Prenatal Workshops and Support Groups for Prospective Parents Whose Children Will Need Neonatal Care at Birth: A Feasibility and Pilot Study.

Introduction: Support groups in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are beneficial to parents. The usefulness of prenatal support groups for prospective parents who will have a newborn requiring admission to the NICU has never been investigated. Methods: We assessed the needs of NICU parents regarding topics they would have wished to discuss prenatally and developed the content of a prenatal support workshop. A standardized survey prospectively evaluated the perspectives of pregnant women admitted to a high-risk pregnancy unit who participated in the resulting workshops. Results: During needs assessment, 295 parents invoked themes they would have wished to discuss antenatally: parental guilt, future parental role, normalizing their experience/emotions, coping with many losses, adapting to their new reality, control and trust, information about the NICU, technology around the baby, common neonatal interventions, the NICU clinical team, and the role of parents in the team. These findings were used to develop the workshop, including a moderator checklist and a visual presentation. Practical aspects of the meetings were tested/finalized during a pre-pilot phase. Among 21 pregnant women who answered the survey (average gestational age 29.3 weeks), all agreed that the workshop was useful, that it made them feel less lonely (95%), that exchanges with other women were beneficial (95%) and gave them a certain amount of control over their situation (89%). All answers to open-ended questions were positive. Conclusion: Prenatal educational/support workshops provide a unique and useful means to support future NICU parents. Future investigations will explore whether these prenatal interventions improve clinical outcomes.

Prenatal markers of atypical neurodevelopment in children with congenital heart defects.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of literature demonstrates that survivors of congenital heart defects (CHD) are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental delay, which frequently manifests as motor delay during the first year of life. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine prenatal predictors of an early atypical neurodevelopment. This information could help assist decision-making during prenatal counseling. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated the records of 75 children with CHD followed at the Clinique d'Investigation Neuro-Cardiaque (CINC) of the CHU Ste-Justine born between 2013 and 2016. The neurodevelopmental outcome was determined using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 4 months. Associations between prenatal factors and atypical neurodevelopment (AIMS < 10th percentile) were assessed using bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Forty-four infants (58.7%) had atypical neurodevelopment. When there was no extra cardiac anomaly seen on prenatal ultrasound, a head to abdominal ratio (HC/AC) below 1.1 was associated with a four-fold increased risk of atypical neurodevelopment (OR = 4.54; 95% CI = 1.24-16.64 p = .023). There was no difference in identified genetic anomaly in both groups. However, there was a trend toward more extra cardiac anomalies in infants with atypical neurodevelopment (27.3%) compared to 9.7% in those with typical neurodevelopment (p = .061). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that early atypical neurodevelopment affects the majority of children with CHD and highlights the importance of post-natal monitoring by a specialized team. A thorough prenatal ultrasound is important to screen for those at higher risk i.e. those with extra cardiac anomaly and HC/AC below 1.1. A larger cohort is needed to validate those results.

No. 260-Ultrasound in Twin Pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature with respect to the use of diagnostic ultrasound in the management of twin pregnancies. To make recommendations for the best use of ultrasound in twin pregnancies. OUTCOMES: Reduction in perinatal mortality and morbidity and short- and long-term neonatal morbidity in twin pregnancies. Optimization of ultrasound use in twin pregnancies. EVIDENCE: Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed and the Cochrane Library in 2008 and 2009 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g., twin, ultrasound, cervix, prematurity) and key words (e.g., acardiac, twin, reversed arterial perfusion, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, amniotic fluid). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. There were no date restrictions. Studies were restricted to those with available English or French abstracts or text. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated into the guideline to September 2009. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology assessment-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies . VALUES: The evidence collected was reviewed by the Diagnostic Imaging Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, with input from members of the Maternal Fetal Medicine Committee and the Genetics Committee of the SOGC. The recommendations were made according to the guidelines developed by The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1). BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: The benefit expected from this guideline is facilitation and optimization of the use of ultrasound in twin pregnancy. SUMMARY STATEMENTS: RECOMMENDATIONS.

No 223-Tenue systématique d'un examen échographique obstétrical au cours du deuxième trimestre : Contenu d'un examen et d'un rapport exhaustifs.

