Prediction Of Preterm Delivery Research Articles

EP01.18: Sonographic evaluation of cervical length in an asymptomatic singleton pregnancies and the risk of preterm delivery

This study measured cervical length (CL) at 11-14 and 23-24 weeks of gestation to determine the potential value of difference between measurements for prediction of preterm delivery (PTD). A retrospective, cohort study was performed with 2638 singleton pregnancies from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017. CL was measured consecutively on transvaginal sonography at 11–14weeks (Cx1) and 23–24 weeks (Cx2), by trained operators as a straight line from external to internal os. Medical records were reviewed for demographic, medical and obstetric history; complications during the current pregnancy and delivery data. Cx1, Cx2 and the change between scans were evaluated and correlated to PTD prediction. Among 2638 patients, 2435 (92.3%) delivered at term (≥ 37 weeks) and 203 (7.3%) preterm (<37 weeks). Cx1 was not a good predictor of PTD (P = 0.70). Cx2 was significantly shorter in the PTD group (P < 0.05). The correlation between CL change and PTD was not significant (P = 0.55). Sonographic measurement of CL at 11-14 weeks gestation and the difference between CL in the first and second scans are not reliable predictors of PTD. Cervical length at 21-24 weeks in low-risk women was predictive of PTD. Once short CL was observed, risk of preterm delivery was greatly increased. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Pregnancy outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) women.

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory condition with multi-organ involvement predominantly affecting young women. There are very limited studies in pregnancy in Asian SLE patients and therefore we embarked on this study to identify pregnancy outcomes of Malaysian women with SLE. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective study of pregnancy outcomes in SLE patients in our institution from January 2007 to December 2014. A total of 71 pregnancies from 44 women were analysed. Results The mean age of our cohort was 30.5 ± 3.9 years. The rate of active disease at conception, antiphospholipid syndrome and lupus nephritis were 22.5%, 32.4% and 57.7% respectively. SLE flare occurred in 33 out of 71 pregnancies whereas 19 pregnancies were complicated with preeclampsia. The livebirth rate for our cohort was 78.9%, whilst preterm delivery was 42.9%. On univariate analysis, active disease and flare in pregnancy were both strongly associated with foetal loss and preterm delivery. Lupus nephritis (p = 0.011), SLE flare (p = 0.008) and antiphospholipid syndrome (p = 0.032) significantly increased the risk of preeclampsia. Aspirin and hydroxychloroquine were protective against foetal loss [odds ratio (OR) 0.12] and preeclampsia (OR 0.25), respectively. On multivariate analysis, active disease was a predictor of SLE flare (p = 0.002) and foetal loss (p = 0.018) and SLE flare was the main predictor of preterm delivery (p = 0.006). Conclusions Pregnancies in women with SLE should be planned and aspirin and HCQ use were beneficial in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes.

In Vivo Measurement of Cervical Elasticity on Pregnant Women by Torsional Wave Technique: A Preliminary Study.

A torsional wave (TW) sensor prototype was employed to quantify stiffness of the cervix in pregnant women. A cross-sectional study in a total of 18 women between 16 weeks and 35 weeks + 5 days of gestation was performed. The potential of TW technique to assess cervical ripening was evaluated by the measurement of stiffness related to gestational age and cervical length. Statistically significant correlations were found between cervical stiffness and gestational age (, , using 1 kHz waves and , , using 1.5 kHz waves). A uniform decrease in stiffness of the cervical tissue was confirmed to happen during the complete gestation. There was no significant correlation between stiffness and cervical length. A stronger association between gestational age and cervical stiffness was found compared to gestational age and cervical length correlation. As a conclusion, TW technique is a feasible approach to objectively quantify the decrease of cervical stiffness related to gestational age. Further research is required to evaluate the application of TW technique in obstetric evaluations, such as prediction of preterm delivery and labor induction failure.

