Amanda Cotter

Trial of feasibility and acceptability of routine low-dose aspirin versus Early Screening Test indicated aspirin for pre-eclampsia prevention (TEST study): a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Objective Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of routine aspirin in low-risk women, compared with screening-test indicated aspirin for the prevention of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Design Multicentre open-label feasibility randomised controlled trial. Setting Two tertiary maternity hospitals in Dublin, Ireland. Participants 546 low-risk nulliparous women completed the study. Interventions Women underwent computerised randomisation to: Group 1—routine aspirin 75 mg from 11 until 36 weeks; Group 2—no aspirin and; Group 3—aspirin based on the Fetal Medicine Foundation screening test. Primary and secondary outcome measures (1) Proportion agreeing to participate; (2) compliance with protocol; (3) proportion where first trimester uterine artery Doppler was obtainable and; (4) time taken to issue a screening result. Secondary outcomes included rates of pre-eclampsia and small-for-gestational-age fetuses. Results 546 were included in the routine aspirin (n=179), no aspirin (n=183) and screen and treat (n=184) groups. 546 of 1054 were approached (51.8%) and enrolled. Average aspirin adherence was 90%. The uterine artery Doppler was obtained in 98.4% (181/184) and the average time to obtain a screening result was 7.6 (0–26) days. Of those taking aspirin, vaginal spotting was greater; n=29 (15.1%), non-aspirin n=28 (7.9%), OR 2.1 (95% CI 1.2 to 3.6). Postpartum haemorrhage >500 mL was also greater; aspirin n=26 (13.5%), no aspirin n=20 (5.6%), OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.4 to 4.8). Conclusion Low-risk nulliparous women are open to taking aspirin in pregnancy and had high levels of adherence. Aspirin use was associated with greater rates of vaginal bleeding. An appropriately powered randomised controlled trial is now required to address the efficacy and safety of universal low-dose aspirin in low-risk pregnancy compared with a screening approach. Trial registration number ISRCTN (15191778); Post-results.

Abnormal Placental Cord Insertion and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study

Objectives To prospectively measure the distance from the placental cord insertion (PCI) site to the placental margin using digital imaging and to examine the association between abnormal PCI and adverse pregnancy outcomes in singleton pregnancies. Study Design This prospective cohort study examined 1,005 placentas from consecutively delivered singleton pregnancies in a tertiary center. Standardized images of each placenta were taken and digital measurement was performed using ImageJ software. Results The rates of velamentous (insertion into the membrane) and marginal (<2 cm from placental margin) cord insertions in a total of 1,005 singleton pregnancies were 3.6% (n = 36; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.5‐4.9%) and 6.4% (n = 64; 95% CI = 4.9‐8.1%), respectively. Abnormal PCI was found to be more common among smokers compared with non‐smokers (22.7 vs. 14.8%, p = 0.04). Abnormal PCI was found to be significantly associated with small for gestational age (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.01‐2.97, p = 0.047) and low birth weight (adjusted OR: 3.87; 95% CI: 1.72‐8.71, p = 0.001). Conclusion Digital imaging analysis using ImageJ software mapped the surface of the placenta and provided objective measurement of PCI site. In this large prospective cohort, abnormal PCIs were significantly associated with an increased risk of small for gestational age and low birth weight.