Risk Of Adverse Fetal Outcomes Research Articles

Sleep quality during pregnancy and fetal growth: A prospective cohort study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between sleep quality during pregnancy and fetal growth. Pregnant women and their fetuses at 16-20 gestational weeks in Nantong Maternal and Child Health Hospital were recruited. Women were classified as having "good sleep quality" (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score ≤ 5) and "poor sleep quality" (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score > 5) according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores. The fetal growth was evaluated by three ultrasonographic examinations, birth weight and birth length. We used general linear model and multiple linear regression models to estimate the associations. A total of 386 pairs of mother and infant were included in the data analysis. After adjusting for gestational weight gain, anxiety and depression, fetuses in the good sleep quality group had greater abdominal circumference (p = 0.039 for 28-31+6 weeks gestation, p = 0.012 for 37-40+6 weeks gestation) and femur length (p = 0.014 for 28-31+6 weeks gestation, p = 0.041for 37-40+6 weeks gestation) at 28-31+6 weeks gestation and 37-40+6 weeks gestation, and increased femur length (p = 0.007) at 28-31+6 weeks gestation. Birth weights (p = 0.018) were positively associated with sleep quality. Poor sleep quality was associated with poor intrauterine physical development, decreased abdominal circumference and femur length, and lower birth weight after adjusting for confounding factors. Attention to the fetal growth of pregnant women with poor sleep quality has the potential to decrease the risk of adverse fetal outcomes.

Parvovirus B19 in Pregnancy.

Although the risk of parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy and subsequent risk of adverse fetal outcome are low, understanding management practices is essential for proper treatment of fetuses with nonimmune hydrops fetalis. In addition, continued investigation into delivery management, breastfeeding recommendations, and congenital abnormalities associated with pregnancies complicated by parvovirus B19 infection is needed. This review describes the risks associated with parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy and the management strategies for fetuses with vertically transmitted infections. Original articles were obtained from literature search in PubMed, Medline, and OVID; pertinent articles were reviewed. Parvovirus B19 is a viral infection associated with negative pregnancy outcomes. Up to 50% of people of reproductive age are susceptible to the virus. The incidence of B19 in pregnancy is between 0.61% and 1.24%, and, overall, there is 30% risk of vertical transmission when infection is acquired during pregnancy. Although most pregnancies progress without negative outcomes, viral infection of the fetus may result in severe anemia, congestive heart failure, and hydrops fetalis. In addition, vertical transmission carries a 5% to 10% chance of fetal loss. In pregnancies affected by fetal B19 infection, Doppler examination of the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity should be initiated to surveil for fetal anemia. In the case of severe fetal anemia, standard fetal therapy involves an intrauterine transfusion of red blood cells with the goal of raising hematocrit levels to approximately 40% to 50% of total blood volume. One transfusion is usually sufficient, although continued surveillance may indicate the need for subsequent transfusions. There are fewer epidemiologic data concerning neonatal risks of congenital parvovirus, although case reports have shown that fetuses with severe anemia in utero may have persistent anemia, thrombocytopenia, and edema in the neonatal period. Parvovirus B19 is a common virus; seropositivity in the geriatric population reportedly reaches 85%. Within the pregnant population, up to 50% of patients have not previously been exposed to the virus and consequently lack protective immunity. Concern for parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy largely surrounds the consequences of vertical transmission of the virus to the fetus. Should vertical transmission occur, the overall risk of fetal loss is between 5% and 10%. Thus, understanding the incidence, risks, and management strategies of pregnancies complicated by parvovirus B19 is essential to optimizing care and outcomes. Further, there is currently a gap in evidence regarding delivery management, breastfeeding recommendations, and the risks of congenital abnormalities in pregnancies complicated by parvovirus B19. Additional investigations into optimal delivery management, feeding plans, and recommended neonatal surveillance are needed in this cohort of patients.

