Association of Neighborhood-Level Socioeconomic Status With Prolapse Management Decision.

IMPORTANCE: This study identifies how neighborhood-level socioeconomic status (SES) may affect patients' treatment decisions for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association of neighborhood-level SES with the decision of surgical versus conservative POP management. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients newly diagnosed with POP at a tertiary medical center between 2015 and 2021. Patients lost to follow-up or poor surgical candidates were excluded. Patient characteristics, demographics, and treatment selection were abstracted from the electronic health record. Conservative management was defined as expectant, pessary, and/or pelvic floor physical therapy. Five-digit zip codes were linked to the Area Deprivation Index and used as a surrogate for neighborhood-level SES. Area Deprivation Indices were dichotomized at or below the sample median (less disadvantaged area) and above the sample median (more disadvantaged area). Logistic regression models estimated the odds of choosing surgical versus conservative management as a function of the Area Deprivation Index. RESULTS: A total of 459 patients met the eligibility criteria (non-Hispanic White, 88.2%). The median age was 63 years (interquartile range, 52-70 years), and the majority had stage 2 POP (65.7%). Of all patients, 59.3% had Medicare/Medicaid, 39.9% were privately insured, and 0.9% were uninsured. Furthermore, 74.7% selected surgical management, and 25.3% chose conservative management. Increasing age and higher Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System stage were significantly associated with selecting surgery (P = 0.01). Women residing in a more disadvantaged area had a 67% increased odds of choosing surgical over conservative management (adjusted odds ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.64) after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System stage. CONCLUSIONS: Residing in a more disadvantaged zip code was associated with 67% increased odds of choosing surgical versus conservative POP management.

Community-level social determinants of health and pregestational and gestational diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Individual adverse social determinants of health are associated with increased risk of diabetes in pregnancy, but the relative influence of neighborhood or community-level social determinants of health is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether living in neighborhoods with greater socioeconomic disadvantage, food deserts, or less walkability was associated with having pregestational diabetes and developing gestational diabetes. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a secondary analysis of the prospective Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-To-Be. Home addresses in the first trimester were geocoded at the census tract level. The exposures (modeled separately) were the following 3 neighborhood-level measures of adverse social determinants of health: (1) socioeconomic disadvantage, defined by the Area Deprivation Index and measured in tertiles from the lowest tertile (ie, least disadvantage [T1]) to the highest (ie, most disadvantage [T3]); (2) food desert, defined by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Access Research Atlas (yes/no by low income and low access criteria); and (3) less walkability, defined by the Environmental Protection Agency National Walkability Index (most walkable score [15.26-20.0] vs less walkable score [<15.26]). Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the odds of gestational diabetes or pregestational diabetes relative to no diabetes as the reference, adjusted for age at delivery, chronic hypertension, Medicaid insurance status, and low household income (<130% of the US poverty level). RESULTS: Among the 9155 assessed individuals, the mean Area Deprivation Index score was 39.0 (interquartile range, 19.0-71.0), 37.0% lived in a food desert, and 41.0% lived in a less walkable neighborhood. The frequency of pregestational and gestational diabetes diagnosis was 1.5% and 4.2%, respectively. Individuals living in a community in the highest tertile of socioeconomic disadvantage had increased odds of entering pregnancy with pregestational diabetes compared with those in the lowest tertile (T3 vs T1: 2.6% vs 0.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.41-4.48). Individuals living in a food desert (4.8% vs 4.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.77) and in a less walkable neighborhood (4.4% vs 3.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.71) had increased odds of gestational diabetes. There was no significant association between living in a food desert or a less walkable neighborhood and pregestational diabetes, or between socioeconomic disadvantage and gestational diabetes. CONCLUSION: Nulliparous individuals living in a neighborhood with higher socioeconomic disadvantage were at increased odds of entering pregnancy with pregestational diabetes, and those living in a food desert or a less walkable neighborhood were at increased odds of developing gestational diabetes, after controlling for known covariates.

