Risk Of Neonatal Morbidity Research Articles

A Review of the Literature: Amniotic Fluid "Sludge"-Clinical Significance and Perinatal Outcomes.

Introduction: This paper seeks to report and emphasize the most important aspects from the scientific literature about the diagnostic accuracy of the amniotic fluid "sludge" (AFS), its characterization, its treatment, and its association with premature birth. AFS is defined as a floating freely hyperechogenic material within the amniotic cavity in the proximity of the internal os. Materials and Methods: We conducted a search on Pubmed and Google Scholar for relevant articles on the subject of amniotic fluid "sludge" published until January 2024. Searches were focused on articles about diagnosis, treatment, maternal and neonatal outcomes, risk of preterm birth, and case reports. The full-text reading stage resulted in the inclusion of 51 studies. Results: AFS is independently associated with chorioamnionitis, preterm delivery, short cervix, increased risk of neonatal morbidity, and cervical insufficiency. This hyperechogenic free-floating material is linked with preterm birth before 32 weeks of gestation, especially when it is associated with short cervical length. Discussion: Present studies identify some controversial benefits of antibiotics in reducing the incidence of preterm birth in women with AFS. Nevertheless, in this review, we can conclude that the presence of AFS in pregnancy is a marker for the microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, as it is associated with preterm birth. Further studies on a larger group of patients are necessary to clarify and exactly define the terms of managing these cases.

Pediatric Morbidity Among Black Haitians in Canada: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

In the U.S., Black children have disproportionately elevated rates of pediatric morbidity compared with White children, but data are lacking for other countries. We studied the extent to which Black Haitians were at risk of pediatric morbidity in Canada. We analyzed a retrospective cohort of 736,498 children born in Quebec between 2008 and 2020. We identified Black Haitians using the mother tongue and birth country of parents. The outcome was mortality or hospitalization for infectious diseases, allergy, cancer, and other morbidity between birth and 12years of age. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for these outcomes, comparing Haitians with non-Haitians in Cox regression models adjusted for patient characteristics. Compared with non-Haitians, Haitians tended to have a greater risk of pediatric mortality, especially before age 2years (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.00-2.45). However, Haitian children had a lower risk of hospitalization than non-Haitian children (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.59-0.63). Haitians were less likely to be hospitalized for infectious diseases, allergies, appendicitis, cancers, fractures, dental caries, and ophthalmologic conditions. Hospitalization rates were low throughout childhood, even though Haitian children were more likely to be born preterm, develop severe neonatal morbidity, and have other adverse outcomes at birth. Haitian children have an elevated risk of neonatal morbidity and early childhood mortality, but lower risk of hospitalization compared with non-Haitians in Canada. The reasons for the disparity are unclear, but greater effort is needed to address potential gaps in healthcare among Black children.

Comparison of SGA and Severe SGA rates using six size standards – Is there a difference?

BackgroundSmall for gestational age (SGA) neonates are known to be at an elevated risk for neonatal morbidity. Despite this, there is a growing array of proposed size standards for identifying SGA fetuses. Given the inherent differences in design, acquisition methods, and the characteristics of the populations they represent, the generalizability of these standards to diverse populations remains uncertain. IntroductionThis study aimed to assess variations in rates of SGA and severe SGA using six distinct size standards: Hadlock, Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF), World Health Organization (WHO), Intergrowth-21 (IG-21), and two locally derived population-based size standards. The objective was to examine the differences in SGA and severe SGA rates among these size standards. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted, encompassing all singleton deliveries in two tertiary referral hospital campuses with an annual birth count exceeding 10,000, from January 2019 to July 2022. SGA and severe SGA were defined as birthweights below the 10th or 3rd percentile, respectively, based on each growth standard. The study design included details on the setting, subjects (singleton deliveries), and the chosen size standards. Comparative analyses were performed to assess variations in SGA and severe SGA rates among these size standards. ResultsOur study analyzed 32,912 singleton deliveries. We found that the choice of growth standard significantly impacted the rates of both SGA and severe SGA infants. Notably, the WHO criteria identified 5,548 (16.9 %) fetuses as SGA, compared to only 1,716 (5.2 %) using the INTERGROWTH-21 standard (p < 0.001). Similarly, for severe SGA, the FMF charts classified 2098 (6.37 %) infants, significantly higher than the 320 (1 %) identified by Dolberg’s local population-based charts (p < 0.001). ConclusionOur study demonstrates a significant variety of SGA and severe SGA rates using different size standards. Therefore, the decision on the size standards in use is critical given the significant influence on clinical management. SynopsisThere are significant variations in SGA and Severe SGA rates depending on the chosen size standard.

