American journal of perinatology最新文献

Objective: To compare the accuracy of three newly proposed definitions of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in predicting outcomes, and to investigate the impact of large airway vs. parenchymal vs. vascular BPD phenotypes on BPD outcomes.

Study design: Retrospective chart review of 100 infants with severe BPD discharged from a Children's hospital between 2020-2021. Multivariable models evaluated the associations between BPD definitions and phenotypes with tracheostomy and death at 6 months and 1 year after NICU discharge. Secondary outcomes included need of respiratory support, use of pulmonary medications and need for long-term gastrostomy feeding.

Result: NRN and BPD collaborative criteria best predicted outcomes associated with tracheostomy and/or death (p < 0.001). Among the three BPD phenotypes, large airway disease was independently associated with death or tracheostomy (OR 10.5, 95% CI 1.6, 68.1). The combination of all three phenotypes was also associated with death or tracheostomy (OR 9.8, 95% CI 1.0, 93.5). Both NRN and BPD collaborative definitions showed association with the need for respiratory support, medication use and need for long-term gastrostomy tube feeding. Among the 29 infants for whom complete information was available, 18 (62%), 20 (69%), and 18 (62%) had parenchymal, central airway and pulmonary vascular phenotype, respectively.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that newer definitions of BPD may better predict severity of BPD and need for long-term invasive ventilation support compared to the 2001 NIH definition with BPD phenotypes impacting mortality and short-term outcomes. These data may be useful for counseling families and developing phenotype-based individualized treatment plans.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is among the most devastating neonatal illnesses of premature infants. Although it is a disease of multifactorial etiology associated with bacterial dysbiosis, several reports of viral and some fungal infections associated with NEC have been published. Despite the abundance of viruses - primarily bacteriophages, and 'virus-like particles' in the normal infant gut flora, there is limited understanding of the contribution of these elements to newborn gut health and disease. This article aims to review existing evidence on normal newborn virome and mycobiome development, and present insights into the complex inter kingdom interactions between gut bacteria, viruses and fungi in the intestinal ecosystem, exploring their potential role in predisposing the preterm infant to NEC.

Objective: Many infants, particularly those born premature or with medical complexity, require supplemental enteral nutrition upon discharge from birth hospitalization. Recent literature supports the safety of discharging infants with nasogastric tube (NG) feeding. However, further evidence is needed to characterize populations suited for home NG feeding compared to gastrostomy tube (GT) placement. This study aimed to describe demographic and clinical differences between infants discharged from birth hospitalization with NG vs. GT feeding.

Study design: This retrospective cohort study included infants discharged from birth hospitalization with NG or GT feeding between April 2014-December 2022 at a single quaternary care hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Routinely collected health data were used to investigate associations between patient characteristics and discharge feeding modality, as well as assess feeding outcomes 12 months after discharge.

Results: Of 346 infants, 72 (20.8%) were discharged with NG and 274 (79.2%) with GT. Infants with GT were more often discharged from the NICU (71.2% vs. 26.4%) with lower birth weights (median 2.40 kg vs. 2.92 kg) and longer hospitalizations (median 84 days vs 51.5 days). Twelve months after discharge, 77.4% of NG infants achieved full oral feeding compared to 16.6% of GT infants with earlier tube discontinuation in NG infants (19 days vs. 236 days).

Conclusion: Home NG feeding is a viable, less invasive alternative to GT for selected infants, particularly those with less medical complexity. Prospective studies are needed to further delineate optimal discharge feeding modalities for various infant subpopulations.

The global shortage of RhD immune globulin, formally acknowledged by the Food and Drug Administration in 2023, is ongoing but has improved in recent months. This shortage prompted the need to re-evaluate prevention strategies for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to RhD incompatibility. In response, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued guidance in March 2024 on alternative strategies to conserve RhD immune globulin supplies. These strategies include targeted RhD immune globulin administration based on non-invasive fetal RhD genotyping, alternatives options to Rhogam, and selective withholding of Rh immune globulin in cases of pregnancy loss under 12 weeks' gestation. ACOG guidance on the administration of Rh immune globulin in pregnancy differs from many countries worldwide, as well as the World Health Organization and the American Society of Family Planning. This clinical opinion reviews the risks, benefits, and cost-effectiveness of different strategies to optimize RhD immune globulin use. Targeted administration and the use of non-invasive cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing for fetal RhD status have shown promising accuracy and reliability in studies across multiple countries, leading to reduced unnecessary prophylaxis and potential cost savings. Additionally, withholding RhD immune globulin in select early pregnancy losses could further conserve resources without increasing alloimmunization risk. This review underscores the need for evidence-based approaches to manage limited RhD immune globulin supplies effectively and suggests that targeted prophylaxis could benefit both patient outcomes and healthcare resource allocation in the face of global shortages.