OBJECTIF: Analyser les avantages d'un examen échographique exhaustif au cours du deuxième trimestre et les conditions nécessaires à sa tenue, ainsi que la documentation requise. ISSUES: Un examen échographique exhaustif au cours du deuxième trimestre offre des renseignements au sujet du nombre de fœtus, de l'âge gestationnel, de l'emplacement du placenta et de l'anatomie fœtale et maternelle. RéSULTATS: Dans le cadre de la rédaction du présent document, le document « Practice Guideline for the Performance of Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations ¼ du American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, le bulletin de pratique « Ultrasound in Pregnancy ¼ du American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists et le rapport de groupe de travail « Ultrasound Screening ¼ du Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ont été analysés. Des recherches ont été menées dans PubMed et Cochrane Database au moyen des mots « routine second trimester obstetrical ultrasound ¼. VALEURS: Les résultats ont été évalués au moyen des lignes directrices élaborées par le Groupe d'étude canadien sur les soins de santé préventifs. AVANTAGES, DéSAVANTAGES ET COûTS: La tenue systématique d'un examen échographique exhaustif au cours du deuxième trimestre (entre la 18e et la 22e semaine de gestation) et la rédaction d'un rapport d'échographie exhaustif offrent la meilleure occasion de diagnostiquer les anomalies fœtales et de contribuer à la gestion des soins prénatals. Ils permettent également de diminuer le nombre d'examens échographiques menés au cours du deuxième trimestre aux fins de l'exploration de l'anatomie fœtale. Les coûts sont ceux qui sont mis en jeu dans le cadre de l'exécution d'une échographie obstétricale. VALIDATION: Il s'agit de la révision d'une directive clinique déjà publiée; des données issues d'autres analyses de consensus tirées de publications médicales ont été utilisées. COMMANDITAIRE: La Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada RECOMMANDATIONS.

No. 223-Content of a Complete Routine Second Trimester Obstetrical Ultrasound Examination and Report.

OBJECTIVE: To review the benefits of and requirements for a complete second trimester ultrasound and the documentation needed. OUTCOMES: A complete second trimester ultrasound provides information about the number of fetuses, the gestational age, the location of the placenta, and fetal and maternal anatomy. EVIDENCE: In the production of this document, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine's "Practice Guideline for the Performance of Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations," the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' practice bulletin, "Ultrasound in Pregnancy," and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' Working Party Report, "Ultrasound Screening" were reviewed. PubMed and the Cochrane Database were searched using the words "routine second trimester obstetrical ultrasound." VALUES: The evidence was evaluated using the guidelines developed by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: A routine complete second trimester ultrasound between 18 and 22 weeks and a complete ultrasound report will provide the best opportunity to diagnose fetal anomalies and to assist in the management of prenatal care. It will also reduce the number of ultrasound examinations done during the second trimester for completion of fetal anatomy survey. The costs are those involved with the performance of obstetrical ultrasound. VALIDATION: This is a revision of previous guidelines; information from other consensus reviews from medical publications has been used. SPONSORS: The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

Ultrasound Evaluation of First Trimester Complications of Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: OUTCOMES:: EVIDENCE: A MEDLINE search and review of bibliographies identified articles was conducted. VALUES: The evidence collected was reviewed by the Diagnostic Imaging Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. The recommendations were made according to the guidelines developed by The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1). BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: Women presenting with first trimester bleeding may be incorrectly diagnosed with a missed abortion, may have an ectopic pregnancy overlooked, or may be inappropriately reassured about viability. Improvement in the identification of the sonographic landmarks of normal embryonic development and awareness of the sonographic risk factors of pregnancy failure may lead to more case-specific management strategies. Diagnosis of suspected ectopic pregnancy often involves an assessment of both hormonal markers and sonographic features. Maternal morbidity and mortality can be reduced with an early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

Évaluation échographique des complications au premier trimestre de grossesse.