Relation of Raised HbA1C Level with Congenital Deformity of Fetus Detected by Anomaly Scan in 2nd Trimester of Pregnancy in Diabetic Mother

Background: Pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes face an elevated risk of congenital anomalies in their offspring. However, research on the pattern of congenital anomalies and its correlation with blood sugar control in pre-gestational diabetic mothers is limited, especially in our country's context. This study investigated the association between elevated HbA1c levels and congenital anomalies in diabetes-related pregnancies. Objective: To assess whether raised HbA1c levels were linked to an increased incidence of congenitally deformed fetal outcomes in pregnancies affected by diabetes. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2018 to September 2019 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DMCH. Women with pre-gestational diabetes were sequentially enrolled if they provided informed consent. Data, including HbA1c levels and anomaly scans, were collected at 18-24 weeks of gestation. Participants were divided into two groups based on HbA1c levels: Group-1 (elevated HbA1c) and Group-2 (normal HbA1c). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22, with significance at p<0.05. Result: The mean ages of Group 1 and Group 2 were 31.60±2.89 & 30.51±2.99 (SD) years. Both groups were similar concerning age, residence, education, occupation, economic status, and BMI (p>0.05 in all factors). Mean HbA1C (%) of Group-1 and Group-2 were 8.57±2.22 & 6.18±0.20 (p<0.001), respectively. Congenital anomalies were more frequent in Group 1 (15.6 vs 2.2; p<0.05), and it is associated with high blood sugar levels (p<0.001) and with a previous history of anomalous babies in preceding pregnancies. Conclusion: Elevated HbA1c levels are associated with an increased incidence of congenital anomalies in pregnancies complicated by diabetes. This underscores the importance of strict glycemic control in pregnant women with pre-gestational diabetes to mitigate the risk of adverse fetal outcomes. Further, population-based studies are desired to validate these findings and inform clinical management strategies.

COVID-stasis of Pregnancy: An Increased Prevalence of COVID-19 in Patients with Cholestasis.

To evaluate the relationship between intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We performed a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women undergoing induction of labor (IOL) at a single institution between May 2020 to January 2021. Primary exposure was diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). The primary outcome was the prevalence of COVID-19 as determined by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing on nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) on routine admission testing. Secondary outcomes were abnormal laboratory values and adverse fetal outcomes. Logistic regression with log link analysis was performed comparing patients undergoing IOL for ICP compared with IOL for all other indications. The moderating effect of ethnicity was assessed by the interaction between ethnicity and ICP in a logistic regression model. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Fisher's exact test were performed for the secondary outcome analyses. Over the course of the study, 596 patients underwent IOL: 24 for ICP and 572 for other indications. The overall prevalence of COVID-19 positivity in the cohort was 5.5% (33 of 596). Those with ICP were more likely to test positive for COVID-19 compared with those with other IOL indications (29.2 vs. 4.5%, RR = 6.4, 95% CI: 2.8-12.5, p < 0.001). All patients with ICP who tested positive for COVID-19 were Hispanic. To analyze the moderating effect of ethnicity, the results of the logistic model found the interaction between ethnicity and ICP to not be significant (p = 0.991). In patients with ICP, the median AST (aspartate aminotransferase) was higher than those with COVID-19 (p = 0.0182). There were no adverse fetal outcomes in the ICP group. In this single-site retrospective cohort study, we demonstrated an increased prevalence of COVID-19 in those with ICP in general and among Hispanic patients specifically. Despite this difference, there was no increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes. · There is an increased prevalence of COVID-19 among Hispanic patients with ICP.. · The median AST of COVID-19-positive patients was significantly higher than COVID-19-negative patients.. · There was no increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes in with COVID-19 and ICP..

Uterine Artery Doppler Indices as Predictor of Adverse Fetal Outcome in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: An Observational Study.

Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) pose significant risks to maternal and fetal health. The utility of Doppler indices in predicting adverse fetal outcomes in HDP patients remains an area of active research. This observational study aimed to assess the correlation between abnormal uterine artery Doppler indices and adverse fetal outcomes in HDP patients. Methods Over a two-year period, we enrolled 138 pregnant women with HDP beyond 28 weeks of gestation and singleton pregnancies. Detailed clinical assessments, laboratory investigations, and Doppler studies of the uterine artery were conducted. The Doppler indices that were assessed included the systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio, resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI). Adverse fetal outcomes were classified based on appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration (APGAR) scores, birth weight, NICU admissions, and perinatal deaths. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive value of Doppler indices. Results Abnormal uterine artery Doppler indices, specifically an elevated S/D ratio and the presence of a diastolic notchshowed a positive correlation with adverse fetal outcomes. However, Doppler indices such as PI and RI did not demonstrate a significant correlation with adverse fetal outcomes in HDP patients. These findings suggest that the S/D ratio and the presence of a diastolic notch in uterine artery Doppler studies hold potential as predictive markers for adverse fetal outcomes in HDP patients. Conclusion Uterine artery Doppler indices, specifically the S/D ratio and the presence of a diastolic notch, appear to be valuable predictors for adverse fetal outcomes in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. These findings underscore the importance of regular monitoring of uterine artery Doppler flow in the management of HDP to identify pregnancies at higher risk for adverse fetal outcomes.

Neutrophil infiltration leads to fetal growth restriction by impairing the placental vasculature in DENV-infected pregnant mice

Dengue virus (DENV) infection during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse fetal outcomes, which has become a new clinical challenge. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The effect of DENV-2 infection on fetuses was investigated using pregnant interferon α/β receptor-deficient (Ifnar1-/-) mice. The histopathological changes in the placentas were analyzed by morphological techniques. A mouse inflammation array was used to detect the cytokine and chemokine profiles in the serum and placenta. The infiltration characteristics of inflammatory cells in the placentas were evaluated by single-cell RNA sequencing. Fetal growth restriction observed in DENV-2 infection was mainly caused by the destruction of the placental vasculature rather than direct damage from the virus in our mouse model. After infection, neutrophil infiltration into the placenta disrupts the expression profile of matrix metalloproteinases, which leads to placental dysvascularization and insufficiency. Notably, similar histopathological changes were observed in the placentas from DENV-infected puerperae. Neutrophils play key roles in placental histopathological damage during DENV infection, which indicates that interfering with aberrant neutrophil infiltration into the placenta may be an important therapeutic target for adverse pregnancy outcomes in DENV infection. The National Key Research and Development Plans of China (2021YFC2300200-02 to J.A., 2019YFC0121905 to Q.Z.C.), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (U1902210 and 81972979 to J. A., 81902048 to Z. Y. S., and 82172266 to P.G.W.), and the Support Project of High-level Teachers in Beijing Municipal Universities in the Period of 13th Five-year Plan, China (IDHT20190510 to J. A.).

Pregnant women with mild COVID-19 followed in community setting by telemedicine, and factors associated with unfavorable outcome.

Few is known on pregnant women with mild COVID-19 managed in a community setting with a telemedicine solution, including their outcomes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the adverse fetal outcomes and hospitalization rates of pregnant COVID-19 outpatients who were monitored with the Covidom© telemedicine solution. A nested study was conducted on pregnant outpatients with confirmed COVID-19, who were managed with Covidom© between March and November 2020. The patients were required to complete a standard medical questionnaire on co-morbidities and symptoms at inclusion, and were then monitored daily for 30 days after symptom onset. Adverse fetal outcome was defined as a composite of preterm birth, low birthweight, or stillbirth, and was collected retrospectively through phone contact with a standardized questionnaire. The study included 714 pregnant women, with a median age of 32.0 [29.0-35.0] and a median BMI of 23.8 [21.3-27.0]. The main comorbidities observed were smoking (53%), hypertension (19%). The most common symptoms were asthenia (45.6%), cough (40.3%) and headache (25.7%), as well as anosmia (28.4%) and agueusia (32.3%). Adverse fetal outcomes occurred in 64 (9%) cases, including 38 (5%) preterm births, 33 (5%) low birthweights, and 6 (1%) stillbirths. Hospitalization occurred in 102 (14%) cases and was associated with adverse fetal outcomes (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.4). Our study suggests that adverse fetal outcomes are rare in pregnant women with mild COVID-19 who are monitored at home with telemedicine. However, hospitalization for COVID-19 and pregnancy-induced hypertension are associated with a higher risk of adverse fetal outcome.