Objective:  This study aimed to (1) evaluate whether endothelial dysfunction, as measured by peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) indices and biomarker (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 [sFLT], brain natriuretic peptide [BNP]) levels at 34 weeks gestation, can predict progression from nonsevere to severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs); and (2) develop a clinical risk model for prediction of progression from nonsevere to severe HDP.

Study design:  We prospectively enrolled patients with a singleton gestation carrying a nonsevere HDP diagnosis. Forty-five participants were enrolled for PAT evaluation and serum collection between 34^0/7 and 36^6/7 weeks. PAT indices (e.g., Augmentation Index normalized to a heart rate of 75 bpm [AI75]) and biomarker concentrations were assessed at enrollment. The primary outcome was progression from a nonsevere diagnosis in the late preterm period to a diagnosis of preeclampsia with severe features or superimposed preeclampsia. Statistical analyses included two-sample t-tests, Fisher's exact tests, and multivariate modeling.

Results:  Thirteen subjects (30%) progressed to severe disease. No significant differences in mean PAT indices between the outcome groups were found. We found a significant difference in mean sFLT values between the two groups (p = 0.02, area under the curve [AUC] of 0.609), but not in mean BNP values. An endothelial dysfunction index (presence of fetal growth restriction, "high" AI75, and positive systolic blood pressure slope) discriminated between progression and nonprogression (p = 0.03, AUC of 0.707).

Conclusion:  sFLT level was a marker of progression from nonsevere to severe HDP. Further, a novel endothelial dysfunction index discriminated between progression and nonprogression to severe disease with good performance.

Key points: · HDPs are important causes of morbidity and mortality.. · The sequelae of HDPs are not limited to pregnancy.. · Developing accurate tools to predict severe HDPs is of great clinical importance.. · Our index shows promising performance for predicting progression from nonsevere to severe HDPs..

Objective:  Increasing availability of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) has added contraceptive alternatives to bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) in the immediate postpartum period. The resultant access to long-term contraception has provided patients with improved control over the timing of pregnancies. Our objective is to evaluate changes in the utilization of immediate postpartum contraceptive methods over a 10-year period and its association with interpregnancy interval (IPI).

Study design:  Retrospective cohort study of 36,445 patients delivered at a single academic hospital center from 2012 to 2020. Deliveries <23 weeks gestation and patients who underwent a cesarean hysterectomy or postpartum hysterectomy for obstetric indications were excluded. The primary outcome was the utilization of postpartum BTL, intrauterine devices, contraceptive implants, and Depo-Provera over the study time period. The secondary outcomes were IPI and interdelivery interval (IDI). Outcomes were compared using appropriate tests of trend. We adjusted for significant covariates as assessed in baseline characteristics.

Results:  A total of 35,281 patients were included in our study. Groups were different in baseline characteristics including age, race/ethnicity, parity, BMI, insurance status, comorbidity risk, and attendance at postpartum exam. Over the study period, there was a significant difference in utilization of Depo-Provera, LARC, intrauterine device (IUD), and implant (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in IPI (p < 0.001) and IDI (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:  We observed a significant increase in utilization of immediate postpartum LARC over the study period which corresponded to a significant increase in IPI and IDI. Our findings emphasize the importance of the availability of immediate postpartum contraception as well as its effectiveness in improving family planning options for reproductive-aged patients. We found significantly increased IPI and IDI associated with increased utilization of long-acting reversible contraceptives immediately postpartum. Our findings emphasize the importance of providers offering these options to patients as well as being comfortable initiating immediate postpartum contraception.