Outcomes in term breech birth according to intended mode of delivery-A Swedish prospective single-center experience of a dedicated breech birth team.

The appropriate mode of delivery for breech babies is a topic of ongoing debate. After the publication of the Term Breech Trial in 2000, the proportion of breech babies delivered vaginally in Sweden rapidly dropped to 7% from 26%. In 2015, international guidelines changed to once again recommend offering vaginal breech deliveries in select cases. In 2017, a Swedish hospital established a dedicated Breech Team to provide safe vaginal breech deliveries according to the new guidelines. The aim of this study is to compare neonatal morbidity in the group planned for cesarean breech delivery with the group planned for vaginal breech delivery treated in accordance with the new guidelines. The study adds to the literature by providing insights into the consequences of reintroducing vaginal breech births in a high-resource health-care setting. A prospective observational study was conducted at Södersjukhuset's maternity ward with 1067 women who gave birth to a single breech fetus at term. Outcomes were compared between the planned vaginal and planned cesarean delivery groups using intention-to-treat analysis and multivariate analysis to control for confounders. Out of the 1067 women, 78.9% were planned for cesarean delivery and 21.1% were planned for vaginal delivery. The planned vaginal group had a significantly greater risk for neonatal morbidity compared to the planned cesarean group (3.1% vs. 0.7%; OR 4.44, 95% CI 1.48-13.34). The risk difference remained significant after controlling for confounders. Planned vaginal breech delivery was associated with an increased risk of neonatal mortality and short-term morbidity compared to planned cesarean breech delivery in accordance with the new guidelines. The potential risks and benefits of planned vaginal breech delivery should be carefully weighed against those of planned cesarean delivery.

Incidence of neonatal respiratory morbidity after vaginal and caesarean delivery in the late-preterm and term period - a retrospective cohort study.

Respiratory distress syndrome is a leading cause of neonatal intensive care unit admissions for late preterm (34-36 weeks gestational age) and term infants (37-41 weeks). The risk for respiratory morbidity appears to increase after an elective caesarean delivery and might be reduced after antenatal corticosteroids. However, before considering antenatal corticosteroids for women at high risk of preterm birth after 34 weeks, the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and the effect of delivery mode on this incidence requires further evaluation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between respiratory distress syndrome incidence and delivery mode in late preterm and term infants. In this retrospective cohort study, the clinical databases of the University Hospitals of Zurich and Basel were queried regarding all live births between 34 + 0 and 41 + 6 weeks. Neonatal intensive care unit admissions due to respiratory distress syndrome were determined and analysed in regard to the following delivery modes: spontaneous vaginal, operative vaginal, elective caesarean, secondary caesarean and emergency caesarean. After excluding malformations (n = 889) and incomplete or inconclusive data (n = 383), 37,110 infants out of 38,382 were evaluated. Of these, 5.34% (n = 1980) were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory distress syndrome. Regardless of gestational age, respiratory distress syndrome in infants after spontaneous vaginal delivery was 2.92%; for operative vaginal delivery, it was 4.02%; after elective caesarean delivery it was 8.98%; following secondary caesarean delivery, it was 8.45%, and after an emergency caesarean it was 13.3%. The risk of respiratory distress syndrome was higher after an elective caesarean compared to spontaneous vaginal delivery, with an odds ratio (OR), adjusted for gestational age, of 2.31 (95% CI 1.49-3.56) at 34 weeks, OR 5.61 (95% CI 3.39-9.3) at 35 weeks, OR 1.5 (95% CI 0.95-2.38) at 36 weeks, OR 3.28 (95% CI 1.95-5.54) at 37 weeks and OR 2.51 (95% CI 1.65-3.81) at 38 weeks. At 39 weeks, there was no significant difference between the risk of respiratory distress syndrome after an elective caesarean vs. spontaneous vaginal delivery. Over the study period, gestational age at elective caesarean delivery remained stable at 39.3 ± 1.65 weeks. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome following an elective caesarean is up to threefold higher in infants born with less than 39 weeks gestational age compared to those born by spontaneous vaginal delivery. Therefore - and whenever possible - an elective caesarean delivery should be planned after 38 completed weeks to minimise the risk of respiratory morbidity in neonates.

