Clinical, Sociodemographic, and Neighborhood Characteristics Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.

Background: Cardiovascular risk is increased by a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Efforts to understand and prevent these adverse outcomes may improve both fetal and birthing persons' outcomes in the peripartum period, and over the patient's lifetime. This study aims to assess the association of clinical, sociodemographic, and economic neighbor-hood factors with preterm birth (PTB) and APOs (the composite of stillbirth, small for gestation age, and low birthweight). Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using the electronic medical records of deliveries from seven Northwell Health hospitals between January 1, 2018 and July 31, 2020. There were 62,787 deliveries reviewed in this study. Deliveries that were not the first for the patient during the study period and multiple gestational pregnancies were excluded. Patients with incomplete data on outcome were also excluded. Main outcomes were PTB and composite APOs. Measures included history of PTB, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, race/ethnicity, age, preferred language, marital status, parity, health insurance, and median income, percent unemployment, and mean household size by zip code. Results: Of the 62,787 deliveries, 43.3% were from white, Non-Hispanic, and Non-Latino patients. There were 4,552 (7.2%) PTBs and 8,634 (13.8%) APOs. Patients enrolled in public insurance had higher odds of PTB (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% CI 1.06-1.24) and APOs (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.12-1.25). There was a statistically significant association of both PTB (p = 0.037) and APOs (p = 0.005) when comparing patients that live in a zip code with a median income over 100k to those with an income <100k. In addition, living in a zip code within the second quintile of unemployment was associated with lower odds of APOs (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.84-0.99). Conclusions: Numerous sociodemographic and clinical factors are associated with both PTB and APOs. Tailored programs addressing these disparities may improve outcomes in pregnant persons.

Early HELLP Syndrome or Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome? A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy typically occur in the third trimester, with earlier presentations associated with underlying disorders such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS). We describe a case of a young primigravida presenting at 15 weeks 6 days gestation with epigastric pain, vomiting, new-onset severe-range hypertension, and subsequent development of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) were triple-positive and imaging was negative for thrombosis. She was treated with aspirin, therapeutic anticoagulation, and ultimately dilatation and evacuation with initial postoperative improvement. Her symptoms returned postoperative day 3 and resolved following re-initiation of therapeutic anticoagulation. The differential diagnosis for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is wide, particularly in second-trimester gestation, and includes catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS), lupus flare, microangiopathic anemias, and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. This case was an atypical presentation not clearly explained by any of the above diagnoses and required a multidisciplinary approach. Obstetric patients with high-risk aPL must be meticulously investigated with a broad differential to guide diagnosis and treatment.

Twin pregnancy and risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

Objective: To identify maternal and peripartum characteristics in twin gestations that are associated with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in which one or more units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) were either administered or recommended but declined (PPH + PRBC).Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated all women with twin gestations who delivered at greater than 23 weeks of gestational age at a single, tertiary medical center from 2011 to 2016. Patients were included if they had documentation of estimated blood loss (EBL) at delivery and complete inpatient medical records available for review. Patients with incomplete records or an intrauterine fetal demise of one or both twins were excluded. The primary outcome was PPH + PRBC. Secondary outcomes included PPH with delivery EBL ≥1500 ml, PPH with atony and uterotonic administration, PPH with maternal hemorrhagic morbidity (MHM), and PPH with severe maternal morbidity (SMM). MHM was a composite outcome defined as PPH associated with any of the following: atony requiring uterotonics, any PRBC transfusion (≥1 unit), uterine or hypogastric artery ligation, hysterectomy, compression sutures, intrauterine balloon tamponade, uterine artery embolization, and/or exploratory laparotomy. SMM was a composite outcome defined as PPH associated with any of the following: administration of ≥4 units of PRBC, administration of ≥2 units of PRBC, and ≥2 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), return to operating room for any major procedure (excludes dilation and curettage), any peripartum hysterectomy, uterine artery embolization, intrauterine balloon tamponade or compression suture placed and administration of ≥2 units of PRBC, and/or intensive care unit (ICU) admission for invasive monitoring/treatment. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.Results: A total of 1081 women with twin gestations were included. PPH + PRBC occurred in 4.4% (n = 48), delivery EBL ≥1500 ml occurred in 3.9% (n = 42), and atony with uterotonic administration occurred in 12.1% (n = 131) of the study population. The rate of MHM and SMM were 13.9% (n = 150) and 1.9% (n = 20), respectively. Although the rate of cesarean delivery was high overall (83.2%), it was nearly universal in the PPH + PRBC group (97.9%; p < .02). PPH + PRBC occurred at a rate of 0.5% (n = 1/182) among vaginally delivered twins compared to 5.2% (n = 47/899) among those delivered by cesarean (p < .03). The final multivariable logistic regression model to predict PPH + PRBC identified six significant maternal and peripartum factors: nulliparity, either pregestational or gestational diabetes, intrapartum magnesium sulfate, admission hematocrit <30%, admission platelets <100 000/µL and administration of general anesthesia.Conclusions: A number of maternal and peripartum factors are associated with PPH in twin gestations. Optimization of maternal hematologic parameters and chronic medical conditions, and reduction in the rate of cesarean delivery in twin pregnancies may decrease the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

Perception of Breast Cancer Risk in Over 11,000 Patients During Routine Mammography Exam.

