Need For Neonatal Resuscitation Research Articles

Perinatal Outcomes and the Role of Obstetric Anesthesia Interventions

(Lancet 2023;401:2038–2039) This editorial discusses multiple recent studies that investigated perinatal outcomes and the impact of anesthetic interventions. A prior study published in the Lancet in 2022 reported poorer perinatal outcomes for neonates born to Black women compared to those born to White women. Another study examined nearly 450,000 deliveries and found an association between neonatal outcomes (Apgar <7 at 5 min, need for neonatal resuscitation, and neonatal admission to the intensive care unit) and maternal use of epidural analgesia. The authors of this editorial examined their own data regarding the incidence of obstetric anesthetic procedures among different ethnic groups and found that compared to White British women who had vaginal birth, incidence of epidural analgesia among Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Black African, and Black Caribbean women was much lower. They noted that similar disparities can be found in the United States and reiterated the socioeconomic and systemic disparities as one likely cause for poor neonatal outcomes, suggesting that offering equal access to neuraxial analgesia across all populations could lead to improved neonatal outcomes for Black women.

Neonatal Outcomes Are Similar between Patients with Resolved and Those with Persistent Oligohydramnios.

Oligohydramnios (defined as amniotic fluid volume < 5 cm or deepest vertical pocket < 2 cm) is regarded as an ominous finding on prenatal ultrasound. Amniotic fluid, however, is not static, and to date, there have been no studies comparing perinatal outcomes in patients who are diagnosed with oligohydramnios that resolves and those who have persistent oligohydramnios. This is a secondary analysis of a National Institutes of Health-funded retrospective cohort study of singleton gestations delivered at a tertiary care hospital between 2002 and 2013 with mild hypertensive disorders and/or fetal growth restriction (FGR). Maternal characteristics, delivery, and neonatal information were abstracted by trained research nurses. Patients with a diagnosis of oligohydramnios were identified, and those with resolved versus persistent oligohydramnios at the time of delivery were compared. The primary outcome was a composite of neonatal resuscitation at delivery: administration of oxygen, bag-mask ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure, intubation, chest compression, or cardiac medication administration. Secondary outcomes included FGR, timing, and mode of delivery. Of 527 women meeting study criteria, 42 had oligohydramnios that resolved prior to delivery, whereas 485 had persistent oligohydramnios. There were no significant differences in patient demographics between groups. The gestational age at diagnosis was significantly lower for patients with resolved versus persistent oligohydramnios (median: 33.0 [interquartile range, IQR: 29.1-35.9] vs. 38.0 [IQR: 36.4-39.3], p < 0.001). There was not a substantial difference in rate of neonatal resuscitation (41 vs. 32%, p = 0.31). Patients with resolved oligohydramnios were more likely to have developed FGR than those with persistent oligohydramnios (55 vs. 36%, p < 0.02). There were no significant differences for gestational age at delivery, birth weight, or neonatal intensive care unit admission. Patients whose oligohydramnios resolved were diagnosed earlier yet had similar rates of neonatal resuscitation but higher rates of FGR than those who had persistent oligohydramnios. · When diagnosed earlier in pregnancy, oligohydramnios was more likely to resolve prenatally.. · Patients who were diagnosed with oligohydramnios earlier in pregnancy had higher rates of FGR.. · There were no differences in the rates of the composite outcome of need for neonatal resuscitation when comparing those with resolved versus those with persistent oligohydramnios. No differences in composite neonatal morbidity were noted between those with resolved versus persistent oligohydramnios..

Effect of Meconium Stained Liquor on Mode of Delivery and Fetomaternal Outcome in a Tertiary Level Hospital

