trial conducted at 12 perinatal centers across the US and Canada from September 2, 2016, through February 21, 2023, assessed IVH and early death outcomes of extremely preterm infants randomized to receive 120 seconds of assisted ventilation followed by cord clamping vs delayed cord clamping for 30 to 60 seconds with ventilatory assistance afterward. Two analysis cohorts, not breathing well and breathing well, were specified a priori based on assessment of breathing 30 seconds after birth. Intervention: After birth, all infants received stimulation and suctioning if needed. From 30 to 120 seconds, infants randomized to the intervention received continuous positive airway pressure if breathing well or positive-pressure ventilation if not, with cord clamping at 120 seconds. Control infants received 30 to 60 seconds of delayed cord clamping followed by standard resuscitation. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was any grade IVH on head ultrasonography or death before day 7. Interpretation by site radiologists was confirmed by independent radiologists, all masked to study group. To estimate the association between study group and outcome, data were analyzed using the stratified Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test for relative risk (RR), with associations summarized by point estimates and 95% CIs. Results: Of 1110 women who consented to participate, 548 were randomized and delivered infants at GA less than 29 weeks. A total of 570 eligible infants were enrolled (median [IQR] GA, 26.6 [24.9-27.7] weeks; 297 male [52.1%]). Intraventricular hemorrhage or death occurred in 34.9% (97 of 278) of infants in the intervention group and 32.5% (95 of 292) in the control group (adjusted RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.81-1.27). In the prespecified not-breathing-well cohort (47.5% [271 of 570]; median [IQR] GA, 26.0 [24.7-27.4] weeks; 152 male [56.1%]), IVH or death occurred in 38.7% (58 of 150) of infants in the intervention group and 43.0% (52 of 121) in the control group (RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.68-1.21). There was no evidence of differences in death, severe brain injury, or major morbidities between the intervention and control groups in either breathing cohort. Conclusions and Relevance: This study did not show that providing assisted ventilation before cord clamping in extremely preterm infants reduces IVH or early death. Additional study around the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of assisted ventilation before cord clamping may provide additional insight. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02742454.

Systemic inflammation, enteropathogenic E. Coli, and micronutrient insufficiencies in the first trimester as possible predictors of preterm birth in rural Bangladesh: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: An incomplete understanding of preterm birth is especially concerning for low-middle income countries, where preterm birth has poorer prognoses. While systemic proinflammatory processes are a reportedly normal component of gestation, excessive inflammation has been demonstrated as a risk factor for preterm birth. There is minimal research on the impact of excessive maternal inflammation in the first trimester on the risk of preterm birth in low-middle income countries specifically. METHODS: Pregnant women were enrolled at the rural Bangladesh site of the National Institute of Child Health Global Network Maternal Newborn Health Registry. Serum samples were collected to measure concentrations of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and stool samples were collected and analyzed for enteropathogens. We examined associations of maternal markers in the first-trimester with preterm birth using logistic regression models. CRP and AGP were primarily modeled with a composite inflammation predictor. RESULTS: Out of 376 singleton births analyzed, 12.5% were preterm. First trimester inflammation was observed in 58.8% of all births, and was significantly associated with increased odds of preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 5.16), independent of anemia. Maternal vitamin B12 insufficiency (aOR = 3.33; 95% CI: 1.29, 8.21) and maternal anemia (aOR = 2.56; 95% CI: 1.26, 5.17) were also associated with higher odds of preterm birth. Atypical enteropathogenic E. coli detection showed a significant association with elevated AGP levels and was significantly associated with preterm birth (odds ratio [OR] = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.21, 4.57), but not associated with CRP. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation, anemia, and vitamin B12 insufficiency in the first trimester were significantly associated with preterm birth in our cohort from rural Bangladesh. Inflammation and anemia were independent predictors of premature birth in this low-middle income setting where inflammation during gestation was widespread. Further research is needed to identify if infections such as enteropathogenic E. coli are a cause of inflammation in the first trimester, and if intervention for infection would decrease preterm birth.