Characterization of the effects of Atosiban on uterine electromyograms recorded in women with threatened preterm labor

Although research studies using electrohysterography on women without tocolytic therapy have shown its potential for preterm birth diagnosis, tocolytics are usually administered in emergency rooms at the first sign of threatened preterm labor (TPL). Information on the uterine response during tocolytic treatment could prove useful for the development of tools able to predict true preterm deliveries under normal clinical conditions. The aim of this study was thus to analyze the effects of Atosiban on Electrohysterogram (EHG) parameters and to compare its effects on women who delivered preterm (WDP) and at term (WDT). Electrohysterograms recorded in different Atosiban therapy stages (before, during and after drug administration) on 40 WDT and 27 WDP were analyzed by computing linear, and non-linear EHG parameters. Results reveal that Atosiban does not greatly affect the EHG signal amplitude, but does modify its spectral content and reduces the energy associated with the fast wave high component in both WDP and WDT, with a faster response in the latter. EHG signal complexity remained constant in WDT, while it increased in WDP until it reached similar values to WDT during Atosiban treatment. The spectral and complexity parameters were able to separate (p < 0.05) WDT and WDP prior to and during tocolytic treatment and before and after treatment, respectively. The results pave the way for developing better and more reliable medical decision support systems based on EHG for preterm delivery prediction in TPL women in clinical scenarios.

SKA2 gene – A novel biomarker for latent anxiety and preterm birth prediction

BackgroundThere is a relationship between preterm birth (PTB) and anxiety. Spindle and Kinetochore Associated Complex Subunit 2 (SKA2) gene polymorphism (NC_000017.11: g.59110368 G > A) has also been associated with the development of anxiety. The current study was designed to evaluate the relationship between SKA2 gene SNP (NC_000017.11: g.59110368 G > A) with the occurrence of anxiety and PTB which might be considered a predictive biomarker for the prediction of preterm delivery. MethodsSKA2 gene (SNP rs7208505) genotyping was performed in 300 women with term birth (TB) and 293 women with PTB using PCR-RFLP method and then followed by DNA sequencing. Cortisol level was analyzed with ELISA method and the presence of anxiety was detected using Spielberg Inventory. ResultsThe AA genotype of SKA2 gene significantly increased the risk of PTB compared to the GG genotype by 9.6 fold ([CI] 4.5–20.2, P < 0.001) according to codominant model. Also, the frequency of A allele was significantly higher in PTB group (χ2 = 20.4, df = 1, P < 0.001) in comparison with the control group that increased the risk of PTB by 1.703 fold ([CI] 1.39–2.23, P < 0.001). Women with higher cortisol level with average 343.7 ± 3 nmol/L had AA genotype, while, the concentrations of cortisol in women with AG, and GG genotypes were 244.2 ± 3.1 nmol/L and 192.6 ± 2.5 nmol/L, respectively (P < 0.001). The score of apparent and latent anxiety in women with the AA genotype was higher compared to the AG and GG genotypes and also this score in women with the AG genotype was higher than the GG genotypes (P < 0.001). The history of preterm delivery was higher in women with the AA genotype (42.1%) in comparison with the GG (14.9%) and AG (22%) genotypes (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe results of the current study suggest that prognosis of women with the AA genotype are more susceptible to be spontaneous preterm birth. Therefore, the A allele of SKA2 gene (NC_000017.11:g.59110368 G > A) could be as a predictive biomarker for the risk of PTB.

UTILITY OF PLACENTAL LEUCINE AMINOPEPTIDASE/OXYTOCINASE IN THE PREDICTION OF PRETERM DELIVERY IN PREGNANT WOMEN WITH THREATENED PRETERM LABOR

