Term Fetuses Research Articles

Evaluation of anti-epileptic Lacosamide treatment on neural tube development: Chick embryo experimental model

Objective: Even if epileptic women can give birth to healthy babies, the rates of premature birth, low birth weight, fetal and neonatal death risk, congenital malformations and growth retardation in pregnant women who use the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are high compared to the population. The present study aimed to examine the effects of AED Lacosamide (LCM) during pregnancy on the fetus in terms of neuronal and embryonic development in 48-hour chick embryo model. Material and Methods: 40SPF fertilized eggs divided into 4 equal numbers. At the 28th hour, LCM was applied in the sub-blastoderm, and the experiment was terminated at the 48th hour. Embryos were evaluated morphologically by neural tube position, somite number, and cranio-caudal length. Histopathologically, hematoxylin-eosin, Caspase-3 immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL staining were performed and and assessed for cell death. Results: LCM adversely affected neural tube position in groups 3 and 4 compared to control. In addition, it regressed embryonic development by decreasing somite number and craniocaudal length in groups 3 and 4. When evaluated in terms of apoptotic cell death, LCM increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity and the number of TUNEL-positive cells in groups 3 and 4, respectively (p=0.002), (p≤0.001). Conclusion: LCM was caused to regression of embryonic development and impaired neural tube position in early chick embryo model, dose-dependent manner. It increased cell death and showed teratogenic effects in the early embryo model. The usage of LCM for pregnant women should be considered carefully. It is obvious that more preclinic studies are needed to demonstrate LCM effects comprehensively.

Validity of foetal Doppler indices in predicting postnatal respiratory distress syndrome: a prospective study

BackgroundRespiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a potentially fatal condition of neonate occurring due to alveolar surfactant deficiency causing inefficient gaseous exchange and leading to hampered respiratory function. Purpose of our study is to investigate the role of Doppler indices in antenatal prediction of clinical Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in late preterm and early term foetuses using Main pulmonary artery (MPA) Doppler indices. The current study was conducted on 342 pregnant women between 34 and 39 weeks of gestational age, who came for routine third trimester ultrasound examination. The standard foetal biometric parameters, gestational age and estimated foetal weight were first obtained. The MPA Doppler indices like pulsatility index (PI), resistivity index (RI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), systolic/diastolic ratio and acceleration time/ejection time (At/Et) were recorded and correlated with the postnatal development of RDS.ResultsOf the 342 foetuses, neonatal RDS was diagnosed in 47 foetuses. Foetuses diagnosed with RDS had statistically higher PI and RI values, whereas At/Et ratio and PSV were lower. At/Et ratio, PI and RI, PSV showed significant correlation with gestational age and the most statistically significant correlation was found with At/Et ratio. A cut-off value of 0.2865 (sensitivity 89.45%, specificity 94.79%) and 0.3155 (sensitivity 93.22%, specificity 96.78%) correlated strongly with development of RDS in late preterm foetuses and early term infants.ConclusionFoetal MPA indices like PSV, RI, PI and especially Foetal At/Et ratio is a promising non-invasive tool which helps in identifying foetuses at risk and may be very useful to plan delivery in complicated pregnancies and also for better post-natal care of the neonate.

Correlation between Intrapartum Cardiotocogram Findings and Cord Blood pH in Term and Preterm Labors