Impact of timing of multimodal analgesia in enhanced recovery after cesarean delivery protocols on postoperative opioids: A single center before-and-after study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Enhanced recovery after cesarean delivery (ERAC) programs aim to decrease maternal morbidity and aid in maternal recovery and return to baseline. Multimodal analgesia is an important element of ERAC protocols, but no consensus exists on the timing of medication administration. We compared maternal pain outcomes following scheduled cesarean delivery with modification of the timing of administration of multimodal analgesia with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. DESIGN: Before-and-after study. SETTING: Labor and delivery unit at a single academic institution. INTERVENTION: NSAIDs and acetaminophen were administered as a fixed-interval alternating regimen every 3 h for the initial ERAC group (ERAC 1) and fixed-interval combined regimen every 6 h for the modified ERAC group (ERAC 2). ERAC 1 and ERAC 2 groups were compared to historical controls (Pre-ERAC). PATIENTS: 520 women undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery (Pre-ERAC n = 179, ERAC 1 n = 179, and ERAC 2 n = 162). MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcomes were postoperative total and daily opioid utilization as measured in morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Secondary outcomes included postoperative length of stay, maximum pain scores, and racial disparities in care. MAIN RESULTS: The modified schedule of non-opioid analgesics involving combined administration (ERAC 2) versus alternating administration (ERAC 1) of multimodal analgesia resulted in decreased total postoperative opioid utilization (median = 26.3 vs 52.5 MME, Bonferroni corrected P = 0.002). Total postoperative opioid utilization among the ERAC 2 group was also significantly reduced compared to the Pre-ERAC group (median = 26.3 vs 105.0 MME, Bonferroni corrected P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary teams developing or modifying ERAC protocols for scheduled cesarean delivery should consider a combined administration at fixed intervals of NSAIDs and acetaminophen throughout the hospital stay to optimize postoperative pain management.

Concordance Between Obstetric Anatomic Ultrasound and Fetal Echocardiography in Detecting Congenital Heart Disease in High-risk Pregnancies.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the concordance between second-trimester anatomic ultrasound and fetal echocardiography in detecting minor and critical congenital heart disease in pregnancies meeting American Heart Association criteria. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pregnancies in which a second-trimester fetal anatomic ultrasound examination (18-26 weeks) and fetal echocardiography were performed between 2012 and 2018 at our institution based on American Heart Association recommendations. Anatomic ultrasound studies were interpreted by maternal-fetal medicine specialists and fetal echocardiographic studies by pediatric cardiologists. Our primary outcome was the proportion of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) cases not detected by anatomic ultrasound but detected by fetal echocardiography. The secondary outcome was the proportion of total congenital heart disease cases missed by anatomic ultrasound but detected by fetal echocardiography. Neonatal medical records were reviewed for all pregnancies when obtained and available. RESULTS: Overall, 722 studies met inclusion criteria. Anatomic ultrasound and fetal echocardiography were in agreement in detecting cardiac abnormalities in 681(96.1%) studies (κ = 0.803; P < .001). The most common diagnosis not identified by anatomic ultrasound was a ventricular septal defect, accounting for 9 of 12 (75%) missed congenital heart defects. Of 664 studies with normal cardiac findings on the anatomic ultrasound examinations, no additional instances of CCHD were detected by fetal echocardiography. No unanticipated instances of CCHD were diagnosed postnatally. CONCLUSIONS: With current American Heart Association screening guidelines, automatic fetal echocardiography in the setting of normal detailed anatomic ultrasound findings provided limited benefit in detecting congenital heart defects that would warrant immediate postnatal interventions. More selective use of automatic fetal echocardiography in at-risk pregnancies should be explored.

Targeted delivery at 34 versus 35 weeks in women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes.