Objective: The study objective was to assess the utility of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP) marker for the prediction of delivery in patients presented with threatened preterm labor (TPL).&#x0D; Setting: This study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in the period from March 2017 to June 2018.&#x0D; Type of Study: This is a prospective case control study.&#x0D; Methods: This study included 90 pregnant women with gestational age from (28-36+6) weeks; 45 of them who presented with preterm uterine contractions were considered as the study group which was further subdivided into three subgroups according to gestational age 28–31+6 weeks, 32– 33+6 weeks, and 34–36+6 weeks. The other 45 pregnant women who presented to the hospital for regular antenatal care visit at comparable gestational age to the study group were considered as the control group. Hence, this study aimed to assess the serum level of P-LAP in both groups and compare it between those delivered preterm from term to assess its applicability as a predictor of preterm labor.&#x0D; Results: Serum level of P-LAP in pregnant women presented with TPL was found to be significantly lower in those delivered preterm (p&lt;0.001), compared to those continued to term and control group especially in gestational ages ≥32 weeks, while the study found P-LAP level to be statistically insignificant in gestational age &lt;32 weeks (p=0.052). The cutoff point for P-LAP serum level was = 21 (IU/ml) that below it, the pregnant women with TPL most probably deliver before 37 weeks of gestation with Sensitivity (85.7%) Specificity (90.3%), Positive predictive value (80.0%) Negative predictive (93.3%).&#x0D; Conclusion: The serum level of P-LAP was lower in women delivered preterm than those delivered at term, so it can be used as one of the markers for the prediction of preterm delivery, especially at gestational age &gt;32 weeks.

Role of oestrogen and its receptors in HEV-associated feto-maternal outcomes.

Pregnant women infected with HEV develops adverse pregnancy outcomes like, abortions, intrauterine fetal death, still births, neonatal deaths, preterm delivery and maternal mortality. To correlate oestrogen and its receptors ESR1α and ESR2β levels with HEV-associated feto-maternal outcomes. A total of 142 pregnant women with HEV infection and 142 pregnant controls were included in study from Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and associated Lok Nayak Hospital (LNH), New Delhi. Three millilitre of blood sample was collected in plain for quantification of oestrogen, and its receptors ESR1α and ESR2β using commercially available third-generation ELISA kits. The levels of oestrogen, ESR1α and ESR2β were considerably higher in HEV-infected pregnant women (20.11±18.19ng/mL, 10.58±3.27ng/mL, 10.42±4.71ng/mL respectively) than pregnant controls (11.74±6.42ng/mL, 9.11±1.63ng/mL, 9.01±1.18ng/mL respectively)(P<0.0001). It was found that oestrogen levels were significantly higher in pregnant women infected with HEV who had preterm delivery, low birth weight babies and fetal loss (19.64±17.60ng/mL, 19.71±17.63ng/mL, 33.62±23.20ng/mL respectively) than who had full term delivery, average birth weight babies and live babies (11.71±8.77ng/mL, 11.99±9.44ng/mL, 16.58±14.98ng/mL respectively)(P<0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between baby birth weight and oestrogen levels in HEV-infected pregnant women. The high level of oestrogen plays an important role in preterm delivery, low birth weight babies and fetal mortality in pregnant women with HEV infection through placental dysfunction. Moreover, oestrogen level is a significant predictor for preterm delivery and maternal mortality and ESR2β levels is a significant predictor for maternal mortality in pregnant women infected with HEV.

Second Trimester Serum Biomarker Screen for Fetal Aneuploidies as a Predictor of Preterm Delivery: A Population-Based Study

Objective: To determine the association between second-trimester serum Down syndrome screening (alpha-fetoprotein [AFP] free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin [b-hCG] unconjugated estriol [uE3]) and preterm birth and to create predictive models for preterm birth. Methods: Secondary analysis on a prospective database of pregnancies undergoing second-trimester screen with complete follow-up. The multiples of medians (MoM) of the biomarkers were compared between the group of term, preterm (< 37 weeks), early preterm (< 34 weeks), and very early preterm (< 32 weeks) delivery. Predictive models were developed based on adjusted MoMs and logistic regression and diagnostic performances in predicting preterm birth were determined. Results: Of 20,780 pregnancies, 1,554 (7.5), 363 (1.7), and 158 (0.8%) had preterm, early preterm, and very early preterm birth respectively. High levels of AFP and b-hCG but low levels of uE3 were significantly associated with higher rates of preterm, early preterm and very early preterm delivery. The predictive models had diagnostic performance in predicting preterm birth with the areas under the ROC curve of 0.688, 0.534, 0.599, and 0.718 for AFP, b-hCG, uE3, and combined biomarkers respectively. Conclusion: The second trimester Down syndrome screening could also be used as a tool of risk identification of preterm birth in the same test, without extra-effort and extra-cost.