THE IMPACT OF MATERNAL CARDIAC DISEASES ON FETAL OUTCOMES: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal cardiac diseases on fetal outcomes at the Liaquat University of Medical &amp; Health Sciences (LUMHS). The study was conducted over one year, from December 2018 to December 2019, and involved a sample size of 120 participants. The study utilized medical records of pregnant women with cardiac diseases who delivered at LUMHS over the past 5 years. The data collected included maternal demographic and medical history, fetal and neonatal outcomes, and other relevant medical information. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data and determine the prevalence of maternal cardiac diseases and their impact on fetal outcomes. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with adverse fetal outcomes, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and congenital anomalies. The results showed that 20% of pregnant women had cardiac disease, with rheumatic heart disease being the most common. Women with cardiac diseases were found to be at higher risk for adverse fetal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and congenital anomalies. Logistic regression analysis revealed that maternal age, parity, and type of cardiac disease were significant predictors of adverse fetal outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of early identification and managing maternal cardiac diseases to prevent adverse fetal outcomes. The study contributes to growing maternal and fetal health research, particularly in high-risk populations such as pregnant women with cardiac diseases. It underscores the need for multidisciplinary management involving obstetricians, cardiologists, and neonatologists to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes in this population.

Reduction in maternal anxiety following prenatal pediatric urology consultation

IntroductionFetal anomalies detected on prenatal ultrasound can elicit maternal psychological distress and may be associated with increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes. Prenatal consultation with pediatric specialists may allay parental worries by improving clarity surrounding a fetal diagnosis, establishing a postnatal management plan, and providing expert advice. We sought to determine whether maternal anxiety and worry decreased following prenatal pediatric urology consultations among a cohort of pregnant women whose fetuses were diagnosed with urologic anomalies.MethodsPregnant women referred to pediatric urologists for prenatal consultation through our Fetal Maternal Center following detection of a urologic anomaly were recruited from February 2021 to March 2022 inclusive. Participants completed questionnaires before and after prenatal pediatric urology consultation assessing maternal current state anxiety (S-Anxiety) on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and self-reported worry surrounding the fetal diagnosis. Differences in anxiety and worry before versus after prenatal consultation were analyzed using paired t-tests and McNemar’s tests.Results26 pregnant women completed pre- and post-visit questionnaires. Most participants (92.3%) received prenatal pediatric urology consultation for anomalies of the fetal kidney(s), including hydronephrosis and suspected multicystic dysplastic kidney. The proportion of participants reporting extreme or moderate levels of worry surrounding the fetal diagnosis significantly decreased from 69.2% prior to prenatal pediatric urology consultation, to 30.8% after consultation (p=0.02). Reductions in worry after prenatal consultation were reported among 80.8% of participants. Average state anxiety on the STAI similarly significantly decreased from 35.2 ( ± 9.4) before prenatal consultation to 31.4 ( ± 11.1) after consultation. Differences in reductions in anxiety and worry did not significantly differ among participants attending prenatal consultations in-person or via telehealth.ConclusionsAmong a cohort of pregnant women diagnosed with fetal anomalies of the urinary tract, anxiety and worry surrounding the fetal diagnosis significantly decreased after prenatal in-person or telehealth consultations with pediatric urologists.

Maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic systemic autoimmune disease affecting women of childbearing age. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of published observational studies to systematically evaluate the association between RA and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for keywords from the date of inception to December 28, 2021, to identify relevant studies reporting adverse maternal and/or fetal outcomes in RA pregnancies. Data from individual studies were pooled using random-effects models and presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Eighteen studies with a total number of over 50 million participants were eligible for inclusion. This current analysis showed that in pregnant women with RA, there was a significantly increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes, including caesarean section (OR, 1.39; 95% CI 1.24-1.55), pre-eclampsia (OR, 1.48; 95% CI 1.19-1.83), gestational hypertension (OR, 1.34; 95% CI 1.07-1.68) and spontaneous abortion (OR, 1.16; 95% CI 1.04-1.29). Similarly, maternal RA during pregnancy was also associated with a significantly increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes, including preterm birth (OR, 1.58; 95% CI 1.44-1.74), small for gestational age (OR, 1.49; 95% CI 1.22-1.82), low birth weight (OR, 1.45; 95% CI 1.30-1.63), congenital anomalies (OR, 1.36; 95% CI 1.01-1.83) and stillborn (OR, 1.38; 95% CI 1.09-1.74). Maternal RA is significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Close monitoring of the clinical status of RA patients before and during pregnancy is essential in clinical practice. Key Points • Pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at significantly increased risk for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. • The increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with RA may be closely related to medication use and disease activity. • Close monitoring of the clinical status of RA patients before and during pregnancy is essential in clinical practice.

