Clinical Practice Guidelines and Recommendations by The World Association of Perinatal Medicine and Perinatal Medicine Foundation. Reporting Suspected Findings from Fetal Central Nervous System Examination.

These guidelines follow the mission of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine, in collaboration with the Perinatal Medicine Foundation, which brings together groups and individuals worldwide, with the aim to improve prenatal detection of Central Nervous System anomalies and the appropriate referral of pregnancies with suspected fetal anomalies. In addition, this document provides further guidance for healthcare practitioners with the goal of standardizing the description of ultrasonographic abnormal findings.

Management of preterm labor: Clinical practice guideline and recommendation by the WAPM-World Association of Perinatal Medicine and the PMF-Perinatal Medicine Foundation.

This practice guideline follows the mission of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine in collaboration with the Perinatal Medicine Foundation, bringing together groups and individuals throughout the world, with the goal of improving the management of preterm labor. In fact, this document provides further guidance for healthcare practitioners on the appropriate use of examinations with the aim to improve the accuracy in diagnosing preterm labor and allow timely and appropriate administration of tocolytics, antenatal corticosteroids and magnesium sulphate and avoid unnecessary or excessive interventions. Therefore, it is not intended to establish a legal standard of care. This document is based on consensus among perinatal experts throughout the world in the light of scientific literature and serves as a guideline for use in clinical practice.

Natural history and mid-term neurodevelopmental outcome of fetuses with isolated mild ventriculomegaly diagnosed in the second half of pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Prenatal diagnosis and counseling of isolated ventriculomegaly (VM) represent a considerable challenge. We aimed to analyze the intrauterine evolution, associated anomalies, and neurodevelopmental outcome using the Battelle Development Inventory (BDI) of fetuses with an initial diagnosis of isolated mild VM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of fetuses diagnosed with mild isolated VM (10 -12 mm) between 2012 and 2016 in a tertiary hospital. In 2018, parents were invited to complete the structured BDI test for the neurodevelopmental evaluation of their children in five domains (personal-social skills, adaptive behavior, psychomotor ability, communication, and cognition). Results exceeding two standard deviations were considered abnormal and referred to an expert neuropediatrician. RESULTS: We identified 43 cases of mild isolated VM. In 5 (11%), structural abnormalities were detected during prenatal follow-up, being related to non-regressive forms (p = .01) and bilateral VM (p = .04). The BDI test was completed by 19/43 (44%). The global score was abnormal in 10/19 (53%). Of them, the neuropediatrician confirmed a neurodevelopmental delay solely in 3 cases that had already been diagnosed with neurological disorders. The most affected domains were gross motor skills (63%), personal-social (63%), and adaptive domains (47%). Communicative and cognitive areas were abnormal in 26% of cases. CONCLUSION: In fetuses with isolated mild VM detected in the second half of pregnancy, 53% had an abnormal BDI test at 2-6 years, but a neurological disorder was only confirmed in the 30% of them.

Prenatal diagnosis of isolated coronary artery fistula: systematic review, analysis of perinatal prognostic factors and case report.

BACKGROUND: Isolated coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare entity in which evidence for both prognosis and need for perinatal treatment is lacking. We aim to evaluate the characteristics, evolution and perinatal outcomes of reported cases, including one from our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a systematic review in Medline, Pubmed, and Embase databases for cohort studies or case series related to prenatally diagnosed isolated congenital CAF according to PRISMA guidelines. The search was restricted to articles published until January 2022, including a case report from our center. A descriptive analysis was performed, and perinatal characteristics were dichotomized by outcome (development of symptoms, as well as the need for surgery during the neonatal period). Strength of association between prenatal variables and outcome was evaluated through Odds Ratio. RESULTS: Only 27 cases of prenatal diagnosis of isolated CAF have been published, including our patient. Most had their origin in the right coronary artery (63%) and drained in the right ventricle (55.6%). Most cases (72%) developed progressive intrauterine dilation of the fistulous tract, which was usually associated with symptoms of cardiac overload, such as cardiomegaly (57.7%). Up to two-thirds of prenatally diagnosed patients developed heart failure symptoms in the neonatal period, and 84% required postnatal intervention. Prenatal diagnosis of both cardiomegaly and diastolic steal is associated with an OR of 52 and 41 of developing postnatal symptoms. CONCLUSION: Prenatal diagnosis of isolated CAF can be achieved with adequate tools and trained sonographers. The development of cardiomegaly and diastolic steal significantly increases the risk of developing postnatal symptoms.