Objective: To compare planned delivery at 34 versus 35 weeks for women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies with PPROM after 24 weeks delivered from 2006 to 2014. In 2009, an institutional practice change established 35 weeks as the target gestational age before induction of labor was initiated after PPROM. Demographic and outcome measures were compared for two cohorts: women delivered 2006-2008 - target 34 weeks (T34) and women delivered 2009-2014 - target 35 weeks (T35). The primary outcome was neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Results: Of the 382 women with PPROM, 153 (40%) comprized the T34 cohort and 229 (60%) comprized the T35 cohort. Demographic characteristics were similar between groups. There were no differences between groups in gestational age at PPROM (31.0 ± 3.3 weeks versus 31.2 ± 3.1 weeks; p = .50) or maternal complications. The mean gestational age at delivery was earlier in the T34 group (31.8 ± 3.2 weeks versus 32.4 ± 2.7 weeks; p = .04). The median predelivery maternal length of stay (LOS) was 1 day longer in the T35 group (p = .03); the total and postpartum LOS were similar between groups (p > .05). There were no differences in the rate of NICU admission (T34 89.5% versus T35 92.1%; p = .38) or median neonatal LOS (T34 14 days versus T35 17 days; p = .15). In those patients who reached their target gestational age, both maternal predelivery LOS and total LOS were longer in the T35 group (p > .05). The frequency of NICU admission in those reaching their target gestational age was similar between groups (T34 83.37% versus T35 76.19%; p = .46). Conclusions: A 35-week target for delivery timing for women with PPROM does not decrease NICU admissions or neonatal LOS. This institutional change increased maternal predelivery LOS, but did not increase maternal or neonatal complications.

Salpingectomy Compared With Tubal Ligation at Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether performance of salpingectomy compared with standard tubal ligation for sterilization at the time of cesarean delivery increases operating time or complication rates. METHODS: A randomized controlled noninferiority trial was performed at a single academic institution. Women undergoing planned cesarean delivery who desired sterilization were randomized to salpingectomy or standard tubal ligation. The primary outcome was length of time of the sterilization procedure, with the noninferiority margin set at 5 minutes. With a one-sided independent sample t test, to achieve a power of 90% with an α of 0.05, 18 women needed to complete each intervention. RESULTS: Forty-four women were enrolled, with 19 successfully undergoing salpingectomy and 18 undergoing standard tubal ligation. Salpingectomy could not be completed in 1 of 20 patients (as a result of adhesions). Baseline demographics were equivalent between groups. Salpingectomy procedure time was noninferior to standard tubal ligation, with a mean difference of 0.5 minutes, with a mean sterilization procedure time of 5.6 minutes in the salpingectomy group and 6.1 minutes in the standard tubal ligation group (P <.05, one-sided 95% CI upper bound 1.8 minutes). There was no difference between cesarean delivery with salpingectomy compared with cesarean delivery with standard tubal ligation in median total operating time (60 vs 68 minutes, P=.34) or estimated blood loss (600 vs 700 mL, P=.09). No patients in either group required reoperation or readmission. CONCLUSION: Salpingectomy procedure time was not longer than standard tubal ligation during cesarean delivery, with a mean difference of 30 seconds. There was a high completion rate for salpingectomy (95%) and no apparent increase in complications. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03028623.

Gestational Primary Hyperparathyroidism Due to Ectopic Parathyroid Adenoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

Gestational primary hyperparathyroidism (GPHPT) is a rare condition with fewer than 200 cases reported. We present the case of a 21-year-old woman who presented at 10 weeks' gestation with severe hypercalcemia. Laboratory investigation was consistent with primary hyperparathyroidism. Neck ultrasound did not reveal any parathyroid enlargement. Due to the persistence of severe hypercalcemia, she was treated with 4 weeks of cinacalcet therapy, which was poorly tolerated due to nausea and vomiting. At 14 weeks' gestation, she underwent neck exploration with right lower, left upper, and partial right upper parathyroid gland excision. Intra- and postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium levels remained elevated. After a thorough discussion of risks/benefits, the patient requested further treatment. A parathyroid sestamibi scan (PSS) revealed an ectopic adenoma in the left mediastinum. The adenoma was removed via video-assisted thorascopic parathyroidectomy with intraoperative PTH declining to nearly undetectable levels. She ultimately delivered a physically and developmentally normal infant at 37 weeks' gestation. Appropriate treatment of severe GPHPT may prevent the maternal and fetal complications of hypercalcemia. This case, in which cinacalcet therapy and PSS were used, adds to the body of literature regarding treatment of severe GPHPT.

Intimate partner violence and pregnancy: epidemiology and impact.