To assess women's knowledge of personal breast cancer risk. Additionally, we aimed to determine how often physicians are discussing individualized risk assessments of breast cancer with their patients, and if those discussion affected risk perception. Surveys were distributed in radiology centers in New York and made available to patients presenting for routine mammography. As exact number of patients who viewed the survey is unknown, response rate could not be assessed. Data from the survey was used to calculate each patient's personal breast cancer risk using the National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. Each patient's actual breast cancer risk was compared to her perceived risk. 15,006 subjects submitted the survey and 11,365 were included in the final analysis. Fourteen percent of women were accurate in their 5-year estimation as compared to calculated risk, and only 7% of respondents were accurate in their estimation of risk by 90 years of age. There was no association between time since discussion of breast cancer risk and accuracy of estimating personal breast cancer risk (p = 0.17). There was no difference in risk estimation accuracy between women who had ever or had never discussed risk with her physician (p = 0.1064). Patients' perceived personal risk of developing breast cancer does not match the Gail model calculated risk. These findings hold true whether or not her physician had discussed personal breast cancer risk with her in the past. Further studies should determine effective strategies to educate patients about their breast cancer risk.

A Case of Babesiosis in a Pregnant Patient Treated with Red Blood Cell Exchange Transfusion.

Babesiosis, caused predominantly by Babesia microti, is an emerging health risk in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. We present a case of a pregnant woman with history of splenectomy diagnosed with babesiosis at 23 5/7 weeks of gestational age refractory to antimicrobial therapy. She underwent the first reported red blood cell exchange transfusion for babesiosis in pregnancy, at 24 4/7 weeks of gestational age, which resulted in resolution of parasitemia. She had a full term, uncomplicated cesarean delivery. Exchange transfusion is potentially a safe treatment option for severe babesiosis infection in pregnancy and should be considered when other methods are poorly tolerated or ineffective.

Bacterial Spinal Epidural and Psoas Abscess in Pregnancy Associated with Intravenous Drug Use.

Spontaneous spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare infection of the central nervous system. We report a case of a 25-year-old G3 P0020 at 36 weeks of gestational age with history of intravenous drug abuse presenting with acute-onset and severe back pain. Despite antibiotic therapy, pain worsened and she developed lower extremity weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an SEA, and cesarean delivery was performed secondary to increasing weakness, followed by laminectomy (T9-12) and decompression of epidural abscess. Postoperative course was complicated by a psoas muscle abscess and persistent SEA refractory to antibiotic therapy, requiring surgical reexploration and extended treatment with antibiotics. She was discharged home in stable condition and neonate did well with no resulting sequelae. Spinal epidural and psoas abscesses are rare and diagnosis is often delayed. Prompt recognition and treatment are necessary to prevent catastrophic neurologic consequences, and the diagnosis should be considered in pregnant patients presenting with back pain, especially in those with risk factors.

Quantitative Ultrasound Analysis of Proximal and Distal Cervical Tissue Echogenicity in Premature Cervical Remodeling.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a novel, noninvasive quantitative ultrasound (US) technique can detect differences in proximal and distal cervical tissue echogenicity in women with and without a shortened cervical length (CL). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case-control study of singleton pregnancies at 16 to 26 weeks' gestation in which a transvaginal US examination was performed to measure CL from 2013 to 2015. Initial CLs in cases and controls were less than 2.5 cm and 2.5 cm or greater, respectively. For each US image, a region of interest was selected in the proximal and distal cervical stroma, in both the anterior and posterior cervical lips. The Floyd-Steinberg dithering algorithm transformed grayscale pixels in each region of interest into a binary map. A histogram tabulated the number of black and white pixels, allowing determination of the percent echogenicity. The difference in the percent echogenicity was calculated by subtracting the distal cervical echogenicity (average of anterior and posterior lips) from the proximal cervical echogenicity (average of anterior and posterior lips). RESULTS: Ultrasound images from 177 women were analyzed. There was a difference in the percent echogenicity (P < .0001) when comparing women with a short cervix (mean ± SD, 9.8 ± 10.1; n = 102) to women with a normal CL (17.2 ± 9.5; n = 75). Differences were attributable to changes in proximal (P < .008) rather than distal cervical echogenicity. Regardless of CL, the proximal cervix was more echogenic than the distal cervix. CONCLUSIONS: A quantitative US analysis of cervical tissue can detect differences in echogenicity between the proximal and distal cervix in the second trimester. Proximal cervical echogenicity is lower with CL of less than 2.5 cm compared to a normal CL.

