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di Pasquo E, Giannubilo SR, Valentini B, Salvi S, Rullo R, Fruci S, Filippi E, Ornaghi S, Zullino S, Rossi F, Farsetti D, Di Martino DD, Vasapollo B, Locatelli A, De Santis M, Ciavattini A, Lanzone A, Mecacci F, Ferrazzi E, Valensise H, Ghi T. The "Preeclampsia and Hypertension Target Treatment" study: a multicenter prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of the antihypertensive therapy based on maternal hemodynamic findings. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2024; 6:101368. [PMID: 38574856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite major advances in the pharmacologic treatment of hypertension in the nonpregnant population, treatments for hypertension in pregnancy have remained largely unchanged over the years. There is recent evidence that a more adequate control of maternal blood pressure is achieved when the first given antihypertensive drug is able to correct the underlying hemodynamic disorder of the mother besides normalizing the blood pressure values. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the blood pressure control in women receiving an appropriate or inappropriate antihypertensive therapy following the baseline hemodynamic findings. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective multicenter study that included a population of women with de novo diagnosis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. A noninvasive assessment of the following maternal parameters was performed on hospital admission via Ultrasound Cardiac Output Monitor before any antihypertensive therapy was given: cardiac output, heart rate, systemic vascular resistance, and stroke volume. The clinician who prescribed the antihypertensive therapy was blinded to the hemodynamic evaluation and used as first-line treatment a vasodilator (nifedipine or alpha methyldopa) or a beta-blocker (labetalol) based on his preferences or on the local protocols. The first-line pharmacologic treatment was retrospectively considered hemodynamically appropriate in either of the following circumstances: (1) women with a hypodynamic profile (defined as low cardiac output [≤5 L/min] and/or high systemic vascular resistance [≥1300 dynes/second/cm2]) who were administered oral nifedipine or alpha methyldopa and (2) women with a hyperdynamic profile (defined as normal or high cardiac output [>5 L/min] and/or low systemic vascular resistances [<1300 dynes/second/cm2]) who were administered oral labetalol. The primary outcome of the study was to compare the occurrence of severe hypertension between women treated with a hemodynamically appropriate therapy and women treated with an inappropriate therapy. RESULTS A total of 152 women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were included in the final analysis. Most women displayed a hypodynamic profile (114 [75.0%]) and received a hemodynamically appropriate treatment (116 [76.3%]). The occurrence of severe hypertension before delivery was significantly lower in the group receiving an appropriate therapy than in the group receiving an inappropriately treated (6.0% vs 19.4%, respectively; P=.02). Moreover, the number of women who achieved target values of blood pressure within 48 to 72 hours from the treatment start was higher in the group who received an appropriate treatment than in the group who received an inappropriate treatment (70.7% vs 50.0%, respectively; P=.02). CONCLUSION In pregnant individuals with de novo hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, a lower occurrence of severe hypertension was observed when the first-line antihypertensive agent was tailored to the correct maternal hemodynamic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira di Pasquo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy (Drs di Pasquo, Valentini, and Ghi)
| | - Stefano Raffaele Giannubilo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy (Drs Giannubilo and Ciavattini)
| | - Beatrice Valentini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy (Drs di Pasquo, Valentini, and Ghi)
| | - Silvia Salvi
- High-Risk Pregnancy Unit, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Largo Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy (Drs Salvi, Rullo, Fruci, and Lanzone)
| | - Roberta Rullo
- High-Risk Pregnancy Unit, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Largo Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy (Drs Salvi, Rullo, Fruci, and Lanzone)
| | - Stefano Fruci
- High-Risk Pregnancy Unit, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Largo Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy (Drs Salvi, Rullo, Fruci, and Lanzone)
| | - Elisa Filippi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ospedale Ca Foncello, Treviso, Italy (Drs Filippi and Santis)
| | - Sara Ornaghi
- Department of Obstetrics, University of Milan-Bicocca, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Gerardo dei Tintori, Milan, Italy (Drs Ornaghi, Rossi, and Locatelli)
| | - Sara Zullino
- High-Risk Pregnancy Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Azienda Ospedaliera Careggi, Florence, Italy (Drs Zullino and Dr Mecacci)
| | - Francesca Rossi
- Department of Obstetrics, University of Milan-Bicocca, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Gerardo dei Tintori, Milan, Italy (Drs Ornaghi, Rossi, and Locatelli)
| | - Daniele Farsetti
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Policlinico Casilino, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy (Drs Farsetti, Vasapollo, and Valensise)
| | - Daniela Denis Di Martino
- Unit of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Woman, Child, and Newborn, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy (Drs Di Martino and Ferrazzi)
| | - Barbara Vasapollo
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Policlinico Casilino, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy (Drs Farsetti, Vasapollo, and Valensise)
| | - Anna Locatelli
- Department of Obstetrics, University of Milan-Bicocca, Foundation Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Gerardo dei Tintori, Milan, Italy (Drs Ornaghi, Rossi, and Locatelli)
| | - Michela De Santis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ospedale Ca Foncello, Treviso, Italy (Drs Filippi and Santis)
| | - Andrea Ciavattini
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy (Drs Giannubilo and Ciavattini)
| | - Antonio Lanzone
- High-Risk Pregnancy Unit, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Largo Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy (Drs Salvi, Rullo, Fruci, and Lanzone)
| | - Federico Mecacci
- High-Risk Pregnancy Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Azienda Ospedaliera Careggi, Florence, Italy (Drs Zullino and Dr Mecacci)
| | - Enrico Ferrazzi
- Unit of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Woman, Child, and Newborn, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy (Drs Di Martino and Ferrazzi)
| | - Hebert Valensise
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Policlinico Casilino, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy (Drs Farsetti, Vasapollo, and Valensise)
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy (Drs di Pasquo, Valentini, and Ghi); Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (Dr Ghi).
