Objective The objective was to determine factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth at less than 37 weeks in a cohort of patients who underwent a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) or cone prior to pregnancy. Study Design This was a nested case-control study within a cohort of patients who underwent at least one LEEP or cone and had care for the next singleton pregnancy at either of two institutions between 1994 and 2014. Cases had spontaneous preterm birth at less than 37 weeks. Exposures included potential risk factors for preterm birth such as cumulative depth of excised cervix and time since excision. Reverse stepwise selection was used to identify the covariates for multivariable logistic regression. Results A total of 134 patients were included. Eighteen (13%) had a spontaneous preterm birth at less than 37 weeks. Median second-trimester cervical lengths were similar between those who delivered preterm and term (3.9-cm preterm and 3.6-cm term, p = 0.69). Patients who delivered preterm had a significantly greater median total excised depth of cervix (1.2 vs. 0.8 cm, p = 0.04). After adjustment for confounders, total excised depth remained significantly associated with preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-3.8). Conclusion Total excised depth should be considered in addition to cervical length screening when managing subsequent pregnancies. Key Points A history of a LEEP or cone excision has been associated with spontaneous preterm birth.A two-fold increase in spontaneous preterm birth was seen per cumulative centimeter excised.There was no difference in second-trimester cervical length between the term and preterm groups.
Objective The aim of this study was to measure the effect of obesity and systemic opioids on respiratory events within the first 24 hours following cesarean. Methods Opioid-naive women undergoing cesarean between January 2016 and December 2017 were included in this retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was the proportion of women experiencing at least one composite respiratory outcome (oxygen saturation less than 95% lasting 30+ seconds or need for respiratory support) within 24 hours of cesarean. The impact of obesity and total systemic opioid dose in 24 hours (measured in morphine milligram equivalents [MMEs]) on the composite respiratory compromise outcome were evaluated. Results Of 2,230 cesarean births, 790 women had at least one composite respiratory event. Predictors of the composite respiratory outcome included body mass index (BMI) as a continuous variable (odds ratio = 1.063 for every one unit increase in BMI [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.021-1.108], p = 0.003), and MME (odds ratio = 1.005 [95% CI: 1.002-1.008], p = 0.003), adjusting for magnesium sulfate use. The interaction between obesity and opioid dose demonstrated an odds ratio of 1.000 (95% CI: 0.999-1.000, p = 0.030). Conclusion The proportion of women experiencing respiratory events following cesarean birth increases with the degree of obesity and opioid dose. Key Points Respiratory events increase with obesity.Respiratory events increase with systemic opioid use.Odds ratio of respiratory events is 1.063/unit BMI increase.
Objective The aim of this article was to estimate the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Connecticut, examine racial/ethnic disparities, and assess pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women following the implementation of universal screening for the virus. Materials and methods This is a retrospective cohort study of all obstetric patients admitted to our labor and delivery unit during the first 4 weeks of implementation of universal screening of COVID-19. Viral studies were performed in all neonates born to mothers with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We calculated the prevalence of COVID-19, compared the baseline characteristics and pregnancy outcomes between those who tested positive and negative for the virus, and determined the factors associated with COVID-19. Results A total of 10 (4.6%) of 220 women screened positive for the virus. All were asymptomatic. Week 1 had the highest prevalence of infection, nearing 8%. No neonates were infected. Hispanics were more likely to test positive (odds ratio: 10.23; confidence interval: [2.71-49.1], p = 0.001). Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were similar between the groups ( p > 0.05). Conclusion Although the rate of asymptomatic COVID-19 was low, ethnic disparities were present with Hispanics being more likely to have the infection. Key Points 4.6% of pregnant women in labor and delivery tested positive for COVID-19 while being asymptomatic.Hispanic women were more likely to test positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.Pregnancy outcomes were similar between COVID-19 positive and negative women.No vertical transmission was detected.
Objective This study aimed to identify factors associated with meeting the Obstetric Care Consensus (OCC) guidelines for nulliparous, term, singleton, and vertex (NTSV) cesarean births. Materials and methods This was a retrospective case control study of women with NTSV cesarean births between January 2014 and December 2017 at single tertiary care center. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between women with NTSV cesarean births which did or did not meet OCC guidelines. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the effect of each variable on the odds of meeting OCC guidelines. Results There were 1,834 women with NTSV cesarean births of which 744 (40.6%) met OCC guidelines for delivery and 1,090 (59.4%) did not. After controlling for confounding factors, the odds of meeting OCC guidelines were increased for in-house providers managing with residents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-2.87) and without residents (aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.30-2.12), compared with non-in-house providers managing without residents. There was no significant difference in the odds of meeting OCC guidelines for in-house providers managing with or without residents (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.84-1.79). Conclusion After adjusting for confounding factors, in-house provider coverage, regardless of resident involvement, is associated with increased odds of NTSV cesarean births meeting OCC guidelines. Key Points Frequency of adherence to OCC guidelines for NTSV cesarean births was 40.6%.Neither patient demographics nor comorbidities was associated with the odds of meeting OCC guidelines.In-house providers are associated with increased odds of meeting OCC guidelines.