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Abnormal Birth Weight.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether exposure to community or neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage as measured by the ADI (Area Deprivation Index) is associated with risk of abnormal birth weight among nulliparous individuals with singleton gestations. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis from the prospective cohort NuMoM2b study (Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-To-Be). Participant addresses at cohort enrollment between 6 and 13 weeks of gestation were geocoded at the Census tract level and linked to the 2015 ADI. The ADI, which incorporates the domains of income, education, employment, and housing quality into a composite national ranking of neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, was categorized by quartiles (quartile 1, least disadvantaged, reference; quartile 4, most disadvantaged). Outcomes were large for gestational age (LGA; birth weight at or above the 90th percentile) and small for gestational age (SGA; birth weight below the 10th percentile) compared with appropriate for gestational age (AGA; birth weight 10th-90th percentile) as determined with the 2017 U.S. natality reference data, standardized for fetal sex. Multinomial logistic regression models were adjusted for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Of 8,983 assessed deliveries in the analytic population, 12.7% (n=1,143) were SGA, 8.2% (n=738) were LGA, and 79.1% (n=7,102) were AGA. Pregnant individuals living in the highest ADI quartile (quartile 4, 17.8%) had an increased odds of delivering an SGA neonate compared with those in the lowest referent quartile (quartile 1, 12.4%) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.32, 95% CI 1.09-1.55). Pregnant individuals living in higher ADI quartiles (quartile 2, 10.3%; quartile 3, 10.7%; quartile 4, 9.2%) had an increased odds of delivering an LGA neonate compared with those in the lowest referent quartile (quartile 1, 8.2%) (aOR: quartile 2, 1.40, 95% CI 1.19-1.61; quartile 3, 1.35, 95% CI 1.09-1.61; quartile 4, 1.47, 95% CI 1.20-1.74). CONCLUSION: Neonates of nulliparous pregnant individuals living in U.S. neighborhoods with higher area deprivation were more likely to have abnormal birth weights at both extremes.

A Prediction Model for Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality After Delivery Hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a risk stratification model for severe maternal morbidity (SMM) or mortality after the delivery hospitalization based on information available at the time of hospital discharge. METHODS: This population-based cohort study included all pregnancies among Ohio residents with Medicaid insurance from 2012 to 2017. Pregnant individuals were identified using linked live birth and fetal death records and Medicaid claims data. Inclusion was restricted to those with continuous postpartum Medicaid enrollment and delivery at 20 or more weeks of gestation. The primary outcome of the study was SMM or mortality after the delivery hospitalization and was assessed up to 42 days postpartum and up to 1 year postpartum separately. Variables considered for the model included patient-, obstetric health care professional-, and system-level data available in vital records or Medicaid claims data. Parsimonious models were created with logistic regression and were internally validated. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate model performance, and model calibration was assessed. RESULTS: There were 343,842 pregnant individuals who met inclusion criteria with continuous Medicaid enrollment through 42 days postpartum and 287,513 with continuous enrollment through 1 year. After delivery hospitalization discharge, the incidence of SMM or mortality was 140.5 per 10,000 pregnancies through 42 days of delivery and 330.7 per 10,000 pregnancies through 1 year postpartum. The final model predicting SMM or mortality through 42 days postpartum included maternal prepregnancy body mass index, age, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, chorioamnionitis, and maternal diagnosis of cardiac disease, preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, or a mental health condition. Similar variables were included in the model predicting SMM or mortality through 365 days with chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes, and illicit substance use added and chorioamnionitis removed. Both models demonstrated moderate prediction (area under the curve [AUC] 0.77, 95% CI 0.76-0.78 for 42-day model; AUC 0.72, 95% CI 0.71-0.73 for the 1-year model) and good calibration. CONCLUSION: A prediction model for SMM or mortality up to 1 year postpartum was created and internally validated with information available to health care professionals at the time of hospital discharge. The utility of this model for patient counseling and strategies to optimize postpartum care for high-risk individuals will require further evaluation.

