Indication For Preterm Delivery Research Articles

Perinatal Management of Pregnancies with Fetal Congenital Anomalies: A Guide to Obstetricians and Pediatricians.

Congenital anomalies are responsible for approximately 20% of all neonatal deaths worldwide. Improvements in antenatal screening and diagnosis have significantly improved the prenatal detection of birth defects; however, these improvements have not translated into the improved neonatal prognosis of babies born with congenital anomalies. An attempt has been made to summarise the prenatal interventions, if available, the optimal route, mode and time of delivery and discuss the minimum delivery room preparations that should be made if expecting to deliver a fetus with a congenital anomaly. The recent literature related to the perinatal management of the fetus with prenatally detected common congenital anomalies was searched in English peer-reviewed journals from the PubMed database to work out an evidence-based approach for their management. Fetuses with prenatally detected congenital anomalies should be delivered at a tertiary care centre with facilities for neonatal surgery and paediatric intensive care if needed. There is no indication for preterm delivery in the majority of cases. Only a few congenital malformations, like highrisk sacrococcygeal teratoma, congenital lung masses with significant fetal compromise, fetal cerebral lesions or neural tube defects with Head circumference >40 cm or the biparietal diameter is ≥12 cm, gastroschisis with extracorporeal liver, or giant omphaloceles in the fetus warrant caesarean section as the primary mode of delivery. The prognosis of a fetus with congenital anomalies can be significantly improved if planning for delivery, including the place and time of delivery, is done optimally. A multidisciplinary team should be available for the fetus to optimize conditions right from when it is born.

Mode of delivery and neonatal outcomes with early preterm severe preeclampsia: does fetal growth restriction matter?

Objective Severe preeclampsia diagnosed at or prior to 34 weeks is an indication for preterm delivery. Many patients with severe preeclampsia develop fetal growth restriction as a result of the placental dysfunction associated with both conditions. The ideal mode of delivery in cases of preterm severe preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction remains controversial, with providers often proceeding directly to cesarean delivery rather than attempting a trial of labor due to theoretic concerns about the harms of labor in the face of placental dysfunction. There are limited data supporting this approach. This study evaluates whether the presence of fetal growth restriction affects the ultimate mode of delivery or neonatal outcomes among pregnancies with severe preeclampsia undergoing induction of labor at or before 34 weeks. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of singletons with severe preeclampsia undergoing induction of labor ≤ 34 weeks at a single center between January 2015 and April 2022. The primary predictor was fetal growth restriction, defined as estimated fetal weight < 10th percentile for gestational age on ultrasound. Mode of delivery and neonatal outcomes were compared between those with and without fetal growth restriction using Fisher’s exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios. Results 159 patients were included (N = 117 without fetal growth restriction, N = 42 with fetal growth restriction). There was no difference in vaginal delivery between the groups (70% vs 67%, p = .70). While those with fetal growth restriction had a higher incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and longer neonatal hospital stay, these differences were not statistically significant after adjusting for gestational age at delivery. There were no significant differences in other neonatal outcomes, including Apgar score, cord blood gases, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, neonatal sepsis, and neonatal demise. Conclusion For pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia that require delivery ≤ 34 weeks, the likelihood of successful vaginal delivery following induction of labor does not differ based on presence of fetal growth restriction. Furthermore, fetal growth restriction is not an independent risk factor for adverse neonatal outcomes in this population. Induction of labor should be considered a reasonable approach and should be routinely offered to patients with concurrent preterm severe preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction.

Adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies affected by severe COVID-19 infection

BackgroundSevere COVID-19 infection in pregnancy has been associated with an increase in adverse perinatal outcomes, though studies differ regarding which outcomes are affected. Increased characterization of obstetric and neonatal outcomes are needed including details on indications for preterm delivery and additional neonatal adverse outcomes.ObjectiveTo determine whether there is a higher rate of adverse perinatal outcomes amongst severe-critical COVID-19 infection compared to non-severe COVID-19 infection diagnosed during pregnancy.Study DesignThis was a retrospective observational cohort study that compared rates of adverse perinatal outcomes amongst singleton pregnancies identified as having a positive laboratory PCR diagnosis of COVID-19 infection with severe-critical COVID-19 infection versus non-severe (asymptomatic, mild or moderate). Primary outcomes included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, cesarean delivery, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Additional neonatal outcomes analyzed include need for CPR, low birthweight (<2500g), 1 or 5 min Apgar <7, need for supplemental oxygen, need for intubation, interventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, blood transfusion, necrotizing enterocolitis, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, birth trauma or neonatal death. Appropriate bivariate analyses were used to compare groups. Logistic regression was used to examine primary outcomes adjusting for confounders.ResultsA total of 441 participants were identified and confirmed via detailed chart review to be pregnant with a singleton pregnancy while diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 44 (10%) met NIH criteria for severe-critical COVID-19 infection. The median gestational age at the time of maternal COVID-19 diagnosis was 36.4 weeks (IQR 29.6 – 38.6). Severe-critical COVID-19 infection had a higher risk of a composite adverse neonatal outcome (36.4% vs 21.4%, p=0.03). There was a high incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy overall (20.6%) but this outcome was not higher in the severe-critical vs non-severe group. There were no maternal deaths. There was a low incidence of neonatal COVID-19 test positivity amongst those tested (1.8%). When adjusting for presence of heart disease and gestational age at COVID-19 diagnosis, severe-critical COVID-19 was strongly associated with fetal growth restriction (aOR 2.73, 1.03 – 7.25) and NICU admission (aOR 3.50, CI 1.56 – 7.87). Preterm delivery was more common but was no longer significant after adjustment (aOR 2.23, CI 0.99 – 5.05).ConclusionSevere-critical COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is associated with higher rates of adverse neonatal outcomes and strongly associated with NICU admission and fetal growth restriction compared to non-severe disease. There is a high rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy overall in all those affected by COVID-19, regardless of severity. Pregnant persons should be counseled on these risks to encourage vaccination, and those with infection during pregnancy should be monitored for fetal growth disorders.