Key points: · Immediate postpartum LARC access has increased over the past 10 years.. · Access to more methods of contraception allows patients more options for family planning.. · Increased utilization of LARC led to increased IPI and IDI..

This study aimed to review how the Cincinnati Diabetes in Pregnancy Program Project Grant (PPG) contributed to the understanding and treatment of neonatal complications in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). This is a retrospective review of all PPG work on glycemic control at different pregnancy time points and its association with embryonic, fetal, and neonatal complications, such as congenital malformations (CMs), intrauterine growth restriction, macrosomia, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), asphyxia, and polycythemia. We found that maternal vasculopathy and poor glycemic control during embryogenesis, but not frequency of maternal hypoglycemic episodes or insulin therapy, are independent risk factors for major CMs. A suggestive association of major CMs with maternal Magnesium deficiency was also observed. Poor glycemic control during late embryogenesis and early fetal development was associated with an increased risk of minor CMs. We described a biphasic pattern of fetal growth whereby early growth delay was followed by enhanced fetal growth associated with neonatal macrosomia. Macrosomia was associated with poorer glycemic control in the third trimester and an increased risk of birth trauma. Macrosomia was also correlated with animal-origin insulin concentrations in cord blood, demonstrating that insulin bound to antibodies can cross the placenta and may affect the fetus. We also showed that neonatal hypoglycemia was significantly associated with third-trimester glycemic control, in addition to hyperglycemia occurring during labor. With modern management and adequate prenatal care, IDMs are no longer at increased risk for RDS. Perinatal asphyxia was associated with increased proteinuria appearing in pregnancy, maternal hyperglycemia before delivery, and prematurity. Polycythemia in IDMs is prevalent and correlates with proxy measurements of fetal hypoxemia (nucleated red blood cells at delivery) and poorer glycemic control in late pregnancy. The PPG in its various phases revealed the important role of glycemic control at nearly every stage of pregnancy including labor. KEY POINTS: · Poor glycemic control during embryogenesis is a major risk factor for CMs.. · Magnesium deficiency might contribute to major malformations.. · Macrosomia is associated with poor glycemic control in the third trimester.. · Strict glycemic control reduces fetal and neonatal morbidity in pregnancies with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus..

Objective:  This study aimed to determine whether pregnant women who have "flat" oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) curves in pregnancy are at increased risk of maternal or neonatal adverse outcomes.

Study design:  We conducted a retrospective cohort study of the perinatal outcomes of pregnant women whose 100-g OGTT curve was "flat," defined by a fasting serum glucose level below 95 mg/dL and the remaining values below 100 mg/dL. We compared their perinatal outcomes to women whose OGTT curve was "normal." The primary outcomes compared were the prevalence of macrosomic and small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. Secondary outcomes included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), prelabor anemia, thrombocytopenia, intrauterine fetal demise, placental abruption, indicated induction of labor, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, mode of delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, blood product transfusion, postpartum readmission, neonatal gender, gestational age at delivery, preterm birth, birth weight, low birth weight, umbilical artery pH < 7.1, Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, neonatal intensive care unit admission, neonatal respiratory and infectious morbidity, and hypoglycemia. Composite adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes were also evaluated.

Results:  There were 1,060 patients in the study group and 10,591 patients in the control group. Patients with a flat OGTT were younger (28.3 vs. 29.8, p < 0.001) and less likely to be over 35 years old (14.1 vs. 23.4%, p < 0.001). They had a reduced risk of delivering a macrosomic neonate (11.4 vs. 15.1%, OR = 0.7 [0.58-0.89], p = 0.001) and having an unplanned cesarean delivery (7.5 vs. 10.2%, OR = 0.8 [0.58-0.96], p = 0.002). There was no difference in the rate of composite adverse maternal (14.0 vs. 15.4%, OR = 0.9 [0.7-1.0], p = 0.1) or neonatal outcome (5.3 vs. 4.5%, OR = 1.2 [0.9-1.5], p = 0.15). Neonates had a slightly lower mean birth weight (3,474 vs. 3,505 g, p = 0.04) but the rate of SGA was similar in the two groups (2.5 vs. 1.8%, OR = 1.3 [0.9-2.0], p = 0.08).