Association between community-level political affiliation and peripartum vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Political affiliation has been associated with vaccine uptake, but whether this association holds in pregnancy, when individuals are recommended to receive multiple vaccinations, remains to be studied. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the association between community-level political affiliation and vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis; influenza; and COVID-19 in pregnant and postpartum individuals. STUDY DESIGN: A survey was conducted about tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis and influenza vaccinations in early 2021, with a follow-up survey of COVID-19 vaccination among the same individuals at a tertiary care academic medical center in the Midwest. Geocoded residential addresses were linked at the census tract to the Environmental Systems Research Institute 2021 Market Potential Index, which ranks a community in comparison to the US national average. The exposure for this analysis was community-level political affiliation, defined by the Market Potential Index as very conservative, somewhat conservative, centrist, somewhat liberal, and very liberal (reference). The outcomes were self-reported vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis; influenza; and COVID-19 in the peripartum period. Modified Poisson regression was used and adjusted for age, employment, trimester at assessment, and medical comorbidities. RESULTS: Of 438 assessed individuals, 37% lived in a community characterized by very liberal political affiliation, 11% as somewhat liberal, 18% as centrist, 12% as somewhat conservative, and 21% as very conservative. Overall, 72% and 58% of individuals reported receiving tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis and influenza vaccinations, respectively. Of the 279 individuals who responded to the follow-up survey, 53% reported receiving COVID-19 vaccination. Individuals living in a community characterized by very conservative political affiliation were less likely to report vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (64% vs 72%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.99); influenza (49% vs 58%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-1.00); and COVID-19 (35% vs 53%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-0.96) than those in a community characterized by very liberal political affiliation. Individuals living in a community characterized by centrist political affiliation were less likely to report vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (63% vs 72%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.99) and influenza (44% vs 58%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.92) than those in a community characterized by very liberal political affiliation. CONCLUSION: Compared with pregnant and postpartum individuals living in communities characterized by very liberal political beliefs, those living in communities characterized by very conservative political beliefs were less likely to report vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis; influenza; and COVID-19, and those in communities characterized by centrist political beliefs were less likely to report vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis and influenza. Increasing vaccine uptake in the peripartum period may need to consider engaging an individual's broader sociopolitical milieu.

Association of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Postpartum Readmission.

We assessed whether neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, as measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), was associated with an increased risk of postpartum readmission. This is a secondary analysis from nuMoM2b (Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-To-Be), a prospective cohort of nulliparous pregnant individuals from 2010 to 2013. The exposure was the ADI in quartiles, and the outcome was postpartum readmission; Poisson regression was used. Among 9,061 assessed individuals, 154 (1.7%) were readmitted postpartum within 2 weeks of delivery. Individuals living with the most neighborhood deprivation (ADI quartile 4) were at increased risk of postpartum readmission compared with those living with the lowest neighborhood deprivation (ADI quartile 1) (adjusted risk ratio 1.80, 95% CI 1.11-2.93). Measures of community-level adverse social determinants of health, such as the ADI, may inform postpartum care after delivery discharge.

Association between Diabetes in Pregnancy and Shoulder Dystocia by Infant Birth Weight in an Era of Cesarean Delivery for Suspected Macrosomia.

OBJECTIVE: We estimated the association between diabetes and shoulder dystocia by infant birth weight subgroups (<4,000, 4,000-4,500, and >4,500 g) in an era of prophylactic cesarean delivery for suspected macrosomia. STUDY DESIGN: A secondary analysis from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development U.S. Consortium for Safe Labor of deliveries at ≥24 weeks with a nonanomalous, singleton fetus with vertex presentation undergoing a trial of labor. The exposure was either pregestational or gestational diabetes compared with no diabetes. The primary outcome was shoulder dystocia and secondarily, birth trauma with a shoulder dystocia. We calculated adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) with modified Poison's regression between diabetes and shoulder dystocia and the number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent a shoulder dystocia with cesarean delivery. RESULTS: Among 167,589 assessed deliveries (6% with diabetes), pregnant individuals with diabetes had a higher risk of shoulder dystocia at birth weight <4,000 g (aRR: 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.66-2.31) and 4,000 to 4,500 g (aRR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.24-1.99), albeit not significantly at birth weight >4,500 g (aRR: 1.26; 95% CI: 0.87-1.82) versus those without diabetes. The risk of birth trauma with shoulder dystocia was higher with diabetes (aRR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.54-3.45). The NNT to prevent a shoulder dystocia with diabetes was 11 and 6 at ≥4,000 and >4,500 g, versus without diabetes, 17 and 8 at ≥4,000 and >4,500 g, respectively. CONCLUSION: Diabetes increased the risk of shoulder dystocia, even at lower birth weight thresholds than at which cesarean delivery is currently offered. Guidelines providing the option of cesarean delivery for suspected macrosomia may have decreased the risk of shoulder dystocia at higher birth weights. KEY POINTS: · >Diabetes increased the risk of shoulder dystocia, even at lower birth weight thresholds than at which cesarean delivery is currently offered.. · Cesarean delivery for suspected macrosomia may have decreased the risk of shoulder dystocia at higher birth weights.. · These findings can inform delivery planning for providers and pregnant individuals with diabetes..