Common Arterial Trunk in Fetal Life: Accuracy of Diagnosis and Prediction of Outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Common arterial trunk (CAT) is a congenital heart disease with significant perinatal mortality in which diagnostic agreement remains low. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on fetuses with suspected CAT. Diagnostic accuracy was tested considering gold-standard postnatal ultrasound or necropsy. Prenatal sonographic markers were evaluated by logistic regression for perinatal survival. RESULTS: There were 79 fetuses with suspected CAT, and 55 cases had available necropsy/postnatal ultrasound confirming the study population. The diagnostic accuracy was 90.9% for CAT and 83.6% at a subtype level. In those with a confirmed diagnosis and intention-to-treat (n = 28) composite early mortality (intrauterine, presurgical, and early surgery) was of 25%, 10.5% in isolated cases. The OR for early-mortality of isolated cases was 0.13 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03-0.75). After adjusting for isolated cases, the only prognostic prenatal markers of perinatal mortality were a dysplastic truncal valve OR 7.78 (95% CI: 1.23-49.13) and a stenotic flow OR 8.48 (95% CI: 1.40-51.10). CONCLUSION: CAT is a condition that if evaluated by experts, can be diagnosed with a high degree of accuracy. It remains an entity with high perinatal mortality. Its most important prognostic factor is its association with other anomalies. In isolated cases, the presence of a dysplastic truncal valve and a stenotic flow increase the chances of perinatal death.

Spanish Translation, Transcultural Adaptation, Validation and Clinical Applicability of Female Genital-Self Image Scale (FGSIS).

BACKGROUND: As female genital cosmetic surgeries have significantly increased, appropriate tools to evaluate self-esteem about women's own genitalia are necessary. AIM: to translate, culturally adapt to Spanish women and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS). METHODS: FGSIS was forward and backward translated, culturally adapted into Spanish and its content evaluated through Delphi consensus. One item from the original scale was discarded after expert panel evaluation, developing the final Spanish scale (FGSIS-S) consisting of 6 items. Its psychometric properties were evaluated among 202 women attending gynecological consults through an online survey. The survey included socio-demographic data and FGSIS-S. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Socio-demographic items, psychometric characteristics of the FGSIS-S (construct evaluation, internal consistency and test-retest reliability) were assessed. RESULTS: FGSIS-S proved to relate appropriately with the proposed construct (sum-content validity index 0.9, and significant inverse correlation with women concerned about their genital appearance or considering cosmetic surgery) with a 1-factor solution on exploratory factor analysis. The test proved good internal consistency (McDonald's omega 0.86) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation 0.86, P < .001). In 41.1% of cases, women referred concern about their genital's self-image and in 12.4% had considered undergoing cosmetic surgery. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: The validated version of FGSIS-S can help both professionals and patients, and its implementation can be easily made in gynecological consults. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The main limitation is a self-selection bias in women attending gynecological consults, who may be more worried about their gynecological/sexual health. The sample is also a relatively homogeneous Caucasian population, with medium-high educational level, coming from gynecological consults. Strengths include the large sample size and the demographic survey that permitted evaluating the performance of FGSIS-S in the context of concern about genitals or consideration of cosmetic surgery. CONCLUSION: FGSIS-S is an adequate scale to measure women's genital image self-perception in Spanish-speaking population of Spain. Bartolomé A, Villalaín C, Bermejo R, et al. Spanish Translation, Transcultural Adaptation, Validation and Clinical Applicability of Female Genital-Self Image Scale (FGSIS). Sex Med 2022;10:100558.

Prediction of Delivery Within 7 Days After Diagnosis of Early Onset Preeclampsia Using Machine-Learning Models.