Intimate partner violence is a significant public health problem in our society, affecting women disproportionately. Intimate partner violence takes many forms, including physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression. While the scope of intimate partner violence is not fully documented, nearly 40% of women in the United States are victims of sexual violence in their lifetimes and 20% are victims of physical intimate partner violence. Other forms of intimate partner violence are likely particularly underreported. Intimate partner violence has a substantial impact on a woman's physical and mental health. Physical disorders include the direct consequences of injuries sustained after physical violence, such as fractures, lacerations and head trauma, sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies as a consequence of sexual violence, and various pain disorders. Mental health impacts include an increased risk of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and suicide. These adverse health effects are amplified in pregnancy, with an increased risk of pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, low birthweight, and small for gestational age. In many US localities, suicide and homicide are leading causes of pregnancy-associated mortality. We herein review the issues noted previously in greater depth and introduce the basic principles of intimate partner violence prevention. We separately address current recommendations for intimate partner violence screening and the evidence surrounding effectiveness of intimate partner violence interventions.

Intimate partner violence and pregnancy: screening and intervention.

In the first part of this review, we provided currently accepted definitions of categories and subcategories of intimate partner violence and discussed the prevalence and health impacts of intimate partner violence in nonpregnant and pregnant women. Herein we review current recommendations for intimate partner violence screening and the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of intimate partner violence interventions. Screening for intimate partner violence may include exclusively identification of victims of intimate partner violence or both the identification of and intervention for victims. Until recently, many professional organizations did not recommend universal screening for intimate partner violence because of a lack of evidence of effectiveness of screening, lack of evidence demonstrating that screening is not harmful, and/or a lack of consensus regarding the most effective screening tool. The lack of evidence supporting an intervention posed an additional barrier to screening. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has been a staunch advocate for universal intimate partner violence screening, even when other groups either did not endorse screening or recommended it only for high-risk women. Recent published data confirm that screening is more reliable than usual care in identifying victims of intimate partner violence, both during pregnancy and in nonpregnant women. Likewise, recent published data show that there are no apparent harms of screening for intimate partner violence and that the act of screening may have an empowering effect on women and improve their relationship with and trust in their health care providers. Despite these findings, the implementation rate of intimate partner violence screening remains low. Most encouraging are the recent data showing that interventions performed after screening for intimate partner violence are effective in reducing depression symptoms and episodes of violence as well as improving some outcomes of pregnancy. Although there remains a lack of consensus regarding which screening tool may be the most effective, we exhort all obstetrician-gynecologists to screen all women for intimate partner violence at regular intervals and to familiarize themselves with available community resources to assist those women who have been identified as experiencing intimate partner violence through screening.

Ventilation of Preterm Infants during Delayed Cord Clamping (VentFirst): A Pilot Study of Feasibility and Safety.

Background Establishing lung inflation prior to umbilical cord clamping may improve the cardiovascular transition and reduce the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants. We developed a pilot feasibility and safety study in which infants < 33 weeks' gestation received assisted ventilation during delayed cord clamping (DCC). Methods Infants born between 24 0/7 and 32 6/7 weeks' gestation whose mothers consented were enrolled. All infants received continuous positive airway pressure or positive pressure ventilation during 90 seconds of DCC. Outcomes included feasibility (ability to complete protocol and maintain a sterile field during cesarean deliveries) and safety variables (Apgar scores, umbilical cord pH and base deficit, admission temperature, and postcesarean infection). Results A total of 29 infants were enrolled, including one set of twins (median gestation: 30 weeks; 72% cesarean births). In all cases, the protocol was completed. Heart rate at 60 seconds was more than 100 beats per minute in all infants. Apgar scores, cord blood gas values, and admission temperature were comparable to other preterm deliveries at our institution. Conclusion Assisting ventilation of very preterm infants during 90 seconds of DCC is challenging but feasible and appears to be safe in this small pilot study. A randomized clinical trial is warranted to determine clinical benefit.

Missed Opportunities: Screening and Brief Intervention for Risky Alcohol Use in Women's Health Settings.

