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van der Windt L, Klumper J, van Limburg Stirum EVJ, van 't Hooft J, van Wely M, van Wassenaer-Leemhuis AG, Pajkrt E, Oudijk MA. Atosiban versus placebo in the treatment of threatened preterm birth between 30 and 34 weeks gestation: study protocol of the 4-year APOSTEL 8 follow-up. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e083600. [PMID: 39025819 PMCID: PMC11261668 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Currently, the majority of women worldwide with threatened preterm birth are treated with tocolytics. Although tocolytics can effectively delay birth for 48 hours, no tocolytic drug has convincingly been shown to improve neonatal outcomes and effects on long-term child development are unknown. The aim of this follow-up study of a placebo controlled randomised trial is to investigate the long-term effects of atosiban administration in case of threatened preterm birth on child's neurodevelopment and behaviour development, overall health and mortality. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This protocol concerns a follow-up study of the multicentre randomised double-blind placebo controlled APOSTEL 8 trial (NL61439.018.17, EudraCT-number 2017-001007-72). In this trial, women with threatened preterm birth (between 30 and 34 weeks of gestation) defined as uterine contractions with (1) a cervical length of <15 mm or (2) a cervical length of 15-30 mm and a positive fibronectin test or (3) in centres where cervical length measurement is not part of the local protocol: a positive fibronectin test or Actim-Partus test or (4) ruptured membranes, are randomised to atosiban or placebo for 48 hours. The primary outcome is a composite of perinatal mortality and severe neonatal morbidity. Children born to mothers who participated in the APOSTEL 8 study (n=760) will be eligible for follow-up at 4 years of corrected age and assessed using four parent-reported questionnaires. Primary outcomes are neurodevelopment and behaviour problems. Secondary outcomes are on child growth and general health. All outcomes will be compared between the atosiban and placebo group with OR and corresponding 95% CI. Analyses will be performed using the intention-to-treat approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The Medical Research Ethics Committee from Amsterdam UMC confirmed that de Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (Dutch WMO-law) did not apply to our study (W21_386 # 21.431). Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and shared with stakeholders and participants. This protocol is published before analysis of the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa van der Windt
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Job Klumper
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Emilie V J van Limburg Stirum
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Janneke van 't Hooft
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Madelon van Wely
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Netherlands Satellite of the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Duivendrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aleid G van Wassenaer-Leemhuis
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Neonatology and Paediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Pajkrt
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martijn A Oudijk
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development research institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Obstetrics, Amsterdam UMC Locatie De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Francis F, Luz S, Wu H, Stock SJ, Townsend R. Machine learning on cardiotocography data to classify fetal outcomes: A scoping review. Comput Biol Med 2024; 172:108220. [PMID: 38489990 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uterine contractions during labour constrict maternal blood flow and oxygen delivery to the developing baby, causing transient hypoxia. While most babies are physiologically adapted to withstand such intrapartum hypoxia, those exposed to severe hypoxia or with poor physiological reserves may experience neurological injury or death during labour. Cardiotocography (CTG) monitoring was developed to identify babies at risk of hypoxia by detecting changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns. CTG monitoring is in widespread use in intrapartum care for the detection of fetal hypoxia, but the clinical utility is limited by a relatively poor positive predictive value (PPV) of an abnormal CTG and significant inter and intra observer variability in CTG interpretation. Clinical risk and human factors may impact the quality of CTG interpretation. Misclassification of CTG traces may lead to both under-treatment (with the risk of fetal injury or death) or over-treatment (which may include unnecessary operative interventions that put both mother and baby at risk of complications). Machine learning (ML) has been applied to this problem since early 2000 and has shown potential to predict fetal hypoxia more accurately than visual interpretation of CTG alone. To consider how these tools might be translated for clinical practice, we conducted a review of ML techniques already applied to CTG classification and identified research gaps requiring investigation in order to progress towards clinical implementation. MATERIALS AND METHOD We used identified keywords to search databases for relevant publications on PubMed, EMBASE and IEEE Xplore. We used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Title, abstract and full text were screened according to the inclusion criteria. RESULTS We included 36 studies that used signal processing and ML techniques to classify CTG. Most studies used an open-access CTG database and predominantly used fetal metabolic acidosis as the benchmark for hypoxia with varying pH levels. Various methods were used to process and extract CTG signals and several ML algorithms were used to classify CTG. We identified significant concerns over the practicality of using varying pH levels as the CTG classification benchmark. Furthermore, studies needed to be more generalised as most used the same database with a low number of subjects for an ML study. CONCLUSION ML studies demonstrate potential in predicting fetal hypoxia from CTG. However, more diverse datasets, standardisation of hypoxia benchmarks and enhancement of algorithms and features are needed for future clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Honghan Wu