Background: Early onset preeclampsia (eoPE) is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with endothelial dysfunction manifested before 34 weeks where expectant management is usually attempted. However, the timing of hospitalization, corticosteroids, and delivery remain a challenge. We aim to develop a prediction model using machine-learning tools for the need for delivery within 7 days of diagnosis (model D) and the risk of developing hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome or abruptio placentae (model HA). Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of singleton pregnancies with eoPE and attempted expectant management between 2014 and 2020. A Mono-objective Genetic Algorithm based on supervised classification models was implemented to develop D and HA models. Maternal basal characteristics and data gathered during eoPE diagnosis: gestational age, blood pressure, platelets, creatinine, transaminases, angiogenesis biomarkers (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, placental growth factor), and ultrasound data were pooled for analysis. The most relevant variables were selected by bio-inspired algorithms. We developed basal models that solely included demographic characteristics of the patient (D1, HA1), and advanced models adding information available at diagnosis of eoPE (D2, HA2). Results: We evaluated 215 eoPE cases and 47.9% required delivery within 7 days. The median time-to-delivery was 8 days. Basal models were better predicted by K-nearest-neighbor in D1, which had a diagnostic precision of 0.68 ± 0.09, with 63.6% sensitivity (Sn), 71.4% specificity (Sp), 70% positive predictive value (PPV), and 65.2% negative predictive value (NPV) using 13 variables and HA1 of 0.77 ± 0.09, 60.4% Sn, 80% Sp, 50% PPV, and 87.9% NPV. Models at diagnosis were better developed by support vector machine (SVM) using 18 variables, where D2's precision improved to 0.79 ± 0.05 with 77.3% Sn, 80.1% Sp, 81.5% PPV, and 76.2% NPV, and HA2 had a precision of 0.79 ± 0.08 with 66.7% Sn, 82.8% Sp, 51.6% PPV, and 90.3% NPV. Conclusion: At the time of diagnosis of eoPE, SVM with evolutionary feature selection process provides good predictive information of the need for delivery within 7 days and development of HELLP/abruptio placentae, using maternal characteristics and markers that can be obtained routinely. This information could be of value when assessing hospitalization and timing of antenatal corticosteroid administration.

Retos en el diagnóstico prenatal de coartación de aorta: actualización y perspectiva actual / Challenges associated with the prenatal diagnosis of aortic coarctation: update and current perspectives

Resumen La coartación de aorta es una cardiopatía congénita frecuente y potencialmente mortal. Su diagnóstico prenatal es un reto, ya que está dificultado por características inherentes a la circulación fetal, siendo relativamente bajas sus tasas de detección (30-50%). A diferencia de lo que sucede con otras cardiopatías congénitas, el diagnóstico prenatal de la coartación de aorta es en la mayoría de los casos solo de sospecha y únicamente podrá confirmarse de forma posnatal. Su identificación es de gran importancia, ya que mejora el pronóstico neonatal, y se basa sobre todo en la visualización de signos indirectos, como asimetría de cavidades o grandes vasos, con dominancia derecha. La principal limitación de estos es su bajo valor predictivo positivo, en especial en edades gestacionales tardías. Existen otros signos directos con mayor especificidad, como la hipoplasia de arco, el cociente istmo/ductus o el shelf contraductal, que en ocasiones solo son evidentes en el tercer trimestre dado el carácter evolutivo de la enfermedad. No obstante, ningún parámetro aislado presenta un rendimiento diagnóstico adecuado, siendo la combinación de algunos en distintos modelos multiparamétricos la que ha presentado mejores valores predictivos. Estos permiten al clínico un mejor asesoramiento a los padres, así como una planificación de la asistencia perinatal.

Abstract Coarctation of the aorta is a relatively common and potentially fatal congenital cardiac defect. Prenatal diagnosis remains a challenge, as it is limited by the inherent characteristics of the fetal circulation, with overall low detection rates (30-50%). Opposite to other congenital cardiac defects, prenatal diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta will be a suspicion one and can only be confirmed postnatally. Its identification is of paramount importance as it improves neonatal prognosis and is mainly based on the identification of indirect signs such as cardiac or great vessels asymmetry with right dominance. The main limitation of these signs is their low positive predictive value, especially in later gestational ages. There are direct signs with higher specificity such as arch hypoplasia, the isthmus/ductus ratio or the contraductal shelf, which may only be apparent in the third trimester given the progressive nature of the disease. However, no isolated parameter has an adequate diagnostic performance and it is their combination in multiparametric models that has shown the best predictive values. These models allow clinicians to give parents better counselling as well as tailor perinatal management.