Association of community walkability and glycemic control among pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Neighborhood walkability is a community-level social determinant of health that measures whether people who live in a neighborhood walk as a mode of transportation. Whether neighborhood walkability is associated with glycemic control among pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes remains to be defined. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between community-level neighborhood walkability and glycemic control as measured by hemoglobin A1c (A1C) among pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective analysis of pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes enrolled in an integrated prenatal and diabetes care program from 2012 to 2016. Participant addresses were geocoded and linked at the census-tract level. The exposure was community walkability, defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency National Walkability Index (score range 1-20), which incorporates intersection density (design), proximity to transit stops (distance), and a mix of employment and household types (diversity). Individuals from neighborhoods that were the most walkable (score, 15.26-20.0) were compared with those from neighborhoods that were less walkable (score <15.26), as defined per national Environmental Protection Agency recommendations. The outcomes were glycemic control, including A1C <6.0% and <6.5%, measured both in early and late pregnancy, and mean change in A1C across pregnancy. Modified Poisson regression and linear regression were used, respectively, and adjusted for maternal age, body mass index at delivery, parity, race and ethnicity as a social determinant of health, insurance status, baseline A1C, gestational age at A1C measurement in early and late pregnancy, and diabetes type. RESULTS: Among 417 pregnant individuals (33% type 1, 67% type 2 diabetes mellitus), 10% were living in the most walkable communities. All 417 individuals underwent A1C assessment in early pregnancy (median gestational age, 9.7 weeks; interquartile range, 7.4-14.1), and 376 underwent another A1C assessment in late pregnancy (median gestational age, 30.4 weeks; interquartile range, 27.8-33.6). Pregnant individuals living in the most walkable communities were more likely to have an A1C <6.0% in early pregnancy (15% vs 8%; adjusted relative risk, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-2.16), and an A1C <6.5% in late pregnancy compared with those living in less walkable communities (13% vs 9%; adjusted relative risk, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.63). For individuals living in the most walkable communities, the median A1C was 7.5 (interquartile range, 6.0-9.4) in early pregnancy and 5.9 (interquartile range, 5.4-6.4) in late pregnancy. For those living in less walkable communities, the median A1C was 7.3 (interquartile range, 6.2-9.2) in early pregnancy and 6.2 (interquartile range, 5.6-7.1) in late pregnancy. Change in A1C across pregnancy was not associated with walkability. CONCLUSION: Pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes mellitus living in more walkable communities had better glycemic control in both early and late pregnancy. Whether community-level interventions to enhance neighborhood walkability can improve glycemic control in pregnancy requires further study.

Access to rideshare and satisfaction, prenatal healthcare utilisation, and preterm delivery among pregnant Medicaid recipients: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Lack of access to reliable transportation is a barrier to timely receipt of prenatal care. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the impact of modernisation of non-emergency medical transportation services on patient satisfaction, prenatal care utilisation, and preterm delivery. METHODS: We conducted a randomised controlled pilot trial among pregnant Medicaid recipients in Franklin County, Ohio, a county with high rates of infant mortality. Individuals were randomly assigned to usual non-emergency medical transportation services or enhanced smart transportation (EST) services (i.e. on-demand transportation with access to a mobile application and trips to the grocery store, food bank or pharmacy). The primary outcome was satisfaction with transportation services. Secondary outcomes included adequacy of prenatal care utilisation (APNCU) and preterm delivery <37 weeks. RESULTS: Women were screened between 31 May 2019 and 30 June 2020, with 143 being eligible and enrolling. Evidence of increased satisfaction with transportation was observed in the intervention group compared to usual transportation, with 83.8% and 68.8% reporting being somewhat satisfied or very satisfied respectively (risk difference [RD] 14.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5, 29.1). There were no meaningful differences in APNCU or preterm delivery between groups (APNCU: RD 2.1%, 95% CI -14.0, 18.2 and preterm delivery: RD -3.9%, 95% CI -17.0, 9.3). CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence of increased transportation satisfaction among pregnant women randomly assigned to EST versus usual transportation. It remains unclear whether the provision of EST increases prenatal care utilisation or decreases preterm delivery.