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, UK
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Chakkarapani AA, Aly H, Benders M, Cotten CM, El-Dib M, Gressens P, Hagberg H, Sabir H, Wintermark P, Robertson NJ. Therapies for neonatal encephalopathy: Targeting the latent, secondary and tertiary phases of evolving brain injury. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2021; 26:101256. [PMID: 34154945 DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2021.101256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In term and near-term neonates with neonatal encephalopathy, therapeutic hypothermia protocols are well established. The current focus is on how to improve outcomes further and the challenge is to find safe and complementary therapies that confer additional protection, regeneration or repair in addition to cooling. Following hypoxia-ischemia, brain injury evolves over three main phases (latent, secondary and tertiary), each with a different brain energy, perfusion, neurochemical and inflammatory milieu. While therapeutic hypothermia has targeted the latent and secondary phase, we now need therapies that cover the continuum of brain injury that spans hours, days, weeks and months after the initial event. Most agents have several therapeutic actions but can be broadly classified under a predominant action (e.g., free radical scavenging, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, neuroregeneration, and vascular effects). Promising early/secondary phase therapies include Allopurinol, Azithromycin, Exendin-4, Magnesium, Melatonin, Noble gases and Sildenafil. Tertiary phase agents include Erythropoietin, Stem cells and others. We review a selection of promising therapeutic agents on the translational pipeline and suggest a framework for neuroprotection and neurorestoration that targets the evolving injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hany Aly
- Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Manon Benders
- Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - C Michael Cotten
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Mohamed El-Dib
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Pierre Gressens
- Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Paris, France; Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, King's Health Partners, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, United Kingdom.
| | - Henrik Hagberg
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, King's Health Partners, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, United Kingdom; Centre of Perinatal Medicine & Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Hemmen Sabir
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Children's Hospital University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.
| | - Pia Wintermark
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Newborn Medicine, Montreal Children's Hospital, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Nicola J Robertson
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Pisani F, Fusco C, Nagarajan L, Spagnoli C. Acute symptomatic neonatal seizures, brain injury, and long-term outcome: The role of neuroprotective strategies. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 21:189-203. [PMID: 33176104 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1848547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neonatal seizures are frequent but underdiagnosed manifestations of acute brain dysfunction and an important contributor to unfavorable outcomes. Etiology and severity of brain injury are the single strongest outcome determinants. AREAS COVERED The authors will discuss the prognostic role of acute symptomatic seizures versus brain injury and the main neuroprotective and neurorestorative strategies for full-term and preterm infants. EXPERT OPINION Prolonged acute symptomatic seizures likely contribute to long-term outcomes by independently adding further brain injury to initial insults. Correct timing and dosing of therapeutic interventions, depending on etiology and gestational ages, need careful evaluation. Although promising strategies are under study, the only standard of care is whole-body therapeutic hypothermia in full-term newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Pisani
- Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, Medicine and Surgery Department, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Fusco
- Child Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia , Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lakshmi Nagarajan
- Department of Neurology, Perth Children's Hospital, University of Western Australia , Perth, Australia
| | - Carlotta Spagnoli
