Prenatal findings, neonatal symptoms and neurodevelopmental outcome of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a university hospital in Montreal, Quebec.

Background Outcome of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection in the absence of routine CMV screening and third-trimester scan in North America is scarcely documented. The aim of this study was to assess the severe outcomes related to cCMV according to the indication for screening. Methods This was a retrospective study of 84 mother-child pairs followed for cCMV between 2003 and 2017 at CHU Sainte-Justine in Montreal, Canada. Prenatal ultrasound, neonatal symptoms, neuroimaging and severe outcomes (cerebral palsy, severe cognitive impairment, bilateral hearing loss or neonatal death) were reviewed. Results Among 38 cases with abnormal prenatal ultrasound, 41.9% of live-born infants developed severe outcomes. Sixteen (42.1%) were detected in the third trimester. Among 16 cases diagnosed prenatally because of maternal history, all had normal prenatal ultrasound, and none developed severe outcomes. Among cases diagnosed postnatally because of neonatal symptoms, 25% developed severe outcomes. All infants who developed severe outcomes had moderate/severe neonatal symptoms. Conclusion Outcome of cCMV infection varies according to the reason for screening and timing of diagnosis. Any prenatal ultrasound anomaly might indicate a risk of severe outcome, and warrants a detailed ultrasound scan. However, late detection, or postnatal diagnosis, represented more than half of the cases, and awareness of this will help ensuring optimal management.

Blood viral load in the diagnostic workup of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) blood quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in the diagnostic workup of congenital CMV (cCMV) infection. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine if CMV blood qPCR at the time diagnosis could differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic infants according to the recent consensus classification. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of children diagnosed with cCMV infection at CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada, between 2008 and 2016. Cases for whom qPCR was done at baseline (<4 weeks of age) alongside a complete diagnostic workup were included. The association between CMV blood viral load (VL) and clinical severity group was determined. The probability of having moderate to severe symptoms was assessed using univariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were included in the analysis. Median VL was significantly higher among infants with moderate to severely symptomatic disease vs. those asymptomatic or asymptomatic with isolated sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) (13 736 vs. 1876 copies/ml, p = 0.004), infants with moderate to severe disease or asymptomatic with isolated SNHL vs. asymptomatic (17 736 vs. 1496 copies/ml, p < 0.001), and in infants with baseline neurological involvement vs. those without (17 317 vs. 2641 copies/ml, p = 0.03). Using logistic regression, an infant would have a >75 % probability of being moderate to severely symptomatic above 18 770 copies/ml, with a threshold of 100 000 copies/ml approaching a 100 % probability. CONCLUSIONS: Our baseline assessment of CMV blood VL suggests that that the level of CMV viremia correlates with symptom severity.

Left Superior Vena Cava in the Fetus: A Rarely Isolated Anomaly.

The frequency of chromosomal anomalies among fetuses with isolated persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is still debated. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of genetic and morphological anomalies identified in fetuses with PLSVC. We conducted a single-center retrospective study including all fetuses diagnosed with a PLSVC between 2010 and 2017. PLSVC was categorized as isolated or associated according to antenatal diagnosis of associated congenital heart defects, hypoplastic aortic isthmus, abnormal venous/arterial connections, and extracardiac anomalies. Among 229 fetuses diagnosed with PLSVC, 39 cases (17%) were strictly isolated and no syndromic/genetic anomaly or aortic coarctation was diagnosed. Seventy-two fetuses had a cardiovascular defect with a rate of genetic anomalies of 22%, 29 had an extracardiac malformation, and 89 had both an extracardiac and a cardiovascular defect. Among fetuses with abnormal development of the arterial/venous system as the only associated anomaly such as aberrant right subclavian artery or absent ductus venosus, 22% had a genetic anomaly. Overall, sixty-five fetuses or infants had a genetic concern, including 23 aneuploidies, 15 pathogenic micro-deletions/duplications, and 5 variants of unknown significance; 12 patients had VACTERL association, and 12 heterotaxy syndrome. Seven infants had an aortic coarctation diagnosed at birth.In conclusion, a thorough prenatal ultrasound examination is paramount, and the identification of variants of the venous/arterial system in addition to PLSVC should raise suspicion for genetic or morphologic abnormalities. Invasive prenatal diagnosis with array-CGH should be offered when PLSVC is non-isolated, after a detailed ultrasound evaluation in a tertiary center.