The diagnostic value of cervicovaginal and serum ferritin levels in relation to spontaneous preterm delivery

Objective The objective of the study was to detect the diagnostic value of cervicovaginal and serum ferritin levels in 20–24 weeks of gestation in the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery in singleton pregnancies with no well-known risk factors of preterm delivery. Background Preterm delivery is one of the most important health problems in the world that may lead to severe short-term and long-term medical and developmental problems in infants. Patients and methods Venous blood and cervicovaginal fluid samples are drawn from 100 women with singleton pregnancies within 20–24 weeks of gestation at the Department of Obstetric and Gynecologies, El Mehalla Hospital and then they were followed up and the term of delivery were noted. Results Spontaneous preterm delivery in singleton pregnancies with no well-known risk factors is associated with increased levels of cervicovaginal and serum ferritin when measured within 20–24 weeks of gestation and there is a strong positive correlation between both serum and cervicovaginal ferritin levels measuring 0.83. However, the only significant predictor is serum ferritin as an increase by one unit of its value increases the preterm risk by 1.277. About 85% of preterm deliveries can be predicted by serum ferritin. Conclusion It has been observed that 20–24 weeks of gestation serum ferritin level is a significant predictor of preterm delivery in singleton normal pregnancies.

Addition of Cervical Elastography May Increase Preterm Delivery Prediction Performance in Pregnant Women with Short Cervix: a Prospective Study.

BackgroundWe investigated whether there is a difference in elastographic parameters between pregnancies with and without spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) in women with a short cervix (≤ 25 mm), and examined the ability of elastographic parameters to predict sPTD in those women.MethodsE-CervixTM (WS80A; Samsung Medison, Seoul, Korea) elastography was used to examine the cervical strain. Elastographic parameters were compared between pregnancies with and without sPTD. Diagnostic performance of elastographic parameters to predict sPTD ≤ 37 weeks, both alone and in combination with other parameters, was compared with that of cervical length (CL) using area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis.ResultsA total of 130 women were included. Median gestational age (GA) at examination was 24.4 weeks (interquartile range, 21.4–28.9), and the prevalence of sPTD was 20.0% (26/130). Both the elastographic parameters and CL did not show statistical difference between those with and without sPTD. However, when only patients with CL ≥ 1.5 cm (n = 110) were included in the analysis, there was a significant difference between two groups in elasticity contrast index (ECI) within 0.5/1.0/1.5 cm from the cervical canal (P < 0.05) which is one of elastographic parameters generated by E-Cervix. When AUC analysis was performed in women with CL ≥ 1.5 cm, the combination of parameters (CL + pre-pregnancy body mass index + GA at exam + ECI within 0.5/1.0/1.5 cm) showed a significantly higher AUC than CL alone (P < 0.05).ConclusionAn addition of cervical elastography may improve the ability to predict sPTD in women with a short CL between 1.5 and 2.5 cm.

Cervical Length as a Predictor of Preterm Delivery in an Unselected Cohort of Women with Twin Pregnancies.

