A history of cesarean section and future maternal long-term risk for neoplasms: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Mode of delivery has long-term implications on the mother, including recent data regarding the level of transmission of fetal microchimeric cells (FMc) and their possible effect on cancer development. We aimed to evaluate the association between cesarean section (CS) and future risk for neoplasms. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based cohort analysis comparing the long-term risk for neoplasms between patients that delivered only by CS to those that delivered only vaginally (VD). Neoplasms were pre-defined based on ICD-9 codes. Deliveries occurred between the years 1991-2017 in a tertiary medical center. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare the cumulative incidence of neoplasms and Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to control for confounders. RESULTS: During the study period 105,992 patients met the inclusion criteria; 14150 (13.4%) of patients had only CS and 91842 (86.6%) had VD (comparison group). The CS group had significantly higher incidence of benign and malignant neoplasms (4.73 per 1000 patient-years versus 3.88 per 1000 patient-years, OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.16-1.37; p = 0.001; 2.19 per 1000 patient-years of follow up versus 1.93 per 1000 patient-years, OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.03-1.31; p = 0.013). Specifically, the CS group had higher incidence of uterine cancer (1.2 versus 0.06 per 1000 patient-years, OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.14-3.39; p = 0.013). The cumulative incidence of benign, malignant and uterine neoplasms was significantly higher in the CS group (Log rank test p = 0.001; 0.036 and 0.014; respectively). Importantly, no significant association was found with breast and ovarian malignancies." When performing a Cox regression model controlling for confounders, the risk for malignancy-related hospitalizations remained significant (adjusted HR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.48; p = 0.031) but not for uterine cancer (adjusted HR = 1.6, 95% CI 0.9-2.8; p = 0.103). CONCLUSION: Our findings provide support to linkage between delivery by cesarean section and future maternal malignancy.

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid as a protective factor against childhood dermatitis and skin rash-related hospitalization in the offspring - a population-based cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiome influences cutaneous diseases including atopic dermatitis. Possible impact of intrauterine exposure to meconium on the occurrence of dermatitis and skin rash was proposed. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the possible influence of intrauterine exposure to meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) on the occurrence of dermatitis and skin rash-related hospitalizations throughout childhood. METHODS: Singleton deliveries occurring between 1991 and 2014 at a single medical centre were divided into two study groups based on presence or lack of MSAF during delivery. Population-based cohort analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were used to study the association between MSAF and cutaneous morbidity-related hospitalizations. RESULTS: A lower rate of the total dermatitis or skin eruption-related hospitalization was documented in the MSAF-exposed group; 0.78 per 1000-person years (0.9%, n = 312), as compared to 0.98 per 1000-person years in the unexposed group (1.0%, n = 1992) with a hazard ratio of 0.86 (95% CI 0.76-0.96, P = 0.011). The survival curve showed lower cumulative hospitalization rate in the MSAF-exposed group as compared to the unexposed group (log rank P = 0.01). The Cox analysis, controlled for confounders, demonstrated MSAF exposure to be an independent protective factor for dermatitis and skin rash-related hospitalizations during childhood (adjusted HR 0.878 (95% CI 0.779-0.990, P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Fetal exposure to MSAF appears to be an independent protective factor for dermatitis and skin rash-related hospitalizations in the offspring throughout childhood and adolescence.

Like mother like daughter: low birth weight and preeclampsia tend to reoccur at the next generation.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight and preeclampsia are both adverse pregnancy and delivery outcomes, with possible influence on future health status. Previous studies have shown that intergenerational factors may be important prognostic information in evaluating women prior to or after conception. Our objective was to evaluate the role of intergenerational factors on the incidence of preeclampsia and low birth weight (LBW). METHODS: A retrospective population-based study was conducted. Perinatal information was gathered from 2311 familial triads, comprising mothers (F1), daughters (F2), and children (F3). All births occurred in a tertiary medical center between 1991 and 2013. A multivariate generalized estimating equation logistic regression model analysis was used to study the association between LBW and preeclampsia across generations while controlling for confounders and for clusters of families in the database. RESULTS: A total of 1490 in F1, 1616 in F2, and 2311 in F3 were included. LBW in mothers (F2), adjusted for possible confounders, was found to be a significant predictor for LBW in offspring (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.02-2.6, p = .043). Likewise, preeclampsia was also noted as a significant intergenerational factor following adjustments for possible confounders (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.4-5.8, p = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal LBW and preeclampsia are both independent risk factors for recurrence in the next generation.