Background: The purpose of intrapartum fetal monitoring by cardiotocograph (CTG) is to identify early signs of developing hypoxia so that appropriate action can be taken to improve the perinatal outcome. Although CTG findings are well known to monitor the progress of the labor due to the paucity of recommendations, there has always been a clinical dilemma as the term fetuses respond differently than a preterm fetus. However, umbilical cord blood pH can distinguish the infant at high risk for asphyxia and related sequel. Therefore, because of differences in fetal physiology in term and preterm fetuses, CTG findings vary, and hence the validity of CTG to determine fetal acidosis should be different. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to correlate abnormal intrapartum CTG findings with umbilical cord blood pH in term and preterm labor and thus evaluate the success of CTG in predicting fetal acidosis during labor. Methods: The present study included 210 women in labor (70 preterm and 140 term) with abnormal intrapartum CTG that was classified as per 2015 revised International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetrician (FIGO) guidelines. Immediately after delivery, 2 ml Umbilical artery cord blood sample was taken in a pre-heparinized syringe for analysis, pH <=7.2 was taken as acidosis and pH >7.2 was taken as normal. The measured data were general maternal characteristics which included gravida status, associated comorbidities, method of induction and character of liquor, the intrapartum CTG tracings recorded, the cord arterial blood pH and the neonatal characteristics such as APGAR score and neonatal outcome. Results: Data from 70 preterm labor was compared with 140 term labor. In this study, 20.9% of the babies had acidosis. Suspicious CTG due to decreased variability were more common in the preterm group than in the term group (21.4% vs. 8.6% p<0.05). Positive predictive value (PPV) of abnormal CTG for fetal acidosis in the preterm group was found to be higher than that in the term group, PPV of pathological CTG being even higher than suspicious CTG. Women with suspicious CTG had 82% less risk of fetal acidosis as compared to pathological CTG. Women with Bradycardia had 5.9 times the risk of fetal acidosis as compared with normal and tachycardia. Conclusion: Abnormal CTG should be managed appropriately without any delay to prevent acidosis and cord blood pH should be done in all labors with abnormal CTG. However, our findings of a higher incidence of lower cord blood pH and suspicious CTG due to decreased variability alone highlight the limitation of criteria currently used for interpretation of CTG in preterm labors.

Maternal acute thermophysiological stress and stillbirth in Western Australia, 2000–2015: A space-time-stratified case-crossover analysis

The extreme thermal environment driven by climate change disrupts thermoregulation in pregnant women and may threaten the survival of the developing fetus. To investigate the acute effect of maternal exposure to thermophysiological stress (measured with Universal Thermal Climate Index, UTCI) on the risk of stillbirth and modification of this effect by sociodemographic disparities. We conducted a space-time-stratified case-crossover analysis of daily UTCI and 2835 singleton stillbirths between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2015 across multiple small areas in Western Australia. Distributed lag non-linear models were combined with conditional quasi-Poisson regression to investigate the effects of the UTCI exposure from the preceding 6 days to the day of stillbirth. We also explored effect modification by fetal and maternal sociodemographic factors. The median UTCI was 13.9 °C (representing no thermal stress) while the 1st and 99th percentiles were 0.7 °C (slight cold stress) and 31.7 °C (moderate heat stress), respectively. Relative to median UTCI, we found positive associations between acute maternal cold and heat stresses and higher risks of stillbirth, increasing with the intensity and duration of the thermal stress episodes. The cumulative risk from the preceding 6 days to the day of stillbirth was stronger in the 99th percentile (RR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.21) than the 1st percentile (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.15), relative to the median UTCI. The risks were disproportionately higher in term and male stillborn fetuses, smoking, unmarried, ≤19 years old, non-Caucasian, and low socioeconomic status mothers. Acute maternal exposure to both cold and heat stresses may contribute to the risk of stillbirth and be exacerbated by sociodemographic disparities. The findings suggest public health attention, especially for the identified higher-risk groups. Future studies should consider the use of a human thermophysiological index, rather than surrogates such as ambient temperature.