Correlation of Maternal Serum Uric Acid Level and Feto-maternal Outcome in Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy: A Prospective Study

Introduction: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy complicates around 5-10% of all pregnancies. Hyperuricemia is one of the common findings in pre-eclampsia. The uric acid level in pre-eclamptic women is increased before the onset of hypertension and proteinuria. The increase in serum uric acid is associated with an increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes like IUGR, prematurity, IUFD and increased severity of maternal hypertensive disorders like pre-eclampsia, severe pre-eclampsia, and eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.&#x0D; Methods: This was an observational, prospective cross-sectional study. One hundred and twenty women fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Maternal uric acid was grouped into two groups i) &lt;5.5mg/dl and ii) ≥ 5.5 mg/dl. A Pearson’s Chi-Squared test was carried out to assess whether maternal serum uric acid level and maternal and fetal complications were related.&#x0D; Results: A total of 120 women fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Seventy-six women (63.3%) had serum uric acid levels &lt;5.5mg/dl and forty-four (36.7%) women had serum uric acid levels≥ 5.5 mg/dl. In women with serum uric acid levels of 5.5 mg/dl and more, 21 fetuses with complications like IUFD, IUGR, prematurity and those whose serum uric acid level was less than 5.5 mg/dl, 16 fetuses had complications. There was a significant association between maternal serum uric acid levels and maternal complications like pre-eclampsia, severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP syndrome (p=0.004).&#x0D; Conclusion: Raised serum uric acid is associated with an increased risk of the feto-maternal outcome.

Outcomes of pregnancies complicated by haemoglobin H-constant spring and deletional haemoglobin H disease: A retrospective cohort study.

The objective of the study was to compare the maternal and foetal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by Hb H-constant spring (HbH-CS) disease/deletional HbH (HbH-del) disease and low-risk pregnancies. A retrospective cohort research was undertaken on singleton pregnancies with Hb H-CS and Hb H-del diseases. The controls were randomly selected with a control-to-case ratio of 10:1. A total of 55 cases of HbH-CS disease, 231 cases of HbH-del disease and 2860 controls were compared. The mean gestational age at delivery and birthweight were significantly lower in the HbH-CS group than in the HbH-del and control groups. The clinical course of Hb H-CS was more severe than that of HbH-del disease. The rates of preterm birth, foetal growth restriction and low birthweight were significantly increased in the HbH-CS and Hb H-del groups. These rates were significantly greater in the HbH-CS group than in the H-del group. The maternal outcomes were not significantly different among the three groups. In conclusion, pregnancy worsens the course of HbH disease, more noticeably in HbH-CS disease. Hb H disease significantly increases the risk of adverse foetal outcomes, more noticeably in the HbH-CS group. Pregnancy is relatively safe for women with HbH disease.

Risk of adverse fetal outcomes following nonobstetric surgery during gestation: a nationwide population-based analysis

BackgroundLiterature suggests that nonobstetric surgery during gestation is associated with a higher risk of spontaneous abortion, prematurity, and a higher cesarean section rate, but the direct impact on fetal outcomes is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy is associated with negative fetal outcomes by analysing a nation-wide database in Taiwan.MethodsThis population-based retrospective observational case–control study was based on the linkage of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, Birth Reporting Database, and Maternal and Child Health Database between 2004 and 2014. For every pregnancy with nonobstetric surgery during gestation, four controls were randomly matched according to maternal age and delivery year. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of adverse fetal outcomes with the non-surgery group as the reference. The primary outcomes involved stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight, low Apgar scores, and neonatal and infant death.ResultsAmong 23,721 identified pregnancies, 4,747 underwent nonobstetric surgery. Pregnancies with nonobstetric surgery had significantly higher risks of prematurity (aOR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.31–1.62), lower birth weight (aOR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.33–1.67), Apgar scores < 7 (1 min, aOR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.33–1.86; 5 min, aOR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.03–1.74), neonatal death (aOR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.18–3.42), and infant death (aOR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.12–2.54) than those without nonobstetric surgery after adjustment for socioeconomic deprivation, hospital level, and other comorbidities. Surgery performed in the third trimester was associated with a significantly increased rate of prematurity (aOR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.03–1.85), but lower rates of stillbirth (aOR: 0.1; 95% CI: 0.01–0.75) and Apgar score < 7 at the 5th minute (aOR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.05–0.82), than surgery performed in the first trimester.ConclusionsPregnancies with nonobstetric surgery during gestation were associated with increased risks of prematurity, low birth weight, low Apgar scores, neonatal and infant death, longer admission, and higher medical expenses than those without surgery. Furthermore, surgery in the third trimester was associated with a higher rate of prematurity than surgery performed in the first trimester.Trial registrationNot applicable.

