Intrauterine versus external tocodynamometry in monitoring labour: a randomised controlled clinical trial

Uterine contractile activity and neonatal outcome - A blind analysis of a randomized controlled trial cohort

INTRODUCTION

Sufficient contractions are necessary for a successful delivery but each contraction temporarily constricts the oxygenated blood flow to the fetus. Individual fetal or placental characteristics determine how the fetus can withstand this temporary low oxygen saturation. However, only a few studies have examined the impact of uterine activity on neonatal outcome and even less attention has been paid to parturients' individual characteristics. Our objective was therefore to find out whether fetuses compromised by maternal or intrapartum risk factors are more vulnerable to excessive uterine activity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Uterine contractile activity was assessed by intrauterine pressure catheters. Women (n = 625) with term singleton pregnancies and fetus in cephalic presentation were included in this secondary, blind analysis of a randomized controlled trial cohort. Intrauterine pressure as Montevideo units (MVU), contraction frequency/10 min and uterine baseline tone were calculated for 4 h prior to birth or the decision to perform cesarean section. Uterine activity in relation to umbilical artery pH linearly or ≤7.10 was used as the primary outcome. Need for operative delivery (either cesarean section or vacuum-assisted delivery) due to fetal distress was analyzed as a secondary outcome. In addition, belonging to vulnerable subgroups with, for example, chorioamnionitis, hypertensive or diabetic disorders, maternal smoking or neonatal birthweight <10th percentile were investigated as additional risk factors.

RESULTS

A linear decline in umbilical artery pH was seen with increasing intrauterine pressure in all deliveries (p < 0.001). Among parturients with suspected chorioamnionitis, every increasing 10 MVUs increased the likelihood of umbilical artery pH ≤7.10 (odds ratio [OR] 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.34, p = 0.023). The need for operative delivery due to fetal distress was increased among all laboring women by every increasing 10 MVUs (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09, p = 0.015). This association with operative deliveries was further increased among parturients with hypertensive disorders (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.05-1.43, p = 0.009) and among those with diabetic disorders (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.28, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing intrauterine pressure impairs umbilical artery pH especially among parturients with suspected chorioamnionitis. Fetuses in pregnancies affected by chorioamnionitis, hypertensive or diabetic disorders are more vulnerable to high intrauterine pressure.

Exploring the Limits of Artificial Intelligence for Referencing Scientific Articles

OBJECTIVE

 To evaluate the reliability of three artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots (ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Chatsonic) in generating accurate references from existing obstetric literature.

STUDY DESIGN

 Between mid-March and late April 2023, ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Chatsonic were prompted to provide references for specific obstetrical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 2020. RCTs were considered for inclusion if they were mentioned in a previous article that primarily evaluated RCTs published by the top medical and obstetrics and gynecology journals with the highest impact factors in 2020 as well as RCTs published in a new journal focused on publishing obstetric RCTs. The selection of the three AI models was based on their popularity, performance in natural language processing, and public availability. Data collection involved prompting the AI chatbots to provide references according to a standardized protocol. The primary evaluation metric was the accuracy of each AI model in correctly citing references, including authors, publication title, journal name, and digital object identifier (DOI). Statistical analysis was performed using a permutation test to compare the performance of the AI models.

RESULTS

 Among the 44 RCTs analyzed, Google Bard demonstrated the highest accuracy, correctly citing 13.6% of the requested RCTs, whereas ChatGPT and Chatsonic exhibited lower accuracy rates of 2.4 and 0%, respectively. Google Bard often substantially outperformed Chatsonic and ChatGPT in correctly citing the studied reference components. The majority of references from all AI models studied were noted to provide DOIs for unrelated studies or DOIs that do not exist.

CONCLUSION

 To ensure the reliability of scientific information being disseminated, authors must exercise caution when utilizing AI for scientific writing and literature search. However, despite their limitations, collaborative partnerships between AI systems and researchers have the potential to drive synergistic advancements, leading to improved patient care and outcomes.

KEY POINTS

· AI chatbots often cite scientific articles incorrectly.. · AI chatbots can create false references.. · Responsible AI use in research is vital..

Maternal and perinatal effects with the use of floral therapy in childbirth: randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the clinical, obstetric, maternal and perinatal effects of the use of flower essences in labor, against factors that enhance it. Method Clinical trial, randomized, controlled, in 164 parturients divided into two groups, flower essences and placebo, respectively, evaluated before and after the intervention. Carried out in a vaginal delivery center, in the city of São Paulo, from May to October 2018. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student's t test, bilateral hypothesis, negative and positive observed critical t, Pearson's chi-square, exact test. Fisher. Results It was observed in the Experimental Group, moderate increase in systolic blood pressure (p=0.046), frequency (p=0.055) and intensity of contractions (p=0.031), as well as a reduction in time to birth (194 minutes), higher number of vaginal deliveries (p=0.038) and better pattern of fetal vitality. Conclusion There was evidence of a positive action of the Floral Essence on the potentiating factors of labor, being effective in maternal clinical and obstetrical repercussions, as well as perinatal ones.

