Is mid-trimester cervical length screening effective for reduction of threatened preterm labor?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of threatened preterm labor and preterm labor admissions and treatment of women with singleton gestations and no prior preterm birth before and after implementation of the universal mid-trimester transvaginal ultrasound cervical length screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study included of singleton gestations without a history of preterm birth presenting with threatened preterm labor between 24 0/7 and 36 6/7 gestational week in two study periods: before and after the implementation of the universal cervical length screening. Women with cervical length <25 mm were considered being at high risk for preterm birth and were prescribed a treatment with vaginal progesterone daily. The primary outcome was the incidence of threatened preterm labor. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of preterm labor. RESULTS: We have found a significant increase in the incidence of threatened preterm labor from 6.42% (410/6378) in 2011 to 11.61% (483/4158) in 2018 (p < 0.0001). Gestational age at triage consult was lower in than in 2011, although the rate of admission for threatened preterm labor was similar in both periods. There was a significant decrease in the incidence of preterm delivery <37 weeks from 25.60% in 2011 to 15.94% in 2018 (p < 0.0004). Although there was a reduction in preterm delivery ≤34 weeks, this reduction was not significant. CONCLUSION: The universal mid-trimester cervical length screening in asymptomatic women is not associated with a reduction in the frequency of threatened preterm labor or the admission rate for preterm labor, but reduces the rate of preterm births.

Brain 3D-echographic early predictors of neuro-behavioral disorders in infants: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Prematurity, low birth weight (LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are risk factors of long-term poor neuro-development outcomes and associate with reduction of regional brain volumes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possible role of 3D ultrasound sonography (3DUS) regional brain volumes, measured at 30-40 days of postnatal period, as early predictors of long-term risk of neuro-behavioral disorders. METHODS: A highly selected population, which included: full-term, preterm, IUGR, and preterm-IUGR born individuals, was followed longitudinally from 30 to 40 days of postnatal period to the second year of life. The population was mostly composed of bichorionic twins to ensure a, theoretically, major intracategory homogeneity. Preterm and IUGR subjects were characterized by a gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW)>32 weeks and >1500 g, respectively, whereas the full-term neonates were of 37 weeks GA. At enrollment, the assessment of the volumetric measurements was performed using the 3DUS. The evaluation of neuro-development was performed at 2 years using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales. RESULTS: The 3DUS measurements of whole brain, thalamus, frontal cortex, and cerebellum volumes, assessed at 30-40 days of postnatal period, were significantly reduced in infants characterized by negative outcome. In addition, the respective areas of the ROC curves, made by comparing values of normal and abnormal neuro-development groups, were indicative of a strong diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: Data found suggest that the 3DUS regional brain volumes may assume a significant role as early indicators of neonates at major risk of neuro-behavioral disorders in later life. Further and larger studies in this direction are needed to validate this significant perspective.

Gender-related differences in career development among gynecologic oncology surgeons in Europe. European Network of Young Gynecologic Oncologists' Survey based data.

Introduction: Gender-related differences in career development are well known issues in various professions. An international survey on gender-related differences was performed among young gynecologic oncology surgeons in Europe to identify potential gender inequalities in career development. Material and methods: A survey on demographics, clinical and academic working environment, family/parenting, career development, salary and leadership was sent to all members of the European Network of Young Gynecologic Oncologists (ENYGO), which is a network within the European Society of Gynecologic Oncology (ESGO). Gynecologic oncology surgeons and obstetricians/gynecologists who actively work in this field in Europe were included in the study. Results: Responses were analyzed from 192 gynecologic oncology surgeons of whom 65.1% (125/192) were female (median age 37, IQR: 34 - 42) and 34.9% (67/192) were male (median age 38, IQR: 36 - 41). Male reported to perform a median of 15 and female a median of 10 operations per month (p = .007). Among female, 24.8% had a leadership position vs. 44.8% among male, crude OR = 2.46, 95% CI 1.31-4.62, p<.01. When stratifying for age under 41 and having children, 36.7% of male and 5.6% of female had a leadership position, adjusted OR 10.8, 95% CI 3.28-35.64, p<.001. A significantly higher proportion of female compared to male believed they earned less than their gender counterparts at the same clinical position and with same qualifications (30.4% vs. 2.5%, p<.001). There was not a statistically significant gender difference in the academic qualification PhD degree or professorship (p = .92 and p = .64, respectively). In the previous year, male published more peer-reviewed articles than female (median 3 vs. median 2; p = .017). Conclusion: This first comprehensive survey on gender-differences in gynecologic oncology in Europe revealed that there are gender gaps concerning several aspects during the critical time of career development in the young generation of gynecologic oncology surgeons. These gender gaps are particularly reflected by a lower rate of female leadership positions. ENYGO and ESGO are dedicated to work on solution to overcome the identified obstacles and to support closing gender gaps.

Subspecialty training in Europe: a report by the European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists.