Adverse Fetal Outcomes and Maternal Mortality Following Nonobstetric Abdominopelvic Surgery in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To quantify the absolute risks of adverse fetal outcomes and maternal mortality following nonobstetric abdominopelvic surgery in pregnancy. Surgery is often necessary in pregnancy, but absolute measures of risk required to guide perioperative management are lacking. We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and EvidenceBased Medicine Reviews from January 1, 2000, to December 9, 2020, for observational studies and randomized trials of pregnant patients undergoing nonobstetric abdominopelvic surgery. We determined the pooled proportions of fetal loss, preterm birth, and maternal mortality using a generalized linear random/mixed effects model with a logit link. We identified 114 observational studies (52 [46%] appendectomy, 34 [30%] adnexal, 8 [7%] cholecystectomy, 20 [17%] mixed types) reporting on 67,111 pregnant patients. Overall pooled proportions of fetal loss, preterm birth, and maternal mortality were 2.8% (95% CI 2.2-3.6), 9.7% (95% CI 8.3-11.4), and 0.04% (95% CI 0.02-0.09; 4/10,000), respectively. Rates of fetal loss and preterm birth were higher for pelvic inflammatory conditions (eg, appendectomy, adnexal torsion) than for abdominal or nonurgent conditions (eg, cholecystectomy, adnexal mass). Surgery in the second and third trimesters was associated with lower rates of fetal loss (0.1%) and higher rates of preterm birth (13.5%) than surgery in the first and second trimesters (fetal loss 2.9%, preterm birth 5.6%). Absolute risks of adverse fetal outcomes after nonobstetric abdom- inopelvic surgery vary with gestational age, indication, and acuity. Pooled estimates derived here identify high-risk clinical scenarios, and can inform implementation of mitigation strategies and improve preoperative counselling.

CUSTOMISED FETAL GROWTH CHARTS VERSUS POPULATION-BASED GROWTH CHARTS IN IDENTIFYING ADVERSE FETAL OUTCOMES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

One for all antenatal growth charts may not adequately capture risks for adverse fetal outcomes. This review appraises studies on customised growth curves in preventing adverse fetal effects and compares them with population-based growth charts. A review was done on articles published in PubMed database, Cochrane database and Google Scholar. The search criteria were English written described fetal outcomes using a customised fetal growth chart published between 2007 and 2020. All selected articles reported antenatal follow-up data and compared the intervention using the customised antenatal growth chart to the population-based antenatal growth chart. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) and stillbirths. The feasibility of using a customised fetal growth chart versus a population-based fetal growth chart was assessed as the process indicator. Twenty-two articles comparing the use of customised growth charts to population-based growth charts were found. Sixteen studies depicted a significant improvement in the detection of pathological SGA over a population-based growth chart ,and another two studies showed significant in detecting large gestational age (LGA). In conclusion, the customised growth charts improve the detection of pathological SGA antenatally. The feasibility of the intervention depends on the training, policy, infrastructure, staffing, awareness and ethics. A summarised framework analysis for implementing customised growth charts is proposed for future research.