Background: The appearance of meconium-stained liquor during labour is generally considered to be a sign of hypoxia and a predictor of poor fetal outcome.It is one of the clinical events where normal pregnancy can turn into a high risk one for the mother as well as for the foetus.&#x0D; Objective: To evaluate the obstetric outcome in meconium stained liquor during labour.&#x0D; Study design: Prospective comparative study.&#x0D; Study setting and period: Gynaecology and Obstetrics department of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital (SSMC and MH), Dhaka, between January 2019 to June 2019.&#x0D; Study population: The study patients in labour with meconium stained amniotic fluid and women in labour but having clear amniotic fluid who admitted for delivery during study period.&#x0D; Result: A total 75 cases were enrolled in the study as case and 75 cases were enrolled as control. The mean age was found 29.14±5.59 years in case group and 28.9±6.2 years in control group. Patients received irregular ANC was 20(26.7%) and 25(33.3%) in case and control group respectively. Patients who did not receive ANC was 24(32.0%) in case group and 12(16.0%) in control group. Mean gestational age at delivery was found 38.87±1.4 weeks in case group and 38.75±1.6 weeks in control group. Primigravida was predominant in both groups. Caesarean deliveries were high (80.0%) in cases and it was much higher with thick meconium (74.7%) as compared to thin meconium (25.3%). APGAR scores in first minute and fifth minute were also low in cases. Birth asphyxia was found 20.0% in case group and 6.3% in control group. Meconium aspiration syndrome 25.0% and convulsion 3.8% developed only in cases. Neonatal ward admission was 22.0% in case group and 6.3% in control group. Neonatal mortality was higher (3.8%) in cases than control 1.3%. Majority (6.65%) patients had post partum hemorrhage in case group and 3(4.0%) in control group.&#x0D; Conclusion: Meconium stained amniotic fluid were associated with higher rate of caesarian delivery, increased need for neonatal resuscitation, increased rate of birth asphyxia with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, meconium aspiration syndrome, hospital admission, and mortality. Electronic foetal monitoring, timely obstetrical intervention and neonatal care can reduce associated complications and improve foetal outcome.&#x0D; J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2022; 14(1): 43-49

A comparative study of CTG monitoring one hour before labor in infants born with and without asphyxia

Background and AimAsphyxia is a condition arising when the infant is deprived of oxygen, causing Fetal brain damage or death, which is associated with hypoxia and hypercapnia. Although fetal Cardiotocography (CTG) can show the Fetal health status during labor, some studies have reported cases of fetal asphyxia despite reassuring CTGs. This study hence aimed to compare FHR Monitoring and uterine contractions in the last hour before delivered between two groups of infants born with and without asphyxia.MethodologyThe study was conducted on 70 pregnant women who delivered Taleghani and Al-Zahra academic teaching hospitals of Tabriz for labor in 2020–2021.ResultsThe study data showed no significant difference between mothers of infants with and without asphyxia in terms of demographics (p > 0.05). The prevalence of asphyxia was significantly higher only in mothers with the gravidity of 3 and 4 (p = 0.003). In terms of the methods for labor induction, the use of oxytocin was more common among mothers of infants with asphyxia (74.3%) than in those of infants without asphyxia (p = 0.015). The results also revealed a significant difference between infants with and without asphyxia in the Apgar score (first, fifth, and tenth minutes), need for neonatal resuscitation, umbilical cord artery Acidosis (pH, bicarbonate, and BE), and severity of HIE between two groups of infants with asphyxia and without asphyxia (p < 0.0001). The comparison of fetal CTG 0 to 20 min before the delivery indicated that normal variability was observed in 71.4% of infants born with asphyxia, whereas this figure for infants born without asphyxia was 91.4% (p = 0.031). However, the results showed no significant difference between the two groups of infants in any of the tstudied indicators at 20 and 40 min before the labor(p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between the two groups of infants in terms of deceleration at 40 and 60 min before the labor, as it was observed in 53.6% of infants born with asphyxia and only 11.1% of those born without asphyxia. The results also demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups in the type of deceleration (p = 0.025). Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients showed a significant and direct relationship between interpretation the CTG of the three Perinatologists(p < 0.0001, r > 0.8).ConclusionThe study results demonstrated a significant difference between infants born with asphyxia and those born without asphyxia in variability at 0 to 20 min before the labor and deceleration at 40 to 60 min before the labor.

Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes of Pregnant Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: Data from a University Hospital Setting in Tirana, Albania, May 2020 to November 2021.