BACKGROUND: ESGO (European Society of Gynaecological Oncology) and partners are continually improving the developmental opportunities for gynaecological oncology fellows. The objectives of this survey were to evaluate the progress in the infrastructure of the training systems in Europe over the past decade. We also evaluated training and assessment techniques, the perceived relevance of ENYGO (European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists) initiatives, and unmet needs of trainees. METHODOLOGY: National representatives of ENYGO from 39 countries were contacted with an electronic survey. A graduation in well/moderately/loosely-structured training systems was performed. Descriptive statistical analysis and frequency tables, as well as two-sided Fisher's exact test, were used. RESULTS: National representatives from 33 countries answered our survey questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 85%. A national fellowship is offered in 22 countries (66.7%). A logbook to document progress during training is mandatory in 24 (72.7%) countries. A logbook of experience is only utilized in a minority of nations (18%) for assessment purposes. In 42.4% of countries, objective assessments are recognized. Trainees in most countries (22 (66.7%)) requested additional training in advanced laparoscopic surgery. 13 (39.4%) countries have a loosely-structured training system, 11 (33.3%) a moderately-structured training system, and 9 (27.3%) a well-structured training system. CONCLUSION: Since the last publication in 2011, ENYGO was able to implement new activities, workshops, and online education to support training of gynaecological oncology fellows, which were all rated by the respondents as highly useful. This survey also reveals the limitations in establishing more accredited centers, centralized cancer care, and the lack of laparoscopic training.

The effect of prenatal exposure to music on fetal movements and fetal heart rate: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare fetal cardiac parameters of fetuses listening to music before and during nonstress test, only during the test or never. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty healthy mother-fetus dyads were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: group A in which fetuses were submitted to prelistening phase (33rd + 0 to 36th + 3 week) and listening sessions during 4 nonstress tests, group B in which fetuses were submitted to listening sessions during 4 nonstress tests, and group C receiving 4 nonstress tests without any listening. We assessed mean fetal heart rate, fetal heart rate accelerations, fetal heart rate decelerations, fetal movements and uterine contractility. RESULTS: Fetuses of the group A, who had already listened to a particular piece of music during previous sessions, had significantly increased their heart rate accelerations and movements during the music listening session of the last nonstress test. No significant changes were observed in the number of uterine contractions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that fetuses slightly respond to that music they know, but they do not significantly respond to unknown music.

Prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery in women presenting with premature labor: a comparison of placenta alpha microglobulin-1, phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1, and cervical length.

BACKGROUND: Placental alpha microglobulin-1 and phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 have been studied in patients at risk for preterm birth with signs and symptoms of preterm labor. However, a direct comparison between these 2 biomarkers, alone or in combination with cervical length measurement with an adequate sample size, has been lacking to date. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the placental alpha microglobulin-1 test and the phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 test alone and in combination with cervical length measurement for the prediction of imminent spontaneous preterm birth of testing in pregnant women with symptoms of preterm labor in a tertiary care setting. STUDY DESIGN: Four hundred three patients with intact amniotic membranes and cervical dilation ≤3 cm, without recent intercourse or cerclage, between gestational weeks of 20+0 and 36+6 were recruited prospectively from 3 international centers. Placental alpha microglobulin-1 and phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 tests were conducted before cervical length measurement via transvaginal ultrasound scanning. Caregivers were blinded to the biomarker test results. Medically indicated deliveries within 14 days of testing were excluded. Standard performance statistics with 95% confidence intervals were calculated and compared based on pairwise estimates from a generalized model. RESULTS: Of 403 subjects who were enrolled in the study cohort, 94% (383/403 women) met the inclusion criteria. Median gestational age and cervical length at presentation were 30+5 weeks and 27 mm, respectively; 6.8% women (26/383 women) had spontaneous birth ≤7 days from testing. The placental alpha microglobulin-1 test was positive in 7.8% of the women (30/383 women); the phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 test was positive in 29.5% women (113/383 women). Positive predictive value for placental alpha microglobulin-1, phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1, and cervical length <25 mm for the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in the overall cohort was 60.0% (18/30 women), 18.6% (21/113 women), 11.8% (18/152 women), respectively. The negative predictive value was 97.7% (345/353 women), 98.2% (265/270 women), 96.5% (223/231 women), respectively. The prevalence of spontaneous preterm birth in this group was 6.8% (26/383 women). The positive likelihood ratios were 20.6, 3.1, and 1.8, respectively. The negative likelihood ratio were 0.3, 0.3, and 0.5, respectively. Positive predictive values for placental alpha microglobulin-1 and phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 tests in patients with cervical length shortening of 15-30 mm for the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth were 60.9% (14/23 women) and 28.1% (16/57 women), respectively. The negative predictive values were 97.1% (168/173 women) and 97.8% (136/139 women), respectively. The prevalence of spontaneous preterm birth in the 15-30 mm cohort was 9.7% (19/196 women). The positive likelihood ratios were 14.5 and 3.6, respectively. The negative likelihood ratios were 0.3 and 0.2, respectively. CONCLUSION: Placental alpha microglobulin-1 is significantly more specific than phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 for the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth ≤7 days (P<.0001), whereas both tests have comparable sensitivity. In patients with cervical length 15-30 mm, although placental alpha microglobulin-1 has a significantly higher positive predictive value and specificity compared with phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 for the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth at ≤7 days (P<.01), both tests have a comparable sensitivity and negative predictive value. In conclusion, placental alpha microglobulin-1 is a better predictor of imminent spontaneous preterm birth when compared with phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 alone or in combination with cervical length measurement. In patients with shortening of cervical length of 15-30 mm, the placental alpha microglobulin-1 test is a significantly better predictor of imminent spontaneous preterm birth within 7 days of testing than is phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1.