Obstetric and cardiac outcomes in women with Marfan syndrome and an aortic root diameter ≤ 45mm.

OBJECTIVE: To assess obstetric and aortic outcomes in women with Marfan Syndrome according to aortic root diameter, in view of recommendations for caesarean delivery when the aortic root diameter is ≥40 mm in the 2010 American guidelines versus >45 mm in the 2011 European guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective cohort study conducted at Sainte-Justine Mother and Child Tertiary Hospital, 27 pregnancies in 20 women with Marfan Syndrome as defined by the international criteria, were followed prospectively between 1994 and 2017, after excluding women with prior aortic surgery. Obstetric and aortic outcomes were compared in 2 groups according to aortic root diameter: < 40 mm (21 pregnancies) and 40-45 mm (6 pregnancies). RESULTS: 21/27 women had a vaginal delivery. The caesarean section rate was 23.8% and 16.7% in women with diameter <40 mm and 40-45 mm respectively (p-value = 1), and perinatal outcome was similar across groups. Two women with a prepregnancy aortic root diameter <40 mm developed an acute type B dissection during the third trimester. Both had a family history of aortic dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal delivery with rigorous pain control and avoidance of Valsalva maneuver may be safely considered in women with Marfan Syndrome and an aortic root diameter ≤45 mm. The risk of type B aortic dissection during pregnancy is hard to predict. Other factors such as family history of dissection and descending aorta size may play an important role, and this may modify our counselling.

Use of Cytomegalovirus-Specific Hyperimmunoglobulins in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: There is no consensus on the use of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific hyperimmunoglobulins (CSHIGs) for suspected congenital CMV infections during pregnancy, but this therapy is currently used in some countries. The objectives of this study were to describe tolerability and pregnancy outcome following treatment with monthly intravenous CSHIG and compare rates of positive PCR and postnatal symptoms according to whether CSHIGs were given or not. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all pregnant women who were diagnosed with primary CMV infection or congenital CMV infection at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine (Montreal, QC) between 2005 and 2016. CSHIG was discussed with pregnant women who received positive CMV PCR results from amniotic fluid or if ultrasound anomalies suggested congenital infection and there was serologic evidence of maternal primary infection (therapeutic group). CSHIG was also offered as prophylaxis in pregnant women without fetal ultrasound anomalies but with evidence of maternal primary infection, when amniocentesis either had negative results or was not performed (prophylactic group). A matched analysis was performed to control for timing of maternal infection, amniocentesis, and type and timing of ultrasound anomaly. RESULTS: Sixteen women received CSHIG, and 55 had no CMV-specific treatment. CSHIG treatment was well-tolerated. In bivariate analyses, the risk of congenital CMV infection and postnatal symptoms did not significantly decrease with CSHIG treatment, in both the therapeutic and the prophylactic groups. After matching, there was still no difference in outcomes between CSHIG-treated and untreated women. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of CSHIG in preventing congenital CMV infection and its clinical manifestations could not be demonstrated.

Salmon Bias and Preterm Birth Among Western Immigrants in China.

Introduction Immigrants from Western industrialized countries are rarely found in immigrant studies. Our primary objective was to calculate the rate of cesarean delivery, 5-min Apgar score <7, and preterm birth among Chinese and Western women. Our secondary objective was to examine whether there are significant differences in terms of risk factors between Western immigrants who chose to deliver in their country of citizenship compared to those who chose to deliver in China. Methods Single-center retrospective cohort study in Shanghai, China. Multivariate logistic regression models used delivery outcome, and place of delivery (China vs. country of citizenship) as outcome variables. Results Preterm birth occurred at a rate of 3.82% among Chinese citizens, 4.12% among Chinese-born Western citizens, and 6.54% among non-Chinese-born Western citizens. After adjustment, preterm birth <37 weeks was more frequent among non-Chinese-born Western citizens compared with Chinese citizens, with an odds ratio of 1.82 (Confidence Interval 1.20-2.78), p = 0.005. Variables statistically associated with giving birth in China were maternal age ≥35 years and being Chinese-born Western, as well as the absence of medical or obstetrical conditions. Discussion Western immigrants have overall good obstetrical outcomes in China, and this could be partly explained by selective immigration, but also by the Salmon bias, as women with risk factors tend to return to their country of citizenship for the delivery. However, the preterm birth rate was higher among Western women than in their Chinese counterparts, and further research is needed.