O-091 Severe maternal and neonatal morbidity among gestational carriers: a population-based cohort study

Abstract Study question Are gestational carriers at higher risk of severe maternal (SMM) or neonatal (SNM) morbidity, compared to patients using unassisted conception or in vitro fertilization (IVF)? Summary answer A higher risk of SMM and adverse pregnancy outcomes is seen among gestational carriers, without evident neonatal morbidity. What is known already The use of gestational carriers (GC) also known as “surrogate pregnancy” is increasing. Gestational carriage may be associated with adverse outcomes linked to both IVF techniques and exposure to foreign fetal antigens. Adverse outcomes of GC pregnancies are largely unknown. Study design, size, duration Retrospective population-based cohort study of 937,938 births, derived from existing administrative health datasets. Data were linked using unique for birthing woman and child identifiers and analyzed at ICES Ontario. The study excluded participants with untreated infertility, those utilizing ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination, and those with multifetal gestation. Participants/materials, setting, methods Singleton births at &amp;gt; 20 weeks gestation in Ontario, 2012-2021. Pregnancy characteristics were obtained from the Ontario Birth Registry database. Exposure groups were i) unassisted conception (comparison group 1), ii) IVF (comparison group 2), or iii) GC. Primary outcomes included validated composite outcomes of i) SMM and ii) SNM. Secondary outcomes included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, cesarean delivery, preterm birth, and postpartum hemorrhage. Modified Poisson regression models generated relative risks adjusted for birthing woman’s characteristics (aRR). Main results and the role of chance Of all singleton births, 937,938 (97.7%) were from unassisted conception, 20,958 (2.2%) from IVF, and 956 (0.1%) from GC. GC were more likely to be parous, reside in a lower-income area, and have higher rates of chronic hypertension. GC were more likely than unassisted conception women to be older and be non-smokers, with some opposite trends when compared to IVF recipients. Respective rates of SMM were 2.4%, 4.6% and 7.1%. The aRR were 3.07 (95% CI 2.44-3.87) comparing GC to unassisted conception, and 1.88 (95% CI 1.46-2.42) comparing GC to IVF. Respective rates of SNM were 6.0%, 9.1% and 6.5%, generating aRR of 1.21 (95% CI 0.95-1.54) for GC vs. unassisted conception, and 0.78 (95% CI 0.60-1.00) for GC vs. IVF. Respective rates of hypertensive disorders were 6.6%, 11.6% and 13.9%. The aRR were 1.89 (1.61 - 2.21) comparing GC to unassisted conception, 1.42 (1.19 - 1.69) comparing GC to IVF. Respective rates of postpartum hemorrhage were 5.7%, 10.5% and 13.9%, generating aRR of 2.87 (2.43 - 3.38) for GC vs. unassisted conception, and 1.40 (1.17 - 1.67) for GC vs. IVF. Limitations, reasons for caution The databases did not include certain baseline details, including the reasons for opting for a GC and the sources of gametes. There is a chance that the measured association may be distorted or confounded by the unmeasured variables. Wider implications of the findings GC appear to be at an elevated risk of maternal morbidity, without evident risk of neonatal morbidity. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms involved. Eligibility for GC should be determined using consistent selection criteria, and consideration should be given to specialized obstetrical care to promote optimal pregnancy outcomes. Trial registration number Not applicable

Neonatal outcomes of planned vaginal delivery versus planned cesarean section for breech presentation at term: Population-based study on 546,842 breech births across the United States between 2008 and 2017

