Perinatal outcomes after increased fetal movement as counted by a fetal movement acceleration measurement recorder

The objective was to study the relationship between a decrease in gross fetal movement during maternal night sleep counted by an objective method and abnormal perinatal outcomes. This was a prospective cohort study. A total of 470 pregnant women recorded fetal movement with the fetal movement acceleration measurement recorder weekly after 28 weeks. The ratio of 10-s epochs with fetal movement to all epochs was calculated as the fetal movement parameter. When the parameter was below the 10th percentile of the previously made reference curve, it was defined as decreased movement. Women who showed a decreased movement at least once were classified into a study group, and the other women were classified into a control group. Abnormal perinatal outcomes between the two groups were compared with the Chi-square test. There were more preterm births (19%) in the study group than in the control group (10%) (P = 0.0210). There was a significant difference for iatrogenic preterm birth (P = 0.0241) but not for spontaneous preterm birth (P = 0.4566). There were more hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (11.6%), small-for-gestational-age newborns (10.7%), and Apgar scores below 7 points at 1 min (7.4%) in the study group than in the control group (5.2%, 4.8%, and 2.6%, respectively) (P = 0.0329, 0.0459, and 0.0487, respectively). A decrease in gross fetal movement during maternal night sleep was related to iatrogenic preterm births, small-for-gestational-age newborns, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and low Apgar scores at 1 min.

To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) control in eyes with or without clear corneal phacoemulsification following trabeculectomy. The study group included 30 eyes that underwent uneventful clear corneal phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation following trabeculectomy without antimetabolites. Thirty eyes that had undergone filtering surgery without cataract extraction were selected as controls. Case and control groups were matched with respect to age, gender, IOP, number of glaucoma medications, glaucoma type (primary open-angle glaucoma/pseudoexfoliative glaucoma), trabeculectomy time and follow-up. Comparisons between the study and control groups (intergroup) and within the same group at different time-points (intragroup) were performed for IOP, glaucoma medications and bleb morphology. Success rates were investigated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the factors influencing final success by logistic regression. Intraocular pressure (p = 0.04) and glaucoma medications (p = 0.001) increased during an average follow-up of 26.1 +/- 9.9 months in both groups. Intragroup differences became statistically significant after the 6-month visit, but intergroup differences remained insignificant. Bleb height decreased significantly following phacoemulsification in the study group (p = 0.017). Success rates decreased with time in both groups, with no intergroup difference (p = 0.46). The final success rate was negatively correlated with IOP and number of glaucoma medications used at the study entry, while there was a positive correlation between the baseline and final success rates. Trabeculectomy success decreased in a time-dependent manner in eyes with and without subsequent phacoemulsification. Uncomplicated clear corneal phacoemulsification was not found to have any additional unfavorable influence on IOP control in eyes with filtering blebs.

Are increased fetal movements during pregnancy a predictor of neonatal adverse outcomes?

Introduction: Pregnant woman experience various physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that may cause anxiety. The anxiety and worries can be decreased by sharing information about the developing child, like foetal body movement. Aim: To assess effect of Foetal Movement Counting (FMC) on prenatal attachment and maternal worries among primigravida mothers. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal study was carried out among primigravida mothers of selected Hospitals of Central Gujarat using proforma of Cranley’s maternal foetal attachment scale and Cambridge worry scale. The study was conducted from March 2019 to July 2020. Eighty participants were recruited by convenient sampling 40 in each study group and control group. The study group were provided with foetal movement chart and the participants were asked to record foetal movements for seven consecutive days, twice a day for 20 minutes. Post assessment of prenatal attachment and maternal worries was done using tools of data collection for both study and control group. Chi- square test was used to test the significance (p-value <0.05). Results: The study results revealed that in study group mean score for prenatal attachment was 79.43 at the start and improved to 101.25 (p-value <0.001) after seven days of FMC. In control group, the mean score for prenatal attachment did not show significant difference pre-test and post-test (74.20 vs 74.85, p-value=0.077). In study group, the mean Cambridge worry scale score was 36.55 which came down to 20.28 (p-value <0.001) after seven days, while in control group it was 41.38 at the beginning and 41.30 after seven days (p-value=0.998). Conclusion: Foetal Movement Counting was found to improve maternal foetal attachment and reduce maternal worries. FMC can be routinely and effectively promoted among the pregnant population to help them achieve a positive pregnancy experience and outcome.