Value of Cerebroplacental Ratio and Uterine Artery Doppler as Predictors of Adverse Perinatal Outcome in Very Small for Gestational Age at Term Fetuses.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), mean uterine artery (mUtA) Doppler and adverse perinatal outcome (APO) and their predictive performance in fetuses with birth weight (BW) <3rd centile (very small for gestational age, VSGA) in comparison with fetuses with BW 3rd–10th centile (small for gestational age, SGA). This was a retrospective cohort study including singleton pregnancies delivered at term (37 + 0–41 + 6) in a single tertiary referral center over a six-year period. APO was defined as a composite of cesarean section for intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC), umbilical artery pH < 7.20, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for >24 h. The characteristics of the study population according to BW (VSGA and SGA) as well as the presence of composite APO were assessed. The prognostic performance of CPR and mUtA-PI was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. In total, 203 pregnancies were included. Of these, 55 (27%) had CPR <10th centile, 25 (12%) mUtA-PI >95th centile, 65 (32%) VSGA fetuses, and 93 (46%) composite APO. VSGA showed a non-significantly higher rate of composite APO in comparison to SGA (52% vs. 43%; p = 0.202). The composite APO rate was significantly higher in SGA with CPR <10th centile (36% vs. 13%; p = 0.001), while in VSGA with CPR <10th centile was not (38% vs. 35%; p = 0.818). The composite APO rate was non-significantly higher both in VSGA (26% vs. 10%; p = 0.081) and SGA (14% vs. 6%; p = 0.742) with mUtA-PI >95th centile. The ROC analysis showed a significantly predictive value of CPR for composite APO in SGA only (AUC 0.612; p = 0.025). A low CPR was associated with composite APO in SGA fetuses. VSGA fetuses were more frequently affected by composite APO regardless of Doppler values. The predictive performance of CPR and uterine artery Doppler was poor.

Perceptions of Ectogenesis among Prominent African and Western Feminists

Medical and technological breakthroughs opened the way for ectogenesis as a way of carrying to full term foetuses that would otherwise have been lost to death. Subsequently, most Western feminists have found in ectogenesis a plausible tool for combating patriarchy. Hence, some Western feminist scholars have recently started questioning the essence of natural birth and whether it is even necessary at all, considering the bodily and psychological discomforts it entails for women. Using comparative analysis, this article engages prominent Western feminists’ arguments on ectogenesis in the light of what some African feminists maintain. This article concludes that the position of most Western feminists—that ectogenesis is potentially a tool for liberation from patriarchy— is not a position held among African feminists. This article explores the positions of some prominent African feminists on ectogenesis and its implications for motherhood. The article concludes that the scholars in these two orientations have divergent views on ectogenesis because of the ideologies underlying their strands of feminism.

Gestational exposure to bisphenol A induces region-specific changes in brain metabolomic fingerprints in sheep.

Fetal brain development depends on maternofetal thyroid function. In rodents and sheep, perinatal BPA exposure is associated with maternal and/or fetal thyroid disruption and alterations in central nervous system development as demonstrated by metabolic modulations in the encephala of mice. We hypothesized that a gestational exposure to a low dose of BPA affects maternofetal thyroid function and fetal brain development in a region-specific manner. Pregnant ewes, a relevant model for human thyroid and brain development, were exposed to BPA (5µg/kg bw/d, sc). The thyroid status of ewes during gestation and term fetuses at delivery was monitored. Fetal brain development was assessed by metabolic fingerprints at birth in 10 areas followed by metabolic network-based analysis. BPA treatment was associated with a significant time-dependent decrease in maternal TT4 serum concentrations. For 8 fetal brain regions, statistical models allowed discriminating BPA-treated from control lambs. Metabolic network computational analysis revealed that prenatal exposure to BPA modulated several metabolic pathways, in particular excitatory and inhibitory amino-acid, cholinergic, energy and lipid homeostasis pathways. These pathways might contribute to BPA-related neurobehavioral and cognitive disorders. Discrimination was particularly clear for the dorsal hippocampus, the cerebellar vermis, the dorsal hypothalamus, the caudate nucleus and the lateral part of the frontal cortex. Compared with previous results in rodents, the use of a larger animal model allowed to examine specific brain areas, and generate evidence of the distinct region-specific effects of fetal BPA exposure on the brain metabolome. These modifications occur concomitantly to subtle maternal thyroid function alteration. The functional link between such moderate thyroid changes and fetal brain metabolomic fingerprints remains to be determined as well as the potential implication of other modes of action triggered by BPA such as estrogenic ones. Our results pave the ways for new scientific strategies aiming at linking environmental endocrine disruption and altered neurodevelopment.

Cardiotocography combined with ST analysis versus cardiotocography combined with fetal blood sampling in deliveries with abnormal CTG: a randomized trial.