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di Pasquo E, Fieni S, Chandraharan E, Dall'Asta A, Morganelli G, Spinelli M, Bettinelli ML, Aloe R, Russo A, Galli L, Perrone S, Ghi T. Correlation between intrapartum CTG findings and interleukin-6 levels in the umbilical cord arterial blood: A prospective cohort study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2024; 294:128-134. [PMID: 38237311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to investigate the correlation between the intrapartum CardioTocoGraphic (CTG) findings "suggestive of fetal inflammation" ("SOFI") and the interleukin (IL)-6 level in the umbilical arterial blood. STUDY DESIGN prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary maternity unit and including 447 neonates born at term. METHODS IL-6 levels were systematically measured at birth from a sample of blood taken from the umbilical artery. The intrapartum CTG traces were retrospectively reviewed by two experts who were blinded to the postnatal umbilical arterial IL-6 values as well as to the neonatal outcomes. The CTG traces were classified into "suggestive of fetal inflammation (SOFI)" and "no evidence of fetal inflammation (NEFI) according to the principles of physiologic interpretation the CTG traces. The CTG was classified as "SOFI" if there was a persistent fetal heart rate (FHR) increase > 10 % compared with the observed baseline FHR observed at the admission or at the onset of labor without any preceding repetitive decelerations. The occurrence of Composite Adverse Outcome (CAO) was defined as Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) admission due to one or more of the following: metabolic acidaemia, Apgar score at 5 min ≤ 7, need of neonatal resuscitation, respiratory distress, tachypnoea/polypnea, jaundice requiring phototherapy, hypotension, body temperature instability, poor perinatal adaptation, suspected or confirmed early neonatal sepsis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES To compare the umbilical IL-6 values between the cases with intrapartum CTG traces classified as "SOFI" and those classified as "NEFI"; to assess the correlation of umbilical IL-6 values with the neonatal outcome. RESULTS 43 (9.6 %) CTG traces were categorized as "SOFI"; IL-6 levels were significantly higher in this group compared with the "NEFI" group (82.0[43.4-325.0] pg/ml vs. 14.5[6.8-32.6] pg/mL; p <.001). The mean FHR baseline assessed 1 h before delivery and the total labor length showed an independent and direct association with the IL-6 levels in the umbilical arterial blood (p <.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). CAO occurred in 33(7.4 %) cases; IL-6 yielded a good prediction of the occurrence of the CAO with an AUC of 0.72 (95 % CI 0.61-0.81). CONCLUSION Intrapartum CTG findings classified as "SOFI" are associated with higher levels of IL-6 in the umbilical arterial blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira di Pasquo
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Fieni
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy; Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Morganelli
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marta Spinelli
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bettinelli
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Rosalia Aloe
- Unit of Blood Chemistry Diagnostics, Diagnostic Department, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Annalisa Russo
- Unit of Blood Chemistry Diagnostics, Diagnostic Department, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Letizia Galli
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Serafina Perrone
- Unit of Neonatology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy; Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Ramirez Zegarra R, Casati D, Volpe N, Lanna M, Dall'Asta A, Chiarelli A, Ormitti F, Percesepe A, Montaguti E, Labadini C, Salsi G, di Pasquo E, Bonasoni MP, Quarello E, Pilu G, Grisolia G, Righini A, Ghi T. The "cortical invagination sign": a midtrimester sonographic marker of unilateral cortical focal dysgyria in fetuses with complete agenesis of the corpus callosum. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023; 5:101198. [PMID: 37866717 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agenesis of the corpus callosum is associated with several malformations of cortical development. Recently, features of focal cortical dysgyria have been described in fetuses with agenesis of the corpus callosum. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the "cortical invagination sign," a specific sonographic feature of focal cortical dysgyria, which is consistently seen at midtrimester axial brain ultrasound in fetuses with complete agenesis of the corpus callosum. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 2018 to 2021, including patients referred to 5 fetal medicine centers in the second trimester of pregnancy (19 0/7 to 22 0/7 weeks of gestation) with suspected complete agenesis of the corpus callosum. All cases with the diagnosis of complete agenesis of the corpus callosum were submitted to an axial sonographic assessment of the fetal brain on the transventricular plane. In this scanning section, the mesial profile of both cerebral hemispheres at the level of the frontal-parietal cortex was investigated. In this area, the operator looked for an abnormal invagination of the cortical surface along the widened interhemispheric fissure, which was referred to as the "cortical invagination sign." All fetuses were submitted to dedicated antenatal magnetic resonance imaging to reassess the ultrasound findings. Cases with additional brain anomalies, which did not involve the cortex, were excluded. The final diagnosis was confirmed at postnatal brain magnetic resonance imaging or postmortem examination, for cases undergoing termination of pregnancy. The primary outcome of this study was to evaluate the presence and laterality of the "cortical invagination sign" in fetuses with complete agenesis of the corpus callosum at antenatal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS During the study period, 64 cases of complete agenesis of the corpus callosum were included; of those cases, 50 (78.1%) resulted in termination of pregnancy, and 14 (21.9%) resulted in a live birth. The "cortical invagination sign" was detected at ultrasound in 13 of 64 cases (20.3%) and at targeted brain magnetic resonance imaging in 2 additional cases (23.4%), all of which were electively terminated. Moreover, the "cortical invagination sign" was found to be exclusively unilateral and on the left cerebral hemisphere in all the cases. There was a predominant number, although nonsignificant, of male fetuses (80.0% of cases; P=.06) in the group of complete agenesis of the corpus callosum with the "cortical invagination sign." CONCLUSION The "cortical invagination sign" is a specific marker of focal cortical dysgyria, which seems to characterize at midtrimester of pregnancy in a large group of fetuses with complete agenesis of the corpus callosum. The etiology, pathophysiology, and prognostic significance of this finding remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Ramirez Zegarra
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (Drs Ramirez Zegarra and Volpe, Prof Dall'Asta, Drs Chiarelli, Labadini, di Pasquo, and Ghi)
| | - Daniela Casati
- Fetal Therapy Unit "U. Nicolini", Department of Women, Mother and Neonate, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy (Drs Casati and Lanna)
| | - Nicola Volpe
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (Drs Ramirez Zegarra and Volpe, Prof Dall'Asta, Drs Chiarelli, Labadini, di Pasquo, and Ghi)
| | - Mariano Lanna
- Fetal Therapy Unit "U. Nicolini", Department of Women, Mother and Neonate, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy (Drs Casati and Lanna)
| | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (Drs Ramirez Zegarra and Volpe, Prof Dall'Asta, Drs Chiarelli, Labadini, di Pasquo, and Ghi)
| | - Annasole Chiarelli
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (Drs Ramirez Zegarra and Volpe, Prof Dall'Asta, Drs Chiarelli, Labadini, di Pasquo, and Ghi)
| | - Francesca Ormitti
- Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy (Dr Ormitti)
| | - Antonio Percesepe
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Medical Genetics, University of Parma, Italy (Prof Percesepe)
| | - Elisa Montaguti
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Policlinico di Sant'Orsola Malpighi, Bologna, Italy (Drs Montaguti, Salsi, and Prof Pilu)
| | - Corinne Labadini
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (Drs Ramirez Zegarra and Volpe, Prof Dall'Asta, Drs Chiarelli, Labadini, di Pasquo, and Ghi)
| | - Ginevra Salsi
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Policlinico di Sant'Orsola Malpighi, Bologna, Italy (Drs Montaguti, Salsi, and Prof Pilu)
| | - Elvira di Pasquo
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (Drs Ramirez Zegarra and Volpe, Prof Dall'Asta, Drs Chiarelli, Labadini, di Pasquo, and Ghi)
| | - Maria Paola Bonasoni
- Pathology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy (Dr Bonasoni)
| | - Edwin Quarello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Saint Joseph, Marseille, France (Dr Quarello)
| | - Gianluigi Pilu
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Policlinico di Sant'Orsola Malpighi, Bologna, Italy (Drs Montaguti, Salsi, and Prof Pilu)
| | - Giampaolo Grisolia
- Department of High-Risk Pregnancy, Mantova Ospedale C. Poma, Mantua, Italy (Dr Grisolia)
| | - Andrea Righini
- Department of Radiology and Pediatric Neuroradiology, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy (Prof Righini)
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (Drs Ramirez Zegarra and Volpe, Prof Dall'Asta, Drs Chiarelli, Labadini, di Pasquo, and Ghi).