Association of community-level food insecurity and glycemic control among pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes.

AIM: To evaluate whether pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes who live in a food-insecure community have worse glycemic control compared to those who do not live in a food-insecure community. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes enrolled in a multidisciplinary prenatal and diabetes care program. The exposure was community-level food insecurity per the Food Access Research Atlas. The outcomes were hemoglobin A1c (A1c) < 6.0 % in early and late pregnancy, and an absolute decrease in A1c ≥ 2.0 % and mean change in A1c across pregnancy. RESULTS: Among 418 assessed pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes, those living in a food-insecure community were less likely to have an A1c < 6.0 % in early pregnancy compared to those living in a community without food insecurity [16 % vs. 30 %; adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 0.55; 95 % CI: 0.33-0.92]. Individuals living in a food-insecure community were more likely to achieve a decrease in A1c ≥ 2.0 % [35 % vs. 21 %; aRR: 1.55; 95 % CI: 1.06-2.28] and a larger mean decrease in A1c across pregnancy [mean: 1.46 vs. 1.00; adjusted beta: 0.47; 95 % CI: 0.06-0.87)]. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant individuals with pregestational diabetes who lived in a food-insecure community were less likely to enter pregnancy with glycemic control, but were more likely to have a reduction in A1c and achieve similar A1c status compared to those who lived in a community without food insecurity. Whether interventions that address food insecurity improve glycemic control and consequent perinatal outcomes remains to be studied.

A Comparison of Vaginal and Intramuscular Progesterone for the Prevention of Recurrent Preterm Birth.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether vaginal progesterone is noninferior to 17-α hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHP-C) in the prevention of recurrent preterm birth (PTB). STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study included singleton pregnancies among women with a history of spontaneous PTB who received prenatal care at a single tertiary center from 2011 to 2016. Pregnancies were excluded if progesterone was not initiated prior to 24 weeks or the fetus had a major congenital anomaly. The primary outcome was PTB <37 weeks. A priori, noninferiority was to be established if the upper bound of the adjusted two-sided 90% confidence interval (CI) for the difference in PTB fell below 9%. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to carefully control for confounding associated with choice of treatment and PTB. Adjusted differences in PTB proportions were estimated via IPTW regression, with standard errors adjustment for multiple pregnancies per woman. Secondary outcomes included PTB <34 and <28 weeks, spontaneous PTB, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: Among 858 pregnancies, 41% (n = 353) received vaginal progesterone and 59% (n = 505) were given 17OHP-C. Vaginal progesterone use was more common later in the study period, and among women who established prenatal care later, had prior PTBs at later gestational ages, and whose race/ethnicity was neither non-Hispanic white nor non-Hispanic Black. Vaginal progesterone did not meet noninferiority criteria compared with 17-OHPC in examining PTB <37 weeks, with an IPTW adjusted difference of 3.4% (90% CI: -3.5, 10.3). For secondary outcomes, IPTW adjusted differences between treatment groups were generally small and CIs were wide. CONCLUSION: We could not conclude noninferiority of vaginal progesterone to 17OHP-C; however, women and providers may be willing to accept a larger difference (>9%) when considering the cost and availability of vaginal progesterone versus 17OHP-C. A well-designed randomized trial is needed. KEY POINTS: · Vaginal progesterone is not noninferior to 17OHP-C.. · PTB risk may be 10% higher with vaginal progesterone.. · Associations did not differ based on obesity status..