Diagnostic performance of human epididymis protein 4 compared to a combination of biophysical and biochemical markers to differentiate ovarian endometriosis from epithelial ovarian cancer in premenopausal women.

AIM: This study is a comparison of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) with cancer antigen 125 (CA125), using the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA), Copenhagen Index (CPH-I), Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) and Morphology Index (MI) to differentiate ovarian endometriosis from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in premenopausal women. METHODS: The study was performed at the University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Skopje. One hundred and sixty-four premenopausal patients were divided into three study groups, including ovarian endometriosis (37), other benign pelvic masses (57) and EOCs (11), and a control group (59). After ultrasonography, all subjects underwent blood sampling. Surgery and histological verification was performed. Pelvic masses were classified based on histological findings. Mann-Whitney, receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. The level of significance α was set at 5%. RESULTS: For each of the tested markers, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy to distinguish ovarian endometriosis from EOC were as follows: HE4 (81.82%, 100%, 95.83%); CA125 (81.82%, 48.65%, 56.25%); ROMA (90.91%, 83.78%, 85.42%); CPH-I (81.82%, 97.30%, 93.75%); RMI (90.91%, 35.14%, 47.92%); and MI (100%, 75.68%, 81.25%), respectively. The AUC for ovarian endometriosis compared to EOC for tested markers was as follows: HE4 (AUC = 0.934), CA125 (AUC = 0.821), ROMA (AUC = 0.929), CPH-I (AUC = 0.924) and RMI (AUC = 0.880), respectively. CONCLUSION: HE4 and CPH-I perform best to discriminate ovarian endometriosis from EOC in premenopausal women. MI has maximal sensitivity to detect EOC.

Comparison of a novel test for placental alpha microglobulin-1 with fetal fibronectin and cervical length measurement for the prediction of imminent spontaneous preterm delivery in patients with threatened preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: PartoSure is a bedside test for the prediction of time-to-spontaneous preterm delivery by the detection of placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1). The objectives of this study were to further determine the test's efficacy in predicting delivery within 7 or 14 days from testing, and to compare it with fetal fibronectin (fFN) and cervical length (CL) measurement by transvaginal ultrasound. STUDY DESIGN: The study population consisted of 203 consecutively recruited women with singleton pregnancies between 200/7 and 366/7 weeks of gestation with symptoms of preterm labor, clinically intact membranes, and cervical dilatation of ≤3 cm. PartoSure and CL were performed on all patients and the test-to-spontaneous-delivery interval was calculated. In a sub-segment of patients, the QuikCheck fFN test was used. RESULTS: The sensitivities for PartoSure (n=203), fFN (n=66), and CL (n=203) for predicting imminent spontaneous preterm delivery within 7 days were 80%, 50%, and 57%, respectively. The specificities were 95%, 72%, and 73% for PartoSure, fFN and CL, respectively. The NPVs were 96%, 87%, and 89% for PartoSure, fFN and CL, respectively. The PPVs were 76%, 29%, and 30% for PartoSure, fFN and CL, respectively. CONCLUSION: PAMG-1 detection by PartoSure is the single best predictor of imminent spontaneous delivery within 7 days compared to fFN and CL. In settings where CL is used as an initial screen, PartoSure has the greatest clinical utility in patients with CL between 15 and 35 mm. In situations where CL is not an initial screen, PartoSure is the most accurate test compared to fFN and CL.

Evaluation of a novel placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) test to predict spontaneous preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The PartoSure time-to-delivery (TTD) test (AmniSure International, Boston, MA, USA) is a newly available bedside test for the prediction of time to spontaneous preterm delivery via the detection of placental alpha microglobulin-1. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of the test in predicting imminent delivery in 7 or 14 days from the time of testing. METHODS: The study population consisted of 101 consecutively recruited pregnant women with singleton pregnancies between 20+0 and 36+6 weeks of gestation with symptoms of preterm labor, clinically intact amniotic membranes, and minimal cervical dilatation (≤3 cm). The PartoSure TTD test was performed on these patients and the test-to-spontaneous-delivery interval was calculated. RESULTS: The PartoSure TTD test predicted spontaneous preterm delivery within 7 days with 90.0% sensitivity, 93.8% specificity, 97.4% negative predictive value (NPV), and 78.3% positive predictive value (PPV). The test predicted spontaneous preterm delivery within 14 days with 80% sensitivity, 96.1% specificity, 93.6% NPV, and 87.0% PPV. CONCLUSION: A positive PartoSure TTD test in patients presenting with symptoms of preterm labor, intact membranes, and minimal cervical dilatation (≤3 cm) indicated spontaneous preterm delivery will occur within 7 days with a high degree of accuracy. A negative result indicated that spontaneous preterm delivery within 14 days is highly unlikely.