Vaginal birth after caesarean delivery in Chinese women and Western immigrants in Shanghai.

Recent studies show a steep rise in caesarean sections in China. Most couples are now eligible to apply for a second child. This retrospective cohort study compares the prevalence of trial of labour and vaginal birth after caesarean section among Chinese and foreign women in Shanghai. In total, 135 of 368 women underwent trial of labour (36.68%), and of those, 77 (57.04%) had a vaginal birth. After inclusion in a multivariate model, factors associated with trial of labour were maternal age <35 years with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.58 (1.49-4.46), absence of a history of ≥3 abortions (2.22 (1.08-4.57)), and European citizenship (1.94 (1.05-3.59)). The prevalence of trial of labour and vaginal birth seems to mirror rates found in countries of origin, but despite a high rate of caesarean section, Chinese women had a higher rate of vaginal birth after caesarean section than North American and Australian women, in particular. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: Caesarean section (CS) rates are rising worldwide. Repeat CS contributes largely to these rates, although vaginal birth after CS (VBAC) rates varies widely between countries. What the results of this study add: North American and Australian women who deliver in Shanghai have low rates of attempted trial of labour after CS (TOLAC) and VBAC, with European women having the highest rate of TOLAC, followed by Chinese women. Implications for clinical practice and/or further research: These findings might reflect different levels of acceptance in line with respective national trends. Studies evaluating the influence of cultural norms on birth preferences after CS are needed. Further research is also needed to assess the overall acceptance of TOLAC in the context of the softening of the one-child policy in China.

Maternal infibulation and obstetrical outcome in Djibouti.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to assess the relation between female genital mutilation and obstetric outcome in an East African urban clinic with a standardized care, taking into account medical and socioeconomic status. METHODS: This was a cohort study conducted in Djibouti between October 1, 2012 and April 30, 2014. Overall 643 mothers were interviewed and clinically assessed for the presence of female genital mutilation. The prevalence of obstetric complications by infibulation status was included in a multivariate stepwise regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 29 of 643 women did not have any form of mutilation (4.5%), as opposed to 238 of 643 women with infibulation (37.0%), 369 with type 2 (57.4%), and 7 with type 1 mutilation (1.1%).Women with a severe type of mutilation were more likely to have socio-economic and medical risk factors. After adjustment, the only outcome that was significantly related with infibulation was the presence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid with an odds ratio of 1.58 (1.10-2.27), p value=0.014. CONCLUSIONS: Infibulation was not related with excess perinatal morbidity in this setting with a very high prevalence of female genital mutilation, but future research should concentrate on the relation between infibulation and meconium.

Maternal obesity and rate of cesarean delivery in Djibouti.

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the prevalence of maternal obesity and to determine the relation between obesity and cesarean delivery in an urban hospital in Djibouti. METHODS: In an observational cohort study, all women who had a live birth or stillbirth between October 2012 and November 2013 were considered for inclusion. Body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) was calculated throughout pregnancy, and women with a BMI of at least 30.0 were deemed to be obese. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the relation between cesarean and obesity. RESULTS: Overall, 100 (24.8%) of 404 women were obese before 14 weeks of pregnancy, as were 112 (25.2%) of 445 before 22 weeks, and 200 (43.2%) of 463 at delivery. Obesity before 22 weeks was associated with a 127% excess risk of cesarean delivery (adjusted odds ratio 2.27; 95% CI 1.07-4.82; P=0.032). Similar trends were found when the analyses were limited to the subgroup of women without a previous cesarean delivery or primiparae. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of maternal obesity is high in Djibouti City and is related to an excess risk of cesarean delivery, even after controlling for a range of medical and socioeconomic variables.

Are the new IADPSG criteria for gestational diabetes useful in a country with a very high prevalence?