Longitudinal changes in angiogenesis biomarkers within 72 h of diagnosis and time-to-delivery in early-onset preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between the increment of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio within the first 72 h after the diagnosis of early-onset preeclampsia (PE) and the time-to-delivery. Secondarily we aimed to test its predictive value for maternal adverse outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of 155 women with early-onset PE and measurement of sFlt-1/PlGF at diagnosis and delivery from which the expected distributions of the daily increment (Δ) of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, sFlt-1 and PlGF were obtained. Of them, in 110 a short-term evaluation at 72 +/- 24 h was available and Δ72h were calculated and compared to the expected distributions. The high-risk groups were those with Δ72h sFlt-1/PlGF and Δ72h sFlt-1 > 3rd expected quartile or Δ72h PlGF < 1st expected quartile. The low-risk groups were those with Δ72h ≤ 0 for sFlt-1/PlGF and sFlt-1 or Δ72h PlGF ≥ 0. The rest were considered intermediate risk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time-to-delivery and maternal adverse outcomes were compared between the three groups. RESULTS: Δ72h sFlt-1/PlGF and sFlt-1 > 3rd quartile had a significant reduction of time-to-delivery when compared to increments < 3rd quartile or ≤ 0 (5 vs 11 vs 14 days, p < 0.01) and (6 vs 8 vs 15 days, p < 0.01), respectively. Both were limited for the prediction of maternal adverse outcomes. Δ72h PlGF showed no significant relation with time-to-deliver but all abruptio placentae had PlGF < 70 pg/mL at diagnosis. CONCLUSION: High Δ72h sFlt-1/PlGF and sFlt-1 are associated to a shorter time-to-delivery while low PlGF at diagnosis is associated to abruptio placentae.

The use of antenatal corticosteroids for fetal maturation: clinical practice guideline by the WAPM-World Association of Perinatal Medicine and the PMF-Perinatal Medicine foundation.

This practice guideline follows the mission of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine in collaboration with the Perinatal Medicine Foundation, bringing together groups and individuals throughout the world, with the goal of improving the use of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) for fetal maturation. In fact, this document provides further guidance for healthcare practitioners on the appropriate use of ACS with the aim to increase the timely administration and avoid unnecessary or excessive use. Therefore, it is not intended to establish a legal standard of care. This document is based on consensus among perinatal experts throughout the world and serves as a guideline for use in clinical practice.

Diagnostic performance of cerebroplacental and umbilicocerebral ratio in appropriate for gestational age and late growth restricted fetuses attempting vaginal delivery: a multicenter, retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Cerebroplacental Doppler studies have been advocated to predict the risk of adverse perinatal outcome (APO) irrespective of fetal weight. OBJECTIVE: To report the diagnostic performance of cerebroplacental (CPR) and umbilicocerebral (UCR) ratios in predicting APO in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses and in those affected by late fetal growth restriction (FGR) attempting vaginal delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, nested case-control study between 1 January 2017 and January 2020 involving five referral centers in Italy and Spain. Singleton gestations with a scan between 36 and 40 weeks and within two weeks of attempting vaginal delivery were included. Fetal arterial Doppler and biometry were collected. The AGA group was defined as fetuses with an estimated fetal weight and abdominal circumference >10th and <90th percentile, while the late FGR group was defined by Delphi consensus criteria. The primary outcome was the prediction of a composite of perinatal adverse outcomes including either intrauterine death, Apgar score at 5 min <7, abnormal acid-base status (umbilical artery pH < 7.1 or base excess of more than -11) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Area under the curve (AUC) analysis was performed. RESULTS: 646 pregnancies (317 in the AGA group and 329 in the late FGR group) were included. APO were present in 12.6% AGA and 24.3% late FGR pregnancies, with an odds ratio of 2.22 (95% CI 1.46-3.37). The performance of CPR and UCR for predicting APO was poor in both AGA [AUC: 0.44 (0.39-0.51)] and late FGR fetuses [AUC: 0.56 (0.49-0.61)]. CONCLUSIONS: CPR and UCR on their own are poor prognostic predictors of APO irrespective of fetal weight.

Smoking influence on early and late fetal growth.

