Lisbet S. Lundsberg

Indications Contributing to the Increasing Cesarean Delivery Rate

OBJECTIVE: To examine physician-documented indications for cesarean delivery in order to investigate the specific factors contributing to the increasing cesarean delivery rate. METHODS: We analyzed rates of primary and repeat cesarean delivery, including indications for the procedure, among 32,443 live births at a major academic hospital between 2003 and 2009. Time trends for each indication were modeled to estimate the absolute and cumulative annualized relative risk of cesarean by indication over time and the relative contribution of each indication to the overall increase in primary cesarean delivery rate. RESULTS: The cesarean delivery rate increased from 26% to 36.5% between 2003 and 2009; 50.0% of the increase was attributable to an increase in primary cesarean delivery. Among the documented indications, nonreassuring fetal status, arrest of dilation, multiple gestation, preeclampsia, suspected macrosomia, and maternal request increased over time, whereas arrest of descent, malpresentation, maternal-fetal indications, and other obstetric indications (eg, cord prolapse, placenta previa) did not increase. The relative contributions of each indication to the total increase in primary cesarean rate were: nonreassuring fetal status (32%), labor arrest disorders (18%), multiple gestation (16%), suspected macrosomia (10%), preeclampsia (10%), maternal request (8%), maternal-fetal conditions (5%), and other obstetric conditions (1%). CONCLUSION: Primary cesarean births accounted for 50% of the increasing cesarean rate. Among primary cesarean deliveries, more subjective indications (nonreassuring fetal status and arrest of dilation) contributed larger proportions than more objective indications (malpresentation, maternal-fetal, and obstetric conditions). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Low-to-moderate gestational alcohol use and intrauterine growth retardation, low birthweight, and preterm delivery

PURPOSE Heavy drinking during pregnancy is an established risk factor for fetal alcohol syndrome and other adverse perinatal outcomes. However, there is still debate as to the effects of low-to-moderate drinking during pregnancy. METHODS This prospective investigation was based on 2714 singleton live births at Yale-New Haven Hospital during 1988-1992. Alcohol drinking during pregnancy was evaluated with respect to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), preterm delivery, and low birthweight. RESULTS Mild drinking, defined as > 0.10-0.25 oz of absolute alcohol per day, during the first month of pregnancy was associated with a protective effect on IUGR (OR, 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.20-0.76). Overall, drinking during month 1 of pregnancy suggested a curvilinear effect on growth retardation, with consumption of > 1.00 oz of absolute alcohol per day showing increased risk. Drinking during month 7 was associated with a uniform increase in the odds of preterm delivery; the ORs were 2.88 (95% CI, 1.64-5.05) for light drinking and 2.96 (95% CI, 1.32-6.67) for mild-to-moderate alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS Differences in the risk estimates for IUGR and preterm delivery may indicate etiological differences that warrant further investigation of these outcomes and critical periods of exposure. Low birthweight is not a useful neonatal outcome for this exposure because it is a heterogeneous mix of preterm delivery and IUGR. Despite the observed protective effects of mild drinking on IUGR, the increased risk of preterm delivery with alcohol use supports a policy of abstinence during pregnancy.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding conception and fertility: a population-based survey among reproductive-age United States women

OBJECTIVE To assess overall knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to conception and fertility among reproductive-age women in the United States. DESIGN Online survey of a cross-sectional sample of 1,000 women. SETTING United States, March 2013. PATIENT(S) Women aged 18-40 years. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding selected topics in reproductive health. RESULT(S) Forty percent of women across all age groups expressed concerns about their ability to conceive. Yet one-third of women were unaware of adverse implications of sexually transmitted infections, obesity, or irregular menses for procreative success, and one-fifth were unaware of the effects of aging. Approximately 40% were unfamiliar with the ovulatory cycle. Overall, younger women (18-24 years) demonstrated less knowledge regarding conception, fertility, and ovulation, whereas older women tended to believe in common myths and misconceptions. Respondents in all age groups identified womens health care providers (75%) and Web sites (40%) as top sources of reproductive health-related information; however, engagement with providers on specific factors affecting fertility is sparse. CONCLUSION(S) Knowledge regarding ovulation, fertility, and conception is limited among this sample of reproductive-age US women. Future initiatives should prioritize improved provider engagement and accurate information dissemination in Web-based venues.

