An international contrast of rates of placental abruption: an age-period-cohort analysis

Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Chronic Hypertension: A Retrospective Study of 50 Cases

Background Chronic hypertension (CHTN) has been associated with significant maternal and neonatal complications. The goal of this research study is to assess outcomes and management strategies among pregnant women living with CHTN. Methods From December 2019 to December 2020, 50 pregnant women diagnosed with CHTN before or at 20 weeks gestation at Cure International Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan, underwent retrospective analysis using data obtained from patient records, such as demographic details, clinical history notes, laboratory test findings, imaging results, management protocols, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Results Of the 50 patients, 17 (34%) developed superimposed preeclampsia. Maternal complications included superimposed preeclampsia in 17 (34%), placental abruption in 14 (28%), gestational diabetes in 15 (30%), and acute kidney injury in one (2%). Neonatal complications included preterm birth (12; 24%), low birth weight (12; 24%), small for gestational age (10; 20%), and perinatal mortality (5; 10%). Management strategies revealed that 38 (75%) patients received labetalol, while 12 (25%) were treated with methyldopa. Conclusions CHTN during gestation can result in significant maternal and neonatal complications, and adherence to management guidelines is critical to improve outcomes. More studies are necessary to develop optimal treatment protocols and preventive measures.

Clinical implications of a Couvelaire uterus with placental abruption: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to clarify the maternal and neonatal outcomes based on the presence or absence of a Couvelaire uterus with placental abruption.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary perinatal center in Japan, including patients diagnosed with acute placental abruption who delivered live births via cesarean section between 2016 and 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of a Couvelaire uterus during surgery: the Couvelaire and normal uterus groups. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

This study included 76 patients: 24 in the Couvelaire group and 52 in the normal uterus group. No patients underwent hysterectomies. The Couvelaire group had significantly higher intraoperative blood loss (median 1152 vs 948 g, P = 0.010), blood transfusion rates (58% vs 31%, P = 0.022), fibrinogen administration rates (38% vs 13%, P = 0.038), intensive care unit/high care unit admission rates (29% vs 7.7%, P = 0.013), and disseminated intravascular coagulation complication rates (25% vs 7.7%, P = 0.038). There were no differences in birth weight, gestational age (median 2387 vs 2065 g, P = 0.082), Apgar score <4 at 5 min (4.2% vs 3.9%, P = 0.95), umbilical artery blood pH <7.1 (25% vs 22%, P = 0.82), and neonatal death (4.2% vs 1.9%, P = 0.57).

CONCLUSION

A Couvelaire uterus indicated adverse maternal outcomes but not neonatal ones. Its presence necessitates preparation for blood transfusions and/or intensive patient follow-up.

The impact of isolated obesity compared with obesity and other risk factors on risk of stillbirth: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Maternal obesity is associated with stillbirth, but uncertainty persists around the effects of higher obesity classes. We sought to compare the risk of stillbirth associated with maternal obesity alone versus maternal obesity and additional or undiagnosed factors contributing to high-risk pregnancy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Better Outcomes Registry and Network (BORN) for singleton hospital births in Ontario between 2012 and 2018. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression and logistic regression to evaluate the relationship between prepregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI) class and stillbirth (reference was normal BMI). We treated maternal characteristics and obstetrical complications as independent covariates. We performed mediator analyses to measure the direct and indirect effects of BMI on stillbirth through major common-pathway complications. We used fully adjusted and partially adjusted models, representing the impact of maternal obesity alone and maternal obesity with other risk factors on stillbirth, respectively.

RESULTS

We analyzed data on 681 178 births between 2012 and 2018, of which 1956 were stillbirths. Class I obesity was associated with an increased incidence of stillbirth (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-1.78). This association was stronger for class III obesity (adjusted HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.44-2.24), and strongest for class II obesity (adjusted HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.83-2.57). Plotting point estimates for odds ratios, stratified by gestational age, showed a marked increase in the relative odds for stillbirth beyond 37 weeks' gestation for those with obesity with and without other risk factors, compared with those with normal BMI. The impact of potential mediators was minimal.

INTERPRETATION

Maternal obesity alone and obesity with other risk factors are associated with an increased risk of stillbirth. This risk increases with gestational age, especially at term.

Efficacy and Clinical Outcomes of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The world has witnessed one of the largest pandemics, dubbed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of December 2020, the USA alone reported 98,948 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy, with 109 related maternal deaths. Current evidence suggests that unvaccinated pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at a higher risk of experiencing complications related to COVID-19 compared to nonpregnant women. This review aimed to provide healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers with a comprehensive overview of the available information regarding the efficacy of vaccines in pregnant women.

SUMMARY

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines. The search through the database for articles published between December 2019 and October 2021 was performed. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases for research publications published between December 2019 and October 2021. We focused on original research, case reports, case series, and vaccination side effect by authoritative health institutions. Phrases used for the Medical Subject Heading [MeSH] search included ("COVID-19" [MeSH]) or ("Vaccine" [MeSH]) and ("mRNA" [MeSH]) and ("Pregnant" [MeSH]). Eleven studies were selected and included, with a total of 46,264 pregnancies that were vaccinated with mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticle vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna during pregnancy. There were no randomized trials, and all studies were observational (prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional). The mean maternal age was 32.2 years, and 98.7% of pregnant women received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination. The local and systemic adverse effects of the vaccination in pregnant women were analyzed and reported. The local adverse effects of the vaccination (at least 1 dose) such as local pain, swelling, and redness were reported in 32%, 5%, and 1%, respectively. The systemic adverse effects such as fatigue, headaches, new onset or worsening of muscle pain, chills, fever, and joint pains were also reported in 25%, 19%, 18%, 12%, 11%, and 8%, respectively. The average birthweight was 3,452 g. Among these pregnancies, 0.03% were stillbirth and 3.68% preterm (<37 weeks) births.

KEY MESSAGES

The systemic side effect profile after administering the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine to pregnant women was similar to that in nonpregnant women. Maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality were lowered with the administration of either one or both the doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association (AHA), in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and obesity) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose control, and metabolic syndrome) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, brain health, complications of pregnancy, kidney disease, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac arrest, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The AHA, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States and globally to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2024 AHA Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2023 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and AHA staff members. The AHA strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional global data, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Pre-delivery fibrinogen level is a predictor for severity of placental abruption

Objective

To determine pre-delivery fibrinogen levels in predicting adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes in patients with placental abruption.

Materials and method

We conducted a retrospective study of all women admitted for placental abruption between January 2012 and May 2018. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), massive blood transfusion and hospitalization in intensive care unit parameters were evaluated for maternal outcomes. For the neonatal outcomes, the 5th minute APGAR score, umbilical artery pH and stillbirth were evaluated.

Results

The mean predelivery fibrinogen levels were 221.3 ± 111.6 mg/dL. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, fibrinogen level was determined as an independent indicator for PPH, red cell concentrate (RCC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion. When fibrinogen levels decreased below 130 mg/dL, the risk of PPH increased and when fibrinogen levels decreased below 100 mg/dL, the risk of overt DİC and also the risk of red cell concentrate and fresh frozen plasma transfusion increased. In terms of the fetal results, there may be adverse neonatal outcomes when fibrinogen levels are below 250 mg/dL.

Conclusion

Predelivery fibrinogen levels are good indicators for predicting adverse maternal outcomes in placental abruption cases. In addition, fibrinogen levels might be a guide for management of placental abruption cases.