IntroductionOver the last several decades, cesarean delivery has been recommended as the safest mode of delivery for breech presentations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of planned vaginal births with planned cesarean births in breech presenting fetuses. MethodsThis retrospective population-based cohort study utilized data from the United States’ Period Linked Birth-Infant Death Public Use Files from 2008 to 2017. All term singleton breech deliveries of a live baby without congenital anomalies were identified (n = 546,842) and divided into two cohorts: women who had a planned vaginal birth (n = 116,828), and women who had a planned cesarean section (n = 430,014). Multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for maternal baseline characteristics, examined the associations between the planned delivery method and neonatal outcomes. ResultsIt was observed that 26.14 % of the planned vaginal birth cohort had a vaginal delivery. In adjusted analyses, undergoing a planned vaginal birth for breech delivery was associated with an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes including infant death, OR 1.32, 95 % CI 1.16–1.52, admission to NICU,1.23, 1.19–1.27, ventilation support at 〈 6 h of life, 1.47, 1.42–1.52, ventilation support at 〉 6 h of life, 1.19, 1.08–1.31, and Apgar score of ≤3 at 5 min, 2.27, 2.06–2.50. ConclusionIn women carrying fetuses in breech presentation, having a planned vaginal birth had a low success rate and was associated with increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Women should be carefully counselled on the risks associated with breech vaginal delivery as well as the low success rate of vaginal delivery.

Study protocol for two randomised controlled trials evaluating the effects of Cerclage in the reduction of extreme preterm birth and perinatal mortality in twin pregnancies with a short cervix or dilatation: the TWIN Cerclage studies

IntroductionTwin pregnancies have a high risk of extreme preterm birth (PTB) at less than 28 weeks of gestation, which is associated with increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Currently...

Prématurité moyenne : aspects médicaux et développementaux

Prématurité moyenne : aspects médicaux et développementaux

Neonatal outcomes in preterm infants with severe congenital heart disease: a national cohort analysis.

Prematurity and congenital heart disease (CHD) are the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Limited data are available about the outcomes of premature infants with severe CHD. We queried The National Inpatient Database using ICD-10 codes for premature patients (<37 weeks) with severe CHD from 2016 to 2020. Severe CHDs were grouped into three categories: A. left-sided lesions with impaired systemic output, B. Cyanotic CHD, and C. Shunt lesions with pulmonary overcirculation. Patients with isolated atrial or ventricular septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus were excluded. We also excluded patients with chromosomal abnormalities and major congenital anomalies. Patients' demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were evaluated by comparing premature infants with vs. without CHD adjusting for gestational age (GA), birth weight, and gender. A total of 27710 (1.5%) out of 1,798,245 premature infants had severe CHD. This included 27%, 58%, and 15% in groups A, B, and C respectively. The incidence of severe CHD was highest between 25 and 28 weeks of gestation and decreased significantly with increasing GA up to 36 weeks (p < 0.001). Premature infants with severe CHD had a significantly higher incidence of neonatal morbidities including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) [OR = 4.88 (4.51-5.27)], interventricular hemorrhage [OR = 6.22 (5.57-6.95)], periventricular leukomalacia [OR = 3.21 (2.84-3.64)] and bronchopulmonary dysplasia [OR = 8.26 (7.50-10.06) compared to preterm infants of similar GA without CHD. Shunt lesions had the highest incidence of NEC (8.5%) compared to 5.3% in cyanotic CHD and 3.7% in left-sided lesions (p < 0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in premature infants with CHD compared to control [11.6% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.001]. Shunt lesions had significantly higher mortality (11.0%) compared to those with left-sided lesions (8.3%) and cyanotic CHD (6.4%), p < 0.001. Premature infants with severe CHD are at high risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Morbidity remains increased across all GA groups and in all CHD categories. This significant risk of adverse outcomes is important to acknowledge when managing this patient population and when counseling their families. Future research is needed to examine the impact of specific rather than categorized congenital heart defects on neonatal outcomes.