Association between social vulnerability and COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and vaccination in pregnant and postpartum individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of community-level social vulnerability with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and vaccination among pregnant and postpartum individuals. METHODS: Prospective cohort study assessing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant and postpartum individuals. We performed a baseline survey on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy from 03/22/21 to 04/02/21, and a follow-up survey on COVD-19 vaccination status 3- to 6-months later. The primary exposure was the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention SVI (Social Vulnerability Index), measured in quartiles. Higher SVI quartiles indicated greater community-level social vulnerability with the lowest quartile (quartile 1) as the referent group. The primary outcome was COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy on the baseline survey (uncertainty or refusal of the vaccine), and the secondary outcome was self-report of not being vaccinated (unvaccinated) for COVID-19 on the follow-up survey. RESULTS: Of 456 assessed individuals, 46% reported COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy on the baseline survey; and of 290 individuals (290/456, 64%) who completed the follow-up survey, 48% (140/290) were unvaccinated. The frequency of baseline vaccine hesitancy ranged from 25% in quartile 1 (low SVI) to 68% in quartile 4 (high SVI), and being unvaccinated at follow-up ranged from 29% in quartile 1 to 77% in quartile 4. As social vulnerability increased, the risk of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy at baseline increased (quartile 2 aRR (adjusted relative risk): 1.46; 95% CI:0.98 to 2.19; quartile 3 aRR: 1.86; 95% CI:1.28 to 2.71; and quartile 4 aRR: 2.24; 95% CI:1.56 to 3.21), as did the risk of being unvaccinated at follow-up (quartile 2 aRR: 1.00; 95% CI:0.66 to 1.51; quartile 3 aRR: 1.68; 95% CI:1.17 to 2.41; and quartile 4 aRR: 1.82; 95% CI:1.30 to 2.56). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant and postpartum individuals living in an area with higher community-level social vulnerability were more likely to report COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and subsequently to be unvaccinated at follow-up.

Trends in Active Treatment of Live-born Neonates Between 22 Weeks 0 Days and 25 Weeks 6 Days by Gestational Age and Maternal Race and Ethnicity in the US, 2014 to 2020.

Importance: Birth in the periviable period between 22 weeks 0 days and 25 weeks 6 days' gestation is a major source of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and the decision to initiate active life-saving treatment is challenging. Objective: To assess whether the frequency of active treatment among live-born neonates in the periviable period has changed over time and whether active treatment differed by gestational age at birth and race and ethnicity. Design, Setting, and Participants: Serial cross-sectional descriptive study using National Center for Health Statistics natality data from 2014 to 2020 for 61 908 singleton live births without clinical anomalies between 22 weeks 0 days and 25 weeks 6 days in the US. Exposures: Year of delivery, gestational age at birth, and race and ethnicity of the pregnant individual, stratified as non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic/Latina, and non-Hispanic White. Main Outcomes and Measures: Active treatment, determined by whether there was an attempt to treat the neonate and defined as a composite of surfactant therapy, immediate assisted ventilation at birth, assisted ventilation more than 6 hours in duration, and/or antibiotic therapy. Frequencies, mean annual percent change (APC), and adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) were estimated. Results: Of 26 986 716 live births, 61 908 (0.2%) were periviable live births included in this study: 5% were Asian/Pacific Islander, 37% Black, 24% Hispanic, and 34% White; and 14% were born at 22 weeks, 21% at 23 weeks, 30% at 24 weeks, and 34% at 25 weeks. Fifty-two percent of neonates received active treatment. From 2014 to 2020, the overall frequency (mean APC per year) of active treatment increased significantly (3.9% [95% CI, 3.0% to 4.9%]), as well as among all racial and ethnic subgroups (Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.4% [95% CI, 0.8% to 6.0%]); Black: 4.7% [95% CI, 3.4% to 5.9%]; Hispanic: 4.7% [95% CI, 3.4% to 5.9%]; and White: 3.1% [95% CI, 1.1% to 4.4%]) and among each gestational age range (22 weeks: 14.4% [95% CI, 11.1% to 17.7%] and 25 weeks: 2.9% [95% CI, 1.5% to 4.2%]). Compared with neonates born to White individuals (57.0%), neonates born to Asian/Pacific Islander (46.2%; risk difference [RD], -10.81 [95% CI, -12.75 to -8.88]; aRR, 0.82 [95% CI, [0.79-0.86]), Black (51.6%; RD, -5.42 [95% CI, -6.36 to -4.50]; aRR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.89 to 0.92]), and Hispanic (48.0%; RD, -9.03 [95% CI, -10.07 to -7.99]; aRR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.81 to 0.85]) individuals were significantly less likely to receive active treatment. Conclusions and Relevance: From 2014 to 2020 in the US, the frequency of active treatment among neonates born alive between 22 weeks 0 days and 25 weeks 6 days significantly increased, and there were differences in rates of active treatment by race and ethnicity.