The aim was to investigate if intrapartum monitoring with cardiotocography (CTG) in combination with ST analysis (STAN) results in an improved perinatal outcome. We performed a two-center randomized trial. 1013 women with term fetuses in cephalic presentation entered the trial. If a CTG showed intermediate or pathological abnormalities, they were offered fetal blood sampling (FBS) and inclusion if the pH value was above 7.25. They were randomized to either CTG + FBS or CTG + STAN. The primary outcome was neonatal metabolic acidosis, defined as umbilical cord arterial blood pH below 7.05, and base excess equal to or below -10. The secondary outcomes included operative vaginal delivery for fetal distress. The rate of metabolic acidosis was 0.8% in the CTG + FBS group and 1.5% in women in the CTG + STAN (P = 0.338). More women in the CTG + STAN group delivered by operative vaginal delivery (25.6% vs 33.5%, P = 0.006). Significantly fewer women in the CTG + STAN group had three to five (28.8% vs 11.0%, P = < 0.001) and six to ten fetal blood samples taken (3.4% vs 0.4%, P = < 0.001). CTG + STAN did not reduce the incidence of neonatal metabolic acidosis compared to CTG + FBS. CTG + STAN was, however, associated with an increased risk of operative vaginal delivery and a reduced use of FBS. If STAN is used for fetal surveillance, we recommend that it is combined with other methods, such as FBS, for confirmation of the need for operative delivery. gov ID: NCT01699646. Date of registration: October 4, 2012 (retrospectively registered). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01699646?id=NCT01699646&draw=2&rank=1.

Internal podalic version of second twin: Improving feet identification using a simulation model

BackgroundPodalic version and breech extraction require high obstetrical expertise. Identifying fetal extremities is the first crucial step for trainees. When this skill is not polished enough, it increases the inter-twin delivery interval and can even jeopardize the whole manoeuver. Material and methodsWe present a model for simulating and training this specific skill, with obstetrical mannequin, and 3D printed hands and feet. Five feet and five hands (five rights and five lefts of each one) were printed in 3D after initial ultrasound acquisition of a near term fetus. Each foot and hand, was individually set in a condom filled with 100 cc of water and closed with a knot. A Sophie’s Mum Birth Simulator Version 4.0 de MODEL-med was placed on the edge of the table. Each hand and foot was inserted into the pelvic mannequin.An evaluation of the students’ skills using this model was performed. A significant reduction of the global mean to extract the first foot and all the feet was noticed at three month of interval. ConclusionThis model is an option to train and assess a crucial skill for version and breech extraction.

The cumulative incidence of neonatal metabolic acidemia after terminal bradycardia in the 2nd stage of labor: a survival-based model.

The aim of the study was to estimate by a survival analysis model the hazard function (HF) for neonatal metabolic acidemia (MA) throughout the 2nd stage of labor (2STG) at the time of occurrence of a terminal bradycardia ≥ 10min requiring expedited delivery, and the cumulative incidence function (CIF) for MA according with the duration of bradycardia stratified in 10-12min and > 12min. Singleton pregnancies experiencing terminal fetal bradycardia requiring expedited delivery in the 2STG at 38 + 0-41 + 3weeks and delivering in the year 2019, were identified. The presence of MA (pH < 7 and/or BE ≤ -12mmol/L) was determined based on the acid-base status in the umbilical artery cord blood. Survival analysis was used to assess the hazard function (HF) and the cumulative incidence function (CIF) for MA occurring after terminal fetal bradycardia, at the 2STG. Out of a non-consecutive population of 12,331 pregnancies, there were 52 cases that fit the inclusion criteria. Twenty-four (46.2%) of those develop MA. Abnormal quantitative pH values and the HF for MA correlated with the duration of 2STG at the time of bradycardia onset, but not with bradycardia duration. After 60min of duration of 2STG, the HF (or instantaneous rate of failure) increased dramatically (from 1.2 to 20 about at 120min). At paired duration of 2STG, a higher CIF was observed for the terminal bradycardia > 12min. Forty-six percent of term fetuses with terminal bradycardia had MA at birth. Despite the low sensitivity and a non-significant association with quantitative pH values, the duration of terminal bradycardia in the 2STG is associated with a higher CIF for MA.