To determine the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) associated with transvaginal cervical length (TVCL) in an unselected cohort. This is a retrospective study of serial TVCLs in unselected twin gestations. Receiver operator curves for SPTD were constructed from TVCLs at 18, 20, 22, and 24 weeks. Prediction thresholds were determined using a false discovery rate of 10%. The risk of SPTD was compared with previously published, prospective data from a meta-analysis. A total of 1,228 women were included. SPTD occurred prior to 35 weeks in 232 (18.9%), 126 (10.3%), and 24 (2.0%) women prior to 35, 32, and 28 weeks. TVCL was most predictive at 22 weeks (area under the curve = 0.67). TVCL thresholds for predicting SPTD prior to 35, 32, and 28 weeks were 3.1, 3.0, and 2.9 cm. Compared with a previous meta-analysis, the risk of SPTD < 34, 32, and 28 weeks was lower (positive likelihood ratio 9.0 vs. 5.4, 10.1 vs. 5.9, and 9.6 vs. 4.3). TVCL is modestly predictive of SPTD in twin gestations. Compared with previous prospective studies, this cohort has lower risk of SPTD at similar TVCLs.

Fetal Adrenal Gland Volume a Novel Predictor of Onset of Labor.

There is a definite need to find a highly sensitive and specific, noninvasive, and cost-effective marker for prediction of preterm labor. We hypothesize that a measurement of adrenal gland volume can predict a preterm as well as a term labor. Two hundred and sixty-eight pregnant women were enrolled in the study at 28-34weeks' antenatal visit. Final analysis was done in 204. All of them were subjected to 2D ultrasonographic measurement of the corrected fetal adrenal gland volume (cFAGV) and fetal adrenal zone parameters including the width ratio and depth ratio. The cohort was followed up to term, and a reassessment of cFAGV and fetal adrenal zone parameters was repeated between 37 and 39weeks. Women who presented with features of preterm labor had a scan at the time of presentation to record cFAGV and fetal adrenal zone parameters. Women, who developed features of preterm labor eventually, had a significantly high cFAGV (404.70mm3/kg body weight) during the first scan compared to those who reached term asymptomatically (241.35mm3/kg body weight). A cutoff value of 271.16mm3/kg body weight showed 90% sensitivity and 81.9% specificity. Fetal adrenal gland width ratio had the best efficacy (sensitivity 96.67%, specificity 86.2%) followed by cFAGV (sensitivity 96.67%, specificity 83%) for predicting preterm delivery. 2D ultrasound measurement of fetal adrenal gland parameters can be used as a marker for prediction of preterm delivery. cFAGV at term can also be used to predict the possibility of spontaneous onset of labor.

Measurement of serum cholesterol levels as a predictor of preterm delivery

Measurement of serum cholesterol levels as a predictor of preterm delivery

First-trimester serum biomarker screening for fetal Down syndrome as a predictor of preterm delivery: a population-based study

Objective: To examine the relationship between the first-trimester serum biomarker levels (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A:PAPP-A; and free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin: b-hCG) and preterm birth; and to create the predictive models for preterm birth in case of strong correlation. Methods: Secondary analysis on a large prospective database of singleton pregnancies undergoing first-trimester serum screening with complete follow-up for pregnancy outcomes. The multiples of medians (MoM) of the biomarkers were compared between the group of term and preterm/early preterm birth. Predictive models were developed based on adjusted MoMs and logistic regression analysis, and then diagnostic performances in predicting preterm birth were assessed. Results: Of 24,611 pregnancies eligible for analysis, 1908 (7.8%) and 500 (2.0%) had preterm and early preterm birth, respectively. Medians MoMs of both biomarkers were significantly lower in preterm and early preterm birth group. The predictive models were constructed. Performance in predicting preterm birth of these models yielded the area-under-ROC-curve of 0.560, 0.652, and 0.653 for b-hCG, PAPP-A, and combined biomarkers, respectively. In predicting early preterm birth, the areas-under-the-curve were found to be 0.551, 0.675, and 0.674 for b-hCG, PAPP-A, and combined biomarkers, respectively. Conclusion: The routine first-trimester serum screening of fetal Down syndrome could also be used as a tool of risk identification of preterm birth. We could take advantage of the screening by incorporating the predictive models into the Down syndrome screening software to report the preterm risk in the same test without extra effort and extra cost

Prediction of preterm delivery in symptomatic women using PAMG‐1, fetal fibronectin and phIGFBP‐1 tests: systematic review and meta‐analysis