Risks of adverse outcomes and neonatal morbidity in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 depending on the trimester of infection

Introduction. COVID-19 in pregnant women adversely affects the course of the disease, pregnancy outcomes, and morbidity in newborns. However, studies on the impact of the gestational age at which SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs on the risk of neonatal morbidity are lacking.Aim. To assess the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes and neonatal morbidity in newborns depending on the gestational age at which women were infected with SARS-CoV-2.Materials and methods. The study included 215 women infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy and 50 uninfected pregnant women. Newborns formed corresponding groups. Data for analysis (general clinical, anamnestic, childbirth outcomes, and newborn condition) were obtained from the records of pregnant, laboring, and postpartum women.Results. In 4.7% of women infected in the first trimester, pregnancy was accompanied by spontaneous miscarriage and in 1.9% by ectopic pregnancy development. In 1.9% of women infected in the second trimester, antenatal fetal demise in a full-term pregnancy was detected. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 more often underwent cesarean section (31.7%). The median weight and height of newborns from mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 were lower than in the control group. The Apgar score at the first minute showed no differences, but at the fifth minute, it was lower than in the control group. Newborns from mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 were more frequently diagnosed with cerebral ischemia (26.3%), motor disorder syndrome (20.7%), and persistent fetal circulation (27.8%). Only in newborns from mothers with SARS-CoV-2 were hypertensive syndrome (13.1%), posthypoxic cardiomyopathy (13.1%), and intraventricular hemorrhages (10.1%) detected. The Apgar score at the first minute in newborns from mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the third trimester of pregnancy was higher compared to infections in the second trimester. Neonatal morbidity in this cohort of newborns was characterized by a high frequency of cerebral ischemia, motor disorder syndrome, hypertensive syndrome, and persistent fetal circulation. Infection in the third trimester increased the risk of neonatal morbidity: cerebral ischemia by 5.6 times, motor disorder syndrome by 13.78 times, hypertensive syndrome by 8.61 times, and persistent fetal circulation by 2.76 times.Conclusion. COVID-19 during pregnancy increases the risks of adverse outcomes and the development of neonatal pathology in newborns. The frequency of their development is associated with the gestational age at which women were infected. Infection of women with SARS-CoV-2 in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy increases the risk of spontaneous miscarriage and antenatal fetal death, in the third trimester – the development of intraventricular hemorrhages and posthypoxic cardiomyopathy in newborns.

The simultaneous occurrence of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy affects fetal growth and neonatal morbidity

Gestational diabetes is associated with increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, but there are limited data on fetal growth and neonatal outcomes when both conditions are present. We evaluated the risk of abnormal fetal growth and neonatal morbidity in pregnancies with co-occurrence of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In a retrospective study of 47,093 singleton pregnancies, we compared the incidence of appropriate for gestational age birthweight in pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes alone, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy alone, or both gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with that in pregnancies affected by neither disorder using generalized estimating equations (covariates: maternal age, nulliparity, body mass index, insurance type, race, marital status, and prenatal care site). Secondary outcomes were large for gestational age birthweight, small for gestational age birthweight, and a neonatal morbidity composite outcome (stillbirth, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, respiratory distress, encephalopathy, preterm delivery, neonatal death, and neonatal intensive care unit admission). The median (interquartile range) birthweight percentile in pregnancies with both gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (50 [24.0-78.0]; N=179) was similar to that of unaffected pregnancies (50 [27.0-73.0]; N=35,833). However, the absolute rate of appropriate for gestational age birthweight was lower for gestational diabetes/hypertensive disorders of pregnancy co-occurrence (78.2% vs 84.9% for unaffected pregnancies). Adjusted analyses showed decreased odds of appropriate for gestational age birthweight in pregnancies withboth gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancycompared with unaffected pregnancies (adjusted odds ratio, 0.72 [95%confidence interval, 0.52-1.00]; P=.049), and in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes alone (adjusted odds ratio, 0.78 [0.68-0.89]; P<.001) or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy alone (adjusted odds ratio, 0.73 [0.66-0.81]; P<.001). The absolute risk of large for gestational age birthweight was greater in pregnancies with both gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (14.5%) than in unaffected pregnancies (8.2%), without apparent difference in the risk of small for gestational age birthweight (7.3% vs 6.9%). However, in adjusted models comparing pregnancies with gestational diabetes/hypertensive disorders of pregnancy co-occurrence with unaffected pregnancies, neither an association with large for gestational age birthweight (adjusted odds ratio, 1.33 [0.88-2.00]; P=.171) nor small for gestational age birthweight (adjusted odds ratio, 1.32 [0.80-2.19]; P=.293) reached statistical significance. Gestational diabetes/hypertensive disorders of pregnancy co-occurrence carried an increased risk of neonatal morbidity that was greater than that observed with either condition alone (gestational diabetes/hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: adjusted odds ratio, 3.13 [2.35-4.17]; P<.001; gestational diabetes alone: adjusted odds ratio, 2.01 [1.78-2.27]; P<.001; hypertensive disorders of pregnancy alone: adjusted odds ratio, 1.38 [1.26-1.50]; P<.001). Although pregnancies with both gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy have a similar median birthweight percentile to those affected by neither condition, pregnancies concurrently affected by both conditions have a higher risk of abnormal fetal growth and neonatal morbidity.