BackgroundThe use of traditional historic risk factors to identify gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) will miss half of women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Our aim was to evaluate whether impaired glucose tolerance is a risk factor for vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women.Patients and MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, we compared the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance in 64 pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis (positive microscopy) and 59 Candida-negative control subjects. Subjects underwent standardized 75-gram oral glucose tolerance testing between the 24th and 28th weeks of their pregnancies. Patients were included only if they had no known diabetes mellitus or historic risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus, and had not been receiving antibiotic or steroid therapy. We compared glucose levels at fasting, 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 120 minutes, and perinatal and neonatal outcomes in the two groups.ResultsThere were no statistical differences between cases and controls in demographic characteristics. Glucose concentrations were higher in pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis than in control subjects at fasting (89 vs. 84 mg/dL, P=0.021), 30 minutes (139 vs. 126 mg/dL, P=0.050), and 60 minutes (124 vs. 106 mg/dL, P=0.018) after intake of 75 gram of glucose. The two groups did not differ in glucose level at 120 minutes after glucose administration. Gestational diabetes prevalence was 3.1% and 3.4% in the study and control group, respectively (P=0.274).ConclusionThe tolerance to glucose in pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis seems discretely impaired.

To assess the association of fetal movement counting with perinatal mortality. Electronic databases (ie, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library at the CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials) were searched from inception until May 2019. Search terms used were: "fetal movement," "fetal movement counting," "fetal kick counting," "stillbirth," "fetal demise," "fetal mortality," and "perinatal death." We included all randomized controlled trials comparing perinatal mortality in those women randomized to receive instructions for fetal movement counting compared with a control group of women without such instruction. The primary outcome was perinatal mortality. Five of 1,290 identified articles were included, with 468,601 fetuses. Definitions of decreased fetal movement varied. In four of five studies, women in the intervention group were asked to contact their health care providers if they perceived decreased fetal movement; the fifth study did not provide details. Reported reduction in fetal movement usually resulted in electronic fetal monitoring and ultrasound assessment of fetal well-being. There was no difference in the incidence of perinatal outcome between groups. The incidence of perinatal death was 0.54% (1,252/229,943) in the fetal movement counting group and 0.59% (944/159,755) in the control group (relative risk [RR] 0.92, 95% CI 0.85-1.00). There were no statistical differences for other perinatal outcomes as stillbirths, neonatal deaths, birth weight less than 10th percentile, reported decreased fetal movement, 5-minute Apgar score less than 7, neonatal intensive care unit admission or perinatal morbidity. There were weak but significant increases in preterm delivery (7.6% vs 7.1%; RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.10), induction of labor (36.6% vs 31.6%; RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.09-1.22), and cesarean delivery (28.2% vs 25.3%; RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.10-1.12). Instructing pregnant women on fetal movement counting compared with no instruction is not associated with a clear improvement in pregnancy outcomes. There are weak associations with some secondary outcomes such as preterm delivery, induction of labor, and cesarean delivery. PROSPERO, CRD42019123264.

ObjectivesTo identify obstetrical subgroups in which (1) the caesarean delivery (CD) rate may be reduced without compromising safety and (2) CD may be associated with better perinatal outcomes.DesignA multicentre cross-sectional...

Evaluation of the usefulness of ultrasound measurement of the lower uterine segment before delivery of women with a prior cesarean delivery: a randomized trial

Electronic Poster Presentations, Maternal Fetal Medicine

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of advanced maternal age on pregnancy outcomes Methods: A retrospective analysis of 951 birth registry records of Zeynep Kamil Hospital, were analyzed between Janu­ary 2003 and December 2007. Study group was made up of women ≥40 years old and control group was made up of women younger than 40 years. Results: Mean maternal age was 41.48 years in the study group and 26.41 years in the control group. Mean gesta­tional age at the time of delivery is 37.73 weeks in study group and 38.10 weeks in the control group. There was no statistical difference in terms of preterm delivery, multiple pregnancy, fetal anomaly, IUGR, superimpose preeclampsia oligohidramnios, presentation anomaly and placenta previa rates between the study and control groups. Incidence of preeclampsia (p=0.041), Chronic hypertension (p=0.001), GDM (p= 0.003),is found to be higher in study group. Cesar­ean birth rate is higher (p<0.05) and hospitalization time is longer in study group (p=0.001). 1st minute and 5th minute APGAR scores of the study group (6.99±2, 8.27±2) was lower than the 1st minute and 5th Minutes APGAR scores of the control group (7.38±1.6, 8.58±1.7). Neonatal intensive care unit administration rate is seen also higher in study group (p<0.01). Conclusion: Advanced maternal age was related to increased pregnancy complications and poor perinatal outcome. Preeclampsia, GDM, chronic hypertension is seen more common in advanced age pregnancies. Neonatal intensive care administration is higher and APGAR scores are lower; cesarean delivery was performed more common, and hospitaliza­tion time was longer in advanced age pregnancies.