Chronic Abruptio Placentae With Multiple Alloantibodies: An Obstetrician's Challenge

The current case highlights the management of abruptio placentae in pregnant women with an O Rhesus (Rh)-negative blood group with multiple alloantibodies. We describe a unique case of chronic placental separation in a young primigravida presenting with intrauterine hematoma and intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), who had an O Rhesus-negative blood group with alloimmunization against D, C, and S antigens. The implications in management were the dilemma in diagnosis, the ABO blood grouping discrepancy, multiple alloantibodies including Rh alloimmunization, chronic placental abruption with postpartum hemorrhage, and scope for further pregnancies. Chronic placental separation or abruption can occur silently in some cases. On presentation, they may be mistaken with or for other lesions. In Rh-negative pregnancies, chronic abruption can lead to alloimmunization against Rh and other clinically significant antigens as well. Women with suspicion for chronic abruption must undergo detailed blood group testing as well as immunohematological workup at a nearby transfusion medicine department with a facility for complex immunohematological resolutions.

Maternal outcomes of placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death and delivery routes: A nationwide observational study

INTRODUCTION

Placental abruption is a serious complication, especially when accompanied by intrauterine fetal death. The optimal delivery route for placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death for reducing maternal complications is still unclear. In this study we aimed to compare the maternal outcomes between cesarean delivery and vaginal delivery in women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology nationwide perinatal registry database, we identified pregnant women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death between 2013 and 2019. The following women were excluded: those with multiple pregnancies, placenta previa, placenta accreta spectrum, amniotic fluid embolism, or whose delivery route was missing data. The association between delivery routes (cesarean delivery and vaginal delivery) and the maternal outcome was examined using a linear regression model with inverse probability weighting. The primary outcome was the amount of bleeding during delivery. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation.

RESULTS

The number of women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death was 1218/1601932 (0.076%). Of 1134 women analyzed, 608 (53.6%) underwent cesarean delivery. Bleeding during delivery (median [interquartile range]) was 1650.00 (950.00-2450.00) (mL) and 1171.00 (500.00-2196.50) (mL) in cesarean and vaginal delivery, respectively. Bleeding during delivery (mL) was significantly greater in cesarean delivery than in vaginal delivery (regression coefficient, 1086.39; 95% confidence interval, 130.96-2041.81; p = 0.026). Maternal death and uterine rupture occurred in four (0.4%) and five (0.4%) women, respectively. The four maternal deaths were noted in the vaginal delivery group.

CONCLUSIONS

Bleeding during delivery was significantly greater in cesarean delivery than that in vaginal delivery in women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death. However, severe complications, including maternal death and uterine rupture, occurred in vaginal delivery-related cases. The management of women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death should be cautious regardless of the delivery route.

Placental abruption at near-term and term gestations: pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management

Placental abruption is the premature separation of the placenta from its uterine attachment before the delivery of a fetus. The clinical manifestations of abruption typically include vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain with a wide variety of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns. Clinical challenges arise when pregnant people with this condition present with profound vaginal bleeding, necessitating urgent delivery, especially when there is a concern for maternal and fetal compromise and coagulopathy. Abruption occurs in 0.6% to 1.2% of all pregnancies, with nearly half of abruption occurring at term gestations. An exposition of abruption at near-term (defined as the late preterm period from 34 0/7 to 36 6/7 weeks of gestation) and term (defined as ≥37 weeks of gestation) provides unique insights into its direct effects, as risks associated with preterm birth do not impact outcomes. Here, we explore the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and diagnosis of abruption. We discuss the interaction of chronic processes (decidual and uteroplacental vasculopathy) and acute processes (shearing forces applied to the abdomen) that underlie the pathophysiology. Risk factors for abruption and strengths of association are summarized. Sonographic findings of abruption and fetal heart rate tracings are presented. In addition, we propose a management algorithm for acute abruption that incorporates blood loss, vital signs, and urine output, among other factors. Lastly, we discuss blood component therapy, viscoelastic point-of-care testing, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and management of abruption complicated by fetal death. The review seeks to provide comprehensive, clinically focused guidance during a gestational age range when neonatal outcomes can often be favorable if rapid and evidence-based care is optimized.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2023 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2022 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. The American Heart Association strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) publications, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Obstetric and fetal/neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with frequent premature ventricular complexes and structurally normal heart

BACKGROUND

High premature ventricular complex (PVC) burden may increase the risk of left ventricular dysfunction and all-cause mortality. We aimed to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with structurally normal heart having PVC burden ≥1%.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used data from Chang Gung Research Database. Pregnancies from January 1, 2005, through June 30, 2020, with documented maternal PVC burden ≥1% by 24-h Holter monitor were identified. Pregnant women with a diagnosis of structural heart disease or arrhythmias other than PVC were excluded. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to balance the covariates between the PVC group and normal control group. The PVC group was classified into low-PVC (<10%) and high-PVC burden subgroups. The maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed through 6 months after delivery or termination.

RESULTS

After PSM, there were 214, 61, and 46 pregnant women enrolled in the normal control group, low-PVC burden, and high-PVC burden subgroups, respectively. The high-PVC and low-PVC burden subgroups had composite adverse maternal and neonatal events similar to the control group without use of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs), but a higher proportion of placental abruption was observed in the high-PVC burden subgroup. Maternal age, diabetes, and overweight were significant predictors of composite adverse maternal events, whereas only maternal age was a significant predictor of composite adverse neonatal events.

CONCLUSIONS

High PVC burden was not associated with poor composite adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes with no need of AADs therapy in pregnant women with structurally normal heart.

The Association of Placental Abruption and Pediatric Neurological Outcome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Placental histopathology provides insights, or "snapshots", into relevant antenatal factors that could elevate the risk of perinatal brain injury. We present a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing frequencies of adverse neurological outcomes in infants born to women with placental abruption versus without abruption. Records were sourced from MEDLINE, Embase, and the CENTRAL Trials Registry from 1946 to December 2019. Studies followed the PRISMA guidelines and compared frequencies of neurodevelopmental morbidities in infants born to pregnant women with placental abruption (exposure) versus women without placental abruption (comparator). The primary endpoint was cerebral palsy. Periventricular and intraventricular (both severe and any grades of IVH) and any histopathological neuronal damage were the secondary endpoints. Study methodologic quality was assessed by the Ottawa-Newcastle scale. Estimated odds ratios (OR) and hazards ratio (HR) were derived according to study design. Data were meta-analyzed using a random effects model expressed as pooled effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. We included eight observational studies in the review, including 1245 infants born to women with placental abruption. Results of the random effects meta-analysis show that the odds of infants born to pregnant women with placental abruption who experience cerebral palsy is higher than in infants born to pregnant women without placental abruption (OR 5.71 95% CI (1.17, 27.91); I2 = 84.0%). There is no statistical difference in the odds of infants born to pregnant women with placental abruption who experience severe IVH (grade 3+) (OR 1.20 95% CI (0.46, 3.11); I2 = 35.8%) and any grade of IVH (OR 1.20 95% CI (0.62, 2.32); I2 = 32.3%) vs. women without placental abruption. There is no statistically significant difference in the odds of infants born to pregnant women with placental abruption who experience PVL vs. pregnant women without placental abruption (OR 6.51 95% CI (0.94, 45.16); I2 = 0.0%). Despite our meta-analysis suggesting increased odds of cerebral palsy in infants born to pregnant women with placental abruption versus without abruption, this finding should be interpreted cautiously, given high heterogeneity and overall poor quality of the included studies.