To assess the accuracy of placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1), fetal fibronectin (fFN) and phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (phIGFBP-1) tests in predicting spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) within 7 days of testing in women with symptoms of preterm labor, through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. The test performance of each biomarker was also assessed according to pretest probability of sPTB ≤ 7 days. The Cochrane, MEDLINE, PubMed and ResearchGate bibliographic databases were searched from inception until October 2017. Cohort studies that reported on the predictive accuracy of PAMG-1, fFN and phIGFBP-1 for the prediction of sPTB within 7 days of testing in women with symptoms of preterm labor were included. Summary receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios were generated using indirect methods for the calculation of pooled effect sizes with a bivariate linear mixed model for the logit of sensitivity and specificity, with each diagnostic test as a covariate, as described by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy. Bivariate mixed model pooled sensitivity of PAMG-1, fFN and phIGFBP-1 for the prediction of sPTB ≤ 7 days was 76% (95% CI, 57-89%), 58% (95% CI, 47-68%) and 93% (95% CI, 88-96%), respectively; pooled specificity was 97% (95% CI, 95-98%), 84% (95% CI, 81-87%) and 76% (95% CI, 70-80%) respectively; pooled PPV was 76.3% (95% CI, 69-84%) (P < 0.05), 34.1% (95% CI, 29-39%) and 35.2% (95% CI, 31-40%), respectively; pooled NPV was 96.6% (95% CI, 94-99%), 93.3% (95% CI, 92-95%) and 98.7% (95% CI, 98-99%), respectively; pooled LR+ was 22.51 (95% CI, 15.09-33.60) (P < 0.05), 3.63 (95% CI, 2.93-4.50) and 3.80 (95% CI, 3.11-4.66), respectively; and pooled LR- was 0.24 (95% CI, 0.12-0.48) (P < 0.05), 0.50 (95% CI, 0.39-0.64) and 0.09 (95% CI, 0.05-0.16), respectively. The areas under the ROC curves for PAMG-1, fFN and phIGFBP-1 for sPTB ≤ 7 days were 0.961, 0.874 and 0.801, respectively. In the prediction of sPTB within 7 days of testing in women with signs and symptoms of preterm labor, the PPV of PAMG-1 was significantly higher than that of phIGFBP-1 or fFN. Other diagnostic accuracy measures did not differ between the three biomarker tests. As prevalence affects the predictive performance of a diagnostic test, use of a highly specific assay for a lower-prevalence syndrome such as sPTB may optimize management. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Risk Assessment for Preterm Delivery using the Fetal Fibronectin Test Associated with the Measurement of Uterine Cervix Length in Symptomatic Pregnant Women.

To analyze the use of the measurement of uterine cervix length (MUCL) and the fetal fibronectin (fFN) rapid test as predictors of preterm delivery (PTD) in symptomatic pregnant women assisted at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Sobral Maternity Hospital. This was a prospective and analytic study involving 53 parturients assisted between September of 2015 and July of 2016; the participants were between 24 and 34 weeks of gestational age (GA) and presented complaints related to preterm labor (PTL) prodromes. Vaginal secretion was collected for fFN testing, and the MUCL was obtained via transvaginal ultrasonography. A total of 58.49% of the subjects showed MUCL < 25 mm, and 41.51% were positive in the fFN rapid test. A total of 48 patients were followed-up until their delivery date, and 54.17% resulted in PTL. The relative risk (RR) for PTD in patients with MUCL < 25 mm was 1.83 (p = 0.09, 0.99-3.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]), with a mean time before delivery of 2.98 weeks. Based on fFN positive results, the RR was 3.50 (p = 0.002, 1.39-8.79, 95%CI) and the mean time until delivery was 1.94 weeks. The RR was 2.70 (p = 0.002, 1.08-6.72, 95%CI) when both tests were used. The RR of PTD within 48 hours, and 7 and 14 days were, respectively, 1.30 (p = 0.11, 95% CI 1.02-1.67), 1.43 (p = 0.12, 95% CI % 0.99-2.06), and 2.03 (p = 0.008, 95% CI 1.26-3.27), when based on the MUCL, and 1.75 (p = 0.0006, 95% CI 1.20-2.53), 2.88 (p = 0.0001, 95% CI, 1.57-5.31), and 3.57 (p = 0.0002, 95% CI 1.63-7.81) when based on positive fFN results. The RR at 48 hours and 7 and 14 days considering both tests was 1.74 (p = 0.0001, 95% CI 1.14-2.64), 2.22 (p = 0.0001, 95% CI 1.22-4.04), and 2.76 (p = 0.0002, 95% CI 1.27-5.96), respectively. In symptomatic pregnant women, we concluded that the MUCL < 25 mm associated with positive fFN rapid test indicate increased the risk for PTD. Further studies with larger sample sizes could contribute in supporting the results presented in the current study.