- Child Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia , Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Adjunctive Neuroprotective Therapies for Treatment of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). CURRENT PEDIATRICS REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40124-020-00231-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Martini S, Austin T, Aceti A, Faldella G, Corvaglia L. Free radicals and neonatal encephalopathy: mechanisms of injury, biomarkers, and antioxidant treatment perspectives. Pediatr Res 2020; 87:823-833. [PMID: 31655487 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0639-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal encephalopathy (NE), most commonly a result of the disruption of cerebral oxygen delivery, is the leading cause of neurologic disability in term neonates. Given the key role of free radicals in brain injury development following hypoxia-ischemia-reperfusion, several oxidative biomarkers have been explored in preclinical and clinical models of NE. Among these, antioxidant enzyme activity, uric acid excretion, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and non-protein-bound iron have shown promising results as possible predictors of NE severity and outcome. Owing to high costs and technical complexity, however, their routine use in clinical practice is still limited. Several strategies aimed at reducing free radical production or upregulating physiological scavengers have been proposed for NE. Room-air resuscitation has proved to reduce oxidative stress following perinatal asphyxia and is now universally adopted. A number of medications endowed with antioxidant properties, such as melatonin, erythropoietin, allopurinol, or N-acetylcysteine, have also shown potential neuroprotective effects in perinatal asphyxia; nevertheless, further evidence is needed before these antioxidant approaches could be implemented as standard care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Martini
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Topun Austin
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Arianna Aceti
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giacomo Faldella
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luigi Corvaglia
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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van Winden T, Klumper J, Kleinrouweler CE, Tichelaar MA, Naaktgeboren CA, Nijman TA, van Baar AL, van Wassenaer-Leemhuis AG, Roseboom TJ, Van't Hooft J, Roos C, Mol BW, Pajkrt E, Oudijk MA. Effects of tocolysis with nifedipine or atosiban on child outcome: follow-up of the APOSTEL III trial. BJOG 2020; 127:1129-1137. [PMID: 32124520 PMCID: PMC7384124 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the long-term effects of tocolysis with nifedipine or atosiban on child outcome at age 2.5-5.5 years. DESIGN The APOSTEL III trial was a multicentre randomised controlled trial that compared tocolysis with nifedipine or atosiban in 503 women with threatened preterm birth. Neonatal outcomes did not differ between both treatment arms, except for a higher incidence of intubation in the atosiban group. METHODS Parents were asked to complete four questionnaires regarding neurodevelopment, executive function, behaviour problems and general health. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The main long-term outcome measure was a composite of abnormal development at the age of 2.5-5.5 years. RESULTS Of the 426 women eligible for follow-up, 196 (46%) parents returned the questionnaires for 115 children in the nifedipine group and 110 children in the atosiban group. Abnormal development occurred in 32 children (30%) in the nifedipine group and in 38 children (38%) in the atosiban group (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.41-1.34). The separate outcomes for neurodevelopment, executive function, behaviour, and general health showed no significant differences between the groups. Sensitivity analysis for all children of the APOSTEL III trial, including a comparison of deceased children, resulted in a higher rate of healthy survival in the nifedipine group (64 versus 54%), but there was no significant difference in the overall mortality rate (5.4 versus 2.7%). There were no significant subgroup effects. CONCLUSION Outcomes on broad child neurodevelopment, executive function, behaviour and general health were comparable in both groups. Neither nifedipine nor atosiban can be considered as the preferred treatment for women with threatened preterm birth. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Nifedipine- and atosiban-exposed children had comparable long-term outcomes, including neurodevelopment, executive function and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tms van Winden
- Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J Klumper
- Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C E Kleinrouweler
- Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M A Tichelaar
- Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C A Naaktgeboren
- Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - T A Nijman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - A L van Baar
- Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A G van Wassenaer-Leemhuis
- Paediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - T J Roseboom
- Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J Van't Hooft
- Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C Roos
- Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - B W Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - E Pajkrt
- Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M A Oudijk
- Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Abstract
Perinatal brain injury is a major cause of neurological disability in both premature and term infants. In this review, we summarize the evidence behind some established neuroprotective practices such as administration of antenatal steroids, intrapartum magnesium for preterm delivery, and therapeutic hypothermia. In addition, we examine emerging practices such as delayed cord clamping, postnatal magnesium administration, recombinant erythropoietin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and finally inform the reader about novel interventions, some of which are currently in trials, such as xenon, melatonin, topiramate, allopurinol, creatine, and autologous cord cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samata Singhi
- Department of Neurology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Michael Johnston
- Department of Neurology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
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