Success rate in preterm uterine contraction inhibition with tocolytic agents in a tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the success rate of inhibiting preterm uterine contraction with tocolytic agents to delay delivery for at least 48 hours and risk factors of failure inhibition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2013 and July 2014, medical records of all singleton pregnant women between 24 0/7 and 33 6/7 weeks of gestation with the diagnosis of preterm labor (with cervical dilatation) or threatened preterm labor (without cervical dilatation) who received tocolytic agents were reviewed. The success rate of preterm uterine contraction inhibition was accounted in patients with 48 hours delayed delivery. The risk factors of the inhibition failure and neonatal outcomes were also investigated in this study. RESULTS: Among 424 pregnant women diagnosed of preterm labor or threatened preterm labor, 103 singleton pregnant women met the study criteria. Overall success rate of preterm uterine contraction inhibition to prolong pregnancy for at least 48 hours was 86.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78.3, 92.3). However, the success rate among the threatened preterm labor group was 93.8% (95% CI: 88.3, 99.1) while the preterm labor group was 60.9% (95% CI: 39.3, 82.4). The significant factor associated with inhibition failure was preterm labor (adjusted odds ratio 7.22; 95% CI: 1.99, 26.20). CONCLUSION: The success rate of preterm uterine contraction inhibition with tocolytic agents to delay delivery for at least 48 hours was high in threatened preterm labor and low in preterm labor. A significant risk factor for inhibition failure was the preterm uterine contraction with cervical change.

Antenatal lower genital tract infection screening and treatment programs for preventing preterm delivery.

BACKGROUND: Genital tract infection is associated with preterm birth (before 37 weeks' gestation). Screening for infections during pregnancy may therefore reduce the numbers of babies being born prematurely. However, screening for infections may have some adverse effects, such as increased antibiotic drug resistance and increased cost of treatment. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of antenatal lower genital tract infection screening and treatment programs for reducing preterm birth and subsequent morbidity. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 November 2014), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2014, Issue 7) and reference lists of retrieved reports. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials in any language that evaluated any described methods of antenatal lower genital tract infection screening compared with no screening. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked for accuracy. MAIN RESULTS: One study (4155 women at less than 20 weeks' gestation) met the inclusion criteria. The intervention group (2058 women) received infection screening and treatment for bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginalis and candidiasis; the control group (2097 women) also received screening, but the results of the screening program were not revealed and women received routine antenatal care. The rate of preterm birth before 37 weeks' gestation was significantly lower in the intervention group (3% versus 5% in the control group) with a risk ratio (RR) of 0.55 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41 to 0.75; the evidence for this outcome was graded as of moderate quality). The incidence of preterm birth for infants with a weight equal to or below 2500 g (low birthweight) and infants with a weight equal to or below 1500 g (very low birthweight) were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.66 and RR 0.34; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.75, respectively; both graded as moderate quality evidence). Based on a subset of costs for preterm births of < 1900 g, the authors reported that for each of those preterm births averted, EUR 60,262 would be saved. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence from one trial that infection screening and treatment programs for pregnant women before 20 weeks' gestation reduce preterm birth and preterm low birthweight. Infection screening and treatment programs are associated with cost savings when used for the prevention of preterm birth. Future trials should evaluate the effects of different types of infection screening programs.

Maternal and fetal mortality and complications associated with cesarean section deliveries in teaching hospitals in Asia.

AIM: To compare the mortality, morbidity of emergency and elective cesarean section with vaginal delivery among Asian teaching hospitals. METHODS: Hospital based prospective study at 12 centers of 9 countries. RESULTS: 12 591 vaginal deliveries, 3062 elective and 4328 emergency cesarean section were followed up to 5 days postpartum. Maternal deaths (95% CI) per 1000 births among vaginal deliveries being 0.47 (0.17, 1.03) was not significantly different from 0.31 (0.01, 1.73) of elective cesarean section and both rates were significantly lower than 2.87 (1.53, 4.91) per 1000 births of emergency section. The vaginal delivery group had significantly lower incidences of all major complication except significantly higher chance of secondary operations and non-significantly different risk for endometritis. Corresponding neonatal mortality per 1000 deliveries among the three groups were 7 (5.6, 8.6), 2.2 (0.9, 4.6) and 12.4 (9.3, 16.2) (P < 0.001). Vaginal delivery also had higher rates of severe asphyxia and palsy than elective cesarean section. CONCLUSION: Maternal complications were increased by cesarean delivery but elective section may reduce neonatal complication.