The association between birth weight at term and long-term endocrine morbidity of the offspring.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) birth weight at-term poses an increased risk for long-term pediatric endocrine morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective population-based cohort study compared the incidence of long-term pediatric hospitalizations due to endocrine morbidity of singleton children born SGA, appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA), and LGA at-term. A multivariate generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression model analysis was used to control for confounders. RESULTS: During the study period, 235,614 deliveries met the inclusion criteria; of which 4.7% were SGA (n = 11,062), 91% were AGA (n = 214,249), and 4.3% were LGA neonates (n = 10,303). During the follow-up period, children born SGA or LGA at-term had a significantly higher rate of long-term endocrine morbidity. Using a multivariable GEE logistic regression model, controlling for confounders, being delivered SGA or LGA at-term was found to be an independent risk factor for long-term pediatric endocrine morbidity (Adjusted OR = 1.4; 95%CI = 1.1-1.8; p = .015 and aOR = 1.4; 95%CI = 1.1-1.8; p = .005, respectively). Specifically, LGA was found an independent risk factor for overweight and obesity (aOR = 1.7; 95%CI = 1.2-2.5; p = .001), while SGA was found an independent risk factor for childhood hypothyroidism (aOR = 3.2; 95%CI = 1.8-5.8; p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Birth weight either SGA or LGA at-term is an independent risk factor for long-term pediatric endocrine morbidity.

Elective cesarean delivery at term and the long-term risk for endocrine and metabolic morbidity of the offspring.

Other than obesity, no definitive insights have been gained regarding the apparent association between mode of delivery and long-term endocrine and metabolic outcomes in the offspring. We aimed to determine whether elective cesarean delivery (CD) impacts on long-term endocrine and metabolic morbidity of the offspring. A population-based cohort analysis was performed including all singleton-term deliveries occurring between 1991 and 2014 at a single tertiary medical center. A comparison was performed between children delivered via a non-emergent CD and those delivered vaginally (VD). Hospitalizations of the offspring up to the age of 18 years involving endocrine morbidity were evaluated. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare cumulative morbidity incidence. Cox and a Weibull regression models were used to control for confounders. During the study period 131,880 term deliveries met the inclusion criteria; 8.9% were elective non-urgent CDs (n=11,768) and 91.1% (n=120,112) were VDs. The survival curve demonstrated a significantly higher cumulative incidence of endo-metabolic morbidity in offspring born via CD (P=0.010). In the regression models, adjusted for maternal obesity, CD was not noted as an independent risk factor for long-term pediatric endocrine and metabolic morbidity of the offspring while maternal obesity emerged as a strong predictor. We therefore conclude that CD per-se does not appear to increase the risk for long-term pediatric endo-metabolic morbidity of the offspring.

Maternal Asthma Is an Independent Risk Factor for Long-Term Respiratory Morbidity of the Offspring.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate whether maternal bronchial asthma increases the risk for long-term respiratory morbidity of the offspring. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based cohort study compared the incidence of long-term pediatric hospitalizations due to respiratory disease of the offspring of mothers with and without bronchial asthma. Deliveries occurred between the years 1991 and 2014 in a tertiary medical center. Congenital malformations as well as multiple pregnancies were excluded. Kaplan-Meier's survival curve was used to estimate cumulative incidence of respiratory morbidity. A multivariate generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression model analysis was used to control for confounders. RESULTS: During the study period, 253,808 deliveries met the inclusion criteria; of which 1.3% were born to mothers with bronchial asthma (n = 3,411). During the follow-up period, children born to women with bronchial asthma had a significantly higher rate of long-term respiratory morbidity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3-1.7; p < 0.001). Specifically, the rate of childhood asthma was higher among offspring of mothers with asthma (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.8-2.9; p < 0.001). Children born to women with asthma had higher cumulative incidence of respiratory morbidity, using a Kaplan-Meier's survival curve (log-rank test; p < 0.001). Using two multivariable GEE logistic regression models, controlling for the time to event, maternal age, and gestational age at delivery, maternal bronchial asthma was found to be an independent risk factor for long-term respiratory disease of the offspring (adjusted OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.4-1.9; p < 0.001), and specifically for bronchial asthma (adjusted OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.9-3.1; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Maternal bronchial asthma is an independent risk factor for long-term respiratory morbidity of the offspring.