The International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups released new recommendations on screening methods and diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes. The main objectives of the present study were to analyze characteristics of mothers who underwent the new screening test, and to assess the prevalence of gestational diabetes and related pregnancy complications such as the 5-minute Apgar score <7, in a urban maternity clinic in Djibouti. The effect of treating gestational diabetes was also evaluated. Totally, 231 mothers underwent the new screening test, and 106 were diagnosed as having gestational diabetes (45.9%). Mothers with gestational diabetes had an excess risk of low Apgar scores, even after adjustment for socio-economic and medical covariates, with an odds ratio of 6.34 (1.77-22.66), p value <0.005. Only 46.2% of mothers with gestational diabetes followed the recommendations regarding treatment. Among these patients, 18.6% of infants from untreated mothers had a 5-minute Apgar score <7, compared to 3.9% infants from treated mothers (p value = 0.017). After adjustment, untreated mothers still had a high excess risk of low Apgar scores, although non-significant, with an odds ratio of 4.67 (0.78-27.87), p value = 0.09. In conclusion, gestational diabetes is highly prevalent in Djibouti and is related to low Apgar scores.

Neonatal outcomes in obese mothers: a population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: If it is well known that obesity increases morbidity for both mother and fetus and is associated with a variety of adverse reproductive outcomes, then few studies have assessed the relation between obesity and neonatal outcomes. This is the aim of the present study after taking into account type of labor and delivery, as well as social, medical and hospital characteristics in a population-based analysis. METHODS: This study used 2009 data from the Belgian birth register data pertaining to the regions of Brussels and Wallonia and included 38,675 consecutive births. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for admission to neonatal intensive care unit, Apgar score, and perinatal mortality were calculated by logistic regression analyses adjusting for medical, social and hospital characteristics using obesity as the primary independent variable. The impact of analyzing all delivery sites together was tested using mixed-effect analyses. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio for neonatal intensive care unit admission was higher for obese mothers by 38% compared to non-obese mothers (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-1.56), and by 45% (CI: 1.21-1.73) and 34% (CI: 1.10-1.63) after spontaneous and induced labour respectively. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.18 (CI: 0.86-1.63) after caesarean section. The adjusted odds ratio for 1 minute Apgar score inferior to 7 was higher for obese mothers by 31% compared to non-obese mothers (CI: 1.15-1.49) and by 26% (CI: 1.04-1.52) and 38% (CI: 1.12-1.69) after spontaneous and induced labour respectively. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.50 (CI: 0.96-2.36) after caesarean section. The adjusted odds ratio for perinatal mortality was 1.36 (CI: 0.75-2.45) for obese mothers compared to non-obese mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal admission to intensive care and low Apgar scores were more likely to occur in infants from obese mothers, both after spontaneous and induced labor.

Classification of cesarean sections among immigrants in Belgium.

OBJECTIVE: To provide insight into the differential effect of immigration on cesarean section (CS) rates, using the Robson classification. DESIGN: A population-based study using birth certificates from the birth registry of 2009. SETTING: All births in two of the three Belgian regions excluding Flanders. POPULATION: 37 628 deliveries from Belgian and immigrant mothers from sub-Saharan Africa, Maghreb and Eastern Europe. METHODS: Multivariate analyses using CS as the dependent variable and immigration status as the primary independent variable. Several multivariate logistic regression models were built including medical, anthropometric, socio-economic characteristics, and medical interventions. The impact of analyzing all delivery sites together was tested using mixed-effect analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CSs of immigrant subgroups compared with Belgian women. RESULTS: CS rates varied according to immigrant subgroups. Mothers from sub-Saharan Africa had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.06 (1.62-2.63) for CS compared with Belgian natives. Increased risk for mothers from sub-Saharan Africa compared with Belgian natives was found among nulliparous and multiparous women without previous CS, and a term, singleton fetus in cephalic position. In comparison, nulliparous East European mothers with a term singleton fetus in cephalic position in spontaneous labor had an adjusted odds ratio of 0.29 (0.08-0.99) for CS. CONCLUSIONS: CS rates currently vary between Robson categories in immigrant subgroups. Immigrant mothers from sub-Saharan Africa with a term, singleton infant in cephalic position, without previous CS, appear to carry the highest burden.

Naturalization of immigrants and perinatal mortality.