OBJECTIVES: Smoking during pregnancy is a leading and modifiable risk factor for fetal growth restriction (FGR) and low birthweight (<10th centile). We studied the effects of smoking in the development of early and late FGR or low birthweight, as well as in uteroplacental and fetoplacental hemodynamics of growth-restricted fetuses. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 5,537 consecutive singleton pregnancies delivered at ≤34 + 0 ("early delivery" group, n=95) and >34 + 0 ("late delivery" group, n=5,442) weeks of gestation. Each group was divided into smokers and non-smokers. Prenatal diagnosis of FGR was based on customized fetal growth standards and fetal Doppler, and postnatal birthweight was assessed using the Olsen newborn chart. RESULTS: There were 15/95 (15.8%) and 602/5,442 (11.1%) smokers in the early and late delivery groups, respectively. In early deliveries, FGR was diagnosed in 3/15 (20%) of smokers and in 20/80 (25%) of non-smokers (p=0.68). We also found no differences in birthweights and hemodynamics. In late deliveres, FGR was detected in 30/602 (5%) smokers and 64/4,840 (1.3%) non-smokers (p<0.001). Birthweights <3rd centile and <10th centile were more common in smokers vs. non-smokers: 38/602 (6.3%) vs. 87/4,840 (1.8%) and 89/602 (14.8%) vs. 288/4,840 (6%), respectively (all p<0.01). Fetal Doppler of late FGR showed slightly higher umbilical artery resistances in smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking in pregnancy is associated with FGR, low birthweight and higher umbilical artery Doppler resistances after 34 weeks of gestation, but we could not confirm this association in earlier deliveries.

Role of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses with isolated severe ventriculomegaly at neurosonography: A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the rate of additional anomalies detected exclusively at prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in fetuses with isolated severe ventriculomegaly undergoing neurosonography. METHOD: Multicenter, retrospective, cohort study involving 20 referral fetal medicine centers in Italy, United Kingdom, Spain and Denmark. Inclusion criteria were fetuses affected by isolated severe ventriculomegaly (≥15 mm), defined as ventriculomegaly with normal karyotype and no other additional central nervous system (CNS) and extra-CNS anomalies on ultrasound. In all cases, a multiplanar assessment of fetal brain as suggested by ISUOG guidelines on fetal neurosonography had been performed. The primary outcome was the rate of additional CNS anomalies detected exclusively at fetal MRI within two weeks from neurosonography. Subgroup analyses according to gestational age at MRI (

Comparison between Cerebroplacental Ratio and Umbilicocerebral Ratio in Predicting Adverse Perinatal Outcome in Pregnancies Complicated by Late Fetal Growth Restriction: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The role of cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) or umbilicocerebral ratio (UCR) to predict adverse intrapartum and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by late fetal growth restriction (FGR) remains controversial. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study involving 5 referral centers in Italy and Spain, including singleton pregnancies complicated by late FGR, as defined by Delphi consensus criteria, with a scan 1 week prior to delivery. The primary objective was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the CPR and UCR for the prediction of a composite adverse outcome, defined as the presence of either an adverse intrapartum outcome (need for operative delivery/cesarean section for suspected fetal distress) or an adverse perinatal outcome (intrauterine death, Apgar score <7 at 5 min, arterial pH <7.1, base excess of >-11 mEq/mL, or neonatal intensive care unit admission). RESULTS: Median CPR absolute values (1.11 vs. 1.22, p = 0.018) and centiles (3 vs. 4, p = 0.028) were lower in pregnancies with a composite adverse outcome than in those without it. Median UCR absolute values (0.89 vs. 0.82, p = 0.018) and centiles (97 vs. 96, p = 0.028) were higher. However, the area under the curve, 95% confidence interval for predicting the composite adverse outcome showed a poor predictive value: 0.580 (0.512-0.646) for the raw absolute values of CPR and UCR, and 0.575 (0.507-0.642) for CPR and UCR centiles adjusted for gestational age. The use of dichotomized values (CPR <1, UCR >1 or CPR <5th centile, UCR >95th centile) did not improve the diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: The CPR and UCR measured in the week prior delivery are of low predictive value to assess adverse intrapartum and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with late FGR.