Extragenital diseases in patients with preterm delivery caused by preeclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction

Aim. To determine the influence of extragenital diseases and their combinations on the development of placental insufficiency manifesting as heavy preeclampsia and/or antenatal distress of fetus as indications for preterm delivery. Methods. The retrospective study based on medical charts of patients with delivery term of 28 to 36 weeks of gestation caused by heavy preeclampsia and/or antenatal distress of fetus was performed. Results. In case of the deliveries at 28-33 weeks of gestation caused by preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, arterial hypertension was present in 42.8% of cases, combination of arterial hypertension and obesity - in 33.3%; at 34-36 weeks of gestation hypertension was revealed in 40%, obesity - in 22.5% of cases. In case of the deliveries at 28-33 weeks of gestation caused by preeclampsia, diabetes was present in 42.6% of cases, the combination of arterial hypertension and obesity - in 17.6%; at 34-36 weeks of gestation obesity was registered in 34.1% of cases. In patients with fetal growth restriction who delivered off at 28-33 weeks of gestation, arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 20.2% of cases; in patients who delivered off at 34-36 weeks of gestation, chronic diseases of upper respiratory tract were revealed in 21.4% of cases. Conclusion. The risk factors of pregnancy complicated by heavy preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction are arterial hypertension and obesity, whereas the combination of these factors increases the risk for pre-term delivery before 33 weeks of gestation eight-fold. The risk factors of pregnancy complicated by heavy preeclampsia without fetal growth restriction are diabetes mellitus type I and obesity (it increases the risk for pre-term delivery before 33 weeks of gestation four-fold if associated with arterial hypertension). The risk factors of pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction and antenatal distress of fetus are chronic diseases of upper respiratory tract, whereas arterial hypertension increases the risk of pre-term delivery before 33 weeks of gestation three-fold.

Clinical Significance of Proteinuria in Pregnancy

Urinary protein excretion is considered abnormal in pregnant women when it exceeds 300 mg/24 hours at anytime during gestation, a level that usually correlates with 1+ on urine dipstick. Proteinuria documented before pregnancy or before 20 weeks' gestation suggests preexisting renal disease. The National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group recommended that that the diagnosis of proteinuria be based on the 24-hour urine collection. Preeclampsia is the leading diagnosis that must be excluded in all women with proteinuria first identified after 20 weeks of gestation. Given the vasospastic nature of this condition, when it is present, the degree of proteinuria may fluctuate widely from hour-to-hour. Hypertension or proteinuria may be absent in 10-15% of patients with HELLP syndrome and in 38% of patients with eclampsia. The acute onset of proteinuria and worsening hypertension in women with chronic hypertension is suggestive of superimposed preeclampsia, which increases adverse outcomes. However, because proteinuria is not independently predictive of adverse outcome, an exclusive proteinuric criterion as an indication for preterm delivery in preeclampsia should be discouraged. Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians. After completion of this article, the reader should be able to state that measurement of urinary protein levels by simple techniques are not sensitive or specific, recall that both hypertension and proteinuria may be absent in patients with preeclampsia, and explain that proteinuria is not predictive of adverse outcomes and that delivery should not be based on protein excretion alone.

The outcome of twin pregnancies complicated by single fetal death after 20 weeks of gestation.

A retrospective study involving 972 twin births was conducted to evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes of twin pregnancies complicated by single fetal death. The incidence of single fetal death in twin pregnancies after 20 weeks was 3.3%. Preterm birth rates for 37 and 32 gestational weeks were 81.3% and 41.6% respectively. The median interval between the diagnosis of fetal death and the delivery was 11 days (range 1-27 days). Eighteen (56%) infants were delivered by cesarean and 14 (43%) vaginally. Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) was the cause of single fetal death in 8 of 32 twin pregnancies (25%). Ten of the surviving co-twins were lost in the neonatal period (31.3%) and half of those neonatal deaths were due to TTTS. TTTS is the major contributor for perinatal mortality in same-sex twins complicated by single fetal death. The death of one twin in utero should not be the only indication for preterm delivery, and in case of severe prematurity with a stable intrauterine environment; expectant management may be advisable until fetal lung maturation ensues.

Clinical significance of prenatal ultrasonographic intestinal dilatation in fetuses with gastroschisis

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical significance of intestinal dilatation detected by prenatal ultrasonographic examination in fetuses with gastroschisis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients cared for at Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Women's and Children's Hospital with the prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis over a 7-year period (1988 through 1995). Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of ultrasonographically measured fetal bowel diameter of ≥17 mm. Neonatal outcomes of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients met the entry criteria during the study period. Fetuses with maximal bowel diameter of ≥17 mm did not have a longer time to full oral feeding, a longer initial hospital stay, or a greater need for bowel resection when compared with fetuses with a bowel diameter <17 mm. Two newborns underwent bowel resection because of intestinal atresia. Prenatal ultrasonographic examination failed to show significant bowel dilatation in either infant. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that prenatal evidence of intestinal dilatation in fetuses with gastroschisis does not predict immediate neonatal outcome. Thus this finding is not an appropriate indication for preterm delivery in the absence of other evidence of fetal compromise. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:982-4.)