One-day compared with 7-day nitrofurantoin for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a 1-day nitrofurantoin regimen is as effective as a 7-day regimen in eradicating asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy. METHODS: A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled noninferiority trial was conducted in antenatal clinics in Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Argentina. Pregnant women seeking antenatal care between March 2004 and March 2007 who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were invited to participate in the study. Those who consented were randomly allocated to receive either a 1-day or a 7-day course of 100 mg capsules of nitrofurantoin, which was taken twice daily. The primary outcome was bacteriologic cure on day 14 of treatment. RESULTS: : A total of 1,248 of 24,430 eligible women had asymptomatic bacteriuria, making the overall prevalence of 5.1%. Of these 1,248 women, 778 women were successfully recruited, and 386 and 392 women were randomly allocated to 1-day and 7-day regimens, respectively. Escherichia coli was the most common potentially pathogenic bacteria detected, its prevalence approaching 50%. Bacteriologic cure rates at treatment day 14 were 75.7% and 86.2% for 1-day and 7-day regimens, respectively. The cure rate difference was -10.5% (95% confidence interval -16.1% to -4.9%). Mean birth weight and mean gestational age at delivery were significantly lower in the 1-day regimen group. There were fewer adverse effects in the 1-day regimen group, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: A 1-day regimen of nitrofurantoin is significantly less effective than a 7-day regimen. Women with asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy should receive the standard 7-day regimen. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, isrctn.org, ISRCTN11966080 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Amniocentesis prior to physical exam-indicated cerclage in women with midtrimester cervical dilation: results from the expectant management compared to Physical Exam-indicated Cerclage international cohort study.

We evaluated whether the performance of an amniocentesis in women with a dilated cervix presenting at less than 26 weeks and subsequently managed by a physical exam-indicated cerclage increases the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) less than 28 weeks. Women between 15 (0)/ (7) to 25 (6)/ (7) weeks' gestation with a dilated cervix (1 to 4 cm) were identified. Multiple exclusion criteria were designated. The primary outcome was PTB less than 28 weeks. One hundred twenty-two women with a dilated cervix between 15 and 25 (6)/ (7) weeks gestational age were identified. Twenty-four (20%) of these had an amniocentesis performed. The unadjusted rate of PTB < 28 weeks differed between women who underwent amniocentesis compared with those who did not (58% versus 34%, respectively, P = 0.02), but after multivariate regression analysis, the performance of an amniocentesis was not an independent contributor to PTB < 28 weeks ( P = 0.90). The performance of an amniocentesis prior to cerclage did not independently contribute to PTB less than 28 weeks.

Does indomethacin prevent preterm birth in women with cervical dilatation in the second trimester?

We sought to estimate the effect of indomethacin on duration of pregnancy in women with dilated cervix between 14 (0)/ (7) to 25 (6)/ (7) weeks. Demographics, risk factors, and outcomes were compared in women 14 (0)/ (7) to 25 (6)/ (7) weeks with a dilated cervix > or = 1 cm who received indomethacin versus no indomethacin therapy, stratified for cerclage. Primary outcome was interval from presentation until delivery. Of 222 singleton gestations, 68 (31%) received indomethacin. In unadjusted and adjusted analyses, no significant differences were observed in interval from presentation to delivery and preterm birth < 28, < 32, or < 35 weeks comparing the indomethacin and no indomethacin groups, even after stratification for cerclage. In multivariate logistic regression analysis limited to women receiving cerclage, preterm birth < 32 weeks (odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.26, 1.25) and < 35 weeks (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.23, 1.14) suggested a possible but not significant benefit for indomethacin use. Indomethacin therapy in women with dilated cervix at 14 (0)/ (7) to 25 (6)/ (7) weeks, regardless of cerclage or not, had no effect on pregnancy outcomes.

Prevention of post operative pain after abdominal hysterectomy by single dose etoricoxib.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether a reduction in post operative morphine consumption could be achieved by a single-dose of etoricoxib before induction of anesthesia. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two hours before surgery, patients undergoing transabdominal hysterectomy (under general anesthesia) were randomized to a single oral dose of 1) etoricoxib 120 mg (n = 17), 2) etoricoxib 180 mg (n = 17), or 3) placebo (n = 15). Intravenous morphine was given for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. Morphine consumption, pain scores both at rest and on coughing, and side-effects were recorded at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h after surgery. Patients' global evaluation of study medication was assessed at the end of the present study. RESULTS: Etoricoxib provided greater clinical benefit than the placebo in terms of mean morphine in milligram at 24 hour consumption (stardard deviation): a) 26.4 mg (SD of 11.2) for etoricoxib 120 mg; b) 27.2 mg (SD of 9.9) for etoricoxib 180 mg; and, c) 36.6 mg (SD of 8.9) for the placebo group. At 8 h post surgery, pain both at rest and on coughing in the active drug groups was significantly less than in the placebo, while pain on coughing was significantly less at 24 h. Patients reported better global satisfaction and less somnolence in the etoricoxib groups. CONCLUSION: Single dose etoricoxib 180 mg given before surgery provides the same analgesic effect as 120 mg for post operative pain after an abdominal hysterectomy.