Performance of a Maternal Risk Stratification System for Predicting Low Apgar Scores.

Maternal risk stratification systems are increasingly employed in predicting and preventing obstetric complications. These systems focus primarily on maternal morbidity, and few tools exist to stratify neonatal risk. We sought to determine if a maternal risk stratification score was associated with neonatal morbidity. Retrospective cohort study of patients with liveborn infants born at ≥24 weeks at four hospitals in one health system between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. The Expanded Obstetric Comorbidity Score (EOCS) is used as the maternal risk score. The primary neonatal outcome was 5-minute Apgar <7. Logistic regression models determined associations between EOCS and neonatal morbidity. Secondary analyses were performed, including stratifying outcomes by gestational age and limiting analysis to "low-risk" term singletons. Model discrimination assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) and calibration via calibration plots. A total of 14,497 maternal-neonatal pairs were included; 236 (1.6%) had 5-minute Apgar <7; EOCS was higher in 5-minute Apgar <7 group (median 41 vs. 11, p < 0.001). AUC for EOCS in predicting Apgar <7 was 0.72 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.68, 0.75), demonstrating relatively good discrimination. Calibration plot revealed that those in the highest EOCS decile had higher risk of neonatal morbidity (7.6 vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001). When stratified by gestational age, discrimination weakened with advancing gestational age: AUC 0.70 for <28 weeks, 0.63 for 28 to 31 weeks, 0.64 for 32 to 36 weeks, and 0.61 for ≥37 weeks. When limited to term low-risk singletons, EOCS had lower discrimination for predicting neonatal morbidity and was not well calibrated. A maternal morbidity risk stratification system does not perform well in most patients giving birth, at low risk for neonatal complications. The findings suggest that the association between EOCS and 5-minute Apgar <7 likely reflects a relationship with prematurity. This study cautions against intentional or unintentional extrapolation of maternal morbidity risk for neonatal risk, especially for term deliveries. · EOCS had moderate discrimination for Apgar <7.. · Predictive performance declined when limited to low-risk term singletons.. · Relationship between EOCS and Apgar <7 was likely driven by prematurity..

Growth and micronutrient status parameters of Nigerian preterm infants consuming preterm formula or breastmilk.

Moderate-to-late preterm infants (32-34 weeks GA) have increased risk of neonatal morbidities compared to term infants, however dedicated nutritional guidelines are lacking. Moderate-to-late preterm infants received a preterm formula (n = 17) or breastmilk (n = 24) from age 2-10 weeks in a non-randomized, open-label observational study. Anthropometric measurements were assessed bi-weekly. Blood concentrations of hemoglobin, ferritin, serum retinol, and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) were analyzed at age 2 and 10 weeks. Average growth per day was 14.7 g/kg BW/day in formula-fed and 12.8 g/kg BW/day in breastmilk-fed infants but not different from each other. Length and head circumference in both groups were in line with the median reference values of the Fenton growth chart. At 10 weeks of age, hemoglobin tended to be higher in the formula-fed group (10.2 g/dL vs. 9.6 g/dL, p = 0.053). 25OHD increased in formula- and breastmilk-fed infants from 73.8 to 180.9 nmol/L and from 70.7 to 97.6 nmol/L, respectively. Serum retinol only increased in the formula-fed group (0.63 to 1.02 µmol/L, p < 0.001). Breastfeeding resulted in adequate growth in moderate-late preterm infants but was limiting in some micronutrients. The preterm formula provided adequate micronutrients, but weight gain velocity was higher than the Fenton reference value. Unfortified breastmilk resulted in adequate growth in weight, length and head circumference in Nigerian moderate to late preterm infants during an study period of 8 weeks, but status of vitamin D, vitamin A and iron needs to be monitored. The high-energy formula, developed for very preterm infants, resulted in higher growth in body weight in moderate to late preterm infants than the median of the Fenton preterm growth chart. This study supports the necessity of dedicated nutritional guidelines, and regular monitoring of growth and nutritional status of moderate to late preterm infants.

