The PREDG study: A randomised controlled trial testing whether an educational intervention can prevent gestational weight gain in women with obesity

OBJECTIVE

The PREDG trial was designed to study the influence of an educative program on gestational weight gain in women with pregestational obesity.

METHODS

Randomized controlled clinical trial (https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN61793947) in 169 women with pregestational obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). Women were randomized to participate in a group education program in nutrition and physical activity or conventional follow-up in a specialized Unit of Obesity and Pregnancy. The nutritional intervention was adjusted to prepregnancy BMI and to the physical activity intensity. Quality was based on the Mediterranean diet. Macronutrients were distributed as follows: 50% carbohydrates, 20% protein and 30% fat. Adequate gestational weight gain was defined between 5 and 9 kg (IOM 2009). Mean gestational weight gain was compared between groups by using the T Student test and frequencies of adequate gestational weight gain were compared by using ꓫ2.

RESULTS

Gestational weight gain was lower in the intervention group: 8 (4-11) vs 9.2 (6-13) kg, p 0.026. Gestational weight gain was below 9 kg in 24 of 39 (61.5%) women of the intervention vs 10 of 41 (24.4%) of the control group (p 0.001). Regarding obstetric complications, there were 15 (8.3%) cases of gestational diabetes with no differences between the groups. There were 14 of 85 (18.2%) cases of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia in the intervention group compared with 26 of 84 (32.5%) in the control group (p 0.040). With reference to neonatal weight, there were 7 of 82 (8.5%) large for gestational age neonates in the intervention group compared with 15 of 79 (19.2%) in the control group (p 0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

A group-based educative and structured intervention results in an adequate weight gain and lower rates of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and large for gestational age neonates in pregnant women with obesity.

Women Aged over 40 with Twin Pregnancies Have a Higher Risk of Adverse Obstetrical Outcomes

Maternal age is related to a higher risk of adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies. However, whether this increase in adverse outcomes is due solely to age or due to risk factors that are more common in women over 40 remains unknown. The aim of this study is to assess if maternal age over 40 years old is an independent risk factor for obstetric adverse outcomes in dichorionic diamniotic twin gestations. In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we compared the obstetric outcomes of women with dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies below and over 40 years of age. A twin pregnancy cohort enrolled between 2013 and 2019 was included in the study. Maternal, fetal, and labor complications were recorded. A total of 510 women were analyzed in two groups: 266 women below 40 years old and 244 women over 40 years old. Maternal age over 40 increased the odds of maternal (aOR = 1.9 (1.3; 2.9); p-value = 0.002), fetal (aOR = 1.8 (1.0; 3.0); p-value = 0.037), and labor complications (aOR = 2.5 (1.3; 4.6); p-value = 0.004). Maternal age over 40 years was the most important factor increasing the odds of having a caesarean section (C-section). Over 40 years old was an independent risk factor for complications in dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies.

Spontaneous twin anemia-polycythemia sequence from two donors to one recipient in a monochorionic triamniotic pregnancy: Case report and review of the literature

Monochorionic triamniotic (MCTA) pregnancies present a high number of complications, mainly due to the presence of unbalanced vascular anastomoses, such as twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS). Previous reported cases related to TAPS are in twin pregnancies or only affect the monochorionic component of dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) pregnancies. We report an exceptional case, the only one reported as far as we know, of a MCTA pregnancy that developed a TAPS in which the three triplets are implicated, from two donors to one recipient. The pregnancy had been previously sonographically diagnosed as DCTA pregnancy and this could not explain the clinical results. The pathological study of the placenta showed the presence of three monochorionic dividing membranes, a congested area in the recipient parenchyma and two non-congested areas in the donor's parenchyma that confirmed the clinical findings. Pathological study of multiple placentas should always be done because it provides understanding of pregnancy complications.

Clinical Outcomes of a Zika Virus Mother-Child Pair Cohort in Spain

Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated with congenital microcephaly and other neurodevelopmental abnormalities. There is little published research on the effect of maternal ZIKV infection in a non-endemic European region. We aimed to describe the outcomes of pregnant travelers diagnosed as ZIKV-infected in Spain, and their exposed children. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study of nine referral hospitals enrolled pregnant women (PW) who travelled to endemic areas during their pregnancy or the two previous months, or those whose sexual partners visited endemic areas in the previous 6 months. Infants of ZIKV-infected mothers were followed for about two years. Results: ZIKV infection was diagnosed in 163 PW; 112 (70%) were asymptomatic and 24 (14.7%) were confirmed cases. Among 143 infants, 14 (9.8%) had adverse outcomes during follow-up; three had a congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), and 11 other potential Zika-related outcomes. The overall incidence of CZS was 2.1% (95%CI: 0.4–6.0%), but among infants born to ZIKV-confirmed mothers, this increased to 15.8% (95%CI: 3.4–39.6%). Conclusions: A nearly 10% overall risk of neurologic and hearing adverse outcomes was found in ZIKV-exposed children born to a ZIKV-infected traveler PW. Longer-term follow-up of these children is needed to assess whether there are any later-onset manifestations.

[Giant sacrococcygeal teratoma in twin pregnancy]

Sacrococcygeal teratoma tumors are more frequent in infants alive. It is characterized by its benign histology in the majority of the cases diagnosed prenatally; it is necessary to follow narrow to prevent neonatal complications that can lead to urinary tract complications and fecal, high-output heart failure, hydrops and, in extreme cases, the death of the fetus.

CASE REPORT

Primigravidae 30 years old, with gestation twins, bicorial, biamniotic in the first trimester of pregnancy to one of the twins is diagnosed sacrococcygeus teratoma giant, with favorable monitoring in the maternal-fetal Medicine Unit of the University Hospital of La Paz in Madrid, and with postnatal resection surgery successful. We review the diagnostic procedures and treatment of this tumor in unique and twin gestations.