BACKGROUND: Although women's health settings could provide access to women for screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for risky alcohol use, little is known about rates of alcohol use or associated risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) among women's health patients, receipt of SBIRT services in these settings, or patient attitudes towards SBIRT services. METHODS: This study reports the results of a self-administered survey to a convenience sample of women's health patients attending public clinics for family planning or sexually transmitted infection visits. RESULTS: Surveys were analyzed for 199 reproductive-aged women who had visited the clinic within the past year. The rate of risky drinking among the sample was (44%) and risk for AEP was (17%). Despite this, many patients did not receive SBIRT services, with more than half of risky drinking patients reporting that they were not advised about safe drinking limits (59%) and similar rates of patients at risk for AEP reporting that their medical provider did not discuss risk factors of AEP (53%). Patient attitudes towards receipt of SBIRT services were favorable; more than 90% of women agreed or strongly agreed that if their drinking was affecting their health, their women's health provider should advise them to cut down. CONCLUSIONS: Women's health clinics may be an ideal setting to implement SBIRT and future research should address treatment efficacy in these settings.

Catheter Ablation of Arrhythmia During Pregnancy.

Cardiac arrhythmia as a complication of pregnancy can be problematic to maternal health and fetal life and development. Catheter ablation of tachyarrhythmias during pregnancy has been successfully performed in selected patients with limited experience. Techniques to limit maternal and fetal radiation exposure, including intracardiac echo and electroanatomic mapping systems, are particularly important in this setting. Specific accommodations are necessary in the care of the gravid patient during catheter ablation.

Medical and obstetric complications among pregnant women aged 45 and older.

OBJECTIVE: The number of women aged 45 and older who become pregnant is increasing. The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of medical and obstetric complications among women aged 45 and older. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify pregnant woman during admission for delivery. Deliveries were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9-CM) codes. Using ICD-9-CM codes, pre-existing medical conditions and medical and obstetric complications were identified in women at the time of delivery and were compared for women aged 45 years and older to women under age 35. Outcomes among women aged 35-44 were also compared to women under age 35 to determine if women in this group demonstrated intermediate risk between the older and younger groups. Logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for pre-existing medical conditions and medical and obstetric complications for both older groups relative to women under 35. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were also developed for outcomes at delivery among older women, while controlling for pre-existing medical conditions, multiple gestation, and insurance status, to determine the effect of age on the studied outcomes. RESULTS: Women aged 45 and older had higher adjusted odds for death, transfusion, myocardial infarction/ischemia, cardiac arrest, acute heart failure, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, acute renal failure, cesarean delivery, gestational diabetes, fetal demise, fetal chromosomal anomaly, and placenta previa compared to women under 35. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women aged 45 and older experience significantly more medical and obstetric complications and are more likely to die at the time of a delivery than women under age 35, though the absolute risks are low and these events are rare. Further research is needed to determine what associated factors among pregnant women aged 45 and older may contribute to these findings.

Physiologic and pharmacologic factors related to the provision of dental care during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, numerous physiologic changes occur that allow the mother to accommodate the needs of the developing fetus. Oral health care professionals should be knowledgeable about these changes and the impact they have on the safe provision of prophylactic and therapeutic dental care to pregnant women. Herein, the authors describe maternal physiologic adaptations and discuss changes in drug processing and placental drug transfer in order to enhance the knowledge base of oral health care professionals.

Toward quantitative fetal heart rate monitoring.

Continuous electronic fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring during labor is motivated by the clinical experience that fetal distress causes loss of FHR variation and the occurrence of decelerations late during uterine contraction. This practice is of uncertain clinical benefit, perhaps because the interpretation is qualitative. We have developed new quantitative measures and analyzed cardiotocograph records from 148 consecutive patients, 44 of whom had at least one "nonreassuring" epoch. In multivariate regression models, measures of deceleration and variability were significantly associated with the obstetrician's diagnosis (receiver operating characteristic area 0.84, p < 0.05). This approach may be useful clinically.

Buprenorphine versus methadone in the treatment of pregnant opioid-dependent patients: effects on the neonatal abstinence syndrome.