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Morganelli G, Fieni S, Dall'Asta A, di Pasquo E, Capozzi VA, Valenti A, Pezzani A, Kiener AJO, Ghi T. Effect of the "shoulder-up" bundle on the incidence of spontaneous perineal injury after vaginal delivery: comparison of 2 historic cohorts after propensity score matching. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023; 5:101038. [PMID: 37245605 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perineal injury following vaginal delivery represents a major cause of long-term maternal morbidity, and its prevention is among the priorities of modern obstetrical practice. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate whether the systematic implementation of a bundle of maneuvers to prevent perineal injury (ie, the "shoulder-up" bundle) may reduce the rate of spontaneous perineal tears in women delivering at a single tertiary maternity unit. STUDY DESIGN This was a single-center retrospective intervention study including all vaginal deliveries between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2022. On March 1, 2021, a bundle focused on perineal injury prevention in vaginal deliveries was implemented and introduced as a standard of care. The "shoulder-up" bundle includes the addition of a hands-on technique for the delivery of the posterior shoulder, which is slowly lifted up under the direct visualization of the perineal body, immediately after the disengagement of the anterior shoulder. The labor ward staff underwent dedicated training to acquire expertise on the "shoulder-up" bundle. Little changes in terms of medical and midwifery staffing were recorded during the study period. The incidence of spontaneous second-degree or higher perineal tears was compared between the patients who gave birth before the clinical implementation of the bundle (standard-care group) and those who were delivered following the implementation of the bundle (shoulder-up group). A 1:1 propensity score matching of the 2 groups was done for the variables that proved to be independently associated with the perineal outcome. RESULTS From April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022, 3671 patients had a vaginal birth at our tertiary care unit (1786 in the standard-care group and 1885 in the "shoulder-up" group) and were enrolled in the study population. Of these, 1191 (32.4%) had a spontaneous second-degree or higher perineal tear. At univariate analysis, nulliparity (59.6% vs 39.1%; P<.001), higher gestational age at delivery (39.8±1.28 vs 39.4±1.97 weeks; P<.001), epidural analgesia (40.6% vs 31.2%; P<.001), vacuum-assisted delivery (9.6% vs 4.0%; P<.001), and birthweight >4 kg (11.0% vs 6.3%; P<.001) were independently associated with the perineal outcome. Following propensity score matching for the above cited factors, the 1703 patients of each group were compared. A significant increase in the rate of intact perineum (71.0% vs 64.1%; P=.014) and a reduction in the incidence of second- (27.2% vs 32.9%; P=.006) and third to fourth-degree perineal tears (1.3% vs 3.0%; P<.001) was demonstrated in the "shoulder-up" group. Among the subgroup of patients undergoing vacuum-assisted delivery, a borderline significant reduction in the rate of obstetrical anal sphincter injury (10.4% vs 2.9%; P=.052) was also observed. CONCLUSION Our study showed that the clinical implementation of the "shoulder-up" bundle at vaginal delivery is associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of spontaneous second-degree or higher perineal tears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Morganelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Stefania Fieni
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elvira di Pasquo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Vito Andrea Capozzi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alissa Valenti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pezzani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Tullio Ghi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Ramirez Zegarra R, Dall'Asta A, di Pasquo E, Ghi T. Antepartum sonographic prediction of cephalopelvic disproportion: are we getting any closer? Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023; 5:100828. [PMID: 36529655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Ramirez Zegarra
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elvira di Pasquo
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Morganelli G, di Pasquo E, Andrea CV, Valenti A, Fieni S, Ghi T. Introducing a novel technique to reduce severe perineal injuries during delivery: the “shoulder-up” maneuver. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.11.544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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di Pasquo E, Morganelli G, Valenti A, Valentini B, Moresi S, Fruci S, Filippi E, Giannubilo SR, Montaguti E, Dall'Asta A, Ghi T. Effectiveness of the antihypertensive therapy based on the hemodynamic findings in women with hypertensive disorders. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.11.705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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di Pasquo E, Ricciardi P, Valenti A, Fieni S, Ghi T, Frusca T. Achieving an appropriate cesarean birth (CB) rate and analyzing the changes using the Robson Ten-Group Classification System (TGCS): Lessons from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Italy. Birth 2022; 49:430-439. [PMID: 35118720 DOI: 10.1111/birt.12612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To describe the interventions that were implemented at a Tertiary University Hospital and how they affected the rate of cesarean birth (CB) and main obstetrics and neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN An analysis of the contemporaneously collected data from all deliveries that occurred from 2014 to 2018. Major obstetric and neonatal outcomes were analyzed and grouped according to the Ten-Group Classification System (TGCS). RESULTS A significant decrease in CB rates, from 28.4% to 23.0% (P < 0.001), was found over the study period. Although the relative sizes of both nulliparous (groups 1 + 2) and multiparous (groups 3 + 4) women remained stable over the study period, a significantly higher incidence of CB was reported in 2014 for both groups, compared with 2018 (2.6% vs. 13.0%, P < 0.001 for nulliparous women and 7.5% vs. 3.3%, P < 0.001 for multiparous women). In contrast, the relative size of Group 5 was significantly lower in 2014 than in 2018 (9.9% vs. 11.5%, P = 0.003), but a 13.3% reduction in CB was also reported for this group. No significant differences were noted in the occurrence of major obstetrics and neonatal outcomes that were reported. CONCLUSIONS A reduction in CB rate may be safely achieved through implementing a multifaceted strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira di Pasquo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Piera Ricciardi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alissa Valenti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Fieni