Expectant management compared with physical examination-indicated cerclage (EM-PEC) in selected women with a dilated cervix at 14(0/7)-25(6/7) weeks: results from the EM-PEC international cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare pregnancy outcomes in selected women with a dilated cervix who underwent expectant management or physical examination-indicated cerclage. STUDY DESIGN: This was a historical cohort study conducted by the Global Network for Perinatal and Reproductive Health. Women between 14(0/7) and 25(6/7) weeks' gestation with a dilated cervix were identified at 10 centers by ultrasound or digital examination. Primary outcome was time from presentation until delivery (weeks). Secondary outcomes were neonatal survival, birthweight greater than 1500 g and preterm birth less than 28 weeks. Multivariate regression was used to assess the likelihood of neonatal outcomes and control for confounders. RESULTS: Of 225 women, 152 received a physical examination-indicated cerclage, and 73 were managed expectantly without cerclage. Cervical dilation, gestational age at presentation, and antenatal steroid use differed between groups. In the adjusted analyses, cerclage was associated with longer interval from presentation until delivery, improved neonatal survival, birthweight greater than 1500 g and preterm birth less than 28 weeks, compared with expectant management. Similar results were obtained in the analyses limited to women dilated between 2 and 4 cm (n = 122). CONCLUSION: In this study, the largest cohort reported to date, physical examination-indicated cerclage appears to prolong gestation and improve neonatal survival, compared with expectant management in selected women with cervical dilation between 14(0/7) and 25(6/7) weeks. A randomized, controlled trial should be conducted to determine whether these potential benefits outweigh the risks of cerclage placement in this population.

The outcomes of midline versus medio-lateral episiotomy.

BACKGROUND: Episiotomy is the surgical enlargement of the vaginal orifice by an incision of the perineum during the second stage of labor or just before delivery of the baby. During the 1970s, it was common to perform an episiotomy for almost all women having their first delivery, ostensibly for prevention of severe perineum tears and easier subsequent repair. However, there are no data available to indicate if an episiotomy should be midline or medio-lateral. We compared midline versus medio-lateral episiotomy for complication such as extended perineal tears, pain scores, wound infection rates and other complications. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort including 1,302 women, who gave birth vaginally between April 2005 and February 2006 at Srinagarind Hospital - a tertiary care center in Northeast Thailand. All women included had low risk pregnancies and delivered at term. The outcome measures included deep perineal tears (including perineal tears with anal sphincter and/or rectum tears), other complications, and women's satisfaction at 48 hours and 6-weeks postpartum. RESULTS: In women with midline episiotomy, deep perineal tears occurred in 14.8%, which is statistically significantly higher compared to 7% in women who underwent a medio-lateral episiotomy (p-value < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups for other outcomes (such as blood loss, vaginal hematoma, infection, pain, dyspareunia, and women's satisfaction with the method). The risk factors for deep perineal tears were: midline episiotomy, primiparity, maternal height < 145 cm, fetal birth weight > 3,500 g and forceps extraction. CONCLUSION: Midline compared to medio-lateral episiotomy resulted in more deep perineal tears. It is more likely deep perineal tears would occur in cases with additional risk factors.

Non-pharmacologic labour pain relief.

Many women would like to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management in labour and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary methods of pain management. This review examined currently available evidence supporting the use of alternative and complementary therapies for pain management in labour. To examine the effectiveness of complementary and alternative therapies for pain management in labour on maternal and perinatal morbidity. The trials included three trials of hypnosis (n = 189), one involving audio-analgesia (n = 25), one involving (n = 22), and one trial of music (n = 30). Women receiving hypnosis were more satisfied with their pain management in labour compared with controls (RR 2.33, 95% CI 1.55 to 4.71). No differences were seen for women recieving, music or audio analgesia. Hypnosis may be beneficial for the management of pain during labour. However, few complementary therapies have been subjected to proper scientific study.