Scientific evidence suggests an increased risk of maternal and obstetric complications in pregnant patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study is aimed at evaluating perinatal and maternal outcomes among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a university hospital setting. This was a prospective cohort study of 177 pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at a tertiary hospital between May 2020 and November 2021. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic women with a positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test result at any time during pregnancy were included in this study. For the purpose of this study, we classified COVID-19 cases into two groups: mild and severe cases. The two groups were then compared to predict how the clinical presentation of COVID-19 affected adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Gestational age ≥ 20 weeks at the time of infection was significantly associated with the occurrence of severe forms of the disease (relative risk (RR) 3.98, p = 0.01). Cesarean section was the preferred mode of delivery, with 95 women (62.1%) undergoing surgery. A total of 149 neonates were delivered to women who had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at any time during the course of pregnancy of which thirty-five (23.5%) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Severe forms of COVID-19 increased the risk of premature delivery (RR 6.69, p < 0.001), emergency cesarean delivery (RR 9.4, p < 0.001), intensive care hospitalization (RR 51, p < 0.001), and maternal death (RR 12.3, p = 0.02). However, severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are not directly responsible for low birth weight or the need for neonatal resuscitation. Our findings suggest that pregnant women presenting with severe COVID-19 disease are at an increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, such as premature delivery, cesarean section, admission to the ICU, and maternal death. Infection after the 20th week of gestation increases the risk of developing severe forms of the disease.

Is Faster Better? Relationships of Cesarean Acuity with Risk of Low Apgar Scores and Fetal Acidemia.

Timely response to obstetrical emergencies is highly desired. The recommendation for decision-to-incision (DTI) time in cesarean delivery (CD) of not more than 30 minutes was issued to prevent neonatal hypoxic-ischemic morbidities. We analyzed the efficiency with which an institutional-specific CD acuity classification system (emergent case: target DTI ≤ 15 minutes; urgent case: target DTI ≤ 30 minutes) reflected in the actual DTI time, Apgar scores, and newborn acid-base status. Data on all 610 cesarean sections (CSs) performed over a 14-month period at a tertiary medical center were retrospectively extracted. Cases grouped by target DTI time categories were compared for proportions in low Agar scores and fetal acidosis. Multivariable regression was used to identify clinical variables associated with the need for neonatal resuscitation. During the study period, 60 (10%) of CSs were emergent, 296 (49%) urgent, and 254 (41%) elective. The target DTI ≤ 15 minutes was achieved in 68% of emergent CSs with 93% having a DTI ≤ 30 minutes. Among urgent surgeries, the target DTI ≤ 30 minutes was reached in 48% of cases with 83% having DTI ≤ 45 minutes. Compared with both urgent and scheduled procedures the incidence of newborn acidosis and Apgar scores ≤4 and ≤7 was the highest among emergent CSs. The proportion of moderate and severe acidosis for deliveries with DTI ≤ 15 minutes was significantly higher compared with procedures with DTI 16 to 30 and >30 minutes. The need for neonatal resuscitation, including intubation, was independently associated with fetal acidosis, low gestational age, surgery acuity level, general anesthesia, but not with the actual DTI time. Adherence to tight DTI time targets is pragmatically difficult. The need for neonatal resuscitation varies with the acuity of the procedure but not with the actual DTI interval, implying that within certain time limits, the indication for surgery plays a greater role in the status of the newborn than the speed of the CS. · Adherence to prespecified DTI times for cesarean is pragmatically difficult.. · Emergent CS had the highest proportion of newborns with acidosis and low Apgar scores despite shorter DTI.. · The need for neonatal resuscitation associated with fetal acidemia, prematurity and general anesthesia..

