Screening for Preeclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction in the First Trimester in Women without Chronic Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, it is possible to identify a group at increased risk of preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) using the principles of the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF). It has been established for several years that acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) reduces the incidence of PE and FGR in high-risk populations. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of ASA use after the first-trimester screening in a Polish population without chronic hypertension, as well as its impact on perinatal complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 874 patients were enrolled in the study during the first-trimester ultrasound examination. The risk of PE and FGR was assessed according to the FMF guidelines, which include the maternal history, mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtPI), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and placental growth factor (PLGF). Among patients with a risk higher than >1:100, ASA was administered at a dose of 150 mg. Perinatal outcomes were assessed among the different groups.

RESULTS

When comparing women in the high-risk group with those in the low-risk group, a statistically significantly higher risk of pregnancy complications was observed in the high-risk group. These complications included pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) (OR 3.6 (1.9-7)), any PE (OR 7.8 (3-20)), late-onset PE (OR 8.5 (3.3-22.4)), FGR or small for gestational age (SGA) (OR 4.8 (2.5-9.2)), and gestational diabetes mellitus type 1 (GDM1) (OR 2.4 (1.4-4.2)). The pregnancies in the high-risk group were more likely to end with a cesarean section (OR 1.9 (1.2-3.1)), while the newborns had significantly lower weights (<10 pc (OR 2.9 (1.2-6.9)), <3 pc (OR 10.2 (2.5-41.7))).

CONCLUSIONS

The first-trimester screening test for PE and FGR is a necessary and effective tool in identifying high-risk pregnancies. ASA prophylaxis among high-risk patients may have the most beneficial effect. Furthermore, this screening tool may significantly reduce the incidence of early-onset PE (eo-PE).

Low-Dose Aspirin after ASPRE-More Questions Than Answers? Current International Approach after PE Screening in the First Trimester

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multi-factorial disorder of pregnancy, and it continues to be one of the leading causes of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Aspirin is universally recommended for high-risk women to reduce preeclampsia risk. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recommendations of various scientific societies on predicting preeclampsia and their indications for the inclusion of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) prophylaxis. Fourteen guidelines were compared. The recommended dose, screening method, and gestational age at the start of the test vary depending on the recommendation. The societies are inclined to recommend using increasingly higher doses (>75 mg) of ASA, with many encouraging doses from 100 mg upward. Most societies indicate that the optimal time for implementing aspirin is prior to 16 weeks' gestation. Following the publication of the Aspirin for Evidence-Based Preeclampsia Prevention (ASPRE) trial results and other papers evaluating the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) screening model, a large number of societies have changed their recommendations from those based on risk factors alone to the ones based on the risk assessment proposed by the FMF. This allows for the detection of a high-risk pregnancy population in whom aspirin will be remarkably effective in preventing preterm PE, thereby decreasing maternal and fetal morbidity.

Birth Weight < 3rd Percentile Prediction Using Additional Biochemical Markers-The Uric Acid Level and Angiogenesis Markers (sFlt-1, PlGF)-An Exploratory Study

(1) Aim: Ultrasound is the gold standard for assessing fetal growth disorders. The relationship between high sFlt-1/PlGF scores and LBW (low birth weight) was described. In this study, we attempted to assess whether uric acid could be used as a secondary marker in estimating the pregnancy risk associated with LBW. (2) Material and methods: 665 pregnant women with a suspected or confirmed form of placental insufficiency were enrolled. In each of the patients, sFlt-1 and PlGF and uric acid levels were determined. Patients were divided into two groups according to birth weight below and above the third percentile for the given gestational age with the criteria of the neonatal definition of FGR (fetal growth restriction). (3) Results: A significant negative correlation between neonatal birth weight and the uric acid level across the entire study group was observed. We found a significant negative correlation between neonatal birth weight and the uric acid level with birth weights < 3rd percentile. (4) Conclusions: There is a significant link between the uric acid concentration and LBW in the group with placental insufficiency. Uric acid can improve the prediction of LBW. An algorithm for LBW prognosis that makes use of biophysical (ultrasound) and biochemical (uric acid level, angiogenesis markers) parameters yields better results than using these parameters separately from each other.

Adverse Neonatal Outcome of Pregnancies Complicated by Preeclampsia

Despite many available treatments, infants born to preeclamptic mothers continue to pose a serious clinical problem. The present study focuses on the evaluation of infants born to preeclamptic mothers for the occurrence of early-onset complications and attempts to link the clinical status of such infants to the angiogenesis markers in maternal blood (sFlt-1, PlGF). The study included 77 newborns and their mothers diagnosed with preeclampsia. The infants were assessed for their perinatal outcomes, with an emphasis on adverse neonatal outcomes such us infections, RDS, PDA, NEC, IVH, ROP, or BPD during the hospitalization period. The cutoff point was established using the ROC curve for the occurrence of any adverse neonatal outcome and it was 204 for the sFlt-1/PlGF and 32 birth week with AOC 0.644 and 0.91, respectively. The newborns born to mothers with high ratios had longer hospitalization times and, generally, were more frequently diagnosed with any of the aforementioned adverse neonatal outcomes. Also, the neonates born prior to or at 32 wkGA with higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratios were statistically significantly more common to be diagnosed with any of the adverse neonatal outcomes compared to those with lower ratio born prior to or at 32 wkGA. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio can be a useful tool in predicting short-term adverse neonatal outcomes. Infants born after a full 33 weeks gestation developed almost no severe neonatal complications. Appropriate screening and preventive healthcare for preeclampsia can contribute significantly to reducing the incidence of neonatal complications.