695 Maternal height and risk of neonatal morbidity in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction

695 Maternal height and risk of neonatal morbidity in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction

Neonatal Outcomes of Severe Preeclampsia in Neonates Under 34 Weeks of Gestation

Background: Preterm birth is one of the common complications of preeclampsia. Neonatal outcomes seem to be more severe in the presence of preeclampsia in women with preterm birth. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of preeclampsia on morbidity and mortality of neonates under 34 weeks of gestation at discharge. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 311 neonates admitted to the Alzahra Tertiary Care Hospital from 2019 to 2021. Data were collected using a data extraction checklist from the medical registry. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact test. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the neonatal outcomes of preeclampsia. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that risk of cesarean section (P = 0.002, OR = 2.81), low birth weight (P = 0.018, OR = 4.04), fetal growth restriction (&lt; 0.001, OR = 3.73), fetal distress (P = 0.005, OR = 2.60), and mortality (P = 0.019, OR = 2.89) was higher in women with severe preeclampsia after adjusting for maternal age, history of In vitro fertilization, neonate sex, and gestational age. Conclusions: Based on the results, preeclampsia increased the risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates under 34 weeks. Therefore, early identification of pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia is crucial. Future studies are recommended to investigate the long-term neonatal outcomes of preeclampsia.

Comparison of Anthropometric Measurements of Infants Born to Bahraini Mothers with and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality to both mother and fetus. It is defined as the development of hyperglycemia during pregnancy in women who were not previously diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (1). Diagnosis usually occurs during the 24th to 28th weeks of gestation (1). The prevalence of GDM varies worldwide and was reported to be in Bahrain in 2012 at 10.1% of pregnancies, which was increased from 7.2% in 2002 (6). For this study, a total sample of 10,865 patients was used, dating from May 2016 to January 2020. The sample size is set in King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH), Kingdom of Bahrain. They were chosen based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data collected included the GDM status of the mother (GDM or Non-GDM), gestational age of the fetus (weeks), birth weight (grams) of the fetus, length (centimeters) of the fetus, head circumference (centimeters) of the fetus and placental weight (grams) upon delivery. In our study, the results showed an increase in anthropometric measurements in infants born to GDM mothers. 10 out of 200 (5%) neonates had a macrocosmic birth weight in GDM infants. However, when comparing to the birth weight, p= 0.940 was found, showing a non-significant difference between both groups. There was a faster acceleration in head circumference in neonates born to mothers with GDM, and there was no significant difference in average head circumference between both groups. Moreover, 153 out of 200 (76%) of the GDM group had a placental weight of more than 500 grams, whereas 179 out of 200 (89.5%) of the non-GDM group had a placental weight of more than 500 grams. GDM is a common yet serious complication encountered throughout pregnancy, most commonly via routine screening. One of the commonly observed outcomes of GDM in pregnancy is increased fetal growth through various mechanisms, which can result in an increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study helps to reaffirm that routine screening of GDM is required, and perhaps placental weight is another factor to be taken into consideration after further study as an indicator of fetal growth and GDM progression.