STUDY OF LIPID PROFILE IN HYPERTENSIVE DISORDERS OF PREGNANCY

Introduction : Hypertensive disorders complicate 5-10% of all pregnancies. endothelial cell injury are important in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Serum lipids have a direct effect on endothelial function. Abnormal lipid metabolism has a basic role in the pathogenesis of the disease. So study of lipid profile may be of good predictive value in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Method: This was a longitudinal study, done in the dept of OBGY, GMERS Medical College, sola, Ahmedabad, from August 2020 to July 2022. 93 women in each group were studied. Outcome was measured by serum lipid level, severity of hypertension, mode of delivery, need for neonatal resuscitation, NICU admission. Result: Serum Total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dl was observed to be 38.7% in group A and 14 % in group B. In group A with normal lipid profile 97.5% had mild hypertension, 2.5% had severe hypertension while in hypertensive with abnormal lipid profile group 53.8% had mild hypertension and 46.2% had severe hypertension. Normal vaginal delivery observed 64.52% in group A and 79.57% in group B. In group A, 35.48% babies and in group B ,5.37% babies required resuscitative measures. NICU admission was needed by 27.95 % in group A and 5.37% in group B. Conclusion: Serum lipid levels in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is an important parameter for prediction of adverse perinatal outcome. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with dyslipidemia are associated with adverse perinatal outcome as compare to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy without dyslipidemia.

Determination of Foetal Scalp Blood Sampling pH as an Indicator of Loss of Foetal Well-Being in Women Undergoing Caesarean Section

Asphyxia during birth is one of the three leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality among newborns carried to term. The objective of this study was to evaluate the measurement of the foetal scalp blood pH as a measure of foetal status, evaluating: cord gases, meconium-stained fluid, APGAR score or the need for neonatal resuscitation in pregnant women undergoing caesarean sections. A cross-sectional study was carried out over a period of 5 years (2017-2021) at the Hospital de Poniente (southern Spain). A total of 127 pregnant women participated from whom a foetal scalp blood pH sample was taken and used to indicate the need for an urgent caesarean section. The results showed a correlation between the pH of the scalp blood and the pH of the umbilical cord artery, umbilical cord vein (Rho of Spearman arterial pH: 0.64, p < 0.001; Rho of Spearman venous pH: 0.58, p < 0.001) and the APGAR test one minute after delivery (Spearman's Rho coefficient of 0.33, p < 0.01). These results suggest that the foetal scalp pH should not be considered a foolproof method to indicate an urgent caesarean section. Foetal scalp pH sampling can be used as a complementary test, in conjunction with cardiotocography, to indicate whether an emergency caesarean section is necessary due to loss of foetal well-being.

Urban-rural differences in the pregnancy-related adverse outcome

BackgroundLittle is known about potential urban-rural differences in adverse pregnancy outcomes. The purpose of this study is to look into the urban-rural differences in the trend of adverse maternal and...

Perfil epidemiológico da prematuridade e comorbidades associadas em recém-nascidos prematuros de muito baixo peso

Objective: To describe the major epidemiological features of prematurity, risk factors, prevalence of comorbidities, death and survival rates in very low birth weight newborns. Methods: Transversal study with rectrospective data collection from medical charts of 616 premature and very low birth weight newborns admitted to Complexo Hospital de Clínicas da UFPR (CHC-UFPR) between August 2008 and August 2018. It was studied comorbidities prevalence, survival rate and factors related to mortality. For all statistical tests, it was considered a 5% level of significance. Results: The average gestational age (GA) was 28.2 ± 2.9 weeks and the average birth weight (BW) was 997.4 ± 279.9 grams. The population with GA &lt; 28 weeks (42.5%) had a greater need for neonatal resuscitation and ventilatory support and a higher prevalence of the following diseases: respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary hemorrhage, peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and early-onset neonatal sepsis. The main comorbidities associated with an increased risk of death were (p &lt;0.05): RDS (OR: 4,04), pulmonary hemorrhage (OR: 5,21) and PIVH (OR: 3,32). The reduction in survival rate was associated with lower values ??of GA and BW, as well as the presence of respiratory and neurological comorbidities. Conclusions: Extremely premature newborns have a higher prevalence of comorbidities and neonatal complications. Low birth weight, morbidities of the respiratory and neurological systems were the main factors associated with increased mortality.