Recognition of asymptomatic hypercholanemia of pregnancy: Different clinical features, fetal outcomes and bile acids metabolism from intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical features, fetal outcomes and serum bile acids (BAs) metabolism in asymptomatic hypercholanemia of pregnancy (AHP), as well as the comparison with those in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and normal pregnancies. MethodsA study containing 676 pregnant women was performed to investigate the clinical informations, routine biochemical features and obstetric outcomes of AHP by the comparison with ICP and normal pregnancies. Within the study subjects, 203 pregnant women received prospective determination for 55 serum individual BAs based on a validated UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS method. The differences in clinical features and serum BAs metabolism among the three groups were then investigated. ResultsThe risk of adverse fetal outcomes in AHP (28.3%) was significantly higher than that in normal pregnancies (8.9%, p < 0.001), but lower than that in ICP group (52.1%, p < 0.001). Multivariate statistics analysis indicated a distinctive serum BAs metabolic profiling among the three groups (PLS-DA, R2Y = 0.580, Q2 = 0.537). Levels of serum BAs especially for deoxycholic acid species were found remarkably elevated in AHP as compared to those in ICP. ConclusionsAHP group had distinguished clinical features and serum BAs metabolism as compared to ICP group and normal pregnancies.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #56: Hepatitis C in pregnancy—updated guidelines: Replaces Consult Number 43, November 2017

In the United States, it is estimated that 1% to 4% of pregnant women are infected with hepatitis C virus, which carries approximately a 5% risk of transmission from mother to infant. Hepatitis C virus can be transmitted to the infant in utero or during the peripartum period, and infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes, including fetal growth restriction and low birthweight. The purpose of this document is to discuss the current evidence, provide updated recommendations regarding screening, review treatment, and address management of hepatitis C virus during pregnancy. The following are the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's recommendations: (1) We suggest that third trimester assessment of fetal growth may be performed, but antenatal testing is not indicated in the setting of hepatitis C virus diagnosis alone (GRADE 2C); (2) we suggest screening for viral hepatitis in patients with a diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy at an early gestational age or with high levels of bile acids (GRADE 2C); (3) we recommend that obstetrical providers screen all pregnant patients for hepatitis C virus by testing for anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in every pregnancy (GRADE 1B); (4) we suggest that obstetrical care providers screen hepatitis C virus-positive pregnant patients for other sexually transmitted infections (if not done previously), including human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis B virus (GRADE 2C); (5) we recommend vaccination against hepatitis A and B viruses (if not immune) for patients with hepatitis C virus (GRADE 1B); (6) we recommend that direct-acting antiviral regimens only be initiated in the setting of a clinical trial during pregnancy and that people who become pregnant while taking a direct-acting antiviral should be counseled in a shared decision-making framework about the risks and benefits of continuation (GRADE 1C); (7) we suggest that if prenatal diagnostic testing is requested, patients are counseled that data regarding the risk of vertical transmission are reassuring but limited (GRADE 2C); (8) we recommend against cesarean delivery solely for the indication of hepatitis C virus (GRADE 1B); (9) we suggest that obstetrical care providers avoid internal fetal monitors and early artificial rupture of membranes when managing labor in patients with hepatitis C virus unless necessary in the course of management (ie, when unable to trace the fetal heart rate with external monitors and the alternative is proceeding with cesarean delivery) (GRADE 2B); (10) we recommend that hepatitis C virus status not alter standard breastfeeding counseling and recommendations unless nipples are cracked or bleeding (GRADE 1A).

Increased risk of major congenital malformations in early pregnancy use of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor-blockers: a meta-analysis.

To evaluate the risk of adverse fetal outcomes after exposure to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in first trimester of pregnancy, by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was conducted using Medline, Embase, Cochrane and PubMed from inception to 25 November 2019. Studies were included if they evaluated pregnancies exposed to ACE-Is or ARBs, reported fetal outcomes, and compared these outcomes with a control group. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using inverse variance-weighted random effects model. The protocol was registered with the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020160566). Studies reporting on 6234 pregnancies exposed to ACE-Is or ARBs, 4104 pregnancies exposed to other oral antihypertensives, and 1,872,733 pregnancies without exposure were included in the meta-analysis. ACE-I or ARB exposed pregnancies, compared to non-exposed controls, had higher risk of major congenital malformations (OR 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42-2.34), cardiovascular malformations (OR 2.50; 95% CI: 1.62-3.87) and stillbirths (OR 1.75; 95% CI: 1.21-2.53). There was no difference in congenital malformations observed between pregnancies exposed to other antihypertensives compared to non-exposed controls (OR 0.96; 95% CI: 0.69-1.33). Women exposed to ACE-Is or ARBs during early pregnancy had higher risk of adverse fetal outcomes, including malformations and stillbirths, than non-exposed controls. This increased risk was independent of underlying maternal hypertension, as those exposed to other antihypertensives did not exhibit a higher risk than healthy controls. Women planning for pregnancy using these medications, including those with diabetic nephropathy, should be counselled appropriately.