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tiziana Frusca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
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9
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di Pasquo E, Commare A, Masturzo B, Paolucci S, Cromi A, Montersino B, Germano CM, Attini R, Perrone S, Pisani F, Dall'Asta A, Fieni S, Frusca T, Ghi T. Short-term morbidity and types of intrapartum hypoxia in the newborn with metabolic acidaemia: a retrospective cohort study. BJOG 2022; 129:1916-1925. [PMID: 35244312 PMCID: PMC9541157 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To assess labour characteristics in relation to the occurrence of Composite Adverse neonatal Outcome (CAO) within a cohort of fetuses with metabolic acidaemia. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Three Italian tertiary maternity units. Population 431 neonates born with acidaemia ≥36 weeks. Methods Intrapartum CTG traces were assigned to one of these four types of labour hypoxia: acute, subacute, gradually evolving and chronic hypoxia. The presence of CAO was defined by the occurrence of at least one of the following: Sarnat Score grade ≥2, seizures, hypothermia and death <7 days from birth. Main outcome measures To compare the type of hypoxia on the intrapartum CTG traces among the acidaemic neonates with and without CAO. Results The occurrence of a CAO was recorded in 15.1% of neonates. At logistic regression analysis, the duration of the hypoxia was the only parameter associated with CAO in the case of an acute or subacute pattern (odds ratio [OR] 1.3; 95% CI 1.02–1.6 and OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.0–1.1, respectively), whereas both the duration of the hypoxic insult and the time from PROM to delivery were associated with CAO in those with a gradually evolving pattern (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.01–1.3 and OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.0–1.7, respectively). The incidence of CAO was higher in fetuses with chronic antepartum hypoxia than in those showing CTG features of intrapartum hypoxia (64.7 vs. 13.0%; P < 0.001). Conclusions The frequency of CAO seems related to the duration and the type of the hypoxic injury, being higher in fetuses showing CTG features of antepartum chronic hypoxia. Tweetable abstract This study demonstrates that in a large population of neonates with metabolic acidaemia at birth, the overall incidence of short‐term adverse outcome is around 15%. Such risk seems closely correlated to the duration and the type of hypoxic injury, being higher in fetuses admitted in labour with antepartum chronic hypoxia than those experiencing intrapartum hypoxia. This study demonstrates that in a large population of neonates with metabolic acidaemia at birth, the overall incidence of short‐term adverse outcome is around 15%. Such risk seems closely correlated to the duration and the type of hypoxic injury, being higher in fetuses admitted in labour with antepartum chronic hypoxia than those experiencing intrapartum hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira di Pasquo
- Unit of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Arianna Commare
- Unit of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Bianca Masturzo
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Maternal-Neonatal and Infant Health, Ospedale degli Infermi, University of Turin, Biella, Italy
| | - Sonia Paolucci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Antonella Cromi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Benedetta Montersino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Sant'Anna Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara M Germano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Sant'Anna Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Rossella Attini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Sant'Anna Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Pisani
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Unit of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Fieni
- Unit of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tiziana Frusca
- Unit of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Unit of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Ramirez Zegarra R, Volpe N, Bertelli E, Amorelli GM, Ferraro L, Schera GBL, Cromi A, di Pasquo E, Dall'Asta A, Ghezzi F, Frusca T, Ghi T. Three-Dimensional Sonographic Evaluation of the Position of the Fetal Conus Medullaris at First Trimester. Fetal Diagn Ther 2021; 48:464-471. [PMID: 34107487 DOI: 10.1159/000516516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the position of the conus medullaris (CM) at the first trimester 3D ultrasound in a cohort of structurally normal fetuses. METHODS This was a multicenter prospective study involving a consecutive series of structurally normal fetuses between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation (CRL between 45 and 84 mm). All fetuses were submitted to 3D transvaginal ultrasound using a sagittal view of the spine as the starting plane of acquisition. At offline analysis, the position of the CM was evaluated by 2 independent operators with a quantitative and a qualitative method: (1) the distance between the most caudal part of the CM and the distal end of the coccyx (CMCd) was measured; (2) a line perpendicular to the fetal spine joining the tip of the CM to the anterior abdominal wall was traced to determine the level of this line in relation to the umbilical cord insertion (conus to abdomen line, CAL). Interobserver agreement for the CCMd was evaluated. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between the CMCd and CRL, and a normal range was computed based on the best-fit model. The absence of congenital anomalies was confirmed in all cases after birth. RESULTS In the study period between December 2019 and March 2020, 143 fetuses were recruited. In 130 fetuses (90.9%), the visualization of the CM was feasible. The mean value of the CMCd was 1.09 ± 0.16 cm. The 95% limits of agreement for the interobserver variability in measurement of the CMCd were 0.24 and 0.26 cm. The interobserver variability based on the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for the CCMd was good (ICC = 0.81). We found a positive linear relationship between the CCMd and CRL. In all these fetuses, the CAL encountered the abdominal wall at or above the level of the cord insertion. CONCLUSION In normal fetuses, the assessment of the CM position is feasible at the first trimester 3D ultrasound with a good interobserver agreement. The CM level was never found below the fetal umbilical cord insertion, while the CMCd was noted to increase according to the gestational age, confirming the "ascension" of the CM during fetal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Ramirez Zegarra