This study was designed to compare the neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in neonates of methadone and buprenorphine maintained pregnant opioid-dependent women and to provide preliminary safety and efficacy data for a larger multi-center trial. This randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, flexible dosing, parallel-group controlled trial was conducted in a comprehensive drug-treatment facility that included residential and ambulatory care. Participants were opioid-dependent pregnant women and their neonates. Treatment involved daily administration of either sublingual buprenorphine or oral methadone using flexible dosing of 4-24 mg or 20-100 mg, respectively. Primary a priori outcome measures were: (1) number of neonates treated for NAS; (2) amount of opioid agonist medication used to treat NAS; (3) length of neonatal hospitalization; and (4) peak NAS score. Two of 10 (20%) buprenorphine-exposed and 5 of 11 (45.5%) methadone-exposed neonates were treated for NAS (p=.23). Total amount of opioid-agonist medication administered to treat NAS in methadone-exposed neonates was three times greater than for buprenorphine-exposed neonates (93.1 versus 23.6; p=.13). Length of hospitalization was shorter for buprenorphine-exposed than for methadone-exposed neonates (p=.021). Peak NAS total scores did not significantly differ between groups (p=.25). Results suggest that buprenorphine is not inferior to methadone on outcome measures assessing NAS and maternal and neonatal safety when administered starting in the second trimester of pregnancy.

The preferred timing of second-trimester obstetric sonography based on maternal body mass index.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the preferred timing of sonographic screening of fetal anatomy based on the maternal body mass index (BMI). METHODS: We abstracted the sonographic reports of 2,303 gravidas undergoing routine fetal anatomic screening between 15 and 24 weeks' gestation to determine the completeness of the study. Height and weight information was available on 1444 patients. The maternal BMI (weight [kilograms]/height [square meters]) was categorized as underweight (<19.8), normal weight (19.8-26.0), overweight (26.1-29.0), and obese (>29.0). Completion rates were compared by chi(2) analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate for independent predictors of a completed study. RESULTS: Except for underweight women, completion rates for all BMI categories were significantly higher when the sonographic examinations were performed between 18 weeks and 19 weeks 6 days compared with those performed between 15 weeks and 17 weeks 6 days. Body mass index, estimated gestational age, and black race were independent predictors of a completed study. CONCLUSIONS: Except in underweight women, the 18- to 20-week interval appears to be superior to the 15- to 18-week interval when performing sonographic screening of the fetal anatomy.

Nulliparity and duration of pregnancy in multiple gestation.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to test the hypothesis that nulliparous women with multiple gestations would be more likely to have shorter gestational durations, a higher frequency of previable deliveries, and fewer pregnancy complications when compared with parous women. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of women who delivered a multiple gestation at 15 or more weeks at 2 institutions between January 1, 1990 and June 30, 2002 (n = 1,035). We recorded demographic data, medical complications, and pregnancy outcomes and analyzed these using paired t tests for continuous variables, chi(2) for categorical variables, and linear regression analysis for the effect of multiple variables on the primary outcome variable, gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in mean gestational age at delivery (34 versus 34.9 weeks, P =.006) between the nulliparous and multiparous groups after excluding women with a history of previous preterm birth and/or midtrimester loss. There were no differences between groups in the likelihood of delivering before 20, 24, or 28 weeks. In linear regression analysis, ongoing fetal number (P <.001), premature rupture of membranes (PROM; P <.001), cerclage (P =.002), and death of 1 or more fetuses (P <.001) were associated with shorter gestation. Cesarean delivery was associated with longer gestation (P <.001). Nulliparous women were significantly more likely to have a pregnancy complicated by hypertension (20.8% versus 9.2%, P <.001), diabetes (7% versus 4%, P =.03), or PROM (24.4% versus 17.3%, P =.006). CONCLUSION: Nulliparous women with a multiple gestation deliver their pregnancies, on average, 0.9 weeks earlier than parous women and more frequently experience hypertension, diabetes, and PROM. They are not, however, more likely to deliver before 24 weeks of gestation.

A dilated fetal stomach predicts a complicated postnatal course in cases of prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether dilation of the fetal stomach is associated with increased perinatal complications in infants with prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis. STUDY DESIGN: From 34 newborn infants with gastroschisis who were delivered at our institution over a 10-year period, 2 groups were analyzed on the basis of the presence or absence of a dilated fetal stomach. Reactive versus nonreactive nonstress test results were recorded, when performed. Neonatal outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-one fetuses had no evidence of gastric dilation. Thirteen fetuses had a dilated fetal stomach that was identified by ultrasound scanning. Within this group there was a higher incidence of nonreactive nonstress tests (P=.01). Infants with a prenatally dilated stomach had a higher incidence of volvulus and neonatal death, a significantly delayed time to full oral feeds, and a longer hospitalization than those infants who did not have a prenatally dilated stomach (P