No evidence of fetal defects or anti-syncytin-1 antibody induction following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

The impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccination on pregnancy and fertility has become a major topic of public interest. We investigated 2 of the most widely propagated claims to determine (1) whether COVID-19 mRNA vaccination of mice during early pregnancy is associated with an increased incidence of birth defects or growth abnormalities; and (2) whether COVID-19 mRNA-vaccinated human volunteers exhibit elevated levels of antibodies to the human placental protein syncytin-1. Using a mouse model, we found that intramuscular COVID-19 mRNA vaccination during early pregnancy at gestational age E7.5 did not lead to differences in fetal size by crown-rump length or weight at term, nor did we observe any gross birth defects. In contrast, injection of the TLR3 agonist and double-stranded RNA mimic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, or poly(I:C), impacted growth in utero leading to reduced fetal size. No overt maternal illness following either vaccination or poly(I:C) exposure was observed. We also found that term fetuses from these murine pregnancies vaccinated prior to the formation of the definitive placenta exhibit high circulating levels of anti-spike and anti-receptor-binding domain (anti-RBD) antibodies to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) consistent with maternal antibody status, indicating transplacental transfer in the later stages of pregnancy after early immunization. Finally, we did not detect increased levels of circulating anti-syncytin-1 antibodies in a cohort of COVID-19 vaccinated adults compared to unvaccinated adults by ELISA. Our findings contradict popular claims associating COVID-19 mRNA vaccination with infertility and adverse neonatal outcomes.

Multiple Skeletal Anomalies of Sprague Dawley Rats following Prenatal Exposure to Anastatica hierochuntica, as Delineated by a Modified Double-Staining Method.

Anastatica hierochuntica (A. hierochuntica) is a plant that originates from Middle Eastern countries. This herb is commonly consumed by pregnant women to ease the process of childbirth. However, consumption of A. hierochuntica during the prenatal period may disrupt foetal development. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential effects of four different doses (0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) of A. hierochuntica aqueous extract (AHAE) on the skeletal development of Sprague Dawley rat foetuses. The AHAE was administered from gestational day (GD) 6 till GD20. We also aimed to produce a simplified and reproducible skeletal staining procedure for proper skeletal assessment of full-term Sprague Dawley rat foetuses. Skeletal structures were stained using a modified method that utilised Alcian Blue 8GX and Alizarin Red S dyes. The staining procedure involved fixation, skinning, evisceration, cartilage staining, bone staining and clearing. Our modified staining technique has successfully showed a clear demarcation between the bone and cartilage components, which enabled objective assessment of the skeletal ossification following administration of AHAE. Some skeletal anomalies such as sacrocaudal agenesis and maxillary defect (cleft lip) were observed in 250 and 1000 mg/kg groups, respectively. These findings indicate potential toxicity effects of AHAE on the developing foetuses.

The importance of the cerebroplacental ratio for the prognosis of neonatal outcome in AGA fetuses

PurposeAs a Doppler sonographic parameter, the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) provides information about fetal hemodynamics and the redistribution of fetal blood volume in response to a metabolic change. The present study was undertaken to determine the extent to which CPR can be used as a valid parameter in routine obstetric assessment. We investigated whether CPR can be used to assess the neonatal outcome in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses and its association with secondary cesarean section due to fetal distress.MethodsIn this retrospective analysis 1739 pregnant women were admitted to the University Women‘s Clinic Magdeburg, Germany, between January 2016 and December 2017. Of them, 710 AGA fetuses were eligible for analysis. SGA fetuses with an estimated fetal weight < 10th percentile were excluded from the study. The AGA fetuses were divided in two groups based on the CPR: 669 fetuses showed a normal CPR ≥ 1.08; 41 fetuses showed a decreased CPR < 1.08.ResultsIn our study cohort decreased CPR in AGA fetuses was associated with threefold increased rate of cesarean sections due to fetal distress (p < 0.001). Our data suggested that low CPR is a reliable predictor of an impaired neonatal outcome in AGA fetuses in terms of a lower birth weight, transfer to neonatology, longer length of hospitalization, and the presence of severe morbidity.ConclusionDecreased CPR in AGA fetuses correlated with impaired neonatal outcome and secondary cesarean section due to fetal distress. The potential role of CPR for obstetric screening should be investigated in further studies.