Evaluation of transvaginal ultrasonography, power Doppler indices, electromyography and serum protein 53 level in prediction for preterm labour

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of cervical length measurement by transvaginal ultrasonography, power Doppler of the uteroplacental circulation, electromyography and serum protein 53 level (p53) in prediction for preterm labour (PTL).Study Design : A prospective observational study.Patients and Methods: The study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of El-Minia University Hospital, Egypt during the period from January 2012 to December 2014. The study included a total of 100 pregnant women at high risk for preterm labor. All included cases were subjected to transvaginal cervical sonography, power Doppler velocimetry and uterine electromyography measurements (EMG), also, serum protein 53 level was determined.Results: The included subjects were classified into two groups according to gestational age at labor: Group (I): patients delivered before < 35 weeks (n=42) and group (II): patients delivered ≥ 35 weeks (n=58). Group (I) had significantly lower cervical length compared to group II (2.86 ± 0.81vs. 3.23 ± 0.67 cm) (P=0.013). There was a significant difference between groups as regards EMG (P = 0.006). No statistically differences were found between groups as regards Doppler indices (both resistance and pulsatility index). Group (I) had significantly higher maternal serum concentration of P53 compared to group II (473.8 ± 146.5 vs. 404.6 ± 164.7 pg/ml), (P≤ 0.01). Serum P 53 level had the higher sensitivity for prediction of PTL (78.6%), however, power Doppler indices had the lowest sensitivity (RI = 23.8% and PI =19.1%), cervical length had sensitivity of 33.3% however, EMG positive parameters had sensitivity of 40.5 % and specificity of 100.0%.Conclusion: From the studied tools for prediction of preterm delivery, different results were obtained, but serum P53 level was the most sensitive and the best option for prediction of preterm delivery, while, power Doppler indices are the least sensitive. However, EMG positive parameters are the most specific for prediction of PTL.

Impact of maternal depression on perinatal outcomes in hospitalized women-a prospective study.

Scarce data exists regarding the prevalence of antenatal depression in hospitalized pregnant women, and its effect on perinatal outcome. We aimed to estimate the risk of maternal depression among women hospitalized in a high-risk pregnancy department, and to evaluate its potential association with adverse perinatal outcome. A depression screening self-questionnaire-based prospective study was performed, in which hospitalized pregnant women who screened positive for depression were compared to those who screened negative. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used for antenatal depression screening. Pregnancy course and perinatal outcome were compared between the groups. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to control for clinically relevant confounders. During the study period, 279 women met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 28.3% (n = 79) screened positive for depression (≥ 10 points on the EPDS). In the univariate analysis, a significantly higher incidence of preterm delivery (< 37weeks), low birthweight (< 2500g), low Apgar scores (at 1 and 5min), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions were noted among the screen positive group. In the multivariate regression model, controlled for maternal age, ethnicity, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, past preterm delivery, and gestational age upon admission, maternal antenatal depression during hospitalization was noted as an independent risk factor for preterm delivery (adjusted OR 3.32, 95%CI 1.16-9.52, p = 0.026). Maternal antenatal depression during hospitalization is very common and appears to play a significant and independent role in the prediction of preterm delivery.