BACKGROUND: Differences in neonatal mortality among immigrants have been documented in Belgium and elsewhere, and these disparities are poorly understood. Our objective was to compare perinatal mortality rates in immigrant mothers according to citizenship status. METHODS: This was a population-based study using 2008 data from the Belgian birth register data pertaining to regions of Brussels and Wallonia. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for perinatal mortality according to naturalization status were calculated by logistic regression analyses adjusting for parents' medical and social characteristics. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-seven perinatal deaths were registered among 60,881 births (7.2‰). Perinatal mortality rate varied according to the origin of the mother and her naturalization status: among immigrants, non-naturalized immigrants had a higher incidence of perinatal mortality (10.3‰) than their naturalized counterparts (6.1‰) with an adjusted OR of 2.2, 95% CI (1.1-4.5). CONCLUSION: In a country with a high frequency of naturalization, and universal access to health care, naturalized immigrant mothers experience less perinatal mortality than their not naturalized counterparts.

Missing information in birth certificates in Brussels after reinforcement of data collection, and variation according to immigration status. A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: A problem repeatedly reported in birth certificate data is the presence of missing data. In 2008, a Centre for Perinatal Epidemiology was created inter alia to assist the Health Departments of Brussels-Capital City Region to check birth certificates. The purpose of this study is to assess the changes brought by the Centre in terms of completeness of data registration for the entire population and according to immigration status. METHODS: Birth certificates from the birth registry of 2008 and 2009 of Brussels were considered. We evaluated the initial missing information in January 2008 (baseline situation) and the corresponding rate at the end of 2008 after oral and written information had been given to the city civil servants and health providers. The data were evaluated again at the end of 2009 where no reinforcement rules were adopted. We also measured residual missing data after correction in socio-economic and medical data, for the entire population and according to maternal nationality of origin. Changes in registration of stillbirths were estimated by comparison to 2007 baseline data, and all multiple births were checked for complete identification of pairs. RESULTS: Missing information initially accounted for 64.0%, 20.8% and 19.5% of certificates in January 2008, December 2008, and 2009 respectively. After correction with lists sent back to the hospitals or city offices, the mean residual missing data rate was 2.1% in 2008 and 0.8% in 2009. Education level and employment status were missing more often in immigrant mothers compared to Belgian natives both in 2008 and 2009. Mothers from Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest missing rate of socio-economic data. The stillbirth rate increased from 4.6 ‰ in 2007 to 8.2 ‰ in 2009. All twin pairs were identified, but early loss of a co-twin before 22 weeks was rarely reported. CONCLUSIONS: Reinforcement of data collection was associated with a decrease of missing information. The residual missing data rate was very low. The stillbirth rate was also improved but the early loss of a co-twin before 22 weeks seems to remain underreported.

Selective versus universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus: an evaluation of Naylor's model.

AIM: Selective screening for gestational diabetes is still a subject of debate. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a selective screening strategy for diagnosing gestational diabetes in our setting. This strategy rests on a scoring system that assigns women to different risk categories according to the presence of risk factors such as overweight, older age and ethnicity. METHODS: We compared the rate of diagnosed gestational diabetes according to universal screening and selective screening between two periods of time. RESULTS: The selective screening strategy allowed only 15% of women to avoid screening and was associated with a 50% decrease in diagnosed gestational diabetes. CONCLUSION: The two-threshold approach did not detect similar proportions of women with gestational diabetes compared with universal screening. Half the cases were missed and most women still needed to be screened.

Indication of prenatal diagnosis in pregnancies complicated by undetectable second-trimester maternal serum estriol levels.

OBJECTIVES: Undetectable maternal serum unconjugated estriol levels in the second-trimester screening test have been associated with congenital pathology and an adverse pregnancy outcome. We reviewed outcomes of pregnancies with undetectable levels of estriol (<0.25 ng/ml) in the triple-marker screening test and assessed the clinical value of this finding. METHODS: We studied estriol values in 6,018 pregnant patients who underwent a triple-marker screening test during a seven-year period. RESULTS: 26 women had estriol levels at or below the sensitivity of the assay. The most common explanations were dating errors, prematurity, growth restriction and X-linked ichthyosis. We also observed one fetal death at 16 weeks, one severe threatened fetal abortion, one case of multiple congenital anomalies and one case of isolated adrenocorticotropin hormone deficiency. There were 6 women remaining with unexplained undetectable estriol. CONCLUSION: Undetectable maternal estriol values may indicate a severe fetal pathology and should lead to further investigations.