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Joseph Krankenhaus, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicola Volpe
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Evelina Bertelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Filippo Del Ponte" Hospital, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Greta Michela Amorelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luigi Ferraro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Filippo Del Ponte" Hospital, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Cromi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Filippo Del Ponte" Hospital, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Elvira di Pasquo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Fabio Ghezzi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Filippo Del Ponte" Hospital, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Tiziana Frusca
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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11
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Volpe N, di Pasquo E, Ferretti A, Dall'Asta A, Fieni S, Frusca T, Ghi T. Hyperechoic amniotic membranes in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (p-PROM) and pregnancy outcome. J Perinat Med 2021; 49:311-318. [PMID: 33085637 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2020-0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The early identification of women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (p-PROM) who are at higher risk of imminent delivery remains challenging. The aim of our study was to evaluate if an increased echogenicity of the amniotic membranes may represent a sonographic marker of impending delivery in women with p-PROM. METHODS This was a prospective study including women with singleton pregnancies and diagnosis of p-PROM between 22 and 37 gestational weeks. A sonographic examination was performed within 24 h from the hospital admission and the appearance of the amniotic membranes close to the internal os was specifically evaluated. The membranes were defined as hyperechoic when their echogenicity was similar to that of the fetal bones or normoechoic in the other cases. The primary aim of the study was to compare the admission to spontaneous onset of labor interval and the pregnancy outcome between the cases of p-PROM with and without hyperechoic membranes. RESULTS Overall, 45 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria with similar characteristics at admission. In women with hyperechoic membranes, the admission to spontaneous onset of labor interval was significantly shorter (11.5 [5.3-25.0] vs. 3.0 [1.5-9.0] p=0.04) compared to women with normo-echoic membranes. At binomial logistic regression after adjustment for GA at hospital admission, the presence of hyperechoic membranes was found as the only independent predictor of spontaneous onset of labor ≤72 h (aOR: 6.1; 95% CI: 1.0-36.9). CONCLUSIONS The presence of hyperechoic membranes is associated with a 6-fold higher incidence of spontaneous onset of labor within 72 h independently from the gestational age at p-PROM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Volpe
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elvira di Pasquo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Ferretti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Fieni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tiziana Frusca
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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12
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di Pasquo E, Ramirez Zegarra R, Kiener AJO, Gobbi L, Dall'Asta A, Fieschi L, Cugini L, Copelli M, Frusca T, Ghi T. Usefulness of an Intrapartum Ultrasound Simulator (IUSim™) for Midwife Training: Results from an RCT. Fetal Diagn Ther 2020; 48:120-127. [PMID: 33296898 DOI: 10.1159/000512047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We conducted a randomized study to determine whether a training session on a dedicated simulator (IUSim™) would facilitate the midwives in learning the technique of transperineal intrapartum ultrasound. METHODS Following a 30-min multimedia presentation including images and videos on how to obtain and measure the angle of progression (AoP) and the head-perineum distance (HPD), 6 midwives with no prior experience in intrapartum ultrasound were randomly split into 2 groups: 3 of them were assigned to the "training group" and 3 to the "control group." The midwives belonging to the former group were taught to measure the 2 sonographic parameters during a 3-h practical session conducted on IUSim™ under the supervision of an expert obstetrician. In the following 3 months, all the 6 midwives were asked to independently perform transperineal ultrasound during their clinical practice and to measure on the acquired images either the AoP or the HPD. The sonographic images were examined in blind by the teaching obstetrician who assigned a 0-3 score to the image quality (IQS) and to the measurement quality (MQS). RESULTS A total of 48 ultrasound images (24 patients) from 5 midwives were acquired and included in the study analysis. A midwife of the "training group" declined participation after the practical session. Independently from the randomization group, the image quality score (IQS + MQS) was significantly higher for the HPD compared with the AoP (2.5 ± 0.66 vs. 1.79 ± 1.14; p = 0.01). In the training group, the MQS of either AoP (2.66 ± 0.5 vs.1.46 ± 1.45. p = 0.038) and the HPD (2.9 ± 0.33 vs. 1.87 ± 0.83 p = 0.002) was significantly higher in comparison with the control group, while the IQS of both measurements was comparable between the 2 groups (1.91 ± 1.24 vs. 2.25 ± 0.865; p = 0.28). CONCLUSION The use of a dedicated simulator may facilitate the midwives in learning how to measure the AoP and the HPD on transperineal ultrasound images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira di Pasquo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ruben Ramirez Zegarra