Risk-factor model for postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery: a retrospective study based on 3498 patients

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of patients with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after cesarean delivery (CD) and to develop a risk-factor model for PPH after CD. Patients were selected from seven affiliated medical institutions of Chongqing Medical University from January 1st, 2015, to January 1st, 2020. Continuous and categorical variables were obtained from the hospital's electronic medical record systems. Independent risk factors were identified by univariate analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and logistic regression. Furthermore, logistic, extreme gradient boosting, random forest, classification and regression trees, as well as an artificial neural network, were used to build the risk-factor model. A total of 701 PPH cases after CD and 2797 cases of CD without PPH met the inclusion criteria. Univariate analysis screened 28 differential indices. Multi-variable analysis screened 10 risk factors, including placenta previa, gestational age, prothrombin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen, anemia before delivery, placenta accreta, uterine atony, placental abruption and pregnancy with uterine fibroids. Areas under the curve by random forest for the training and test sets were 0.957 and 0.893, respectively. The F1 scores in the random forest training and test sets were 0.708. In conclusion, the risk factors for PPH after CD were identified, and a relatively stable risk-factor model was built.

The Effect of Maternal Coagulation Parameters on Fetal Acidemia in Placental Abruption

This study aimed to identify factors predicting the probability of serious fetal acidemia at delivery in placental abruption. We identified 5769 women who delivered at >22 weeks’ gestation at two institutions in a tertiary referral unit specializing in neonatal infant care between January 2007 and December 2011. Ninety-one abruption cases were identified based on clinical and histological diagnoses. Serious fetal acidemia was defined as a pH < 7.0 in the umbilical arterial blood at delivery. Using a linear discriminant function, we calculated the score to determine the probability of serious fetal acidemia. Serious fetal acidemia was observed in 34 patients (37.4%). A logistic regression model showed that abnormal fetal heart rate patterns (bradycardia and late decelerations), uterine spasm, and maternal plasma concentration of fibrinogen less than 288 ng/dL were significantly associated with the occurrence of serious fetal acidemia. We suggest that the implementation of maternal fibrinogen in patients with placental abruption is a prognostic factor for serious fetal acidemia at delivery.

The indicators for early blood transfusion in patients with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death: a retrospective review

Background

Placental abruption (PA) with intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is associated with a high risk of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) resulting from severe disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Therefore, blood products that are sufficient for coagulation factor replacement must be prepared, and delivery should occur at referral medical institutions that are equipped with sufficient blood products and emergency transfusion protocols. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with PA and IUFD (PA-IUFD) to identify possible factors that may indicate the need for early blood transfusion and investigated whether the Japanese scoring system for PPH can be applied in such cases.

Methods

We used a database of 16,058 pregnant patients who delivered at Yokohama City University Medical Center between January 2000 and February 2016. Thirty-three patients were diagnosed with PA-IUFD before delivery and categorized into two groups–blood transfusion and non-transfusion–to compare the maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes.

Results

In patients with PA-IUFD, the transfusion group exhibited significantly more blood loss; lower fibrinogen levels and platelet counts; higher levels of fibrin degradation products (FDP), D-dimer, and prothrombin time; and a tendency for tachycardia on admission, compared to the non-transfusion group. Many patients in the transfusion group had normal fibrinogen levels on admission but later displayed markedly decreased fibrinogen levels. The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) DIC score was significantly higher in the transfusion than in the non-transfusion group.

Conclusions

In PA-IUFD, the fibrinogen level, platelet count, D-dimer, FDP, heart rate, and JSOG DIC score on admission may indicate the need for blood transfusion. However, even with normal fibrinogen levels on admission, continuous monitoring is indispensable for identifying progressive fibrinogen reductions in patients with PA-IUFD.

Trend Changes in the individual contribution of risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage over more than two decades

OBJECTIVE

Postpartum hemorrhage is an obstetric emergency with a rising incidence. The aim of this study was to identify trends in the specific contribution of various risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage by observing their odds ratios throughout different time periods.

STUDY DESIGN

In this population-based retrospective cohort study trends of change in odds ratios for known risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage occurring in three consecutive eight-year intervals between 1988 and 2014 were compared. Two multivariable logistic regression models were used in order to identify independent risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage in our population. Trends of various risk factors were compared along the time period of the study.

RESULTS

The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage increased from 0.5% to 1988 to 0.6%. Using logistic regression models, preeclampsia, vacuum extraction delivery, retained placenta, perineal or vaginal tears and delivery of a large for gestational age neonate were recognized as independent risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage. While the odds ratios for perineal or vaginal tears significantly increased, odds ratios for delivery of a large for gestational age neonate significantly decreased. Odds ratios for the other risk factors did not change significantly.

CONCLUSION

In our study, not only did the rates of statistically significant risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage change during the study period, the specific contribution of each risk factor changed as well. Having a better understanding of these trends might augment our ability to predict this grave obstetric complication and improve maternal outcomes in the future.

Iron deficiency anaemia associated with increased placenta praevia and placental abruption: a retrospective case-control study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

A few studies reported association between placenta praevia (PP) and placental abruption (PA) with maternal iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), which is not an established risk factor for these conditions. This retrospective case-control study was performed to determine the relationship between IDA with PP and PA.

METHODS

Maternal characteristics, risk factors for and incidence of antepartum haemorrhage overall, and PP and PA, were compared between women with IDA only and controls without IDA or haemoglobinopathies matched for exact age and parity (four controls to each index case), who carried singleton pregnancy to ≥22 weeks and managed under our care from 1997 to 2019.

RESULTS

There were 1,176 women (0.8% of eligible women in the database) with IDA only, who exhibited slightly but significantly different maternal characteristics, and increased antepartum haemorrhage overall (3.4% versus 2.2%, p = 0.031, OR 1.522, 95% CI 1.037-2.234) and PP (1.8% versus 0.9%, p = 0.010, OR 1.953, 95% CI 1.164-3.279), but not PA (1.2% versus 1.1%, p = 0.804, OR 1.077, 95% CI 0.599-1.936). When stratified by parity status, increased PP was found in nulliparous women only. On multivariate analysis adjusting for parity, previous abortion history, overweight and obesity, short stature, other antenatal complications as a composite factor, preterm (<37) delivery, previous caesarean delivery, and infant gender, IDA was associated with PP (aOR 3.485, 95% CI 1.959-6.200) and PA (aOR 2.181, 95% CI 1.145-4.155).

CONCLUSIONS

Both PP and PA are increased in women with IDA, the prevention of which could be a means to reduce the occurrence of both PP and PA.

Correlation between medical management and teamwork in multidisciplinary high-fidelity obstetrics simulations

BACKGROUND

Teamwork and communication gaps are consistently cited as contributors to adverse outcomes in obstetrics. The Critical Care in Obstetrics Course provides an innovative experience by combining brief interactive didactics with the opportunity to practice and implement the knowledge gained with hands-on simulation. Most participants have never worked together, which creates a unique environment to evaluate the importance of teamwork and communication.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the association between teamwork and medical management in high-fidelity critical care simulations.

STUDY DESIGN

The participants were separated into multidisciplinary teams and taken through simulations, including placental abruption, hypertensive emergency, eclampsia, sepsis, cardiac arrest, venous thromboembolism, diabetic ketoacidosis, and thyroid storm. Facilitators completed a validated checklist assessment for each group's performance in medical care and teamwork. Each element was rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being unacceptable and 5 being perfect. We evaluated 5 communication measures, including the use of closed-loop communication and orientation of new team members. A Spearman correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between total medical management and total teamwork scores and specific measures of team communication. Receiver operating characteristic curves were created for total teamwork score as a predictor of good or perfect medical management.