Prolactina cervicovaginal en la predicción de parto pretérmino

&#x0D; Objetivo: establecer la utilidad de las concentraciones cervicovaginales de prolactina en el segundo trimestre para la predicción del parto pretérmino. Métodos: las muestras cervicovaginales se tomaron entre 24 y 28 semanas de embarazo. Todos los embarazos fueron seguidos hasta el parto y divididos en grupos A (parto pretérmino) y B (parto a término). Se evaluaron las características generales, concentraciones séricas de prolactina y eficacia pronóstica. Resultados: la edad gestacional al momento de la determinación de la toma de muestra cervicovaginal fue de 26,2 +/- 1,1 semanas para el grupo A y 25,9 +/- 1,1 semanas para el B (p = ns). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la edad materna, índice de masa corporal y antecedentes de parto pretérmino (p = ns). Las pacientes del grupo A (1,6 +/- 0,8 ng/mL) presentaron concentraciones cervicovaginales significativas más altas de prolactina comparadas con las del grupo B (0,5 +/- 0,3 ng/mL; p &lt; 0,0001). Un valor de corte de 1 ng/mL presentó un valor por debajo de la curva de 0,87 con sensibilidad 73,1%, especificidad 91,6%, valor predictivo positivo 44,7% y valor predictivo negativo 97,3%. Conclusión: las concentraciones cervicovaginales de prolactina son útiles en la predicción del parto pretérmino.&#x0D;

Transvaginal sonographic cervical length in first and second trimesters in a low-risk population: a prospective study.

To assess cervical length (CL) longitudinally between the first and second trimesters and to determine the proportion of women with short CL. The study also aimed to assess if women with short CL at 19-24 weeks' gestation could be identified at the time of combined first-trimester screening (cFTS) at 11-14 weeks' gestation, in order to determine the potential value of implementation of CL screening for prediction of preterm delivery in a Danish population. This was a prospective longitudinal study of women with singleton pregnancy attending three University Hospitals in Denmark for combined first-trimester screening from 1 November 2013 to 1 December 2014. Exclusion criteria were multiple pregnancy, uterine anomaly, cerclage or progesterone treatment at inclusion. CL was measured on transvaginal sonography at 11-14 weeks (Cx1), 19-21 weeks (Cx2) and 23-24 weeks (Cx3), by trained operators as a straight line from external to internal os. Women with CL ≤ 25 mm were referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for treatment according to a standardized management protocol. Of the 4904 eligible women, 3477 (71%) participated and had Cx1 recorded. Of those, 3232 (93.0%) had CL measured on all three scans. Median Cx1 was 37 mm, and median Cx2 and Cx3 were 40 mm. The proportion of women with CL ≤ 25 mm increased with gestational age, from 0.41% (95% CI, 0.19-0.62%) at Cx1 to 1.79% (95% CI, 1.34-2.24%) at Cx3. In total, the proportion of women with second-trimester CL (Cx2 or Cx3) ≤ 25 mm was 2.0% (n= 67), of which 38.8% (n= 26) were detected at 19-21 weeks. The probability of short CL between 19 and 24 weeks was greater for those with shorter first-trimester CL. It was nearly nine-fold higher for women with Cx1 ≤ 25 mm compared with Cx1 ≥ 35 mm (17% vs 2%). The performance of Cx1 for prediction of short second-trimester CL was 50% at a 10% false-positive rate. It was found that more than 1500 women would need to be screened for short CL at 19-21 weeks to prevent one case of spontaneous preterm delivery before 34 weeks in a population such as the one in this study. There is an association between first-trimester CL and risk of short cervix in the second trimester. Once short CL was observed, risk of preterm delivery was greatly increased. However, whether universal CL screening should be implemented in this low-risk population depends on cost-benefit analysis taking into account the low proportions of women with short CL and at risk for preterm delivery. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.