OBJECTIFS: RéSULTATS: SOURCES DE DONNéES: Nous avons effectué des recherches dans MEDLINE et un examen de la bibliographie des articles recensés. VALEURS: Le Comité d'imagerie diagnostique de la Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada a passé en revue les données probantes recueillies. Les recommandations reposent sur les lignes directrices élaborées par le Groupe d'étude canadien sur les soins de santé préventifs (tableau 1). AVANTAGES, DéSAVANTAGES ET COûTS: Les femmes qui présentent des saignements durant le premier trimestre peuvent recevoir un diagnostic incorrect d'avortement manqué. En outre, on risque de ne pas détecter une grossesse ectopique ou de les rassurer à tort sur la viabilité de l'embryon. L'amélioration de la détection des repères échographiques du développement embryonnaire normal et de la connaissance des facteurs de risque liés à l'échec de grossesse sur le plan échographique pourrait donner lieu à l'élaboration de stratégies de prise en charge mieux adaptées à chaque cas. Le diagnostic d'une grossesse ectopique suspectée repose souvent sur l'évaluation de marqueurs hormonaux et de caractéristiques échographiques. Par ailleurs, le diagnostic précoce de grossesse ectopique peut réduire la morbidité et la mortalité maternelles. RECOMMANDATIONS.

Impact of Azithromycin on Pregnancy Prolongation in Women at Risk of Preterm Labor: A Time-to-Event Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Since 2006, the empiric use of azithromycin in women at risk of premature birth has become prevalent in our institution without any evidence of its efficacy. Although antibiotics can prolong pregnancy in preterm prolonged rupture of membranes, no published data are available for women with intact membranes. OBJECTIVES: To describe the purpose of adding azithromycin to the usual treatments (cerclage, tocolysis, rest, etc.) to prolong pregnancy in women with intact membranes who are at risk of or already in preterm labour. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study was done at a Mother-Child University Hospital Centre. Patients admitted to obstetric ward who received azithromycin between January 1st, 2006 and August 1st, 2010 were included. A total of 127 exposed women were matched to 127 controls through medical records and pharmacy software. A time-to-event analysis was done to compare gestational age at the time of the recorded composite event (delivery, or rupture of membranes, or second intervention to prolong pregnancy). To compare proportions of composite event at different time points, χ2 tests were used. RESULTS: Patients who received azithromycin had a more severe condition at presentation. Once adjusted for confounding factors, prolongation of pregnancy (HR =1.049; CI 95%: 0.774-1.421 [p=0.758]) and gestational age at the event (HR=1.200; CI 95%: 0.894-1.609 [p=0.225]) did not differ between the groups. The proportions of women with an event ≥7 days post-diagnosis or ≥37 gestational weeks were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Azithromycin was added to medical therapy in a more at-risk population and no clear benefit was measured.

Predicting Perinatal Outcome from Prenatal Ultrasound Characteristics in Pregnancies Complicated by Gastroschisis.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to establish the predictive value of prenatal ultrasound markers for complex gastroschisis (GS) in the first 10 days of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study over 11 years (2000-2011) of 117 GS cases, the following prenatal ultrasound signs were analyzed at the last second- and third-trimester ultrasounds: intrauterine growth restriction, intra-abdominal bowel dilatation (IABD) adjusted for gestational age, extra-abdominal bowel dilatation (EABD) ≥25 mm, stomach dilatation, stomach herniation, perturbed mesenteric circulation, absence of bowel lumen and echogenic dilated bowel loops (EDBL). RESULTS: Among 114 live births, 16 newborns had complex GS (14.0%). Death was seen in 16 cases (13.7%): 3 intrauterine fetal deaths, 9 complex GS and 4 simple GS. Second-trimester markers had limited predictive value. Third-trimester IABD, EABD, EDBL, absence of intestinal lumen and perturbed mesenteric circulation were statistically associated with complex GS and death. IABD was able to predict complex GS with a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity of 91%, a positive predictive value of 47% and a negative predictive value of 92%. DISCUSSION: Third-trimester IABD adjusted for gestational age appears to be the prenatal ultrasound marker most strongly associated with adverse outcome in GS.

Oxidative conditions prevail in severe IUGR with vascular disease and Doppler anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and prenatal exposure to oxidative stress are thought to lead to increased risks of cardiovascular disease later in life. The objective of the present study was to document whether cord blood oxidative stress biomarkers vary with the severity of IUGR and of vascular disease in the twin pregnancy model in which both fetuses share the same maternal environment. METHODS: This prospective cohort study involved dichorionic twin pairs, with one co-twin with IUGR. Oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in venous cord blood samples from each neonate of 32 twin pairs, and compared, according to severity of IUGR (IUGR <5th percentile), Doppler anomalies of the umbilical artery and early onset IUGR (in the second trimester) of the growth restricted twin. RESULTS: Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins (oxLDL) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were increased proportionally in cases of severe IUGR. OxLDL concentrations were also increased in cases of IUGR with Doppler anomaly. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that severe IUGR, is related to a derangement in redox balance, illustrated by increased venous cord blood oxidative stress biomarkers concentrations. Severe IUGR and IUGR with abnormal Doppler can be translated into conditions with intense oxidative stress.