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Frankfurt Oder Klinikum, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ariane J O Kiener
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Gobbi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Fieschi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Lodovica Cugini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Monica Copelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tiziana Frusca
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy,
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13
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Ramirez Zegarra R, di Pasquo E, Dall'Asta A, Minopoli M, Armano G, Fieni S, Frusca T, Ghi T. Impact of ultrasound guided training in the diagnosis of the fetal head position during labor: A prospective observational study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 256:308-313. [PMID: 33260000 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.11.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess whether the additional training with transabdominal ultrasound may improve the accuracy of the transvaginal digital examination in the assessment of the fetal head position during the active stage of labor. METHODS Prospective observational study involving 2 residents in their 1 st year of training in Obstetrics with no prior experience in neither transvaginal digital examination nor ultrasound. Women with term, cephalic presenting fetus and active labor with cervical dilation ≥ 8 cm and ruptured membranes were included. In the preliminary phase of the study, the resident A ("blinded") was assigned to assess the fetal head position by transvaginal digital examination, while the resident B ("unmasked") performed transvaginal digital examination following transabdominal ultrasound, which was considered to be the gold standard to determine the fetal head position. After 50 examinations independently performed by each resident in the training phase, a post-training phase of the study was carried out to compare the accuracy of each resident in the diagnosis of fetal head position by digital assessment. The occiput position was eventually confirmed by ultrasound performed by the main investigator. RESULTS Over a 6 months period, 90 post-training vaginal examinations were performed by each resident. The number of incorrect diagnoses of head position was higher for the "blinded" resident compared with the "unmasked" resident subjected to the ultrasound training (28/90 or 31.1 % vs 15/90 or 16.7 % p = 0.02). For both residents a wrong diagnosis was more likely with non-OA vs OA fetuses but this difference was statistically significant for the "blinded" Resident (10/20 or 50 % vs 18/70 or 25.7 % p = 0.039) but not for the "unmasked" Resident (5/18 or 27.9 % vs 10/72 or 13.9 % p = 0.16). CONCLUSION The addition of transabdominal ultrasound as a training tool in the determination of the fetal head position during labor seems to improve the accuracy of the transvaginal digital examination in unexperienced residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Ramirez Zegarra
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Joseph Krankenhaus, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elvira di Pasquo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Monica Minopoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giulia Armano
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Fieni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tiziana Frusca
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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14
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Ghi T, di Pasquo E, Mekinian A, Calza L, Frusca T. Sars-CoV-2 in pregnancy: Why is it better than expected? Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 252:476-478. [PMID: 32739606 PMCID: PMC7378463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of Coronavirus disease in December 2019, information specific to pregnancy remains limited and controversial. Based on data from previous reports, it has been noticed that contrary to prior pandemics such as SARS, MERS and H1N1 and although pregnancy is usually considered as a condition of high susceptibility to viral infections, new SARS-CoV2 infection seems to have a more benign clinical course when affecting pregnant women. We speculate that during pregnancy the physiological "silencing" of the Th1 pro-inflammatory response may blunt the cytokines storm which is thought to play a key-role in the pathogenesis of the severe complications of Covid-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tullio Ghi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Elvira di Pasquo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Arsene Mekinian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Referral Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Saint Antoine Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Leonardo Calza
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola Hospital, "Alma Mater Studiorum" University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Tiziana Frusca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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15
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di Pasquo E, Kuleva M, Sonigo P, Millischer AE, Bremond-Gignac D, Ville Y, Salomon LJ. Glial Periorbital Heterotopia: A Rare Type of Ocular Mass. J Ultrasound Med 2020; 39:1491-1496. [PMID: 32118307 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Congenital orbital masses are rare disorders. A wide variety of lesions, including malignant and benign tumors, may develop around the orbit; hemangioma, lymphangioma, and optic nerve meningioma are the most common. Counseling for the prognosis and postnatal treatment depends on antenatal suspicion. Glial heterotopia should also be considered for the differential diagnosis. Integration of antenatal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics could help in the differential diagnosis. For the first time to our knowledge, a literature review on fetal orbital tumors was performed, along with a systematic description of imaging characteristics, treatment, and the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira di Pasquo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marina Kuleva