Ultrasonic Assessment of Cervical Heterogeneity for Prediction of Spontaneous Preterm Birth: A Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: In a normal pregnancy, cervical collagen fibers remain organized in predictable patterns throughout most of the gestation. Cervical remodeling reflects a rearrangement of collagen fibers in which they become increasingly disordered and contribute to the pathogenesis of spontaneous preterm birth. Quantitative ultrasound analysis of cervical tissue echotexture may have the capacity to identify microstructural changes before the onset of cervical shortening. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to examine the utility of a novel quantitative sonographic marker, the cervical heterogeneity index (HI), which reflects the relative organization of cervical collagen fibers. Also, we aimed to determine an optimal HI cut-point to predict spontaneous preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study employed a novel image-processing technique on transvaginal ultrasound images of the cervix in gestations between 14 and 28 completed weeks. The transvaginal sonography images were analyzed in MATLAB (MathWorks, Natick, MA) using a custom image-processing technique that assessed the relative heterogeneity of the cervical tissue. RESULTS: A total of 151 subjects were included in the study. The mean HI in subjects who delivered preterm and at term was 8.28 ± 3.73 and 12.35 ± 5.80, respectively (p < 0.0001). Thus, decreased tissue heterogeneity was associated with preterm birth, and increased tissue heterogeneity was associated with delivery at term. In our study population, preterm birth was associated with a short cervix (<2.5 cm), history of preterm birth and lower HI, and our findings indicate that HI may improve prediction of preterm birth. CONCLUSION: Quantitative ultrasound measurement of the cervical HI is a promising, noninvasive tool for early prediction of spontaneous preterm birth.

Detecting Pulmonary Edema in Obstetric Patients Through Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care lung ultrasonography is used in critical care settings for evaluating respiratory symptoms. Lung ultrasonography is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of pulmonary edema in nonpregnant patients but is not well-studied in pregnancy. TECHNIQUE: Lung ultrasonography was performed using a portable ultrasound machine with a 2- to 5-MHz curvilinear probe that is available on many labor and delivery units. EXPERIENCE: Lung ultrasonography guided management decisions in a case of shortness of breath after induction of labor for preeclampsia and a case of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome complicated by pulmonary edema. Findings expedited diagnosis and treatment in both cases. CONCLUSION: Lung ultrasonography has potential to be used in obstetrics for detecting pulmonary edema in preeclampsia. It is a well-established tool in critical care settings and use in obstetric patients should be studied given the availability of ultrasonography on labor and delivery and the importance of timely care for critically ill pregnant patients. It is a safe modality to evaluate pregnant women with respiratory symptoms and the necessary skills can be easily acquired by obstetric practitioners familiar with obstetric ultrasonography. Training of obstetric practitioners in this application of ultrasonography is needed.

Thrombocytopenia and Postpartum Hemorrhage in a Woman with Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, also known as DiGeorge or velocardiofacial syndrome, is associated with a wide spectrum of phenotypic features. It is known to be associated with severe macrothrombocytopenia. Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality globally. Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is rare cause of thrombocytopenia that can be a significant risk factor for life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage. We report a case of postpartum hemorrhage in a woman with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome causing severe macrothrombocytopenia.

Cervical cancer survival for patients referred to a tertiary care center in Kentucky.

OBJECTIVES: To identify prognostic factors influencing cervical cancer survival for patients referred to a tertiary care center in Kentucky. METHODS: A cohort study was performed to assess predictive survival factors of cervical cancer patients referred to the University of Kentucky from January 2001 to May 2010. Eligibility criteria included those at least 18 years-old, cervical cancer history, and no prior malignancy. Descriptive statistics were compiled and univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis were performed. RESULTS: 381 patients met entry criteria. 95% were Caucasian (N=347) and 66% (N=243) lived in Appalachian Kentucky. The following covariates showed no evidence of a statistical association with survival: race, body mass index, residence, insurance status, months between last normal cervical cytology and diagnosis, histology, tumor grade, and location of primary radiation treatment. After controlling for identified significant variables, stage of disease was a significant predictor of overall survival, with estimated relative hazards comparing stages II, III, and IV to stage I of 3.09 (95% CI: 1.30, 7.33), 18.11 (95% CI: 7.44, 44.06), and 53.03(95% CI: 18.16, 154.87), respectively. The presence of more than two comorbid risk factors and unemployment was also correlated with overall survival [HR 4.25 (95% CI: 1.00, 18.13); HR 2.64 (95% CI 1.29, 5.42), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Residence and location of treatment center are not an important factor in cervical cancer survival when a tertiary cancer center can oversee and coordinate care; however, comorbid risk factors influence survival and further exploration of disease comorbidity related to cervical cancer survival is warranted.