Conclusion:  Pregnant women whose OGTT curve is flat have a lower risk of delivering macrosomic neonates and undergoing unplanned cesarean delivery and are not at increased risk of adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes. More research is required to evaluate the relationship between different OGTT curves and the fetal growth rate.

Key points: · Patients with a "flat" OGTT have a reduced risk of macrosomia.. · Patients with a "flat" OGTT have a reduced risk of cesarean delivery.. · Patients with a "flat" OGTT are not at increased risk of growth restriction..

Objective:  This study aimed to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes between labor induction versus cesarean delivery (CD) without labor among nulliparous individuals with class III obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥40 kg/m²).

Study design:  A retrospective cohort study of all nulliparous singleton deliveries at ≥37 weeks with a BMI of ≥40 kg/m² at delivery between March 2020 and February 2022. We excluded individuals with spontaneous labor, fetal malformations, and stillbirths. The primary outcome was a composite of maternal mortality and morbidity, including infectious and hemorrhagic morbidity. The secondary outcome was a neonatal composite. A subgroup analysis evaluated patients with a BMI of ≥50 kg/m². Another subgroup analysis compared outcomes between CD without labor and an indicated CD following induction. A multivariable logistic regression was applied. For adjustment, we used possible confounders identified in a univariate analysis.

Results:  Among 8,623 consecutive deliveries during the study period, 308 (4%) met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 250 (81%) underwent labor induction, and 58 (19%) had a CD without labor. The most common indications for CD without labor were fetal malpresentation (26; 45%), suspected macrosomia (8; 14%), and previous myomectomy (5; 9%). Indicated CD occurred in 140 (56%) of the induced individuals, with the two leading indications being labor arrest (87; 62%) and non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing (51; 36%). The rates of composite maternal morbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64-7.13) and composite neonatal morbidity (aOR = 3.62, 95% CI: 0.42-31.19) did not differ following a CD without labor compared to labor induction. The subgroup analyses did not demonstrate different outcomes between groups.

Conclusion:  Among nulliparous individuals with class III obesity at term who underwent induction, more than 50% had indicated CD; the rate of short-term maternal and neonatal morbidity, however, did not differ between labor induction and CD without labor.

Key points: · The rate of unplanned CD among those who underwent labor induction was relatively high (56.0%).. · Outcomes did not differ between those who underwent CD without labor and those who were induced.. · Outcomes also did not differ between those who underwent CD without labor and those with CD in labor..

Objective:  This study aimed to assess the use of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH studies (MII-pH) in a large group of symptomatic young infants, to characterize the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and to establish temporal association of the reflux behaviors with gastroesophageal reflux using symptom indices.

Study design:  This is a retrospective cohort study on 181 infants who underwent MII-pH studies for clinical behaviors that were suggestive of GERD. Symptom index (SI) and symptom association probability (SAP) were used to establish symptom association with reflux. More than 100 GER episodes in 24 hours or acid reflux index > 10% was considered pathological reflux.

Results:  A total of 181 infants (median age: 60 days, interquartile range [IQR]: 34-108) underwent MII-pH studies with median study duration of 22.41 hours (IQR: 21.5-23.32). A total of 4,070 hours of data were analyzed, with 8,480 reflux events (2,996 [35%] acidic, 5,484 [65%] nonacidic). A total of 2,541 symptoms were noted, 894 (35%) were temporally related to reflux events. A total of 113 infants (62.4%) had positive symptom association with SI > 50% and/or SAP > 95% for at least one symptom. There was modest symptom association for choking and gagging, but apnea, bradycardia, and desaturations had poor symptom association. Only 29 infants (16%) had pathological reflux, and only 18 infants (10%) had both pathological reflux and positive symptom association.

Conclusion:  MII-pH can be used to characterize GERD in young infants, along with establishing temporal association with symptoms. Pathological reflux in symptomatic young infants is not common, but symptom association may occur without frequent or acidic reflux.

Key points: · Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease can be studied in young infants using MII-pH, to characterize the frequency and nature of GER events.. · The probability of GER events being associated temporally with GER symptoms can also be determined using MII-pH in this population.. · Using frequency of GER events, reflux indices, and symptom association indices with MII-pH, infants having true GER disease can be identified, thereby reducing unnecessary therapy.. · Symptom association may occur even without frequent or severe acidic reflux..