RETIRED: The use of magnetic resonance imaging in the obstetric patient.

This document has been archived because it contains outdated information. It should not be consulted for clinical use, but for historical research only. Please visit the journal website for the most recent guidelines.

Ce document a été archivé, car il contient des informations périmées. Il ne devrait pas être consulté pour un usage clinique, mais uniquement pour des recherches historiques. Veuillez consulter le site web du journal pour les directives les plus récentes.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus according to the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to The International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria and the pregnancy complications in women fulfilling these criteria but who are not considered diabetic according to the Canadian Diabetes Association criteria. METHODS: We estimated the rate of GDM according to the IADPSG criteria from November 2008 to October 2010. Then, we conducted a chart review to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes between women classified as GDM according to the IADPSG criteria but not by the Canadian Diabetes Association criteria (group 1; n=186) and nondiabetic women according to both criteria (group 2; n=372). Results were expressed as crude (odds ratio [OR]) or adjusted OR and 95% confidence interval (CI). The study has a statistical power of 80% to detect a difference between 16% and 8% in large for gestational age newborns (α level of 0.05; two-tailed). RESULTS: The rate of GDM using the IADPSG criteria was 27.51% (95% CI 25.92-29.11). Group 1 presented similar rates of large-for-gestational-age newborns (9.1% compared with 5.9%, adjusted OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.79-3.13; P=.19), delivery complications (37.1% compared with 30.1%, OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.95-1.98; P=.10), preeclampsia (6.5% compared with 2.7%, adjusted OR 2.40, 95% CI 0.92-6.27; P=.07), prematurity (6.5% compared with 2.7%, OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.53-2.27; P=.85), neonatal complications at delivery (13.4% compared with 9.7%, OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.84-2.49; P=.20), and metabolic complications (10.8% compared with 14.2%, OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.42-1.26; P=.29) compared with group 2. CONCLUSION: Women classified as nondiabetic by the Canadian Diabetes Association Criteria but considered GDM according to the IADPSG criteria have similar pregnancy outcomes as women without GDM. More randomized studies with cost-effectiveness analyses are needed before implementation of these criteria. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Repeated resveratrol administration confers lasting protection against neuronal damage but induces dose-related alterations of behavioral impairments after global ischemia.

Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenol, has been shown to protect the heart and brain against ischemic injury. The current study investigated the effects of administration with either a 1 or 10-mg/kg dose of resveratrol on CA1 neuronal injury and behavioral/cognitive impairments after 10-min global ischemia in rats. The open-field, eight-arm radial maze and object recognition tests served to evaluate effects of resveratrol treatment on ischemia-induced locomotor activity, and spatial and recognition memory impairments, respectively. CA1 and CA3 neuronal injury was assessed upon completion of behavioral testing, 85 days postischemia. A separate series of groups served to assess neuronal injury at 7 days postischemia. Global ischemia (10 min) led to approximately 50% CA1 cell injury, which was prevented at both short (7 days) and long (85 days) postischemic intervals by resveratrol treatment. Importantly, despite comparable neuronal protection, the two resveratrol doses showed distinct behavioral effects. Thus, the 10-mg/kg resveratrol dose led to an enhanced locomotor activity in the open-field 4-days postischemia and an impaired spatial memory in the delayed nonmatching to sample and delayed matching to sample radial-maze tasks initiated on day 13 postischemia. These findings suggest independent actions of resveratrol on distinct physiological systems mediating cellular survival and functional recovery and dose-related actions of the polyphenol on behavioral and memory processes.