Association of laparoscopy and laparotomy with adverse fetal outcomes: a retrospective population-based case-control study.

This study aimed to evaluate fetal adverse outcomes of laparoscopy and laparotomy in pregnant women to determine the safety of these surgical approaches. This was a retrospective nationwide case-control study of women who became pregnant for the first time between 2000 and 2012 in Taiwan. The case (with adverse fetal outcomes) and control groups comprised 208,604 and 417,124 participants, respectively. Participants who underwent appendectomy, cholecystectomy, ovarian cystectomy, or myomectomy were treated with either laparoscopy or laparotomy. A conditional logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for adverse fetal outcomes. The laparotomy and laparoscopy groups comprised 632 and 536 patients, respectively. Women who underwent laparoscopy had a significantly higher risk of adverse fetal outcomes (adjusted OR [AOR] = 2.33; 95% CI 1.66-2.99) than those who underwent laparotomy. Adverse fetal outcomes were found to be significantly associated with laparoscopy among women aged 20-39years (AOR = 2.30; 95% CI 1.70-3.31). Regarding surgical indication, unlike laparotomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy were not associated with adverse fetal outcomes. However, laparoscopic myomectomy and ovarian surgeries were associated with a higher incidence of adverse fetal outcomes than the laparotomy group (AOR = 2.29 [95% CI 1.57-3.35, p < 0.0001] and AOR = 2.52 [95% CI 1.58-4.04, p = 0.0001], respectively). Pregnant women who underwent laparoscopic surgery experienced significantly more adverse fetal outcomes than those who underwent laparotomy. Therefore, pregnant women undergoing either laparotomy or laparoscopy should be informed of the risk of adverse fetal outcomes.

Maternal and fetal outcomes of lupus pregnancies: A collective effort by Karnataka Rheumatologists.

Identifying factors predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes involving systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a research priority. The aims of this study were to investigate (a) the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant lupus patients and the factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and (b) the effect of pregnancy on lupus disease activity of these patients. This was an ambi-directional study collecting information from five multi-specialist referral centres across the state of Karnataka, India over 5 years (2013-2018). Clinical details of pregnancies and outcomes that were temporally associated with lupus disease were recorded using a structured pro forma. The Safety of Estrogen in SLE National Assessment-SLE Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) was used to assess lupus activity during the 6 months prior to pregnancy and the intra- and post-partum periods. Modifications suggested in the SLE Pregnancy Disease Activity Index were considered while scoring. A total of 121 pregnancies in 80 SLE patients with a mean age of 27.1 (±4.5) years and with a mean disease duration of 4.6 (±4.1) years were reviewed. Largely patients were in clinical remission (109/121; 90.1%). Antiphospholipid antibody positivity was seen in 45/121 (37.2%) patients. A history of lupus nephritis was noted in 29/121 (24%) patients. Maternal complications (32%) were mainly due to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP; 19/121; 15.7%). Adverse fetal outcomes (58%) were mainly in the form of spontaneous first-trimester abortions (21/121; 16%), stillbirth (14/121; 11.6%) and prematurity (24/121; 20%). HDP is strongly associated with stillbirth and prematurity and is independent of active lupus. Disease activity was associated with a three-fold increased risk of adverse fetal outcome in univariate analysis. The risk of major flare during pregnancy is low (4.1%) when conception occurs during stable disease. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use was associated with reduced risk of flare (p = 0.001) in patients in remission at the time of conception. The risk of major flare during pregnancy is low when conception happens during stable disease. HCQ use was associated with reduced risk of flare in patients in remission at the time of conception. HDP was strongly associated with stillbirth and prematurity and are independent of active lupus in our cohort.