Fertility Treatments in Women Who Become Pregnant and Carried to Viability, and the Risk for Long-Term Maternal Cardiovascular Morbidity.

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate whether patients who undergo fertility treatments (ovulation induction or in vitro fertilization) have an increased risk for future maternal cardiovascular morbidity. Design A population-based study compared the incidence of long-term cardiovascular morbidity in a cohort of women with and without a previous exposure to fertility treatments. Deliveries occurred during a 25-year period, with a mean follow-up of 11.7 years. Women with known cardiovascular disease and congenital cardiovascular malformations diagnosed before the index pregnancy and multiple pregnancies were excluded. Results During the study period, 99,291 patients met the inclusion criteria; 4.1% (n = 4,153) occurred in patients with exposure to fertility treatments. Patients with exposure to fertility treatments did not have higher rates of cardiovascular morbidity. Using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve, patients with an exposure to fertility treatments had no higher cumulative incidence of cardiovascular hospitalizations. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, adjusted for confounders such as preeclampsia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, exposure to fertility treatments remained unassociated with cardiovascular hospitalizations (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.3; p = 0.441). Conclusion In our population, during a mean follow-up period of 11.7, results showed no increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity in women undergoing fertility treatments.

Can slight glucose intolerance during pregnancy predict future maternal atherosclerotic morbidity?

AIM: o examine the association between glucose level during pregnancy and the subsequent development of long-term maternal atherosclerotic morbidity. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. The study included all women who had at least one glucose measurement during their pregnancies. Cases were all women who delivered between the years 2000-2012 and subsequently developed atherosclerotic morbidity (n = 815). Controls were randomly matched by age and year of delivery (n = 6065). The atherosclerotic morbidity group was further divided by severity: major events (cardiovascular, cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal failure), minor events (hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia without target organ damage or complications) and cardiac evaluation tests (such as coronary angiography without records of atherosclerosis, cardiac scan and stress test). The mean follow-up duration for the study group was 74 months. Cox proportional hazards model was used to control for confounders. RESULTS: A significant linear association was found between glucose levels during pregnancy and long-term maternal atherosclerotic morbidity. Among the cases with severe atherosclerotic morbidity, the proportion of women with a high glucose level (> 5.5 mmol/l) was the highest, whereas in controls it was the lowest (P < 0.001). In a Cox proportional hazard model, adjusted for atherosclerotic confounders such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and obesity, a glucose level of > 5.5 mmol/l was noted as an independent risk factor for hospitalizations later in non-pregnant life (hazard ratio = 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.5, P < 0.003). CONCLUSION: A high glucose level during pregnancy, even if within the range of slight glucose intolerance, may serve as a marker for future maternal atherosclerotic morbidity. Further long-term studies are needed to confirm our findings.