Perfil epidemiológico da prematuridade e comorbidades associadas em recém-nascidos prematuros de muito baixo peso

OBJECTIVE: To describe the major epidemiological features of prematurity, risk factors, prevalence of comorbidities, death and survival rates in very low birth weight newborns. METHODS: Transversal study with rectrospective data collection from medical charts of 616 premature and very low birth weight newborns admitted to Complexo Hospital de Clínicas da UFPR (CHC-UFPR) between August 2008 and August 2018. It was studied comorbidities prevalence, survival rate and factors related to mortality. For all statistical tests, it was considered a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The average gestational age (GA) was 28.2 ± 2.9 weeks and the average birth weight (BW) was 997.4 ± 279.9 grams. The population with GA &lt; 28 weeks (42.5%) had a greater need for neonatal resuscitation and ventilatory support and a higher prevalence of the following diseases: respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary hemorrhage, peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and early-onset neonatal sepsis. The main comorbidities associated with an increased risk of death were (p &lt;0.05): RDS (OR: 4,04), pulmonary hemorrhage (OR: 5,21) and PIVH (OR: 3,32). The reduction in survival rate was associated with lower values ??of GA and BW, as well as the presence of respiratory and neurological comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Extremely premature newborns have a higher prevalence of comorbidities and neonatal complications. Low birth weight, morbidities of the respiratory and neurological systems were the main factors associated with increased mortality.

Accuracy of intrapartum cardiotocography in identifying fetal acidemia by umbilical cord blood analysis in low-risk pregnancies

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of intrapartum cardiotocography in identifying fetal acidemia by umbilical cord blood analysis in low-risk pregnancies.This is a retrospective cohort study of low-risk singleton pregnancies in labor after performing intrapartum cardiotocography categories I, II, and III. The presence of fetal acidemia at birth was identified by analyzing the pH of umbilical cord arterial blood (pH<7.1).No significant effect of the cardiotocography category on the arterial (p=0.543) and venous (p=0.770) pH of umbilical cord blood was observed. No significant association was observed between the cardiotocography category and the presence of fetal acidemia (p=0.706), 1-min Apgar score <7 (p=0.260), hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (p=0.605), newborn death within the first 48 h, need for neonatal resuscitation (p=0.637), and adverse perinatal outcomes (p=0.373). Sensitivities of 62, 31, and 6.0%; positive predictive values of 11.0, 16.0, and 10.0%; and negative predictive values of 85, 89.0, and 87.0% were observed for cardiotocography categories I, II, and III, respectively.The three categories of intrapartum cardiotocography presented low sensitivities and high negative predictive values to identify fetal acidemia at birth in low-risk pregnancies.

A Study to Determine the Perinatal Outcome in Isolated Oligohydramnios at Term Pregnancy

Objective: A Study to Determine the Perinatal Outcome in Isolated Oligohydramnios at Term Pregnancy Study Design: A cross-sectional study Place and Duration: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hayatabad Medical Complex from October 2022 to March 2023 Methodology: Our sample size was 250 which were divided into 1:1 including 125 cases with isolated oligohydramnios and 125 control cases. Patients with chronic medical disorders and having fetal anomalies or IUGR were excluded. The mode of delivery was noted. Neonatal outcomes in the form of Apgar score, baby weight and need for NICU were noted. Results: The cases with isolated oligohydramnios were associated with an increased incidence of CTG changes, meconium-stained amniotic fluid and the cesarean section as compared to women with normal amount of amniotic fluid. There was no difference between the cases and controls as regards duration of labor, need for oxytocin augmentation, need for neonatal resuscitation, APGAR score at 5 minutes, NICU admission birth weight of neonates or incidence of LSCS for fetal distress. A significant association (OR=1.85, P&lt;0.001) was found between caesarean section in mothers with oligohydramnios compared to controls. Conclusion: Our study found increase cesarean section rate due to CTG changes and meconium stained liquor in isolated oligohydramnios. However neonatal outcome in the form of birth weight, Apgar score and NICU admission was same for both cases and control. Keywords: Oligohydramnios, Perinatal, Term Pregnancy

Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid and Its Perinatal Feto-maternal Outcome

Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid is associated with increased risk of operative delivery or caesarean section and increased rate of neonatal resuscitation, morbidity and mortality. A hospital-based prospective, observational study was conducted in the Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology Department, NICU and Neonatal Ward of Naval Base Hospital, a tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh Navy, Chattogram, Bangladesh, between January 2020 and December 2021. A semi-structured questionnaire was prepared for both case and control group. 182 cases were enrolled as case and another 182 cases were as control. Antenatal checkup was significantly less in cases (p&lt;0.05). Mean weight was 2.8±0.4 Kg in cases and in control 2.7±0.5 Kg (p&lt;0.01). Mean fetal heart rate were 140±10.5 beats/min in cases and in control 135.7±7.2 beats/min (p&lt;0.01). Apgar scores at 1st minute and fifth minutes were significantly lower in cases (7±1.4 and 8.2±1.2 respectively) in comparison to control (7.5±0.3 and 9.2±1.1 respectively). Obstetric outcome of labor, that is mode of delivery was significantly dictated by the presence of MSAF. There were more than half (57.1%) of the cases were having grade three MSAF, whereas grade one and grade two were 14.8% and 28% respectively. Perinatal asphyxia, 5 min APGAR score &lt;7, oropharyngeal suction needed, EONS, MAS, admission in NICU/Neonatal ward and neonatal death all were significantly higher in MASF group. MSAF is associated with increased need for neonatal resuscitation, higher risk of perinatal asphyxia, MAS, hospital admission and mortality for fetus and higher risk for operative delivery.&#x0D; CBMJ 2022 July: vol. 11 no. 02 P: 114-119

Opioids for Cesarean delivery under general anesthesia and neonatal outcome: a historical cohort study

The lack of evidence-based recommendations for Cesarean delivery under general anesthesia can lead to practice variability and morbidity, particularly concerning the use of opioids. The goal of this study was to describe the practice for Cesarean delivery performed under general anesthesia and identify predictive factors for opioid use at anesthesia induction and the need for neonatal resuscitation. We conducted a single-centerhistorical cohort study. We included all adult parturients who underwent Cesarean delivery under general anesthesia between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2016. We excluded patients who received general anesthesia after delivery or with known intrauterine fetal demise. We collected data on anesthetic medication use, maternal comorbidities, neonatal resuscitation, and anesthetic complications. We used logistic regression models to identify predictors of opioid use at anesthesia induction and predictors of neonatal resuscitation. Two hundred and three patients were included. Propofol was the main induction agent (n = 195), 201 patients received neuromuscular blockers, and 67 received opioids. No maternal factors, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (odds ratio [OR], 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96 to 3.95; P = 0.06), were predictors of opioid use at induction of anesthesia. No statistical differences were detected between opioid administration groups, except for Cesarean indication, with preeclampsia being the main contributor. Low gestational age (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.87; P = 0.002) was the only predictor of neonatal resuscitation. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were not predictors of opioid use and opioid use was not a predictor of neonatal resuscitation. This suggests opioids could be used for maternal indications.

Maternal risk factors and meconium stained amniotic fluid

Background: Meconium is a sterile, thick, black-green, odourless material that results from accumulation of debris in fetal intestine during the third month of gestation. The risk factors for meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) are both maternal and fetal. MSAF is associated with higher rate of caesarean delivery, increased need for neonatal resuscitation and meconium aspiration syndrome. This observational study was undertaken so that such expecting mothers can be screened at an early stage and prompt intervention can be done to minimize neonatal morbidity and mortality.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in department of paediatrics of Sri Guru Ram Das University from December 2014 to June 2016 included all deliveries with meconium stained amniotic fluid excluding Twins, neonates with congenital malformations, multi organ dysfunction or requiring surgical intervention.Results: The incidence of MSAF was 3.42% with 10.5% mortality. Various maternal factors including multiparity, bad obstetric history, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), maternal diabetes, anaemia and non-reassuring cardiotocography (CTG) record were found to be statistically important and associated with poor outcome.Conclusions: MSAF and poor neonatal outcome is related to antenatal care. Thus, good antenatal and perinatal care can prevent morbidity and mortality in neonate by early identification of signs of fetal distress and passage of meconium inutero and improve outcome.

Impact of Co-Existing Placental Pathologies in Pregnancies Complicated by Placental Abruption and Acute Neonatal Outcomes.