Impact of Planned Delivery on the Perinatal Outcome of Term Fetuses with Isolated Heart Defects

ObjectivePregnancies complicated by fetal heart defects often undergo a planned delivery prior to term by either induction of labour or cesarean delivery to ensure optimal availability of neonatal care. We aimed to assess whether such planned deliveries achieve their goal of better perinatal care. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective case-control study of pregnancies complicated by isolated fetal cardiac defects, without other fetal comorbidities, managed at a single fetal medicine unit over a 10-year period. Only pregnancies delivered past 37 weeks gestation were included. Patients undergoing elective delivery for care planning reasons only were compared with patients in whom planned delivery was clinically indicated and patients who laboured spontaneously. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes were recorded. ResultsOf the 180 pregnancies included in the study, 59 (32.8%) were in the elective group, 49 (27.2%), in the indicated group, and 72 (40%), in the spontaneous group. Mean gestational age at delivery was 39.0 ± 1.1 weeks overall and did not differ between the groups. For the elective group, only 35.6% of deliveries occurred during office hours, which was similar to the 2 other groups. The rate of adverse obstetric or postnatal outcomes was not statistically significantly different between groups. ConclusionTimed delivery at term does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of poor perinatal outcomes. It may improve perinatal care by providing proximity to a neonatal intensive care unit and convenience for patients and providers.

Association between one-to-one midwifery care in the active phase of labour and use of pain relief and birth outcomes: A cohort of nulliparous women

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between one-to-one midwifery care and birth outcomes with pain relief as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include obstetric and neonatal outcomes, such as mode of birth and Apgar score. DesignA cohort study of women originally included in a cluster randomised trial. Setting and participantsThe analysis is based on data from The Labour Progression Study (LaPS), a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) including 7,277 women, conducted in fourteen obstetric units in Norway, between 2014 and 2017. The participants were nulliparous with a singleton full-term foetus in a cephalic presentation and spontaneous onset of labour. In this cohort, 7,103 women with information about on one-to-one midwifery care were included. Measurements and findingsLogistic regression analysis show that nulliparous women receiving one-to-one midwifery care in the active phase of labour are less likely to have an epidural analgesia, adjusted OR of 0.81 (95% CI 0.72,0.91), less likely to be given nitrous oxide, adjusted OR of 0.77 (95% CI 0.69,0.85), and they more often received massages, adjusted OR of 1.76 (95% CI 1.47,2.11), compared with women not receiving one-to-one midwifery care. Descriptive analyses show that women receiving one-to-one midwifery care in the active phase of labour are less likely to have a caesarean section (5.8% vs. 7.2%) and they are less likely to have an operative vaginal birth (16.5% vs. 23.7%). No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of low Apgar scores at five minutes. Key conclusionsWe found that one-to-one midwifery care in the active phase of labour may be associated with birth outcomes, including decreased use of epidural analgesia and a decreased rate of caesarean sections and operative vaginal birth. Implications for practiceThe results of this study could encourage midwives to be present during the active phase of labour to promote physiological birth.

Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity After Attempted Operative Vaginal Delivery.