Placental growth factor testing in the management of late preterm preeclampsia without severe features: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In women with late preterm preeclampsia, the optimal time for delivery remains a controversial topic, because of the fine balance between the maternal benefits from early delivery and the risks for prematurity. It remains challenging to define prognostic markers to identify women at highest risk for complications, in which case a selective, planned delivery may reduce the adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This trial aimed to determine whether using an algorithm based on the maternal levels of placental growth factor in women with late preterm preeclampsia to evaluate the best time for delivery reduced the progression to preeclampsia with severe features without increasing the adverse perinatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This parallel-group, open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted at 7 maternity units across Spain. We compared selective planned deliveries based on maternal levels of placental growth factor at admission (revealed group) and expectant management under usual care (concealed group) with individual randomization in singleton pregnancies with late preterm preeclampsia from 34 to 36+6 weeks' gestation. The coprimary maternal outcome was the progression to preeclampsia with severe features. The coprimary neonatal outcome was morbidity at infant hospital discharge with a noninferiority hypothesis (noninferiority margin of 10% difference in incidence). Analyses were conducted according to intention-to-treat. RESULTS: Between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019, 178 women were recruited. Of those women, 88 were assigned to the revealed group and 90 were assigned to the concealed group. The data analysis was performed before the completion of the required sample size. The proportion of women with progression to preeclampsia with severe features was significantly lower in the revealed group than in the concealed group (adjusted relative risk, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.76; P=.001). The proportion of infants with neonatal morbidity was not significantly different between groups (adjusted relative risk, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-1.53; P=.45). CONCLUSION: There is evidence to suggest that the use of an algorithm based on placental growth factor levels in women with late preterm preeclampsia leads to a lower rate of progression to preeclampsia with severe features and reduces maternal complications without worsening the neonatal outcomes. This trade-off should be discussed with women with late preterm preeclampsia to allow shared decision making about the timing of delivery.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by late fetal growth restriction undergoing induction of labor with dinoprostone compared with cervical balloon: A retrospective, international study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare vaginal dinoprostone and mechanical methods for induction of labor (IOL) in pregnancies complicated by late fetal growth restriction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective, cohort study involving six referral centers in Italy and Spain. Inclusion criteria were pregnancies complicated by late fetal growth restriction as defined by Delphi consensus criteria. The primary outcome was the occurrence of uterine tachysystole; secondary outcomes were either cesarean delivery or operative vaginal delivery for non-reassuring fetal status, a composite score of adverse neonatal outcome and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 571 pregnancies complicated by late fetal growth restriction undergoing IOL (391 with dinoprostone and 180 with mechanical methods) were included in the analysis. The incidence of uterine tachysystole (19.2% vs. 5.6%; p = 0.001) was higher in women undergoing IOL with dinoprostone than in those undergoing IOL with mechanical methods. Similarly, the incidence of cesarean delivery or operative delivery for non-reassuring fetal status (25.6% vs. 17.2%; p = 0.027), composite adverse neonatal outcome (26.1% vs. 16.7%; p = 0.013) and NICU admission (16.9% vs. 5.6%; p < 0.001) was higher in women undergoing IOL with dinoprostone than in those undergoing IOL with mechanical methods. At logistic regression analysis, IOL with mechanical methods was associated with a significantly lower risk of uterine tachysystole (odds ratio 0.26, 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.54; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In pregnancies complicated by late fetal growth restriction, IOL with mechanical methods is associated with a lower risk of uterine tachysystole, cesarean delivery or operative delivery for non-reassuring fetal status, and adverse neonatal outcome compared with pharmacological methods.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes in high compared to low risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (phase 2): the World Association of Perinatal Medicine working group on coronavirus disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: It has still to be ascertained whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in pregnancy is associated with worse maternal and fetal outcomes compared to low risk gestations. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate maternal and perinatal outcomes in high- and low-risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multinational retrospective cohort study involving women with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection from 76 centers from 25 countries in Europe, the United States, South America, Asia, and Australia from April 4, 2020, to October 28, 2020. The primary outcome was a composite measure of maternal mortality and morbidity, including admission to the intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death. The secondary outcome was a composite measure of adverse perinatal outcome, including miscarriage, fetal loss, neonatal and perinatal death, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. All outcomes were assessed in high- and low-risk pregnancies. Pregnancies were considered high risk in case of either preexisting chronic medical conditions in pregnancy or obstetrical disorders occurring in pregnancy. The Fisher exact test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 887 singleton pregnancies who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of nasal and pharyngeal swab specimens were included in the study. The risk of composite adverse maternal outcomes was higher in high-risk pregnancies than in low-risk pregnancies (odds ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.24; P=.035). In addition, women carrying high-risk pregnancies were at higher risk of hospital admission (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.04; P=.002), presence of severe respiratory symptoms (odds ratio, 2.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-3.21; P=.001), admission to the intensive care unit (odds ratio, 2.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-4.88), and invasive mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 2.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-5.94; P=.002). When exploring perinatal outcomes, high-risk pregnancies were at high risk of adverse perinatal outcomes (odds ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-2.72; P=.009). However, such association was mainly because of the higher incidence of miscarriage in high-risk pregnancies compared with that in low-risk pregnancies (5.3% vs 1.6%, P=.008); furthermore, there was no difference in other explored outcomes between the 2 study groups. At logistic regression analysis, maternal age (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.22; P=.023) and high-risk pregnancy (odds ratio, 4.21; 95% confidence interval, 3.90-5.11; P<.001) were independently associated with adverse maternal outcomes. CONCLUSION: High-risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were at higher risk of adverse maternal outcomes than low-risk pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Obstetric and pediatric growth charts for the detection of fetal growth restriction and neonatal adverse outcomes in preterm newborns before 34 weeks of gestation.