RESULTS

A total of 354 multidisciplinary teams participated in 1564 high-fidelity simulations. There was a significant correlation between medical management and teamwork and communication scores for all scenarios. The strongest correlation was for the total teamwork score for all simulations (ρ=0.84). Teamwork scores were highly predictive of medical management scores with an area under the curve of at least 0.88 for all simulations, although this was not significant for diabetic ketoacidosis.

CONCLUSION

The quality of teamwork and communication correlated with the quality of clinical performance in newly formed multidisciplinary teams. This demonstrates the importance of teamwork training, with a focus on key communication tools and strategies, among medical providers to optimize the management of complex and emergent obstetrical conditions.

Placental abruption: assessing trends in risk factors over time

PURPOSE

To evaluate changes in the independent contribution of different risk factors for placental abruption over time.

METHODS

In this retrospective nested case-control study, trends of change in ORs for known risk factors for placental abruption occurring in three consecutive 8-year intervals were compared. A univariate assessment of factors associated with placental abruption and two multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify independent risk factors for placental abruption. Trends of change in the incidence and specific contribution of various risk factors were compared along the study time-period.

RESULTS

During the study period, 295,946 pregnancies met the inclusion criteria; of these, 2170 (0.73%) were complicated with placental abruption. Using logistic regression models, previous cesarean delivery, in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy, hypertensive disorders, polyhydramnios, and inadequate prenatal care were recognized as independent risk factors for placental abruption. While the relative contribution of IVF pregnancy and polyhydramnios to the overall risk for abruption decreased over the course of the study, previous cesarean delivery became a stronger contributor for placental abruption.

CONCLUSION

In our study, a change over time in the specific contribution of different risk factors for placental abruption has been demonstrated.

Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Perinatal Outcomes of Placental Abruption-Detailed Annual Data and Clinical Perspectives from Polish Tertiary Center

Placental abruption (PA) is a separation of the placenta from the uterine wall occurring with the fetus still present in the uterine cavity. It contributes to numerous neonatal and maternal complications, increasing morbidity and mortality. We conducted a retrospective study at a tertiary perinatal care center, which included 2210 cases of labor that took place in 2015 with a PA occurrence of 0.7%. No maternal or fetal death during delivery was reported in this period. The identified PA risk factors were uterine malformations, pPROM, placenta previa spectrum, and oligohydramnios. The significant maternal PA complications identified were maternal anemia, uterine rupture, and HELLP syndrome. Preterm delivery occurred significantly more often in the PA group, and the number of weeks of pregnancy and the birth weight at delivery were both significantly lower in the PA group. PA is a relatively rare perinatal complication with very serious consequences, and it still lacks effective prophylaxis and treatment. Despite its rare occurrence, each center should develop a certain strategy for dealing with this pathology or predicting which patients are at risk. Much work is still needed to ensure the proper care of the mother and the baby in this life-threatening condition.

Habitual Smoking and Perinatal Outcomes in Japan

Introduction: Smoking during pregnancy has been reported to increase the perinatal risk. We investigated the perinatal outcomes in Japanese pregnant women with habitual smoking at pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy who delivered at our institute in Japan.

Methods: We reviewed the obstetric records of 9280 Japanese women with singleton delivery at ≥22 weeks of gestation at our institute between 2014 and 2019. On admission for delivery, a routine face-to-face interview was conducted by our midwives to ask about smoking during pregnancy.

Results: Of the total 9280 pregnant Japanese women, 532 (5.7%) had smoked before pregnancy. Of these, 272 (51.5%) quitted smoking after being diagnosed with pregnancy, while 258 (49.5%) continued to smoke during pregnancy and were diagnosed with habitual smoking during pregnancy. There was no significant relation between habitual smoking at pre-pregnancy and the perinatal adverse outcomes. However, habitual smoking during pregnancy was associated with the adverse perinatal outcomes such as the increased incidence of placental abruption (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.38, p = 0.04) and light-for-gestational-age neonate (adjusted OR 1.72, p = 0.03) on multiple logistic regression analyses.

Conclusion: In this study, smoking was found to be associated with the adverse perinatal outcomes. The current results support the importance of smoking cessation during pregnancy.

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

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

Placental Abruption after Fetoscopic Laser Surgery in Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome: The Role of the Solomon Technique

INTRODUCTION

Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a complication in monochorionic twin pregnancies which is preferably treated with fetoscopic laser surgery. A few small studies suggested a possible association between the Solomon laser technique and placental abruption.

METHODS

The objective of this study is to compare the rate of and to explore potential risk factors for placental abruption in TTTS treated with fetoscopic laser surgery according to the Selective and Solomon laser technique. We conducted a large retrospective cohort study of consecutive TTTS-cases treated with fetoscopic laser surgery in Shanghai, China, and Leiden, The Netherlands treated with either the Selective laser technique (Selective group) or Solomon laser technique (Solomon group).

RESULTS

The rate of placental abruption in the Selective group versus the Solomon group was 1.7% (5/289) and 3.4% (15/441), respectively (p = 0.184). No risk factors for placental abruption were identified. Placental abruption was associated with lower gestational age at birth (p = 0.003) and severe cerebral injury (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of placental abruption in TTTS after fetoscopic laser surgery is low, although it appears higher than in the overall population. Placental abruption is associated with a lower gestational age at birth, which is associated with severe cerebral injury. The rate of placental abruption was not significantly increased with the use of the Solomon technique. Continued research of placental abruption in TTTS is necessary to determine why the rate is higher than in the overall population.

Molecular Changes on Maternal-Fetal Interface in Placental Abruption-A Systematic Review

Placental abruption is the separation of the placenta from the lining of the uterus before childbirth. It is an infrequent perinatal complication with serious after-effects and a marked risk of maternal and fetal mortality. Despite the fact that numerous placental abruption risk factors are known, the pathophysiology of this issue is multifactorial and not entirely clear. The aim of this review was to examine the current state of knowledge concerning the molecular changes on the maternal–fetal interface occurring in placental abruption. Only original research articles describing studies published in English until the 15 March 2021 were considered eligible. Reviews, book chapters, case studies, conference papers and opinions were excluded. The systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases identified 708 articles, 22 of which were analyzed. The available evidence indicates that the disruption of the immunological processes on the maternal–fetal interface plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of placental abruption. The features of chronic non-infectious inflammation and augmented immunological cytotoxic response were found to be present in placental abruption samples in the reviewed studies. Various molecules participate in this process, with only a few being examined. More advanced research is needed to fully explain this complicated process.

Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Unique Opportunities for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

This statement summarizes evidence that adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm delivery, gestational diabetes, small-for-gestational-age delivery, placental abruption, and pregnancy loss increase a woman's risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and of developing subsequent CVD (including fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and heart failure). This statement highlights the importance of recognizing APOs when CVD risk is evaluated in women, although their value in reclassifying risk may not be established. A history of APOs is a prompt for more vigorous primordial prevention of CVD risk factors and primary prevention of CVD. Adopting a heart-healthy diet and increasing physical activity among women with APOs, starting in the postpartum setting and continuing across the life span, are important lifestyle interventions to decrease CVD risk. Lactation and breastfeeding may lower a woman's later cardiometabolic risk. Black and Asian women experience a higher proportion APOs, with more severe clinical presentation and worse outcomes, than White women. More studies on APOs and CVD in non-White women are needed to better understand and address these health disparities. Future studies of aspirin, statins, and metformin may better inform our recommendations for pharmacotherapy in primary CVD prevention among women who have had an APO. Several opportunities exist for health care systems to improve transitions of care for women with APOs and to implement strategies to reduce their long-term CVD risk. One proposed strategy includes incorporation of the concept of a fourth trimester into clinical recommendations and health care policy.

