Laura Parikh

Predictors of adverse neonatal outcomes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE We sought to determine predictors of adverse neonatal outcomes in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). STUDY DESIGN This study was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of all women diagnosed with ICP across 5 hospital facilities from January 2009 through December 2014. Obstetric and neonatal complications were evaluated according to total bile acid (TBA) level. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to evaluate predictors of composite neonatal outcome (neonatal intensive care unit admission, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, mechanical ventilation use, oxygen by nasal cannula, pneumonia, and stillbirth). Predictors including TBA level, hepatic transaminase level, gestational age at diagnosis, underlying liver disease, and use of ursodeoxycholic acid were evaluated. RESULTS Of 233 women with ICP, 152 women had TBA levels 10-39.9 μmol/L, 55 had TBA 40-99.9 μmol/L, and 26 had TBA ≥100 μmol/L. There was no difference in maternal age, ethnicity, or prepregnancy body mass index according to TBA level. Increasing TBA level was associated with higher hepatic transaminase and total bilirubin level (P < .05). TBA levels ≥100 μmol/L were associated with increased risk of stillbirth (P < .01). Increasing TBA level was also associated with earlier gestational age at diagnosis (P < .01) and ursodeoxycholic acid use (P = .02). After adjusting for confounders, no predictors were associated with composite neonatal morbidity. TBA 40-99.9 μmol/L and TBA ≥100 μmol/L were associated with increased risk of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (adjusted odds ratio, 3.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-8.68 and adjusted odds ratio, 4.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-14.08, respectively). CONCLUSION In women with ICP, TBA level ≥100 μmol/L was associated with increased risk of stillbirth. TBA ≥40 μmol/L was associated with increased risk of meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

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.

Glycemic control, compliance, and satisfaction for diabetic gravidas in centering group care

Abstract Purpose: To determine if diabetic gravidas enrolled in Centering® group care have improved glycemic control compared to those attending standard prenatal care. To compare compliance and patient satisfaction between the groups. Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of diabetics enrolled in centering group care from October 2013 to December 2015. Glycemic control, compliance and patient satisfaction (five-point Likert scale) were evaluated. Student’s t-test, Chi-Square and mixed effects model were used to compare outcomes. Results: We compared 20 patients in centering to 28 standard prenatal care controls. Mean fasting blood sugar was lower with centering group care (91.0 versus 105.5 mg/dL, p =0.017). There was no difference in change in fasting blood sugar over time between the two groups (p = 0.458). The percentage of time patients brought their blood glucose logs did not differ between the centering group and standard prenatal care (70.7 versus 73.9%, p = 0.973). Women in centering group care had better patient satisfaction scores for “ability to be seen by a physician” (5 versus 4, p = 0.041) and “time in waiting room” (5 versus 4, p =0.001). Conclusion: Fasting blood sugar was lower for patients in centering group care. Change in blood sugar over time did not differ between groups. Diabetic gravidas enrolled in centering group care report improved patient satisfaction.

Neonatal outcomes in fetuses with cardiac anomalies and the impact of delivery route

BACKGROUND: Congenital fetal cardiac anomalies compromise the most common group of fetal structural anomalies. Several previous reports analyzed all types of fetal cardiac anomalies together without individualized neonatal morbidity outcomes based on cardiac defect. Mode of delivery in cases of fetal cardiac anomalies varies greatly as optimal mode of delivery in these complex cases is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine rates of neonatal outcomes for fetal cardiac anomalies and examine the role of attempted route of delivery on neonatal morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: Gravidas with fetal cardiac anomalies and delivery >34 weeks, excluding stillbirths and aneuploidies (n = 2166 neonates, n = 2701 cardiac anomalies), were analyzed from the Consortium on Safe Labor, a retrospective cohort study of electronic medical records. Cardiac anomalies were determined using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes and organized based on morphology. Neonates were assigned to each cardiac anomaly classification based on the most severe cardiac defect present. Neonatal outcomes were determined for each fetal cardiac anomaly. Composite neonatal morbidity (serious respiratory morbidity, sepsis, birth trauma, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and neonatal death) was compared between attempted vaginal delivery and planned cesarean delivery for prenatal and postnatal diagnosis. We used multivariate logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratio for composite neonatal morbidity controlling for race, parity, body mass index, insurance, gestational age, maternal disease, single or multiple anomalies, and maternal drug use. RESULTS: Most cardiac anomalies were diagnosed postnatally except hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which had a higher prenatal than postnatal detection rate. Neonatal death occurred in 8.4% of 107 neonates with conotruncal defects. Serious respiratory morbidity occurred in 54.2% of 83 neonates with left ventricular outflow tract defects. Overall, 76.3% of pregnancies with fetal cardiac anomalies underwent attempted vaginal delivery. Among patients who underwent attempted vaginal delivery, 66.1% had a successful vaginal delivery. Women with a fetal cardiac anomaly diagnosed prenatally were more likely to have a planned cesarean delivery than women with a postnatal diagnosis (31.7 vs 22.8%; P < .001). Planned cesarean delivery compared to attempted vaginal delivery was not associated with decreased composite neonatal morbidity for all prenatally diagnosed (adjusted odds ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.85–3.30) or postnatally diagnosed (adjusted odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.77–1.27) cardiac anomalies. CONCLUSION: Most fetal cardiac anomalies were diagnosed postnatally and associated with increased rates of neonatal morbidity. Planned cesarean delivery for prenatally diagnosed cardiac anomalies was not associated with less neonatal morbidity.