The risk of female malignancies after fertility treatments: a cohort study with 25-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether an association exists between a history of fertility treatments and future risk of female malignancies. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based study compared the incidence of long-term female malignancies in a cohort of women with and without a history of fertility treatments including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and ovulation induction (OI). Deliveries occurred between the years 1988-2013, with a mean follow-up duration of 12 years. Excluded from the study were women with known genetic predisposition for malignancies or known malignancies prior to the index pregnancy. Female malignancies were divided into specific types including ovarian, uterine, breast and cervix. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to estimate cumulative incidence of malignancies. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for female malignancy. RESULTS: During the study period, 106,031 women met the inclusion criteria; 4.1 % (n = 4363) occurred in patients following fertility treatments. During the follow-up period, patients with a history of IVF treatments had a significantly increased risk of being diagnosed with ovarian and uterine cancer as compared to patients after OI and patients with no history of fertility treatments. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed for ovarian and uterine cancer separately, controlling for confounders such as maternal age and obesity. A history of IVF treatment remained independently associated with ovarian and uterine cancer (adjusted HR 3.9; 95 % CI 1.2-12.6; P = 0.022 and adjusted HR 4.6; 95 % CI 1.4-14.9; P = 0.011; respectively). CONCLUSION: IVF treatments pose a significant risk of subsequent long-term ovarian and uterine cancer.

Is there an association between a history of placental abruption and long-term maternal renal complications?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether patients with a history of placental abruption have an increased risk for subsequent maternal long-term morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based study compared the incidence of long-term renal morbidity in cohort of women with and without a history of placental abruption. Deliveries occurred during a 25-year period, with a mean follow-up duration of 11.2 years. Renal morbidity included kidney transplantation, chronic renal failure, hypertensive renal disease, etc. RESULTS: During the study period 99 354 deliveries met the inclusion criteria; 1.8% (n = 1807) occurred in patients with a diagnosis of placental abruption. Patients with placental abruption did not have higher cumulative incidence of renal related hospitalizations, using Kaplan-Meier survival curve. During the follow-up period patients with a history of placental abruption did not have higher rate of renal morbidity (0.2% versus 0.1%; OR 1.8; 95% CI 0.6-4.8; p = 0.261). When performing a Cox proportional hazards model, adjusted for confounders such as parity and diabetes mellitus, a history of placental abruption was not associated with renal related hospitalizations (adjusted HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.6-4.2; p = 0.381). CONCLUSION: Placental abruption, even though considered a part of the "placental syndrome" with possible vascular etiology, is not a risk factor for long-term maternal renal complications.

Polyhydramnios and adverse perinatal outcome - what is the actual cutoff?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between amniotic fluid index (AFI) and adverse perinatal outcome, and whether a critical cutoff can be defined. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Included were patients who were admitted to the ultrasound unit of the tertiary medical center between the years 1988 and 2010. Parturients were classified into five groups according to their AFI: <20 (n = 9974; comparison group), 20-23 (n = 2771), 24-27 (n = 1315), 28-31 (n = 494) and 32 + (n = 260). Pregnancy and the perinatal outcomes were compared between the groups. Statistical analysis included the chi-square tests for trends, and multivariable models to control for confounders (with AFI as a dummy variable). RESULTS: A significant linear association was found between AFI and adverse perinatal outcomes including hypertensive disorders, diabetes mellitus, preterm labor, macrosomia, placental abruption and low birth weight. Furthermore, using multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for confounders such as maternal and gestational age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc., the significant association between all four subgroups of AFI > 20 and adverse perinatal outcomes remained. CONCLUSION: A significant linear association exists between AFI > 20 and perinatal complications such as perinatal mortality, low Apgar scores and preterm labor. Hence, the critical cutoff for polyhydramnios should be re-evaluated.

Is a value of over 200 mg/dL in the oral glucose tolerance test, a marker of severity in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether blood glucose values of over 200 mg/dL in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) are associated with pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed comparing patients with GDM A1 (diet controlled) that had at least one value of 200 mg/dL or higher in the OGTT, to those who did not. Patients were treated at the diabetes day care clinic of a tertiary medical center between the years 1999 and 2010. Data were available from the computerized perinatal databases. RESULTS: During the study period, 778 women with GDM were treated at the diabetes day care clinic. Of these, 162 had at least one test value of 200 mg/dL or greater. No significant differences regarding maternal and perinatal complications, such as polyhydramnios, macrosomia (birth-weight above 4 kg), shoulder dystocia, low Apgar scores at 5 min (<7) and cesarean section were noted between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A value of 200 mg/dL or more in the OGTT is not an indicator of perinatal complications.