Placental abruption in immigrant women in Norway: A population-based study

INTRODUCTION

Placental abruption is a serious complication in pregnancy. Its incidence varies across countries, but the information of how placental abruption varies in immigrant populations is limited. The aims of this study were to estimate the incidence of placental abruption in immigrant women compared with non-immigrants by maternal country and region of birth, reason for immigration, and length of residence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a nationwide population-based study using data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and Statistics Norway (1990-2016). The study sample included 1 558 174 pregnancies, in which immigrant women accounted for 245 887 pregnancies and 1 312 287 pregnancies were to non-immigrants. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI for placental abruption in immigrant women compared with non-immigrants were estimated by logistic regression with robust standard error estimations (accounting for within-mother clustering). Adjustment variables included year of birth, maternal age, parity, multiple pregnancies, chronic hypertension, and level of education.

RESULTS

The incidence of placental abruption decreased during the study period for both immigrants (from 0.68% to 0.44%) and non-immigrants (from 0.80% to 0.34%). Immigrant women from sub-Saharan Africa had an adjusted odds ratio of 1.35 (95% CI 1.15-1.58) compared with non-immigrants for placental abruption, whereas immigrant women from Ethiopia had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.39 (95% CI 1.67-3.41). We found a small variation in placental abruption incidence by other countries or regions of birth, length of residence, and reason for immigration.

CONCLUSIONS

Immigrant women from sub-Saharan Africa, especially Ethiopia, have increased odds for placental abruption when giving birth in Norway. Reason for immigration and length of residence had little impact on the incidence of placental abruption.

Reproductive Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization-Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection after Transcervical Resection of Adhesions: A Retrospective Cohort Study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To investigate pregnancy and obstetric outcomes of patients with intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) after treatment with in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) and fresh embryo transplantation after transcervical resection of adhesions (TCRA).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

University-based reproductive medical center.

PATIENTS

A total of 535 patients with IUAs and with a history of TCRA and 1605 matched patients without a history of IUAs underwent IVF-ICSI and received fresh embryo transfers.

INTERVENTIONS

Between January 2014 and December 2018, all patients underwent IVF-ICSI treatment and received fresh embryo transfers.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The patients in the TCRA group were matched with the control group according to strict criteria. Pregnancy and obstetric outcomes were compared. There were no significant differences in clinical pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies, live births, preterm births, and obstetric outcomes between the 2 groups (p >.05). However, the TCRA group had a higher risk of miscarriage than the control group (p = .048).

CONCLUSION

TCRA improved the reproductive outcomes of patients with IUAs, but the risk of miscarriage was higher than that in the general population. To avoid miscarriage, careful monitoring is critical for pregnant patients with a history of TCRA who undergo embryo transfers during IVF treatment.

Pregnancy and Parenthood Remain Challenging During Surgical Residency: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To examine common themes and synthesize data surrounding pregnancy and parenthood during surgical residency training.

METHOD

The authors conducted a systematic search of the literature in March 2019. They searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus, seeking articles published from 2003 to 2018 that focused on pregnancy, parenthood, and the experience of surgical residents. They excluded articles that examined nonsurgical programs, as well as editorials, abstracts, and commentaries. Two investigators independently reviewed all citations, selected articles for full-text review, and extracted data from the selected articles.

RESULTS

Of 523 titles and abstracts screened, 27 were included. Overall, female surgical residents had fewer children during residency training than their male counterparts (18%-28% vs 32%-54%). As compared with the general population, surgical residents had their first child later in life (30-34 vs 25 years old), and had fewer children overall (0.6-2.1 vs 2.7). Infertility rates were higher among female surgeons than in the general population (30%-32% vs 11%), as were assisted reproductive technology rates (8%-13% vs 1.7%). Pregnant surgical residents experienced a high rate of obstetrical complications; working more than 6 overnight calls shifts per month or 60 hours per week were predictors of increased complication rates. The authors noted no differences in attrition, caseload, or exam pass rates amongst female surgical residents who had become pregnant as compared with other residents. Despite these similar academic outcomes, negative attitudes and perceptions toward pregnancy during residency were consistently identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Female surgical residents experience high rates of infertility and obstetrical complications, contend with negative attitudes and stigma during their pregnancies, and voluntarily delay childbearing. Formal maternity policies, a shift in surgical culture, and ongoing discussion with all stakeholders are needed to attract and retain female surgical residents.

The etiology of stillbirth over 30 years: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary referral unit

INTRODUCTION

Stillbirth remains an often unpredictable and devastating pregnancy outcome, and despite thorough investigation, the number of stillbirths attributable to unexplained causes remains high. Placental examination has become increasingly important where access to perinatal autopsy is limited. We aimed to examine the causes of stillbirth in normally formed infants over 30 years and whether a declining autopsy rate has affected our ability to determine a cause for stillbirths.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All cases of normally formed singleton infants weighing ≥500 g that died prior to the onset of labor from 1989 to 2018 were examined. Trends for specific causes and uptake of perinatal autopsy were analyzed individually.

RESULTS

In all, 229 641 infants were delivered, with 840 stillbirths giving a rate of 3.66/1000. The rate of stillbirth declined from 4.84/1000 in 1989 to 2.51 in 2018 (P < .001). There was no difference in the rate of stillbirth between nulliparous and multiparous women (4.25 vs 3.66 per 1000, P = .026). Deaths from placental abruption fell (1.13/1000 in 1989 to 0 in 2018, P < .001) and the relative contribution of placental abruption to the incidence of stillbirth also fell, from 23.3% (7/30) in 1989 to 0.0% (0/19) in 2018 (P < .001). Stillbirth attributed to infection remained static (0.31/1000 in 1989 to 0.13 in 2018, P = .131), while a specific causal organism was found in 79.2% (42/53) of cases. Unexplained stillbirths decreased from 2.58/1000 (16/6200) in 1989 to 0.13 (1/7581) in 2018 (P < .001) despite a fall in the uptake of perinatal autopsy (96.7% [29/30] in 1989 to 36.8% (7/19) in 2018; P < .001). Placental disease emerged as a significant cause of stillbirth from 2004 onwards (89.5% [17/19] in 2018).

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis is one of the largest single-center studies on stillbirth published to date. Stillbirth rates have fallen across the study period across parity. A decrease in deaths secondary to placental abruption contributed largely to this. Infection-related deaths are static; however, in one-fifth of cases a causative organism was not found. Despite a decreasing autopsy rate, the number of unexplained stillbirths continues to fall as the importance of placental pathology is increasingly recognized.

Placental Abruption as a Risk Factor for Heart Failure

Complications of pregnancy present an opportunity to identify women at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Placental abruption is a severe and understudied pregnancy complication, and its relationship with CVD is poorly understood. The California Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database was used to identify women with hospitalized pregnancies in California between 2005 and 2009, with follow-up through 2011. Pregnancies, exposures, covariates, and outcomes were defined by International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision codes. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to examine the association between placental abruption and myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and heart failure (HF). Multivariate models controlling for age, race, medical co-morbidities, pregnancy complications, psychiatric and substance use disorders, and socioeconomic factors were employed. Among over 1.5 million pregnancies, placental abruption occurred in 14,881 women (1%). Median follow-up time from delivery to event or censoring was 4.87 (interquartile range 3.54 to 5.96) years. In unadjusted models, placental abruption was associated with risk of HF, but not MI or stroke. In fully-adjusted models, placental abruption remained significantly associated with HF (Hazard ratio 1.44; 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 1.90). Among women with placental abruptions, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm birth respectively modified and mediated the association between placental abruption and HF. In conclusion, placental abruption is a risk factor for HF, particularly in women who also experience hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm birth. Placental abruption is a specific adverse pregnancy outcome associated with risk of HF.