Association of Prepregnancy Body Mass Index With Risk of Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Among Medicaid Beneficiaries.

Importance: The association between body mass index (BMI, which is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and/or mortality is uncertain, judging from the current evidence. Objective: To examine the association between prepregnancy BMI and SMM and/or mortality through 1 year post partum and to identify both the direct and indirect implications of maternal obesity for SMM and/or mortality by examining hypertensive disorders and pregestational diabetes as potential mediators. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study was conducted from March to October 2021 using the vital records and linked Medicaid claims data in the state of Ohio from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2017. The cohort comprised pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries who delivered at 20 weeks' gestation or later and had prepregnancy BMI information. Exposures: The primary exposure was maternal prepregnancy BMI, which was categorized as follows: underweight (<18.5), healthy weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9), class 1 obesity (30.0-34.9), class 2 obesity (35.0-39.9), and class 3 obesity (≥40.0). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a composite of SMM (defined using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria) and/or maternal mortality between 20 weeks' gestation and 1 year post partum. Additional periods were assessed, including 20 weeks' gestation through delivery hospitalization and 20 weeks' gestation through 42 days post partum. Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate adjusted relative risks (aRRs) for the primary outcome according to BMI category. Maternal hypertensive diseases and pregestational diabetes were assessed as potential meditators. Results: In a cohort of 347 497 pregnancies among 276 691 Medicaid beneficiaries (median [IQR] maternal age at delivery, 25 [21-29] years; 210 470 non-Hispanic White individuals [60.6%]), the prevalence of maternal obesity was 30.5% (n = 106 031). Composite SMM and/or mortality outcome occurred in 5.3% of pregnancies (n = 18 398). Overweight (aRR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.11) and obesity (class 1: aRR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.14-1.24]; class 2: aRR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.30-1.44]; class 3: aRR, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.63-1.80]) were associated with an elevated risk of SMM and/or mortality during pregnancy to 1 year post partum compared with healthy BMI. Similar findings were observed when the follow-up period was shortened to 42 days post partum or the delivery hospitalization. Hypertension mediated 65.1% (95% CI, 64.6%-65.6%) of the association between obesity and the primary outcome. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this study showed that maternal prepregnancy obesity was associated with an elevated risk of SMM and/or mortality. Hypertensive disorders appeared to mediate this association, suggesting that improved prevention and management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy may reduce morbidity and mortality in individuals with obesity.

A pilot randomized controlled trial of vaginal estrogen on postpartum atrophy, perineal pain, and sexual function.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Vulvovaginal symptoms following perineal laceration may be worsened by atrophy related to decreased estrogen. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of local estrogen therapy in this setting. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, pilot, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of local estradiol in primiparous women with a second-degree or greater perineal laceration following a term vaginal delivery. Participants were randomized to twice weekly estradiol or placebo cream from delivery through 3 months postpartum. The primary outcome was a validated measure of vulvovaginal symptoms at 12 weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes included measures of perineal pain, quality of life, sexual function, ease of use, likelihood of continued use, and adverse events. RESULTS: We planned to enroll 70 women; however, due to human subjects research restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment was stopped early. A total of 59 women were randomized, 31 to the estradiol group and 28 to the placebo group. Nearly all participants (95%) were followed through 12 weeks with suggestion of marginal improvement in Vulvar Assessment Scale scores [-0.10; 90% CI = (-0.20, 0.01)] in those randomized to estradiol compared to placebo. Local estradiol was not associated with improvement in other measures, and only one non-serious adverse event was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In primiparous women with a perineal laceration, use of local estradiol showed minimal clinical benefit in vulvovaginal atrophy and related symptoms but appears to be acceptable and safe for postpartum use. Larger adequately powered trials enrolling a diverse group of postpartum women are needed to affirm these findings.

Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Among Pregnant Individuals With Gestational Diabetes by Race and Ethnicity in the United States, 2014-2020.