Acute myeloid leukemia occurs rarely during pregnancy. When it is diagnosed remote from term, treatment in the form of daunorubicin plus cytarabine induction with consolidative cytarabine is typically undertaken after the first trimester. There is little data to guide fetal monitoring, in particular, whether and how often middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA PSV) should be measured to screen for fetal anemia. Cytarabine may be particularly myelosuppressive to the fetus, but information pertaining to the management of this complication is also lacking in published literature. To our knowledge, we present the first case of presumed severe fetal anemia related to in utero exposure to chemotherapy that was managed conservatively with close sonographic monitoring, including serial measurement of MCA PSV. This case suggests that in the absence of hydrops fetalis or other signs of fetal decompensation, expectant management with ultrasound twice weekly, including MCA PSV, is appropriate. Ultrasounds may be decreased to weekly when MCA PSV does not suggest fetal anemia. Screening for fetal anemia can provide helpful information to guide the timing of chemotherapy administration and delivery. Key Points Chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia can cause fetal anemia.Fetal MCA PSV can be used to safely and effectively screen for fetal anemia.Observation of fetal anemia due to chemotherapy is reasonable, in the absence of hydrops.Monitoring of fetal MCA PSV can help guide timing of chemotherapy and delivery.
Objective We sought to investigate the positive predictive value of ultrasound-diagnosed fetal growth restriction (FGR) for estimating small for gestational age (SGA) at birth. Secondary objectives were to describe clinical interventions performed as a result of FGR diagnosis. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort of pregnancies diagnosed with FGR over 3 years at a single institution. Maternal demographics, antenatal and delivery data, and neonatal data were collected. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were conducted. Results We included 406 pregnancies with diagnosis of FGR in second or third trimester. Median birth weight percentile was 17 (interquartile range: 5-50) and only 35.0% of these fetuses were SGA at birth. The positive predictive value of a final growth ultrasound below the 10th percentile for SGA at birth was 56.9%. Patients averaged eight additional growth ultrasounds following FGR diagnosis. One hundred and fourteen (28.1%) received antenatal steroids prior to delivery, and 100% of those delivered after more than 7 days following administration. There were 6 fetal deaths and 14 neonatal deaths. Conclusion In the majority of cases, pregnancies diagnosed with FGR during screening ultrasounds resulted in normally grown neonates and term deliveries. These patients may be receiving unnecessary ultrasounds and premature courses of corticosteroids.
Background During neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA)/noninvasive (NIV) NAVA, a modified nasogastric feeding tube with electrodes monitors the electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi). The Edi waveform determines the delivered pressure from the ventilator. Objective Our objective was to determine whether NAVA/NIV-NAVA has advantages in infants with evolving/established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods Each infant who received NAVA/NIV-NAVA and conventional invasive and NIV was matched with two historical controls. Eighteen NAVA/NIV-NAVA infants' median gestational age, 25.3 (23.6-28.1) weeks, was compared with 36 historical controls' median gestational age 25.2 (23.1-29.1) weeks. Results Infants on NAVA/NIV-NAVA had lower extubation failure rates (median: 0 [0-2] vs. 1 [0-6] p = 0.002), shorter durations of invasive ventilation (median: 30.5, [1-90] vs. 40.5 [11-199] days, p = 0.046), and total duration of invasive and NIV to the point of discharge to the local hospital (median: 80 [57-140] vs. 103.5 [60-246] days, p = 0.026). The overall length of stay (LOS) was lower in NAVA/NIVNAVA group (111.5 [78-183] vs. 140 [82-266] days, p = 0.019). There were no significant differences in BPD (17/18 [94%] vs. 32/36 [89%] p = 0.511) or home oxygen rates (14/18 [78%] vs. 23/36 [64%] p = 0.305). Conclusion The combination of NAVA/NIV-NAVA compared with conventional invasive and NIV modes may be advantageous for preterm infants with evolving/established BPD.