Associations of maternal smoking and drinking with fetal growth and placental abruption

OBJECTIVE

To investigate pregnant women from the Safe Passage Study for the individual and combined effects of smoking and drinking during pregnancy on the prevalence of clinical placental abruption.

STUDY DESIGN

The aim of the original Safe Passage Study was to investigate the association of alcohol use during pregnancy with stillbirths and sudden infant deaths. Recruitment for this longitudinal study occurred between August 2007 and October 2016. Information on smoking and drinking was collected prospectively at up to 4 occasions during pregnancy where a modified timeline follow-back method was used to assess the exposure to alcohol. Placentas were examined histologically in a subset of pregnant women. For this study we examined the effects of smoking and drinking on fetal growth and the prevalence rate of placental abruption. High smoking constituted of 10 or more cigarettes per day and high drinking of four or more binge drinking episodes or 32 and more standard drinks during pregnancy. Placental abruption was diagnosed in two ways, by the clinical picture or the macroscopic and microscopic examination of the placenta.

RESULTS

When compared to the non-drinking/non-smoking group, the high drinking/high smoking group were significantly older, had a higher gravidity, had a lower household income and booked later for prenatal care; fewer of them were employed and had toilet and running water facilities in their houses. Clinical placental abruption was diagnosed in 49 (0.87 %) of 5806 pregnancies. Histological examination was done in 1319 placentas; macroscopic and microscopic diagnosis of placental abruption was made in 8.2 % and 11.9 % of placentas respectively. These 49 cases were then correlated with seven smoking/drinking patterns during pregnancy. When compared to rates for no smoking/no drinking (0.11 %) and low smoking/no drinking (0.55 %), the prevalence rate of placental abruption was significantly higher (p < .005) in the low smoking/low drinking group (1.25 %). There was also a significant relationship between low maternal employment and methamphetamine use with placental abruption.

CONCLUSION

As many conditions and habits are associated with placental abruption, it is impossible to single out one specific cause but concomitant drinking and smoking seem to increase the risk of placental abruption.

Time trends in placenta-mediated pregnancy complications after assisted reproductive technology in the Nordic countries

BACKGROUND

The use of assisted reproductive technology is increasing worldwide and conception after assisted reproduction currently comprises 3%-6% of birth cohorts in the Nordic countries. The risk of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications is greater after assisted reproductive technology compared with spontaneously conceived pregnancies. Whether the excess risk of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications in pregnancies following assisted reproduction has changed over time, is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether time trends in risk of pregnancy complications (hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, placental abruption and placenta previa) differ for pregnancies after assisted reproductive technology compared with spontaneously conceived pregnancies during 3 decades of assisted reproduction treatment in the Nordic countries.

STUDY DESIGN

In a population-based cohort study, with data from national health registries in Denmark (1994-2014), Finland (1990-2014), Norway (1988-2015) and Sweden (1988-2015), we included 6,830,578 pregnancies resulting in delivery. Among these, 146,998 (2.2%) were pregnancies after assisted reproduction (125,708 singleton pregnancies, 20,668 twin pregnancies and 622 of higher order plurality) and 6,683,132 (97.8%) pregnancies were conceived spontaneously (6,595,185 singleton pregnancies, 87,106 twin pregnancies and 1,289 of higher order plurality). We used logistic regression with post-estimation to estimate absolute risks and risk differences for each complication. We repeated analyses for singleton and twin pregnancies, separately. In subsamples with available information, we also adjusted for maternal body mass index, smoking during pregnancy, previous cesarean delivery, culture duration, and cryopreservation.

RESULTS

The risk of each placental complication was consistently greater in pregnancies following assisted reproductive technology compared with spontaneously conceived pregnancies across the study period, except for hypertensive disorders in twin pregnancies, where risks were similar. Risk of hypertensive disorders increased over time in twin pregnancies for both conception methods, but more strongly for pregnancies following assisted reproductive technology (risk difference, 1.73 percentage points per 5 years; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-2.11) than for spontaneously conceived twins (risk difference, 0.75 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, 0.61-0.89). No clear time trends were found for hypertensive disorders in singleton pregnancies. Risk of placental abruption decreased over time in all groups. Risk differences were -0.16 percentage points (95% confidence interval, -0.19 to -0.12) and -0.06 percentage points (95% confidence interval, -0.06 to -0.05) for pregnancies after assisted reproduction and spontaneously conceived pregnancies, respectively, for singletons and multiple pregnancies combined. Over time, the risk of placenta previa increased in pregnancies after assisted reproduction among both singletons (risk difference, 0.21 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.27) and twins (risk difference, 0.30 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.43), but remained stable in spontaneously conceived pregnancies. When adjusting for culture duration, the temporal increase in placenta previa became weaker in all groups of assisted reproductive technology pregnancies, whereas adjustment for cryopreservation moderately attenuated trends in assisted reproductive technology twin pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications following assisted reproductive technology remains higher compared to spontaneously conceived pregnancies, despite declining rates of multiple pregnancies. For hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and placental abruption, pregnancies after assisted reproduction follow the same time trends as the background population, whereas for placenta previa, risk has increased over time in pregnancies after assisted reproductive technology.

Changing risk factors for placental abruption: A case crossover study using routinely collected data from Finland, Malta and Aberdeen

Objective

To evaluate the effects of changes in risk factors between the first two pregnancies on the occurrence of placental abruption (PA) in the same woman.

Methods

Routinely collected obstetric data from Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank, the Maltese National Obstetric Information System and the Finnish Medical Birth Register were aggregated. Records of the first two singleton pregnancies from women who had PA in one pregnancy but not the other, were identified from this pooled dataset. A case-crossover study design was used; cases were pregnancies with abruption and matched controls were pregnancies without abruption in the same woman. Conditional logistic regression was used to investigate changes in risk factors for placental abruption in pregnancies with and without abruption.

Results

A total of 2,991 women were included in the study. Of these 1,506 (50.4%) had PA in their first pregnancy and 1,485 (49.6%) in a second pregnancy. Pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia {194 (6.5%) versus 115 (3.8%) adj OR 1.69; (95% CI 1.23–2.33)}, antepartum haemorrhage of unknown origin {556 (18.6%) versus 69 (2.3%) adjOR 27.05; 95% CI 16.61–44.03)} and placenta praevia {80 (2.7%) versus 21 (0.7%) (adjOR 3.05; 95% CI 1.74–5.36)} were associated with PA. Compared to 20 to 25 years, maternal age of 35–39 years {365 (12.2) versus 323 (10.8) (adjOR 1.32; 95% CI 1.01–1.73) and single marital status (adjOR 1.36; 95% CI 1.04–1.76) were independently associated with PA. Maternal smoking, BMI and fetal gender were not associated with PA.

Conclusion

Advanced maternal age, pregnancies complicated with unexplained bleeding in pregnancy, placenta praevia and preeclampsia were independently associated with a higher risk of placental abruption.