Creatinine level as a predictor of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

This study aims to examine the association between creatinine level during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and the development of pre-eclampsia in the second half of the pregnancy. The study population included all registered births (n=9341) between 2001 and 2007 in a tertiary medical centre. Student's t-test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine any association. Significant association was documented between creatinine level in the first 20 weeks and the prevalence of hypertensive disorders. The mean plasma creatinine value in women with mild pre-eclampsia versus healthy women was 0.59 mg/dL +/- 0.14 versus 0.57 mg/dL +/- 0.15, respectively (P = 0.023). The mean plasma creatinine value in women with severe pre-eclampsia versus healthy women was 0.61 mg/dL +/- 0.17 versus 0.58 mg/dL +/- 0.15, respectively (P = 0.040). The mean plasma creatinine value in women with hypertensive disorders versus healthy women was 0.60 mg/dL +/- 0.15 versus 0.58 mg/dL +/- 0.15, respectively (P=0.003). The ROC curve demonstrated a significant association between creatinine level in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and the development of mild and severe pre-eclampsia in the second half of pregnancy (area under the curve: 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51-0.57, P = 0.02, and 0.56, 95% CI: 0.50-0.62, P = 0.033, respectively). Higher creatinine levels during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy are associated with a higher risk of developing mild and severe pre-eclampsia.

Constipation does not develop following elective hysterectomy: a prospective, controlled study.

Although there have been reports that women develop constipation following hysterectomy, previous studies were either retrospective or uncontrolled. The aim of this prospective, controlled study was to assess whether constipation develops after elective hysterectomy. Women undergoing elective gynaecological surgery were compared to matched non-surgery controls at enrollment and 3 and 12 months after surgery. The subset of women who underwent elective hysterectomy was the study group for the present report. Fifty-eight of the 132 elective surgery patients underwent hysterectomy and were compared to 123 controls. There was no difference between the groups at any follow-up point in functional constipation (P = 1.0), frequency of stools (P = 0.92), stool consistency (P = 0.42), straining (P = 0.43), feeling of obstruction (P = 0.6) or need to manually evacuate stool (P = 1.0). Significantly, more hysterectomy patients without baseline pain did develop abdominal pain at 3 or 12 months than non-surgery controls (16.7% vs 3.6%, P = 0.008). We conclude that there was no significant change in bowel habit or stool characteristics in women undergoing hysterectomy even though many developed abdominal pain. This prospective, controlled study challenges existing data regarding the effect of hysterectomy on constipation.

Ultrasound of the placenta: a systematic approach. Part II: functional assessment (Doppler).

Doppler velocimetry is the ideal clinical tool to assess placental performance in high-risk pregnancies. It also has value in predicting later complications and outcome in pregnancies which appear uncomplicated. All three circulations (fetal, placental and maternal) may be interrogated by Doppler technology. In the following review, we present basic physics aspects of Doppler and discuss mainly Doppler investigation of the fetal-placental circulation (umbilical artery, intraplacental circulation) as well as the uterine arteries. The assessment of umbilical blood flow provides information on blood perfusion of the fetal-placental unit. The diastolic blood flow velocity component in umbilical artery increases with advancing gestation. In pregnancies complicated by placental dysfunction, there may be a reduction in the number of functional villi and/or small blood vessels with, as a result, increased impedance, reflected, mainly, by a decrease in end-diastolic velocity. When the resistance increases even more, there is no diastolic forward velocity (absent end-diastolic velocity). Further increase in the resistance causes reversed end-diastolic velocity, which is considered a late step in the cascade of events leading to intrauterine fetal demise. Doppler assessment of the umbilical arteries was found to improve outcome of high-risk pregnancies, and reduce hospital admissions. On the contrary, routine Doppler ultrasound in low risk or unselected populations does not seem to confer benefit on mother or newborn. Uterine artery Doppler is a useful test in predicting pregnancies at high risk of developing complications related to uteroplacental insufficiency. It identifies women who may benefit from increased antenatal surveillance or prophylactic therapy. Three-dimensional power Doppler sonography can provide new insights into placental pathophysiology.