- Obstetrics and maternal-fetal Medicin, Hospital Necker Enfants Malades, APHP, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Pascale Sonigo
- Departement of Pediatric Radiology, Hospital Necker Enfants Malades, APHP, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Anne E Millischer
- Departement of Pediatric Radiology, Hospital Necker Enfants Malades, APHP, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Bremond-Gignac
- Departement of Pediatric Ophtalmology, Hospital Necker Enfants Malades, APHP, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Yves Ville
- Obstetrics and maternal-fetal Medicin, Hospital Necker Enfants Malades, APHP, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Laurent J Salomon
- Obstetrics and maternal-fetal Medicin, Hospital Necker Enfants Malades, APHP, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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di Pasquo E, Saccone G, Angeli L, Dall'Asta A, Borghi E, Fieni S, Berghella V, Magnani C, Frusca T, Ghi T. Determinants of neonatal hypoglycemia after antenatal administration of corticosteroids (ACS) for lung maturation: Data from two referral centers and review of the literature. Early Hum Dev 2020; 143:104984. [PMID: 32092675 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.104984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A correlation between ACS and neonatal hypoglycemia has been recently demonstrated. AIMS The aim of the study was to evaluate the determinants of neonatal hypoglycemia in women exposed to ACS for respiratory distress syndrome prevention. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective, multicenter, cohort study conducted in two Tertiary University Units. All fetuses delivered from 2016 to 2017 after ACS (two doses i.m. of Betamethasone 12 mg 24 h apart) were considered eligible for the study purpose. The primary outcome was the incidence of hypoglycemia, defined as a glycemic value ≤45 mg/dl within the first 48 h of neonatal life. The effect on neonatal glycaemia due to timing (interval from exposure to delivery) and type (single completed, single partial or repeated course) of ACS administration was also assessed. RESULTS Overall, 99 neonates met the inclusion criteria. Hypoglycemia occurred in 38/99 (38.4%) of the included newborns. Compared to normoglycemic neonates, those with hypoglycemia had lower gestational age at delivery (33.06 ± 3.37 vs. 35.94 ± 3.17 g; p < 0.0001). Lower birthweight (1747.28 ± 815.29 vs. 2499.24 ± 780.51 g; p < 0.0001), a shorter interval time from administration to delivery (1.85 ± 2.59 vs. 3.34 ± 3.39 weeks; p = 0.02) and a higher incidence of single partial course (23.7 vs. 8.72%; p = 0.03). Multivariate logistic regression found that only birthweight was significantly associated with neonatal hypoglycemia (OR 0.4 95% CI -1.16/-0.04; p < 0.038). CONCLUSION Hypoglycemia occurs in a large proportion of fetuses exposed to ACS independently from the type of exposure (single partial/single completed) and from the time interval between ACS administration and delivery. Birthweight seems to be the strongest determinant for the occurrence neonatal hypoglycemia after antenatal administration of steroids for lung maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira di Pasquo
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Saccone
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Angeli
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Dall'Asta
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Borghi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Fieni
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Berghella
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Cinzia Magnani
- Pediatric Hospital 'P. Barilla', Neonatology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tiziana Frusca
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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di Pasquo E, Kiener AJO, DallAsta A, Commare A, Angeli L, Frusca T, Ghi T. Evaluation of the uterine scar stiffness in women with previous Cesarean section by ultrasound elastography: A cohort study. Clin Imaging 2020; 64:53-56. [PMID: 32325262 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate by means of elastography if the quantitative assessment of the cesarean scar elasticity is feasible using as reference the surrounding intact myometrium and to investigate if the cesarean scar stiffness is influenced by the clinical characteristics of the previous cesarean delivery. METHODS Prospective study including women with a previous Cesarean Section (CS) ≥ 37 weeks' gestation performed 12-15 months before. By transvaginal ultrasound two regions of interest (ROI) were selected: uterine scar (Region 1) and surrounding myometrium (Region 2). Strain index (SI) for each ROI was calculated and the Strain Ratio (SR) was defined as Region 1 SI/Region 2 SI. The primary outcome was to compare SR among women who were grouped in accordance to presence of previous vaginal delivery, CS during labor, type of suture or pyrexia during post-partum. The secondary outcome of this study was to evaluate the correlation between SR and maternal, neonatal and labor characteristics. RESULTS 68 women were included. The mean SR was 1.8 ± 0.7 thus indicating an increased stiffness of the uterine scar compared to the surrounding myometrium. No significant differences were found in terms of SR according to presence of previous VD, CS during labor, type of suture or pyrexia during post-partum period. Strain Ratio was not correlated to maternal characteristics nor to labor and neonatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of uterine scar stiffness is feasible by using elastography. The stiffness of the uterine scar is higher than that of the surrounding myometrium and is not correlated to maternal and labor characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira di Pasquo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Italy
| | | | - Andrea DallAsta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Arianna Commare
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Angeli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Tiziana Frusca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Tullio Ghi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Parma, Italy.
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