To assess severe short-term maternal and neonatal morbidity and pelvic floor disorders at 6 months postpartum after attempted operative vaginal delivery according to the instrument used. We conducted a prospective study of women with live, singleton, term fetuses in vertex presentation. Patients attempted operative vaginal delivery in a French tertiary care university hospital from December 2008 through October 2013. We used multivariable logistic regression and propensity score methods to control for indication bias and compare outcomes associated with vacuum-assisted or forceps- or spatula-assisted delivery. Severe maternal and neonatal morbidity were composite primary endpoints. Symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI) and anal incontinence (AI) were assessed 6 months after delivery by validated self-administered questionnaires. Among 2,128 attempted operative vaginal deliveries, 30.7% (n=654) used vacuum and 69.3% (n=1,474) used forceps or spatulas. Severe maternal morbidity occurred in 5.4% (n=35; 95% CI 3.8-7.4) of vacuum attempts and 10.5% (n=154; 95% CI 8.3-12.1) of forceps or spatula attempts (P<.001); severe neonatal morbidity occurred in 8.4% (n=55; 95% CI 6.4-10.8) and 10.2% (n=155; 95% CI 8.7-11.8), respectively (P=.2). Although attempted operative vaginal deliveries with forceps or spatula were significantly associated with more frequent severe maternal morbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.99 95% CI 1.27-3.10) in the multivariable logistic regression analysis, this association was no longer significant after propensity score matching (aOR 1.46 95% CI 0.72-2.95). Attempted operative vaginal deliveries with forceps or spatula were not significantly associated with more frequent severe neonatal morbidity after multivariable logistic regression or propensity score matching. Among the 934 women (43.9%) who responded to questionnaires at 6 months, the prevalence of symptoms of UI and AI were 22.7% and 22.0%, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups. In singleton term pregnancies, neither severe short-term maternal or neonatal morbidity nor UI or AI were more frequent after attempted operative vaginal delivery by forceps or spatulas than by vacuum after controlling for indication bias with a propensity score analysis.

Analysis of spontaneous labor progression of breech presentation at term.

Cervical dilatation curves are widely used to describe normal and abnormal labor progression for cephalic presentation. Labor curves for breech presentations have never been described. The aims of this study were to examine the pattern of labor progression in women with a breech presentation and to determine whether the type of breech or parity can influence the speed of cervical dilatation. We analyzed the labor data from 349 women with a term, singleton, and breech fetus after spontaneous onset of labor in 2010-2018. Cesarean deliveries were excluded. The patterns of labor progression were described by examining the relationship between the elapsed times from the full dilatation and cervical dilatation stages. Average labor curves were developed using repeated-measures analysis with 3rd degree polynomial modeling. The results were interpreted according to parity and the type of breech. The first stage of labor progression was divided into a latency phase from 0 to 5 cm of dilatation and an active phase from 5 to 10 cm. In the active phase, the median speed of cervical dilatation was 1.67 cm/h [1.25, 2.61] (2 cm/h for multipara and 1.54 cm/h for nullipara). The difference by parity was significant in the active phase (p< 0.05). The cervical dilatation rate from 3 cm to 10 cm did not significantly differ between the complete and frank breeches (1.56 cm/h vs 1.75 cm/h, p = 0.48). However, the median cervical dilatation rate from 8 cm to complete dilatation was faster for complete breeches (1.92 cm/h versus 1.33 cm/h, p = 0.045). As with cephalic presentation, the first stage of labor progression for breech presentation can be divided into a latent and active phase. Labor progression should be interpreted with respect to parity, and women should be informed that the type of breech does not seem to influence the cervical dilatation rate when there is adequate management.

391. Analysis of spontaneous labor progression of breech presentation at term

Introduction: Cervical dilatation curves are widely used to describe normal and abnormal labor progression for cephalic presentation. Labor curves for breech presentations have never been described. The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of labor progression in parturient with a breech presentation and to determine if the type of breech or parity could influence the speed of cervical dilatation. Study design: We analyzed labor data from 349 women with a term, singleton, and breech fetus after spontaneous onset of labor in 2010 – 2018.

Abstract P4-04-14: Immunological markers in patients with breast cancer occurring during pregnancy - Results from GBG BCP study

