Jasbir Singh

The impact of pre-pregnancy body mass index on the risk of gestational diabetes

Objective: To evaluate the effect of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) on the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a large unselected population. Methods: We performed a case control study using data collected in The Consortium on Safe Labor database. The association between BMI and GDM was evaluated both using BMI weight categories adopted by the National Institute of Health, and separately using BMI as a continuous variable. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the effects of BMI, age, ethnicity, parity, chronic hypertension and antenatal steroid use on the risk of GDM. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to approximate relative risks of GDM. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: After controlling for other factors, the risk of GDM increased with an increasing BMI across all weight categories. For each 1 kg/m2 increase of BMI the OR of developing GDM was 1.08 (95% CI 1.08–1.09) and for each 5 kg/m2 increase, the OR was 1.48 (95% CI 1.45–1.51). Conclusions: GDM is a multifactorial disorder and pre-pregnancy BMI plays an important role in that risk. Modest changes in pre-pregnancy BMI may decrease the risk of GDM substantially.

Timing and consequences of early term and late term deliveries

Abstract Objective: To examine the timing of elective delivery and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) utilization of electively delivered infants from 2008to 2011. Methods: Analysis included 42 290 women with singleton gestation enrolled in a pregnancy education program, reporting uncomplicated pregnancies with elective labor induction (ELI) (n = 27 677) or scheduled cesarean delivery (SCD) (n = 14 613) at 37.0–41.9 weeks’ gestation. Data were grouped by type and week of delivery (37.0–37.9, 38.0–38.9, and 39.0–41.9 weeks). ELI and SCD for each week of delivery from 2008 to 2011 and nursery utilization by delivery week were compared. Results: During the 2008–2011 timeframe, a shift in timing of ELI and SCD toward ≥39.0 weeks was observed. In 2008, 80.9% of ELI occurred at ≥39.0 weeks versus 92.6% in 2011 (p < 0.001). In 2008, 60.5% of SCD occurred at ≥39.0 weeks versus 78.1% in 2011 (p < 0.001). NICU admission and prolonged nursery stays were highest at 37.0–37.9 weeks for both groups. Conclusions: We observed a shift toward later gestational age at elective delivery from 2008 to 2011 and increased NICU utilization for neonates born at <39 weeks’ gestation.

Spontaneous labor curves in women with pregnancies complicated by diabetes.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the first stage of labor will be longer in nulliparous and multiparous women with diabetes compared to non-diabetic counterparts. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed from 228,668 deliveries between 2002–2008 from the Consortium of Safe Labor (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health). Patients with spontaneous onset of labor from 37 0/7–41 6/7 weeks gestation were included (71,282) and classified as nulliparous or multiparous. Pregnancies were further subdivided regarding presence of preexisting diabetes (preDM) or gestational diabetes (GDM) and normal controls. Labor curves were created matching for body mass index (BMI) and neonatal birth weight. Statistical analysis was performed on descriptive variables using χ2 with significance designated as p < 0.05. Results: Among nulliparous patients, there were 118 women with preDM and 475 women with GDM; 25,771 patients served as normal controls. Among multiparous women, there were 311 with preDM, 1,079 with GDM and 43,528 in the control group. Although differences in dilatation rates were observed in nulliparous and multiparous women with and without diabetes, labor progression was similar between the subgroups when matched for maternal BMI and birth weight. Conclusions: Labor curves of women with preDM and GDM approximate those of non-diabetics, regardless of BMI, birth weight, or parity.

Racial disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes in HIV-1 positive mothers.

OBJECTIVE To compare obstetric and neonatal outcomes between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive (HIV+) and HIV negative (HIV-) women and to determine if racial disparities exist among pregnancies complicated by HIV infection. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective analysis of data from the Consortium of Safe Labor between 2002 and 2008. Comparisons of obstetric morbidity, neonatal morbidity, and indications for cesarean delivery were examined. Included were singletons with documented HIV status, race, and antepartum admission. Chi-square, Fisher exact tests, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Included were 178,972 patients (178,210 HIV-, 762 HIV+, 464 HIV+ black, 298 HIV+ nonblack). HIV+ women were more likely to have a cesarean delivery, preterm premature rupture of membranes, another sexually transmitted infection, and delivery at an earlier gestational age. Obstetric outcomes were similar between HIV+ black and HIV+ nonblack women. Neonates of HIV+ mothers had lower birth weights and higher rates of neonatal intensive care admissions. HIV+ black women had lower birth weight neonates than HIV+ nonblack women. CONCLUSION HIV+ women have higher rates of obstetric complications and deliver at an earlier gestational age than HIV- mothers. Lower birth weight was the only notable complication among HIV+ black women compared with HIV+ nonblack women.

Isaacs’ syndrome in pregnancy

Isaacs’ syndrome is a rare neuromuscular disorder of continuous muscle fibre activity resulting from peripheral nerve hyperexcitability. Symptoms commonly include myokymia (muscle twitching at rest), pseudomyotonia (delayed muscle relaxation), muscle cramps and stiffness. It is caused by voltage-gated potassium channel dysfunction and may be inherited or acquired. Treatment commonly includes anticonvulsants, immunosuppressive therapy and plasma exchange. To date only two cases of Isaacs’ syndrome in pregnancy have been reported. We present a case of maternal Isaacs’ along with a review of the literature. There are few reports of Isaacs’ syndrome in pregnancy, but all are associated with favourable outcomes. Given the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, genetic counselling of the gravida is recommended. Anticonvulsant may have to be used in pregnancy, and given the potential teratogenicity with several of these agents; preference should be given to newer drugs such as lamotrigine.