Placental abruption (PA) is a concern for maternal and neonatal morbidity. Adverse neonatal outcomes in the setting of PA include higher risk of prematurity. Placental pathologies include maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM), fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM), acute chorioamnionitis, and villitis of unknown etiology (VUE). We aimed to investigate how placental pathology contributes to acute neonatal outcome in PA. A retrospective cohort study of all placentas with PA were identified. Exposures were MVM, FVM, acute chorioamnionitis and VUE. The primary outcome was NICU admission and the secondary outcomes included adverse base deficit and Apgar scores, need for resuscitation, and small-for-gestational age. A total of 287 placentas were identified. There were 160 (59.9%) of placentas with PA alone vs 107 (40.1%) with PA and additional placental pathologies. Odds of NICU admission were more than two times higher in pregnancies with placental pathologies (OR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.28–4.52). These estimates were in large part mediated by prematurity and birthweight, indirect effect acting through prematurity was OR 1.79 (95% CI 1.12–2.75) and through birthweight OR 2.12 (95% CI 1.40–3.18). Odds of Apgar score ≤ 5 was more than four times higher among pregnancies with placental pathologies (OR = 4.56, 95% CI 1.28–21.26). Coexisting placental pathology may impact Apgar scores in pregnancies complicated by PA. This knowledge could be used by neonatal teams to mobilize resources in anticipation of the need for neonatal resuscitation.

To Study the Clinico-Hematological Profile of Pre-Eclampsia on Mother and Newborns

Pre-eclampsia is a significant cause of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidities and mortalities associated with pregnancy. We aimed at examining the impact of maternal pre-eclampsia on new-borns’ and Mother’s hematological profile. OBJECTIVE: To study the hematological profile in mothers suffering from pre-eclampsia. To study the hematological profile in neonates. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present cross-sectional study includes 100 pregnant womens and 100 neonates were included in the study and were grouped as under. Group 1: 50 normal pregnant womens. Group II: 50 Normal Neonates of mothers having normal pregnancy Group III: 50 pregnant mothers with gestational age between 32 and 36 weeks with preeclampsia. Group IV: 50 Neonates of mothers having pre-eclampsia. RESULT: Comparatively lower platelet count in preeclamptic women as compared to normal pregnant women. Also, total leucocyte count was relatively on lower side. Neutrophils and monocytes were raised in preeclamptic women when compared with normal pregnant women. Rest of all the parameters were not significantly affected. Clearly shows that in case of new-borns of mothers who are preeclamptic, haemoglobin and red blood cell count were significantly lowered. But platelet counts and total lymphocyte count was raised when compared with new-borns of normal pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Positive correlation between preeclampsia and neonatal thrombocytopenia. Prematurity, insufficiency of the placenta and fetal development restriction and need for neonatal resuscitation in babies born to pre-eclamptic women were found to be substantially higher compared to those born to stable normotensive people.

Predicting previable preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPPROM) before 24 weeks: maternal and fetal/neonatal risk factors for survival

We sought to compare maternal and neonatal risk factors in cases with previable premature rupture of membranes (pPPROM, between 14-24 weeks) for optimal counselling. Therefore, 192 pregnancies of 485 cases which met selection criteria and agreed to follow-up were retrospectively analysed. Mean gestational age at pPPROM was 20.45 weeks. Live births occurred in 171 cases, but 67 (39.2%) of them died in the neonatal period (neonatal death group) and 104 cases (60.8%) constituted surviving neonate group. Of the surviving neonates, 37 (33.7%) experienced at least one complication. Most seen maternal complications were chorioamnionitis (24.48%) and placental abruption (8.33%). Although amniotic fluid volume, length of pPPROM period, completing antibiotherapy and CRP values were significant, amniotic fluid volume and length of pPPROM showed also significance for multivariate regression analysis for maternal risk factors. Risk factors for birth were gestational age at pPPROM, gestational age at birth, new-born weight at birth, 1st and 5th minute Apgar scores, umbilical cord pH value and need for neonatal resuscitation. Furthermore, development of respiratory distress syndrome, necrotising enterocolitis, intraventricular haemorrhage and retinopathy of premature were additional risk factors for neonate. Of them, gestational age at birth, new-born weight at birth, respiratory distress syndrome and retinopathy of prematurity were also significant in multivariate regression analysis. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Management of previable premature rupture of membranes is controversial and there is no definite consensus on the approach. The factor that best predicts neonatal survival is the gestational age at birth (Deutsch et al. 2010). What do the results of this study add? Appropriate counselling for pPPROM cases is important especially during antenatal period (maternal factors) and postpartum period (neonatal factors). Maternal infection risk is increased with an increased latency period of PPROM. As the gestational age at birth increases, the survival rate increases and neonatal complication rates decrease. Other important determinants of neonatal survival and well-being are the presence of oligo-anhydramnios and latency period of previable PPROM to delivery. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Counselling the patient with previable PPROM about pregnancy complications and paediatric outcome is challenging because of the small size, different gestational age ranges, and retrospective nature of the multiple studies on this subject. The most important feature of our study was the relatively high number of patients compared to other series. Thus, we can counsel pregnant women with PPROM prior to 24 weeks of gestation about the maternal antenatal factors and neonatal postnatal factors with related outcomes and help make an informed decision regarding termination or conservative follow-up. Nevertheless, there is a need for larger multicentric prospective studies to validate our data and to establish the prognosis of previable PPROM for both mother and foetus.