1205-P: Abnormal Fetal Growth and Adverse Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnancies Affected by Both Gestational Diabetes and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Objective: We evaluated how the co-occurrence of gestational diabetes (GDM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) influence fetal growth and neonatal outcomes. Methods: In a retrospective study of 47720 singleton deliveries from a US medical center, we compared the incidence of appropriate for gestational age birthweight (AGA) in pregnancies affected by GDM alone, HDP alone, or both GDM and HDP (GDM/HDP) to that in pregnancies affected by neither disorder (Control) using generalized estimating equations (covariates: maternal age, parity, BMI, insurance type, race, marital status, and prenatal care site). Secondary outcomes were small for gestational age birthweight (SGA), large for gestational age birthweight (LGA), and a neonatal composite outcome (stillbirth, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, respiratory distress, encephalopathy, preterm delivery, neonatal death, NICU admission). Results: Median [IQR] birthweight (BW) percentile in GDM/HDP (50 [24, 78], N=179) was similar to Control (50 [27, 73], N=35885), while GDM had increased (60 [35, 83], N=1322) and HDP had decreased (43 [18, 71], N=2749) BW percentiles. GDM (OR 0.8, P&amp;lt;0.001), HDP (OR 0.7, P&amp;lt;0.001), and GDM/HDP (OR 0.7, P=0.04) each had decreased odds of AGA. GDM had decreased SGA odds (OR 0.7, P=0.02) and increased LGA odds (OR 1.7, P&amp;lt;0.001). HDP had increased SGA odds (OR 2.0, P&amp;lt;0.001) and no difference in LGA odds (OR 0.99, P=0.914). While unadjusted rates of abnormal growth in GDM/HDP suggested that reduced AGA was due to excess LGA (14.5%) without excess SGA (7.3%), adjusted models suggested that both SGA (OR 1.3, P=0.33) and LGA (OR 1.4, P=0.12) contributed. GDM/HDP conferred the highest risk of neonatal morbidity (OR 3.4, P&amp;lt;0.001 compared to Control). Conclusion: Although pregnancies with GDM/HDP co-occurrence have a similar median birth weight to unaffected pregnancies, they carry an increased risk of abnormal fetal growth and neonatal morbidity. Disclosure C.A.Onuoha: None. T.Thaweethai: None. S.Hsu: None. C.C.M.Schulte: None. K.James: None. A.Kaimal: None. C.E.Powe: Consultant; Mediflix, Inc., Other Relationship; Wolters Kluwer Health.

Severity of Intrapartum Fever and Neonatal Outcomes

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022;227:513.e1–513.e8) Infection- or noninfection-mediated intrapartum maternal fever (≥38 °C) is a frequent complication of childbirth, affecting 1 in 15 deliveries. Associations with increased risk for neonatal morbidity include low Apgar score, sepsis, encephalopathy, seizures, respiratory distress, meconium aspiration, and NICU admission. Risk for maternal morbidity as defined by labor dystocia, hemorrhage, instrumental vaginal delivery, and cesarean delivery is also heightened. Studies investigating the correlation of fever severity to increased neonatal and maternal morbidity are conflicting and have been conducted in homogenous patient populations with labor management differing from the standard of care in the United States. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between increased severity of intrapartum fever and maternal and neonatal morbidity in a diverse, contemporary cohort, and medical practice. The authors hypothesized that risk would be independent from the duration of the time from the maximum fever temperature (Tmax) through to delivery.

Dexmedetomidine Protects Cerebellar Neurons against Hyperoxia-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in the Juvenile Rat.

The risk of oxidative stress is unavoidable in preterm infants and increases the risk of neonatal morbidities. Premature infants often require sedation and analgesia, and the commonly used opioids and benzodiazepines are associated with adverse effects. Impairment of cerebellar functions during cognitive development could be a crucial factor in neurodevelopmental disorders of prematurity. Recent studies have focused on dexmedetomidine (DEX), which has been associated with potential neuroprotective properties and is used as an off-label application in neonatal units. Wistar rats (P6) were exposed to 80% hyperoxia for 24 h and received as pretreatment a single dose of DEX (5µg/kg, i.p.). Analyses in the immature rat cerebellum immediately after hyperoxia (P7) and after recovery to room air (P9, P11, and P14) included examinations for cell death and inflammatory and oxidative responses. Acute exposure to high oxygen concentrations caused a significant oxidative stress response, with a return to normal levels by P14. A marked reduction of hyperoxia-mediated damage was demonstrated after DEX pretreatment. DEX produced a much earlier recovery than in controls, confirming a neuroprotective effect of DEX on alterations elicited by oxygen stress on the developing cerebellum.