Importance: Gestational diabetes, which increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, has been increasing in frequency across all racial and ethnic subgroups in the US. Objective: To assess whether the frequency of adverse pregnancy outcomes among those in the US with gestational diabetes changed over time and whether the risk of these outcomes differed by maternal race and ethnicity. Design, Setting, and Participants: Exploratory serial, cross-sectional, descriptive study using US National Center for Health Statistics natality data for 1 560 822 individuals with gestational diabetes aged 15 to 44 years with singleton nonanomalous live births from 2014 to 2020 in the US. Exposures: Year of delivery and race and ethnicity, as reported on the birth certificate, stratified as non-Hispanic American Indian, non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic/Latina, and non-Hispanic White (reference group). Main Outcomes and Measures: Maternal outcomes of interest included cesarean delivery, primary cesarean delivery, preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and transfusion; neonatal outcomes included large for gestational age (LGA), macrosomia (>4000 g at birth), small for gestational age (SGA), preterm birth, and neonatal ICU (NICU) admission, as measured by the frequency (per 1000 live births) with estimation of mean annual percentage change (APC), disparity ratios, and adjusted risk ratios. Results: Of 1 560 822 included pregnant individuals with gestational diabetes (mean [SD] age, 31 [5.5] years), 1% were American Indian, 13% were Asian/Pacific Islander, 12% were Black, 27% were Hispanic/Latina, and 48% were White. From 2014 to 2020, there was a statistically significant increase in the overall frequency (mean APC per year) of preeclampsia or gestational hypertension (4.2% [95% CI, 3.3% to 5.2%]), transfusion (8.0% [95% CI, 3.8% to 12.4%]), preterm birth at less than 37 weeks (0.9% [95% CI, 0.3% to 1.5%]), and NICU admission (1.0% [95% CI, 0.3% to 1.7%]). There was a significant decrease in cesarean delivery (-1.4% [95% CI, -1.7% to -1.1%]), primary cesarean delivery (-1.2% [95% CI, -1.5% to -0.9%]), LGA (-2.3% [95% CI, -2.8% to -1.8%]), and macrosomia (-4.7% [95% CI, -5.3% to -4.0%]). There was no significant change in maternal ICU admission and SGA. In comparison with White individuals, Black individuals were at significantly increased risk of all assessed outcomes, except LGA and macrosomia; American Indian individuals were at significantly increased risk of all assessed outcomes except cesarean delivery and SGA; and Hispanic/Latina and Asian/Pacific Islander individuals were at significantly increased risk of maternal ICU admission, preterm birth, NICU admission, and SGA. Differences in adverse outcomes by race and ethnicity persisted through these years. Conclusions and Relevance: From 2014 through 2020, the frequency of multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes in the US increased among pregnant individuals with gestational diabetes. Differences in adverse outcomes by race and ethnicity persisted.

Association of initial COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy with subsequent vaccination among pregnant and postpartum individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between initial COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and subsequent vaccination among pregnant and postpartum individuals. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: A Midwestern tertiary-care academic medical center. Individuals completed a baseline vaccine hesitancy assessment from 22 March 2021 to 2 April 2021, with subsequent ascertainment of vaccination status at 3-6 months follow-up. METHODS: We used multivariable Poisson regression to estimate the relative risk of vaccination by baseline vaccine hesitancy status, and then characteristics associated with vaccination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-report of COVID-19 vaccination, and secondarily, consideration of COVID-19 vaccination among those not vaccinated. RESULTS: Of 456 individuals (93% pregnant, 7% postpartum) initially surveyed, 290 individuals (64%; 23% pregnant, 77% postpartum) provided subsequent vaccination status (median = 17 weeks). Of these 290 individuals, 40% (116/290) reported COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy upon enrolment, of whom 52% reported subsequent vaccination at follow-up. Few individuals transitioned during the study period from vaccine hesitant to vaccinated (10%); in comparison, 80% of those who were not vaccine hesitant were vaccinated at follow-up (aRR 0.19, 95% CI 0.11-0.33). Among those who remained unvaccinated at follow-up, 38% who were vaccine hesitant at baseline were considering vaccination, compared with 71% who were not vaccine hesitant (aRR 0.48, 95% CI 0.33-0.67). Individuals who were older, parous, employed and of higher educational attainment were more likely to be vaccinated, and those who identified as non-Hispanic black, were Medicaid beneficiaries, and were still pregnant at follow-up were less likely to be vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy persisted over time in the peripartum period, and few individuals who reported hesitancy at baseline were later vaccinated. Interventions that address vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy are needed.