Fetal sex and maternal pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Since the placenta also has a sex, fetal sex–specific differences in the occurrence of placenta-mediated complications could exist.

Objective

To determine the association of fetal sex with multiple maternal pregnancy complications.

Search strategy

Six electronic databases Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Web-of-Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to identify eligible studies. Reference lists of the included studies and contact with experts were also used for identification of studies.

Selection criteria

Observational studies that assessed fetal sex and the presence of maternal pregnancy complications within singleton pregnancies.

Data collection and analyses

Data were extracted by 2 independent reviewers using a predesigned data collection form.

Main results

From 6522 original references, 74 studies were selected, including over 12,5 million women. Male fetal sex was associated with term pre-eclampsia (pooled OR 1.07 [95%CI 1.06 to 1.09]) and gestational diabetes (pooled OR 1.04 [1.02 to 1.07]). All other pregnancy complications (i.e., gestational hypertension, total pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, placental abruption, and post-partum hemorrhage) tended to be associated with male fetal sex, except for preterm pre-eclampsia, which was more associated with female fetal sex. Overall quality of the included studies was good. Between-study heterogeneity was high due to differences in study population and outcome definition.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggests that the occurrence of pregnancy complications differ according to fetal sex with a higher cardiovascular and metabolic load for the mother in the presence of a male fetus.

Funding

None.

Gynecologic and reproductive health in patients with pathogenic germline variants in DICER1

OBJECTIVE

Germline pathogenic variation in DICER1 underlies a tumor-predisposition disorder with increased risk for cervical embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and ovarian sex-cord stromal tumors, particularly Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors. The gynecologic and reproductive health of these females has not yet been described.

METHODS

All female subjects recruited from November 2011 to July 2018 participating in an epidemiologic study of families with pathogenic DICER1 germline variation were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Participant evaluation included obstetric-gynecologic history, physical examination, hormone testing, pelvic ultrasound and record review.

RESULTS

Of 64 females aged 2-72 years, fifteen underwent treatment for pleuropulmonary blastoma as children and three were treated for cervical embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Of nine patients reporting a history of ovarian tumors, all presented with virilization or amenorrhea; eight occurred in adolescence. Post-pubertal females with no history of ovarian tumors experienced normal pubertal development, reported regular menstrual cycles, were fertile and underwent natural menopause at median age of 52 years. Thirty-two of 33 women who tried to conceive successfully delivered liveborn children. Of these 32, 10 experienced pregnancy-related thyroid enlargement resulting in thyroidectomy within one year of pregnancy; nine others had undergone pre-pregnancy thyroidectomy.

CONCLUSION

In these DICER1-carrier females, DICER1-related gynecological tumors occurred during childhood or adolescence in some after which women generally experienced healthy reproductive lives. Individual education and screening for these tumors is warranted. The high rate of DICER1-related multinodular goiter resulting in pre- and post-pregnancy thyroidectomy underscores the importance of thyroid monitoring during pregnancy to ensure maternal and fetal wellbeing.

Circulatory emergencies in the delivery room

The transition from fetal to neonatal life is a dramatic and complex process involving extensive physiologic changes, which are most obvious at the time of birth. Individuals who care for newly born infants must monitor the progress of the transition and be prepared to intervene when necessary. In the majority of births, this transition occurs without a requirement for any significant assistance. If newborns require assistance, the majority of the time respiratory support is all that is required. In some instances, however, there are circulatory emergencies that need to be rapidly identified or there may be dire consequences including death in the delivery room. This chapter will review various pathologies that are circulatory emergencies, and discuss how to assess them. We will also review new technologies which may help providers better understand the circulatory status or hemodynamic changes in the delivery room including heart rate, cardiac output, cerebral oxygenation and echocardiography.

The impact of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on placental abruption risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the associations between pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain and placental abruption.

METHODS

Relevant studies were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and CINAHL. Unpublished findings from analyses of linked population-based data sets from Western Australia (2012-2015, n = 114,792) were also included. Studies evaluating pre-pregnancy body mass index and/or gestational weight gain and placental abruption were included. Two independent reviewers evaluated studies for inclusion and quality. Data including odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and analysed by random effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

21 studies were included, of which 15 were eligible for meta-analyses. The summary ORs for the association of being underweight, overweight and obese, and placental abruption, compared to normal weight women, were 1.4 (95% CI 1.1, 1.7), 0.8 (95% CI 0.8, 0.9) and 0.8 (95% CI 0.7, 0.9), respectively. These findings remained unchanged when each study was eliminated from the analysis and in subgroup analyses. Although data were scarce, women with gestational weight gain below the Institute of Medicine recommendations appeared to be at greater risk of abruption compared with women who had optimal weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers that are underweight prior to or in early pregnancy are at a moderately increased risk of placental abruption.

Cerebrovascular disease after placental abruption: A population-based prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To test whether abruption during pregnancy is associated with long-term cerebrovascular disease by assessing the incidence and mortality from stroke among women with abruption.

METHODS

We designed a population-based prospective cohort study of women who delivered in Denmark from 1978 to 2010. We used data from the National Patient Registry, Causes of Death Registry, and Danish Birth Registry to identify women with abruption, cerebrovascular events, and deaths. The outcomes included deaths resulting from stroke and nonfatal ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. We fit Cox proportional hazards regression models for stroke outcomes, adjusting for the delivery year, parity, education, and smoking.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range) follow-up in the nonabruption and abruption groups was 15.9 (7.8-23.8) and 16.2 (9.6-23.1) years, respectively, among 828,289 women with 13,231,559 person-years of follow-up. Cerebrovascular mortality rates were 0.8 and 0.5 per 10,000 person-years among women with and without abruption, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9-3.0). Abruption was associated with increased rates of nonfatal ischemic stroke (HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7) and hemorrhagic stroke (HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.9). The association of abruption and stroke was increased with delivery at <34 weeks, when accompanied by ischemic placental disease, and among women with ≥2 abruptions. These associations are less likely to have been affected by unmeasured confounding.

CONCLUSION

Abruption is associated with increased risk of cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. Disruption of the hemostatic system manifesting as ischemia and hemorrhage may indicate shared etiologies between abruption and cerebrovascular complications.

Risk of Ischemic Placental Disease in Relation to Family History of Preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To assess the risk of ischemic placental disease (IPD) including preeclampsia, small for gestational age (SGA), and abruption, in relation to preeclampsia in maternal grandmother, mother, and sister(s).

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial of vitamins C and E for preeclampsia prevention. Data on family history of preeclampsia were based on recall by the proband. The associations between family history of preeclampsia and the odds of IPD were evaluated from alternating logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Of the 9,686 women who delivered nonmalformed, singleton live births, 17.1% had IPD. Probands provided data on preeclampsia in 55.5% (n = 5,374) on all three family members, 26.5% (n = 2,562) in mother and sister(s) only, and 11.6% (n = 1,125) in sister(s) only. The pairwise odds ratio (pOR) of IPD was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.36) if one or more of the female relatives had preeclampsia. The pORs of preeclampsia were 1.54 (95% CI: 1.12-2.13) and 1.35 (95% CI: 1.03-1.77) if the proband's mother or sister(s) had a preeclamptic pregnancy, respectively, but no associations were seen for SGA infant or abruption.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that IPD may share a predisposition with preeclampsia, suggesting a familial inheritance.

Placental abruption and long-term neurological hospitalisations in the offspring

BACKGROUND

Placental abruption is a major determinant of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, often related to asphyxia and preterm birth. However, the impact of abruption on the long-term morbidity of the offspring is less investigated.