Ultrasound in twin pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature with respect to the use of diagnostic ultrasound in the management of twin pregnancies. To make recommendations for the best use of ultrasound in twin pregnancies. OUTCOMES: Reduction in perinatal mortality and morbidity and short- and long-term neonatal morbidity in twin pregnancies. Optimization of ultrasound use in twin pregnancies. EVIDENCE: Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed and the Cochrane Library in 2008 and 2009 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g., twin, ultrasound, cervix, prematurity) and key words (e.g., acardiac, twin, reversed arterial perfusion, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, amniotic fluid). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. There were no date restrictions. Studies were restricted to those with available English or French abstracts or text. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated into the guideline to September 2009. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology assessment-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies. VALUES: The evidence collected was reviewed by the Diagnostic Imaging Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, with input from members of the Maternal Fetal Medicine Committee and the Genetics Committee of the SOGC. The recommendations were made according to the guidelines developed by The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1). BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: The benefit expected from this guideline is facilitation and optimization of the use of ultrasound in twin pregnancy. SUMMARY STATEMENTS: 1. There are insufficient data to make recommendations on repeat anatomical assessments in twin pregnancies. Therefore, a complete anatomical survey at each scan may not be needed following a complete and normal assessment. (III) 2. There are insufficient data to recommend a routine preterm labour surveillance protocol in terms of frequency, timing, and optimal cervical length thresholds. (II-2) 3. Singleton growth curves currently provide the best predictors of adverse outcome in twins and may be used for evaluating growth abnormalities. (III) 4. It is suggested that growth discordance be defined using either a difference (20 mm) in absolute measurement in abdominal circumference or a difference of 20% in ultrasound-derived estimated fetal weight. (II-2) 5. Although there is insufficient evidence to recommend a specific schedule for ultrasound assessment of twin gestation, most experts recommend serial ultrasound assessment every 2 to 3 weeks, starting at 16 weeks of gestation for monochorionic pregnancies and every 3 to 4 weeks, starting from the anatomy scan (18 to 22 weeks) for dichorionic pregnancies. (II-1) 6. Umbilical artery Doppler may be useful in the surveillance of twin gestations when there are complications involving the placental circulation or fetal hemodynamic physiology. (II-2) 7. Although many methods of evaluating the level of amniotic fluid in twins (deepest vertical pocket, single pocket, amniotic fluid index) have been described, there is not enough evidence to suggest that one method is more predictive than the others of adverse pregnancy outcome. (II-3) 8. Referral to an appropriate high-risk pregnancy centre is indicated when complications unique to twins are suspected on ultrasound. (II-2) These complications include: 1. Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome 2. Monoamniotic twins gestation 3. Conjoined twins 4. Twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence 5. Single fetal death in the second or third trimester 6. Growth discordance in monochorionic twins. Recommendations 1. All patients who are suspected to have a twin pregnancy on first trimester physical examination or who are at risk (e.g., pregnancies resulting from assisted reproductive technologies) should have first trimester ultrasound performed. (II-2A) 2. Every attempt should be made to determine and report amnionicity and chorionicity when a twin pregnancy is identified. (II-2A) 3. Although the accuracy in confirmation of gestational age at the first and second trimester is comparable, dating should be done with first trimester ultrasound. (II-2A) 4. Beyond the first trimester, it is suggested that a combination of parameters rather than a single parameter should be used to confirm gestational age. (II-2C) 5. When twin pregnancy is the result of in vitro fertilization, accurate determination of gestational age should be made from the date of embryo transfer. (II-1A) 6. There is insufficient evidence to make a recommendation of which fetus (when discordant for size) to use to date a twin pregnancy. However, to avoid missing a situation of early intrauterine growth restriction in one twin, most experts agree that the clinician may consider dating pregnancy using the larger fetus. (III-C) 7. In twin pregnancies, aneuploidy screening using nuchal transluscency measurements should be offered. (II-2B) 8. Detailed ultrasound examination to screen for fetal anomalies should be offered, preferably between 18 and 22 weeks' gestation, in all twin pregnancies. (II-2B) 9. When ultrasound is used to screen for preterm birth in a twin gestation, endovaginal ultrasound measurement of the cervical length should be performed. (II-2A) 10. Increased fetal surveillance should be considered when there is either growth restriction diagnosed in one twin or significant growth discordance. (II-2A) 11. Umbilical artery Doppler should not be routinely offered in uncomplicated twin pregnancies. (I-E) 12. For defining oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios, the ultrasonographer should use the deepest vertical pocket in either sac: oligohydramnios when < 2 cm and polyhydramnios when > 8 cm. (II-2B).