Efeitos maternos e perinatais com utilização de floral no trabalho de parto: ensaio clínico randomizado

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar os efeitos clínicos, obstétricos maternos e perinatais com o uso de essências florais no trabalho de parto, frente a fatores que o potencializam. Método Ensaio clínico, randomizado, controlado, em 164 parturientes divididas em dois grupos, essências florais e placebo, respectivamente, avaliadas pré e pós intervenção. Realizado em centro de parto normal, na cidade de São Paulo, de maio a outubro de 2018. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva, teste t de Student hipótese bilateral, t crítico observado negativo e positivo, Qui-quadrado de Pearson, Exato de Fisher. Resultados Observou-se no Grupo Experimental, moderada elevação da pressão arterial sistólica (p=0,046) da frequência (p=0,055) e intensidade das contrações (p=0,031), assim como, redução do tempo ao nascimento (194 minutos), maior número de partos vaginais (p=0,038) e melhor padrão de vitalidade fetal. Conclusão Evidenciou-se ação positiva da Essência Floral perante os fatores potencializadores do trabalho de parto, sendo efetiva nas repercussões clínicas e obstétricas maternas, bem como perinatais.

How does uterine contractile activity affect the success of trial of labour after caesarean section, and the risk of uterine rupture? An exploratory, blinded analysis of a cohort from a randomised controlled trial

Objective

To investigate the impact of uterine contractile activity on the outcome of trial of labour after caesarean section (TOLAC).

Design

Secondary, blinded analyses of a prospective TOLAC cohort.

Setting

Two labour wards, one in a university tertiary hospital and the other in a central hospital.

Population

A total of 194 TOLAC parturients with intrauterine tocodynamometry during labour.

Methods

Analysis of intrauterine pressure, frequency of contractions and baseline tonus of uterine muscle in 30‐minute periods for 4 hours before birth.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome: uterine contractile activity during TOLAC. Secondary aims: contributors associated with failed TOLAC and uterine rupture.

Results

TOLAC succeeded in 74% of cases. Uterine contractile activity, expressed as intrauterine pressure, was significantly higher in successful TOLAC compared with failed TOLAC (210 versus 170 Montevideo units). The statistically significant risk factors of failed TOLAC, after multivariate regression analysis, were prolonged gestational age, reduced cervical dilatation at admission and lower mean intrauterine pressure. In cases of uterine rupture, contractile activity did not differ from that in failed TOLAC. Cervical ripening with a Foley catheter appeared to be a risk factor for uterine rupture, as well as cervical dilatation <3 cm at admission. The incidence of total uterine rupture was 2.6% (n = 5).

Conclusions

Women with successful vaginal birth had higher uterine contractile activity than those experiencing failed TOLAC or uterine rupture despite similar use of oxytocin. Induction of labour with a Foley catheter turned out to be a risk factor for uterine rupture during TOLAC among parturients with no previous vaginal delivery.

Tweetable abstract

During VBAC the response to oxytocin, assessed as intrauterine pressure, is greater and adequate, in contrast to failed TOLAC.

During VBAC the response to oxytocin, assessed as intrauterine pressure, is greater and adequate, in contrast to failed TOLAC.

Linked article This article is commented on by PJ Steer, pp. 985 in this issue. To view this minicommentary visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17035.

Number and quality of randomized controlled trials in obstetrics published in the top general medical and obstetrics and gynecology journals

BACKGROUND

There has been an increasing number of randomized controlled trials published in obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine to reduce biases of treatment effect and to provide insights on the cause-effect of the relationship between treatment and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify obstetrical randomized controlled trials published in top weekly general medical journals and monthly obstetrics and gynecology journals, to assess their quality in reporting and identify factors associated with publication in different journals.

STUDY DESIGN

The 4 weekly medical journals with the highest 2019 impact factor (New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, The Journal of the American Medical Association, and British Medical Journal), the top 4 monthly obstetrics and gynecology journals with obstetrics-related research (American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology), and the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine were searched for obstetrical randomized controlled trials in the years 2018 to 2020. The primary outcome was the number of obstetrical randomized controlled trials published in the obstetrics and gynecology journals vs the weekly medical journals and the percentage of trials published, overall and per journal. The secondary outcomes included the proportion of positive vs negative trials overall and per journal and the assessment of the study characteristics of published trials, including quality assessment criteria.

RESULTS

Of the 4024 original research articles published in the 9 journals during the 3-year study period, 1221 (30.3%) were randomized controlled trials, with 137 (11.2%) randomized controlled trials being in obstetrics (46 in 2018, 47 in 2019, and 44 studies in 2020). Furthermore, 33 (24.1%) were published in weekly medical journals, and 104 (75.9%) were published in obstetrics and gynecology journals. The percentage of obstetrical randomized controlled trials published ranged from 1.5% to 9.6% per journal. Overall, 34.3% of obstetrical trials were statistically significant or "positive" for the primary outcome. Notably, 24.8% of the trials were retrospectively registered after the enrollment of the first study patient. Trials published in the 4 weekly medical journals enrolled significantly more patients (1801 vs 180; P<.001), received more often funding from the federal government (78.8% vs 35.6%; P<.001), and were more likely to be multicenter (90.9% vs 42.3%; P<.001), non-United States based (69.7% vs 49.0%; P=.03), and double blinded (45.5% vs 18.3%; P=.003) than trials published in the obstetrics and gynecology journals. There was no difference in study type (noninferiority vs superiority) and trial quality characteristics, including pretrial registration, ethics approval statement, informed consent statement, and adherence to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines statement between studies published in weekly medical journals and studies published in obstetrics and gynecology journals.

CONCLUSION

Approximately 45 trials in obstetrics are being published every year in the highest impact journals, with one-fourth being in the weekly medical journals and the remainder in the obstetrics and gynecology journals. Only about a third of published obstetrical trials are positive. Trials published in weekly medical journals are larger, more likely to be funded by the government, multicenter, international, and double blinded. Quality metrics are similar between weekly medical journals and obstetrics and gynecology journals.