The influence of meteorological factors on the emergence of preterm delivery and preterm premature rupture of membrane.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of changes in the atmospheric state on the incidence of preterm delivery (PTD) and preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM). STUDY DESIGN: The hospital records of PTD and/or PPROM over the year 1999 were reviewed. The current meteorological state was described by a set of parameters and their diurnal and seasonal variations. Multivariate analysis, time series approach and Poisson regression were used. RESULT: PTD occurrence was correlated with humidity and maximum temperature (P<0.01), its rise preceded their sharp variations by 3 days (P<0.01). PPROM was influenced by the variations in the weather state: desert heat wave arrival (P=0.093), strong winds, overall daily differences of humidity and temperature (all with P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The rates of PTD and PPROM are affected by an ensemble of meteorological variables, specific for each disorder. Obstetricians should be aware of the influence of unstable weather on PTD and PPROM rates, especially in the spring and autumn.

Perfusion with lipopolysaccharide differently affects the secretion of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist by term and preterm human placentae.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and of its natural inhibitor interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), by perfused human term and preterm placental tissue. Eight term and eight preterm placentae were collected immediately after delivery; four term and four preterm placentae were perfused with control medium (without LPS) and the other four term and four preterm placentae were perfused with medium containing LPS. The release of IL-1beta into the maternal compartment by term placenta was significantly higher than the release by preterm placenta (p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences between IL-1beta levels released into the fetal compartments of term and preterm placentae. No significant differences were observed in the release of IL-1Ra into the maternal and fetal compartments of term placenta, when compared to preterm placenta. Exposure to LPS significantly decreased the capacity of term placenta to release IL-1beta into the maternal compartment (p<0.001) and increased the capacity of term placenta to release IL-1Ra into the maternal and fetal compartments (p<0.001 and p=0.017, respectively). However, the capacity of preterm placentae to release IL-1beta and IL-Ra into the maternal and fetal compartments was not affected by LPS. IL-1beta was expressed by both term and preterm placentae before and after perfusion (+/- LPS), by epithelial cells of the amnion, chorion, by syncytiotrophoblast and stromal cells of villous tissue and by the decidua. IL-1Ra in term and preterm placentae was expressed before perfusion mainly in epithelial cells of the amnion. After perfusion of term placentae (+/- LPS), additional IL-1Ra expression was seen in epithelial cells of the amnion and in syncytiotrophoblast and stromal cells of villous tissue and by the decidua. However, perfusion of preterm placentae (+/- LPS) did not affect IL-1Ra expression. The localization of IL-1beta and IL-1Ra in both term and preterm human placental tissue suggests a their physiologic role. The data presented indicates that the IL-1 system in term and preterm placentae seems to be differently affected by LPS. Down-regulation in the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta and the up-regulation of its antagonist (IL-1Ra) may be a part of the inflammatory response to infection in human term, but not preterm, placentae. The IL-1 system in term and preterm placentae seems to be differently affected by LPS.