INTRODUCTION: Identification of fetal growth-restricted (FGR) infants depends on the fetal or newborn charts used to identify them. We aimed to compare the prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of FGR and their ability to predict adverse perinatal outcomes. METHODS: Observational retrospective cohort study of 95 consecutive mother-infant pairs with preterm birth between 24 and 34 weeks (study period: January 2014 to December 2015). Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of FGR, based on customized fetal growth standards and fetal Doppler, was compared with the postnatal diagnosis of FGR based on a birthweight < 3rd percentile according to newborn charts (International Newborn size references for the Intergrowth twenty-first century program, and Olsen's charts). Neonatal mortality and adverse neonatal outcomes were compared among groups. RESULTS: In 23/95 (24%) cases a prenatal diagnosis of early FGR was made. Postnatal FGR was confirmed in 11/23 (48%) cases using Olsen's charts and 8/23 (35%) using Intergrowth 21st charts. One postnatal FGR case was missed by prenatal ultrasound. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis and hypoglycemia were more frequent in pre- and postnatal FGR versus non-FGR. After adjusting for gestational age and sex, only an increased relative risk of hypoglycemia (2.0, 95%CI 1.0-2.8) was observed in infants with pre- and postnatal FGR diagnosis. Nonsignificant differences on neonatal outcomes were identified between prenatal FGR cases with normal birthweight and the non-FGR group. CONCLUSION: Only prenatal FGR cases in which a birthweight below the third percentile is confirmed by means of postnatal charts (Olsen or Intergrowth standard) are at higher risk of adverse postnatal outcome.

Obstetric and pediatric growth charts for the detection of late-onset fetal growth restriction and neonatal adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) has heterogeneous prenatal and postnatal diagnostic criteria. We compared the prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of late-onset FGR and their ability to predict adverse perinatal outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 5442 consecutive singleton pregnancies that delivered beyond 34 + 0 weeks. Prenatal diagnosis of FGR was based on customized fetal growth standards and fetal Doppler while postnatal diagnosis was based on a birthweight <3rd percentile according to newborn charts (Olsen's charts and Intergrowth 21st century programme). Perinatal outcomes were analyzed depending on whether the diagnosis was prenatal, postnatal or both. RESULTS: A total of 94 out of 5442 (1.7%) were diagnosed as late-onset FGR prenatally. Olsen's chart and Intergrowth 21st chart detected that 125/5442 (2.3%) and 106/5442 (2.0%) of infants had a birthweight <3rd percentile, respectively. These charts identified 35/94 (37.2%) and 40/94 (42.6%) of the newborns with a prenatal diagnosis of late-onset FGR. Prenatally diagnosed late-onset FGR infants were at a higher risk for hypoglycemia, jaundice and polycythemia. Both prenatally and postnatally diagnosed as late-onset FGR had a higher risk for respiratory distress syndrome when compared to non-FGR. The higher risks for intensive care admission and composite adverse outcomes were observed in those with a prenatal diagnosis of late-onset FGR that was confirmed after birth. CONCLUSIONS: Current definitions of pre- and postnatal late-onset FGR do not match in more than half of cases. Infants with a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of this condition have an increased risk of neonatal morbidity even if these diagnoses are not coincident.