Incidence, associated risk factors, and the ideal mode of delivery following preterm labour between 24 to 28 weeks of gestation in a low resource setting.

Preterm labour, between 24 to 28 weeks of gestation, remains prevalent in low resource settings. There is evidence of improved survival after 24 weeks though the ideal mode of delivery remains unclear. There are no clear management protocols to guide patient management. We sought to determine the incidence of preterm labour occurring between 24 to 28 weeks, its associated risk factors and the preferred mode of delivery in a low resource setting with the aim of streamlining patient care. Between February 2020 and September 2020, we prospectively followed 392 women with preterm labour between 24 to 28 weeks of gestation and their newborns from admission to discharge at Kawempe National Referral hospital in Kampala, Uganda. The primary outcome was perinatal mortality associated with the different modes of delivery. Secondary outcomes included neonatal and maternal infections, admission to the Neonatal Special Care Unit (SCU), need for neonatal resuscitation, preterm birth and maternal death. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between perinatal mortality and categorical variables such as parity, mode of delivery, employment status, age, antepartum hemorrhage, digital vaginal examination, and admission to Special Care unit. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between comparative outcomes of the different modes of delivery and maternal and neonatal risk factors. The incidence of preterm labour among women who delivered preterm babies between 24 to 28 weeks was 68.9% 95% CI 64.2-73.4). Preterm deliveries between 24 to 28 weeks contributed 20% of the all preterm deliveries and 2.5% of the total hospital deliveries. Preterm labour was independently associated with gravidity (p-value = 0.038), whether labour was medically induced (p-value <0.001), number of digital examinations (p-value <0.001), history of vaginal bleeding prior to onset of labour (p-value < 0.001), whether tocolytics were given (p-value < 0.001), whether an obstetric ultrasound scan was done (p-value <0.001 and number of babies carried (p-value < 0.001). At multivariate analysis; multiple pregnancy OR 15.45 (2.00-119.53), p-value < 0.001, presence of fever prior to admission OR 4.03 (95% CI .23-13.23), p-value = 0.002 and duration of drainage of liquor OR 0.16 (0.03-0.87), p-value = 0.034 were independently associated with preterm labour. The perinatal mortality rate in our study was 778 per 1000 live births. Of the 392 participants, 359 (91.5%), had vaginal delivery, 29 (7.3%) underwent Caesarean delivery and 4 (1%) had assisted vaginal delivery. Caesarean delivery was protective against perinatal mortality compared to vaginal delivery OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.14-0.82, p-value = 0.017). The other protective factors included receiving antenatal corticosteroids OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.98, p-value = 0.040, Doing 3-4 digital exams per day, OR = 0.41, 95% 0.18-0.91, p-value = 0.028) and hospital stay of > 7 days, p value = 0.001. Vaginal delivery was associated with maternal infections, postpartum hemorrhage, and admission to the Special Care Unit. Caesarean delivery is the preferred mode of delivery for preterm deliveries between 24 to 28 weeks of gestation especially when labour is not established in low resource settings. It is associated with lesser adverse pregnancy outcomes when compared to vaginal delivery for remote gestation ages.