METHODS

We designed a hospital-based cohort study, in which the incidence of long-term neurology-related hospitalisations of offspring to women with and without placental abruption was assessed. All singleton deliveries between 1991 and 2014 were included in the study. Congenital anomalies, perinatal mortality, and multifetal pregnancies were excluded from the analyses. We compared cumulative morbidity incidence using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and estimated the risk for long-term neurological hospitalisations from Cox proportional hazards models after adjustment for putative including maternal age, parity, hypertensive disorders, pre-gestational and gestational diabetes, gender, ethnicity, and year of birth.

RESULTS

Over the 22-year period, 2 202 269 person-years of follow-up, there were 217 910 deliveries of which 0.5% (n = 1003) were complicated with placental abruption. The median (interquartile range) follow-up of children in the abruption and non-abruption groups was 10.3 (4.6, 15.9) and 12.0 (6.3, 16.5) years, respectively. The cumulative incidence of total neurological hospitalisations was comparable between abruption (3.32 per 1000 person-years) and non-abruption (3.16 per 1000 person-years). Abruption was associated with increased rates of cerebral palsy (hazard ratio [HR] 6.71, 95% CI 3.32, 13.58) and developmental disorders (HR 3.36, 95% CI 1.38, 8.13), but not for total neurology-related hospitalisations (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.78, 1.49).

CONCLUSION

Placental abruption is associated with increased rate of cerebral palsy and developmental disorders in the offspring later in life. This study may define risk factors for childhood neuropsychiatric disorders, enabling early diagnosis and intervention in children with such disorders, and perhaps improving their prognosis.

Analysis of 62 placental abruption cases: Risk factors and clinical outcomes

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics and outcomes of placental abruption.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 62 placental abruption cases were collected from the Second Hospital of Jilin University between January 2007 and December 2012. A retrospective study was conducted to explore the risk factors for placental abruption, clinical characteristics, and maternal and fetal outcomes.

RESULTS

Risk factors for placental abruption mainly include preeclampsia (39%) and premature rupture of membrane (10%). Abdominal pain (68%) and bleeding (35%) comprise the classical symptoms of placental abruption but the clinical picture varies from asymptomatic, in which the diagnosis is made by inspection of the placenta at delivery, to massive abruption leading to fetal death and severe maternal morbidity. Emergency cesarean section was performed in 45 cases (73%) of placental abruption. Sixty-two placental abruption cases were divided into 2 groups according to whether uteroplacental apoplexy occurred. The incidence of preeclampsia and the duration (time between on-set of clinical symptom and placenta delivery) in the observational group were significantly higher than that of the control group, showing statistical significance (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of placental abruption should consider risk factors, symptoms, physical signs, dynamic ultrasound monitoring, and cardiac care. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve maternal and infant prognosis.

Reproductive outcomes after surgical treatment of asherman syndrome: A systematic review

In this systematic review, we analysed the reproductive outcomes of hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in women with Asherman syndrome (AS). We searched PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library (from database inception to April 2018) and selected studies that quantitatively described the reproductive outcomes. We assessed study quality and pooled rate data for each outcome. There were 54 studies (4640 women) of varying quality. The pooled rate of pregnancy was 50.7% (95% CI [confidence interval]: 49.1 to 52.3) in 53 studies, early pregnancy loss was 17.7% (95% CI: 15.9 to 19.6) in 31 studies, ectopic pregnancy (EP) was 4.2% (95% CI: 2.8 to 6.3) in 9 studies, mid-trimester loss (MTL) was 11.5% (95% CI: 7.6 to 17.8) in 7 studies, cervical incompetence was 12.5% (95% CI: 3.3 to 33.5) in 2 studies and placenta accreta syndrome was 10.1% (95% CI: 8.6 to 11.8) in 23 studies. The pregnancy rate in women with severe adhesion was significantly lower than that in women with mild adhesion (P = 0.021). These results can be used to counsel women with AS before surgical treatment and for planning antenatal care after conception.

Subsequent risk of cancer among women with a history of placental abruption

BACKGROUND

Placentation is characterized by extensive cell proliferation and neovascularization, which is similar to the processes observed in the development of cancer. Nonetheless, little is known about the relation between abnormal placentation, such as placental abruption, and cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data on women with placental abruption in a singleton pregnancy between 1971 and 2005 (n = 7804) were collected from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Registry and the Finnish Medical Birth Registry. The cohort was then linked with the Finnish Cancer Registry records until the end of 2013. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for different cancers by dividing the observed numbers of cancers by those expected. The expected numbers were based on national cancer incidence rates.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 597 cancers were found among women with a history of placental abruption. The overall risk of cancer was not increased (SIR 0.95, 95% CI 0.88-1.02). However, the history of placental abruption was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (SIR 1.51, 95% CI 1.05-2.10) and thyroid cancer (SIR 1.47, 95% CI 1.04-2.02). A decreased risk was found for breast cancer (SIR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.96). The risk of rectal cancer was also decreased, although these numbers were small (SIR 0.49, 95% CI 0.20-1.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the risk of lung cancer was increased, and the risk of breast cancer decreased, in women with a history of placental abruption. These observations can be explained to some extent by risk factors or risk markers for placental abruption. The increased risk of thyroid cancer may be explained by surveillance bias.

Obstetric venous thromboembolism: a systematic review of dalteparin and pregnancy

A systematic review of studies published between 1 January 1985 and 31 August 2017 was performed to analyse the efficacy of the low-molecular-weight heparin, dalteparin, in venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment and prophylaxis during pregnancy, and to evaluate dosing practices, anticoagulant monitoring and adverse events. A therapeutic dosing throughout pregnancy or followed by reduced doses effectively prevented VTE recurrence. Anti-factor Xa activity was the most commonly used method of dose monitoring. The risk of bleeding with dalteparin was generally minor. Major bleeding was observed when a high dose of dalteparin was employed during (or close to) delivery, or postpartum. Other adverse events were minor. Disparity exists in VTE treatment and thromboprophylaxis, with wide variety in the dosing regimens, treatment strategies and monitoring practices employed. Large randomised controlled trials are warranted but due to ethical reasons, and the rarity of VTE-associated obstetric complications, case-control, registry and large observational studies present more likely options.

Maternal and neonatal characteristics of a Canadian urban cohort receiving treatment for opioid use disorder during pregnancy

The epidemic of prescription and non-prescription opioid misuse is of particular importance in pregnancy. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada currently recommends opioid replacement therapy with methadone or buprenorphine for opioid-dependent women during pregnancy. This vulnerable segment of the population has been shown to be at increased risk of blood-borne infectious diseases, nutritional insecurity and stress. The objective of this study was to describe an urban cohort of pregnant women on opioid replacement therapy and to evaluate potential effects on the fetus. A retrospective chart review of all women on opioid replacement therapy and their infants who delivered at The Ottawa Hospital General and Civic campuses between January 1, 2013 and March 24, 2017 was conducted. Data were collected on maternal characteristics, pregnancy outcomes, neonatal outcomes and corresponding placental pathology. Maternal comorbidities identified included high rates of infection, tobacco use and illicit substance use, as well as increased rates of placental abruption compared with national averages. Compared with national baseline averages, the mean neonatal birth weight was low, and the incidence of small for gestational age infants and congenital anomalies was high. The incidence of NAS was comparable with estimates from other studies of similar cohorts. Findings support existing literature that calls for a comprehensive interdisciplinary risk reduction approach including dietary, social, domestic, psychological and other supports to care for opioid-dependent women in pregnancy.