Guideline No. 442: Fetal Growth Restriction: Screening, Diagnosis, and Management in Singleton Pregnancies

To determine the effect of preoperative vaginal cleansing with chlorhexidine and cetrimide solution on postoperative infectious morbidity. This prospective cohort study was conducted over a period of 18 months in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India. Women undergoing cesarean section were alternately allotted to study and control groups. Women with chorioamnionitis, antepartum hemorrhage, rupture of membranes for more than 24 h, and fever in the preoperative period were excluded. The study group received preoperative vaginal cleansing with antiseptic solution (7.5% chlorhexidine w/v and 15% cetrimide w/v); the control group did not receive vaginal cleansing. Both groups were followed for the presence of any infectious morbidity until they were discharged from the hospital. Age, body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), gestational age, and the parity of the women in the study and control groups were comparable (n = 760). The rate of endometritis was lower in the study group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.054). Post-cesarean febrile morbidity and wound sepsis were significantly lower in the study group (P = 0.017 and P = 0.02, respectively). On subgroup analysis, women in the study group with rupture of the membranes before cesarean delivery had lower wound sepsis and a reduced duration of hospital stay. Women in the study group with emergency cesarean delivery showed a significant reduction in wound sepsis, febrile morbidity, and length of hospital stay. Preoperative vaginal cleansing with chlorhexidine and cetrimide solution before a cesarean section reduces postoperative infectious morbidity.

Objective To introduce the effect of a single course of betamethasone for pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery (PTD). Materials and methods In this study, a single course of 12 mg Bethamethasone was administered twice in 24 h (between 24–34 gestational weeks) for antenatal corticosteroid prophylaxis. Four hundred ninety-three neonates fulfilled the inclusion criteria and they were categorized (259 singletons, 192 twins and 42 triplets who met the inclusion criteria) into two groups according to the utilization of antenatal corticosteroid as control (n = 202) and study (n = 291) groups. We used respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), congenital pneumonia, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), neonatal sepsis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) as primary outcomes for the evaluation of neonatal morbidity. Results Study and control groups were similar in terms of clinical characteristics. RDS, congenital pneumonia, neonatal sepsis, and BPD rates were significantly higher in the study group (betamethasone) (p = .05, p = .007, 0.003, and 0.004, respectively) between 24–34 gestational weeks (when the neonates of multiple pregnancies were excluded from the analysis, we have demonstrated that congenital pneumonia (p = .033) and neonatal sepsis (p = .030) were still significantly higher in the betamethasone group). The neonates of 24–28 gestational weeks were compared separately and we demonstrated that RDS (p = .012), congenital pneumonia (p = .022), IVH (p = .044), neonatal sepsis (p = .023), and BPD (0.001) were also more frequent in the study group. When the 28–32 gestational week data were compared, IVH (p = .020) and neonatal sepsis (p = .017) were more frequent in the single course betamethasone users. However, we could not demonstrate a significant difference between the control and study groups between 32–34 gestational weeks in terms of the primary neonatal outcomes used in this study. Conclusion Single course antenatal betamethasone administration may be ineffective on the respiratory complications of preterm and very preterm infants while it may be unfavorable for extremely preterm infants. What is new about the paper, what could add to the current knowledge Pregnant women at risk for preterm labor must be under intensive antenatal care programs, and if possible, necessary precautions must be undertaken to prevent fetal hypoxia together with etiology specific treatments. This approach might contribute to better perinatal outcomes than just administering antenatal corticosteroid therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Childhood and adolescent anxiety is generally associated with a varied somatic symptom pattern thought to reflect autonomic system activity. Few studies have examined the autonomic characteristics of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This omission is at odds with contemporary models of autonomic cardiovascular control. The current study aimed to find differences in autonomic functions between children with a diagnosis of childhood anxiety disorder and a control group using a case-control design.DESIGN AND SETTING:A cross sectional experimental study conducted in the years 2004-2005 in the psycho-physiology lab of a tertiary care multi-speciality teaching hospital.METHODS:Assessments were carried out using a semistructured interview, K-SADS (Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for Children and Adolescents); STAIC (State and Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children); CDRS (Childhood Depression Rating Scales); SCARED (Self-Report for Childhood Anxiety–Related Disorders). Autonomic reactivity was tested using the standard battery of tests.RESULTS:There were differences between 34 children and adolescents (age range, 8-18 years) with a diagnosis of childhood anxiety disorder and a control group of 30 age- and sex-matched subjects from a nearby school in autonomic activity and reactivity between individuals with anxiety disorder and non-anxious control subjects. Our finding is suggestive of autonomic rigidity or diminished physiologic flexibility in children with anxiety disorderCONCLUSIONS:The study is probably the first of its kind to look into the issue in detail using a detailed battery of the autonomic function tests, and the results are of help in better understanding the condition. The result of the present experiment supports differences in autonomic activity and reactivity between individuals with anxiety disorder and non-anxious control subjects.

Grossesse à 43 ans et plus : risques maternels et périnataux