First-Trimester Fetal Hepatic Artery Examination for Adverse Outcome Prediction

Objective: To assess whether there are differences in first-trimester fetal hepatic artery flows depending on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: The prospective study conducted in 2012–2020 included 1841 fetuses from singleton pregnancies assessed during the routine first-trimester ultrasound examination (between 11- and 14-weeks’ gestation). Also, each fetus was examined to determine their hepatic artery flows by measuring the artery’s pulsatility index (HA-PI) and peak systolic velocity (HA-PSV). Results: The fetuses that were classified as belonging to the adverse pregnancy outcome group (those with karyotype abnormalities and congenital heart defects) were characterized by a significantly lower HA-PI and higher HA-PSV compared to normal outcome fetuses. Conclusion: Hepatic artery flow assessment proved to be a very useful tool in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes, in particular karyotype abnormalities and congenital heart defects.

Evaluation of indications for amniocentesis in cases of normal fetal ultrasound results

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to analyze indications for amniocentesis in cases of patients with normal fetal ultrasound results between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks of gestation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The results of first-trimester screening tests performed between 2014 and 2018 on 6,863 patients of the Prenatal Testing Outpatient Clinic at the Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland, were analyzed. The inclusion criteria were a singleton pregnancy and normal results of fetal ultrasound between 11+0- and 13+6-weeks' gestation. Depending on the calculated risk of fetal trisomy 21, the patients were divided into three groups (group A = RS > 1:300, group B = RS 1:300 - 1:999, group C = RS ≤ 1:1000). Subsequently, values such as PAPP-A and fβ-hCG protein levels and maternal age were analyzed for each of the groups.

RESULTS

The patients, 6,310 (91.94%) met the inclusion criteria. A high risk of fetal trisomy 21 was identified for 514 women (8.15%). Group B had 733 (11.62%) and group C 5,063 (80.23%) patients. In group A, an fβ-hCG level of ≥ 2.000 MoM was shown for 50.97% of the women. A PAPP-A level ranging from 0.001 to 0.499 MoM was observed for 38.72% of group A patients. The mean maternal age in groups A, B and C was 36.45, 36.08 and 31.64 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In the first-trimester, patients with normal ultrasound results obtained during prenatal screening tests, the main cause of an increased risk of trisomy 21 was elevated PAPP-A and fβ-hCG concentrations. According to this paper's authors, in these cases extension of diagnosis to include other gestational complications, e.g. preeclampsia, should be considered.

The temporal link between prenatal steroid therapy and labor

Prematurity has been one of the greatest challenges faced by perinatal medicine for many years. The recommended therapy for women with threatened preterm labor at 24 to 34 weeks' gestation is a single course of glucocorticoids. The greatest benefits have been proven when labor occurs at least 24 hours, but no later than 7 days after steroid administration. Applied treatment is not without influence on neonates' development.

AIM

The aim of this study is to analyze the time between the administration of a course of glucocorticoids to patients with threatened preterm labor between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation and labor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

459 deliveries by patients between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation who had received betamethasone (two 12 mg doses) or dexamethasone (four 6 mg doses) were analyzed. Their indications for glucocorticoid therapy were divided into four categories: the signs of threatened preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, iatrogenic prematurity and cervical incompetence. The neonates (n=530) were divided into two main groups: group 1 of those born within the first 7 days (n1=127) and group 2 of those born more than 7 days (n2=403) after the glucocorticoids therapy. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 13.3 software with calculations performed using the Mann- Whitney U and χ2 tests, assuming the level of statistical significance of <0.05 (p<0.05).

RESULTS

The neonates born within the first 7 days after the glucocorticoid therapy accounted for 23.96% (127 children). The average time of delay between the course of glucocorticoids and labor was 33 days, with the longest interval being 116 days. The most common indications for glucocorticoids were iatrogenic causes in group 1 (35.40%) and the signs of threatened preterm labor (67.63%) in group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of births at the recommended time after steroidotherapy (not later than 7 days) was lower than expected. The prenatal steroid therapy qualification methods, should be reanalyzed, especially when signs of preterm labor are observed.

Postoperative Delirium in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background and Objectives: The incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unclear. It seems that postoperative respiratory problems that may occur in COPD patients, including prolonged mechanical ventilation or respiratory-tract infections, may contribute to the development of delirium. The aim of the study was to identify a relationship between COPD and the occurrence of delirium after cardiac surgery and the impact of these combined disorders on postoperative mortality. Materials and Methods: We performed an analysis of data collected from 4151 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in a tertiary cardiac-surgery center between 2012 and 2018. We included patients with a clinical diagnosis of COPD according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. The primary endpoint was postoperative delirium; Confusion Assessment Method in the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) was used for delirium assessment. Results: Final analysis included 283 patients with COPD, out of which 65 (22.97%) were diagnosed with POD. Delirious COPD patients had longer intubation time (p = 0.007), more often required reintubation (p = 0.019), had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) three days after surgery (p = 0.009) and were more often diagnosed with pneumonia (p < 0.001). The CRP rise on day three correlated positively with the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia (r = 0.335, p = 0.005). The probability of survival after CABG was significantly lower in COPD patients with delirium (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed the relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the incidence of delirium after cardiac surgery. The probability of survival in COPD patients undergoing CABG who developed postoperative delirium was significantly decreased.