Fetal biometry: does patient ethnicity matter?

Abstract Objective: To determine if fetal biometry varies according to race. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of prenatal ultrasounds completed in our Perinatal Center from January 2009 to December 2010. Singleton pregnancies 17 to 22.9 weeks were included. Pregnancies complicated by IUGR, fetal anomalies, chronic maternal diseases, or dated by an ultrasound after the first trimester were excluded. Biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), and humerus length (HL) were compared between African Americans (AA), Caucasians, and Hispanics using ANOVA and Student t-test. Results: Included were 1327 AA, 147 Caucasian, and 86 Hispanic subjects. The AC was significantly smaller in AA than Caucasians (p = 0.008). There was no difference between AA and Caucasians in BPD, HC, FL, or HL. There were no differences between Hispanics and either Caucasians or AA in any of the biometries evaluated. Conclusions: A single fetal growth curve is not applicable across all ethnicities. AA fetuses have smaller AC then Caucasian fetuses from 17 to 22.9 weeks, which is typically the period when anatomic surveys are performed. Because AC contributes heavily to estimated fetal weight calculations, physicians may be over estimating growth restriction in AA patients. Ethnicity-specific fetal growth curves are indicated to limit unnecessary follow up.

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.

Third trimester ultrasound for fetal macrosomia: optimal timing and institutional specific accuracy

Abstract Purpose: To determine the performance of third trimester ultrasound in women with suspected fetal macrosomia. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of fetal ultrasounds from January 2004 to December 2014 with estimated fetal weight (EFW) between 4000 and 5000 g. We determined accuracy of birth weight prediction for ultrasound performed at less than and greater than 38 weeks, accounting for diabetic status and time between ultrasound and delivery. Results: There were 405 ultrasounds evaluated. One hundred and twelve (27.7%) were performed at less than 38 weeks, 293 (72.3%) at greater than 38 weeks, and 91 (22.5%) were performed in diabetics. Sonographic identification of EFW over 4000 g at less than 38 weeks was associated with higher correlation between EFW and birth weight than ultrasound performed after 38 weeks (71.5 versus 259.4 g, p < .024). EFW to birth weight correlation was within 1.7% of birth weight for ultrasound performed less than 38 weeks and within 6.5% of birth weight for ultrasound performed at greater than 38 weeks. Conclusions: Identification of EFW with ultrasound performed less than 38 weeks has greater reliability of predicting fetal macrosomia at birth than measurements performed later in gestation. EFW to birth weight correlation was more accurate than previous reports.

Fetal Macrosomia Prediction in Diabetic Gravidas: The Reliability of Third Trimester Ultrasound [27M]

INTRODUCTION: Conflicting evidence exists regarding the reliability of third trimester ultrasound for guiding delivery management for fetal macrosomia. Our objective was to determine the performance of third trimester ultrasound in diabetic and non-diabetic women with fetal macrosomia. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of fetal ultrasounds from 2004–2014 with estimated fetal weight (EFW) above 4,000 grams (gm). We determined accuracy of birth weight prediction for ultrasound performed at less than and greater than 38 weeks, in non-diabetic and diabetic women. We used student t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, chi-square, Fisher exact test, and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 405 fetal ultrasounds with EFW above 4,000 gm. 112 (27.7%) were performed at less than 38 weeks, 293 (72.3%) at greater than 38 weeks, and 91 (22.5%) in diabetics. Sonographic identification of EFW over 4000 gm at less than 38 weeks was associated with higher birth weight (4183 gm vs 4019 gm, P=.001) and higher correlation between EFW and birth weight than ultrasound performed after 38 weeks (71.5 gm vs 259.4 gm, P<.001). EFW to birthweight correlation was within 1.7% of EFW for ultrasound performed less than 38 weeks. Diabetics had larger birth weight then non-diabetics (4198 gm vs 4022 g, P<.001) but the correlation between EFW and birth weight was the same after adjusting for gestational age at ultrasound (102gm vs 252 gm, P=.103). In all cohorts, average EFW overestimated average birth weight. CONCLUSION: Identification of fetal weight over 4000 gm in patients with ultrasound performed less than 38 weeks has greater reliability of predicting fetal macrosomia at birth than measurements performed greater than 38 weeks.