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins in cord blood from neonates with intra-uterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: We verified whether oxidative stress indices (oxidized low-density lipoproteins and malondialdehyde) and inflammatory biomarkers (circulating C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, serum amyloid A and soluble intercellular vascular cell adhesion molecule) are increased in the umbilical vein of placental insufficiency induced intra-uterine growth restricted neonates. STUDY DESIGN: The prospective cohort study, involving 3 tertiary care centers, consists of 200 consecutively recruited pregnant women carrying twins. We chose the twin pregnancy model because both fetuses share the same maternal environment, thereby avoiding potential confounding factors when comparing oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers. We analysed only twin pairs with one with intra-uterine growth restriction (N=38) defined as fetal growth<10th percentile with abnormal Doppler of the umbilical artery. Blood samples were taken at birth from the umbilical vein. Intra-pair comparisons on the biomarkers were performed using the Student paired t-test. RESULTS: We observed increased cord blood levels of oxidized low-density lipoproteins, (2.394 ± .412 vs 1.296 ± .204, p=.003) but not of malondialdehyde in growth restricted neonates when compared to their normal counterparts. Although indices of inflammation tended to be increased in cord blood from growth restricted newborns, the difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: In the twin model, intra-uterine growth restriction is associated with low-density lipoprotein oxidation without apparent dysregulation of inflammation biomarkers. CONDENSATION: Increased oxidized low-density lipoproteins are observed in growth restricted twins compared to their co-twins with normal growth at birth.

The predictive ability of conditional fetal growth percentiles.

Conditional fetal growth percentiles are percentiles that are calculated taking into account (conditional on) an infant's weight earlier in pregnancy. Although they have been proposed in the statistical literature as a more methodologically appropriate method of measuring fetal growth, their ability to predict adverse perinatal outcomes due to fetal growth restriction is unknown. Using a large, unselected clinical ultrasound database at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada, we calculated conditional growth percentiles for infants' weight at birth, given their weight at the time of a routine 32- or 33-week ultrasound. The risk of adverse perinatal outcome (perinatal mortality, low Apgar, acidaemia, or seizures/organ failure due to asphyxia) among small-for-gestational-age infants (SGA) as established by conditional growth percentiles was calculated as well as the risk among infants classified as SGA by conventional weight-for-gestational-age percentiles. Regardless of the threshold used to define SGA (fifth, 10th, 15th, 20th), conditional percentiles did not appear to improve the identification of adverse perinatal outcomes compared with conventional weight-for-gestational-age charts. Further work is needed to confirm our results as well as to explore potential reasons for the lack of benefits from using a measure of growth instead of size to identify fetal growth restriction.

Perinatal listeriosis: Canada's 2008 outbreaks.

BACKGROUND: Listeriosis is one of the most severe foodborne illnesses worldwide. Most infections with Listeria are sporadic, but outbreaks do occur. Pregnant women exposed to this organism are at increased risk of chorioamnionitis, preterm labour, prematurity and intrauterine fetal demise. Severe neonatal infection can also occur. CASES: Two recent outbreaks in Canada prompted a reassessment of the prevalence and the perinatal impact of this disease. We describe here three cases of perinatal listeriosis. The aim of our report is to demonstrate the variable clinical presentations and to emphasize the difficulty in diagnosing perinatal listeriosis. CONCLUSION: Perinatal listeriosis is a severe disease with many possible clinical presentations. Clinical diagnosis may be difficult, so clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion.

SOGC CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE: guidelines for the management of vasa previa.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the etiology of vasa previa and the risk factors and associated condition, to identify the various clinical presentations of vasa previa, to describe the ultrasound tools used in its diagnosis, and to describe the management of vasa previa. OUTCOMES: Reduction of perinatal mortality, short-term neonatal morbidity, long-term infant morbidity, and short-term and long-term maternal morbidity and mortality. EVIDENCE: Published literature on randomized trials prospective cohort studies, and selected retrospective cohort studies was retrieved through searches of PubMed or Medline, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g., selected epidemiological studies comparing delivery by Caesarean section with vaginal delivery studies comparing outcomes when vasa previa is diagnosed antenatally vs.intrapartum) and key words (e.g. vasa previa). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated into the guideline to October 1, 2008. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology assessment-related agencies,clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and from national and international medical specialty societies. VALUES: The evidence collected was reviewed by the Diagnostic Imaging Committee and the Maternal Fetal Medicine Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) and quantified using the evaluation of evidence guidelines developed by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: The benefit expected from this guideline is facilitation of optimal and uniform care for pregnancies complicated by vasa previa. SPONSORS: The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.