Idiopathic bleeding during the second half of pregnancy as a risk factor for adverse perinatal outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate pregnancy outcome in women suffering from idiopathic vaginal bleeding (IVB) during the second half of pregnancy. METHODS: A comparison between patients admitted to the hospital due to bleeding during the second half of pregnancy and patients without bleeding was performed. Patients lacking prenatal care as well as multiple gestations were excluded from the analysis. Stratified analyses using the Mantel-Haenszel technique and a multiple logistic regression model were performed to control for confounders. RESULTS: During the study period, 173,621 singleton deliveries occurred at our institute. Of these, 2077 (1.19%) were complicated with bleeding upon admission during the second half of pregnancy. After excluding cases with bleeding due to placental abruption, placenta previa, cervical problems, etc., 67 patients were classified as having IVB (0.038%). Independent risk factors associated with IVB, using a backward, stepwise multivariable analysis were oligohydramnios (OR=6.2; 95% CI 3.1-12.7; p < 0.001), premature rupture of membranes (OR=3.4; 95% CI 1.8-6.2; p < 0.001), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR, OR 5.6; 95% CI 2.5-12.2; p < 0.001), and Jewish ethnicity (OR=1.9; 95% CI 1.0-3.5; p=0.036). These patients subsequently were more likely to deliver preterm (<37 weeks, 56.7% vs. 7.3%; mean gestational age of 33.6+/-5.7 weeks vs. 39.2+/-2.1 weeks; p < 0.001) and by cesarean delivery (CD, 35.8% vs. 12.1%, OR=4.0; 95% CI 2.4-6.6; p < 0.001). Higher rates of low Apgar scores (<7) at 1 and 5 minutes were noted in these patients (OR=10.3; 95% CI 5.9-17.8; p < 0.001 and OR=17.8; 95% CI 7.1-44.5; p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, perinatal mortality rate among patients admitted due to idiopathic bleeding was significantly higher as compared to patients without bleeding (9.6% vs. 1.2%, OR=8.4; 95% CI 3.3-21.2; p < 0.001). However, when controlling for preterm delivery, using the Mantel-Haenszel technique, the association lost its significance. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic vaginal bleeding during the second half of pregnancy is a risk factor for adverse perinatal outcome, mostly due to its significant association with preterm delivery. Careful surveillance, including fetal monitoring, is suggested in these cases in order to reduce the adverse perinatal outcome.

Ultrasound of the placenta: a systematic approach. Part I: Imaging.

Diagnostic ultrasound has been in use in clinical obstetrics for close to half-a-century. However, in the literature, examination of the placenta appears to be treated with less attention than the fetus or the pregnant uterus. This is somewhat unexpected, given the obvious major functions this organ performs during the entire pregnancy. Examination of the placenta plays a foremost role in the assessment of normal and abnormal pregnancies. A methodical sonographic evaluation of the placenta should include: location, visual estimation of the size (and, if appearing abnormal, measurement of thickness and/or volume), implantation, morphology, anatomy, as well as a search for anomalies, such as additional lobes and tumors. Additional assessment for multiple gestations consists of examining the intervening membranes (if present). The current review considers the various placental characteristics, as they can be evaluated by ultrasound, and the clinical significance of abnormalities of these features. Numerous and varied pathologies of the placenta can be detected by routine ultrasound. It is incumbent on the clinician performing obstetrical ultrasound to examine the placenta in details and in a methodical fashion because of the far reaching clinical significance and potentially avoidable severe consequences of many of these abnormalities.

Method of placental removal during cesarean delivery and postpartum complications.

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to determine whether the method of placental removal at the time of the cesarean delivery is associated with postpartum complications such as postpartum fever and wound infection. In addition it was aimed to identify other complications following cesarean delivery. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted, including 426 women who underwent cesarean deliveries between January 2004 and March 2005, in a tertiary medical center. A multivariable logistic regression model, with backward elimination, was constructed in order to identify independent risk factors associated with the occurrence of wound infection or fever. A sample size of about 150 subjects in each group was needed to demonstrate a difference of 15% between the two methods of placental removal, with a probability of 95% and power of 80%. RESULTS: Manual removal of the placenta occurred in 269 operations while in 157 women the placenta was removed in a spontaneous method. No statistically significant differences were noted between the two methods of removal of the placenta regarding the risk for fever (7.8% in the group of the manual removal, as compared with 5.1% in the group of the spontaneous method; P=0.284) or for wound infection (3.7% in the group of the manual removal compared with 5.1% in the group of the spontaneous method; P=0.495). Using a multivariable logistic regression model, with backward elimination, the following risk factors were identified for postcesarean fever, or wound infection: unskilled surgeon (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.8), number of previous cesarean deliveries (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.6) and maternal hypertension (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.0-38.5). CONCLUSION: The method of placental removal during cesarean delivery is not associated with the risk for either wound infection or postpartum fever.