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies during pregnancy. Although breast cancer in pregnancy (BCP) is still a rare event (1 in 3000 to 10000 pregnancies), the incidence is likely to increase as more women tend to delay childbearing into later life and the overall lifetime cancer risk increases with age. Pregnancy presents a complex and unique immunological condition. Pregnant women are widely considered to be in an immunosuppressed state, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases. Recent studies have shown similarities between malignancies and the semi-allogenic fetus in terms of immune evasion strategies, for example upregulation of non-classical human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G). The loss or downregulation of HLA class I is also a way to escape anti-tumor immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the tumor biology and immunology of pregnant breast cancer patients and the impact of pregnancy on the immunological characteristics of the breast cancer. Methods: 196 of 2831 patient enrolled in the BCP registry (GBG 29) had available tumor material. After identifying representative tumor regions, tissue microarrays (TMAs) of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded core biopsies or surgical specimens from 126 pregnant breast cancer patients treated with neo-(adjuvant) chemotherapy were constructed. TMAs were stained via immunohistochemistry to assess estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), Ki-67 (&amp;lt;20% vs ≥20%), and immune markers HLA class I (≤5% vs &amp;gt;5%), HLA-G (≤5% vs &amp;gt;5%), TIGIT and Nectin4 as well as hematoxylin-eosin for the prevalence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs, ≤30% vs 31-60% vs &amp;gt;60%). Results: Median age of the patients was 34 (range 26 - 47) years. At the time of diagnosis 50.8% of patients had cT2 tumor and 36.8% nodal involvement. The pre-dominant histological tumor type was ductal or ductal-lobular-invasive carcinoma (89.5%) with poor differentiation (G3: 68.3%). 78.5% of patients were centrally HER2 negative, 42.1% ER-positive and 53.2% PgR-positive; 53.3% had a high expression of Ki-67 (≥20%). With regards to breast cancer subtypes, most patients had either TNBC (34.7%) or HER2-/HR+ breast cancer (43.8%). HLA class I expression (≤5%) was downregulated in 21.3% of patients while 46.3% showed upregulation of HLA-G expression (&amp;gt;5%). Analyzing HLA-G as continuous variable demonstrated an increased but not significant median expression of HLA-G in T3-4 (N=27) compared to T1-2 (N=99) tumor stage (12.4% vs 3.4%, p=0.226). TILs were detected in 62 out of 126 analyzed patients, of whom 93.5% (N=58) had a low expression of TILs (≤30%). Analysis of TIGIT and Nectin4 is ongoing. Conclusions: The high prevalence of low TILs expression in breast cancer during pregnancy might be a sign of reduced maternal immunity associated with pregnancy. HLA class I downregulation detected in our cohort suggests that it is an independent factor of anti-tumor immunity. Additional immune markers and data from a non-pregnant cohort are currently evaluated to make valid conclusions regarding gestational effects on classical and immunological tumor features. Those data will be presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Kristin Galas, Moritz Gleitsmann, Julia Rey, Christine Solbach, Isabell Witzel, Thomas Karn, Andreas Schneeweiss, Bruno Sinn, Tanja Fehm, Carsten Denkert, Volkmar Müller, Anne-Sophie Litmeyer, Christian Schem, Paul Jank, Frederik Marmé, Jenny Furlanetto, Peter A. Fasching, Elmar Stickeler, Olaf Ortmann, Marion van Mackelenbergh, Valentina Nekljudova, Sibylle Loibl. Immunological markers in patients with breast cancer occurring during pregnancy - Results from GBG BCP study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-04-14.

Ischemia modified albumin levels in intrauterine growth restriction: levels are increased in fetal cord blood but not in maternal blood.

In this study, our aim was to determine the differences between intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and normal birth weight fetuses in terms of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels. For this purpose, we measured ischemia modified albumin levels in the cord blood of fetuses and venous blood of mothers. This study is a prospective study conducted at University of Health Sciences Tepecik Training and Research Hospital between January 2018 and December 2019. According to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 227 patients were included in the study. Participants were divided into two groups according to the presence (patient group) or absence (control group) of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In addition to routine parameters recorded during pregnancy, the IMA levels and Doppler USG findings of all participants were recorded. The mean cord blood serum IMA levels of the patient group were significantly elevated compared to controls (p = 0.038). Whereas mean maternal blood serum IMA levels were similar among groups (p = 0.453). The cord blood and mother blood serum IMA levels were not significantly different with regard to the presence or absence of perinatal asphyxia. In the literature, studies evaluating IMA levels in the cord and maternal blood of IUGR fetuses are limited. In IUGR patients, IMA level is expected to increase and in our study, IMA levels were significantly increased but the presence of oxidative stress has not been found to affect IMA levels.