Prenatal Exposure to Acetaminophen and Asthma in Children

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether prenatal exposure to acetaminophen is associated with risk of diagnosed asthma and asthma symptoms in children. METHODS: The authors prospectively followed 1,505 pregnant women and their children until 6 years (±3 months) of life. Acetaminophen use in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy was assessed before 24 weeks of gestation and within 1 month of delivery, and asthma in children was assessed when the child was 6 years old. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were derived from logistic regression models controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: Acetaminophen was used by 69% of women during pregnancy. Use of acetaminophen did not significantly increase the risk of asthma (aOR 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53–1.10). Acetaminophen use during both the first and the third trimester was associated with a significantly reduced risk of asthma (aOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.36–0.98). There was no evidence of a dose response, and consumption greater than 10,400 mg (32 tablets) a month did not increase risk (aOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.19–5.30). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that acetaminophen use during pregnancy does not increase risk of asthma in children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II

Occupationally related magnetic field exposure and male subfertility

OBJECTIVE To determine whether there is an association between occupationally related magnetic field exposure, as estimated in milligauss (mG), and male subfertility. DESIGN Nested case-control study using three defined case groups and one standard control group. SETTING Yale New Haven Hospital Infertility Clinic, New Haven, Connecticut. PATIENTS, INTERVENTIONS: Male partners of couples seeking diagnosis and care at the infertility clinic. Men included in the analysis had complete first semen analysis and interview information. Subjects for this investigation consisted of case groups for motility (n = 177), morphology (n = 135), and concentration (n = 172); controls included men normal on all three parameters (n = 304). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Laboratory confirmation in semen analysis of poor morphology, inadequate motility, and low concentration. Comparisons of occupational magnetic field exposure categories are made between case groups and controls. RESULTS The odds of high job exposure category to magnetic fields (> 3 mG [> 0.3 muT]) for morphology cases were odds ratio (OR) = 0.6, for motility cases OR = 1.1, and concentration cases OR = 1.0 as compared with controls. No significant association was demonstrated for medium exposure (> 2 to 3 mG) among all case groups. Multivariate adjustment for selected risk factors did not substantially change estimates of risk. CONCLUSIONS A lack of association between occupationally related categories of magnetic field exposure and male subfertility, as evaluated by morphology, motility, and concentration, has been demonstrated. These findings do not substantiate theories of deleterious effects to male reproductive health from magnetic fields.

Low-to-moderate prenatal alcohol consumption and the risk of selected birth outcomes: a prospective cohort study

PURPOSE To estimate whether low-to-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with selected birth outcomes. METHODS Low-to-moderate prenatal alcohol drinking and effects on low birthweight, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, and selected neonatal outcomes were evaluated among 4496 women and singleton infants. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariable logistic regression, controlling for confounding variables. RESULTS Early pregnancy drinking was associated with reduced odds of low birthweight, OR, 0.66 (95% CI, 0.46-0.96) and birth length less than 10th percentile, OR, 0.74 (95% CI, 0.56-0.97). Drinking during the first 3 months showed lower odds for birth length and head circumference less than 10th percentile, OR, 0.56 (95% CI, 0.36-0.87) and OR, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.50-0.96), respectively. Third trimester drinking was associated with lower odds for low birthweight, OR, 0.56 (95% CI, 0.34-0.94) and preterm delivery, OR, 0.60 (95% CI, 0.42-0.87). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest low-to-moderate alcohol exposure during early and late gestation is not associated with increased risk of low birthweight, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, and most selected perinatal outcomes.

Association of maternal anemia with increased wheeze and asthma in children

BACKGROUND Increasing interest has focused on maternal nutrition and micronutrient status during pregnancy and respiratory disease development in the offspring. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between maternal anemia in pregnancy with wheeze and asthma in early childhood. METHODS The cohort included children of women followed through pregnancy and recontacted when the child was 6 years of age to evaluate respiratory health. Exposure was assessed using maternal anemia diagnosis and hemoglobin (Hgb) < 11 during delivery hospitalization. Study outcomes include wheezing in early childhood; patterns of wheeze from birth to age 6 (early-onset transient wheeze; late-onset wheeze; early-onset persistent wheeze); and diagnosis of childhood asthma. RESULTS Maternal anemia was reported by 11.9% of mothers and was associated with recurrent infant wheeze in the first year (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] = 2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18, 4.00), wheezing before age 3 (Ora = 2.42, 95% CI 1.38, 4.23), and early-onset transient and early-onset persistent wheeze patterns (Ora = 2.81, 95%CI 1.38, 5.72, and Ora = 2.07, 95% CI 1.02, 4.22), respectively. Among children of mothers with asthma, maternal anemia was associated with recurrent wheeze in year 1 (Ora = 4.22, 95% CI 1.65, 10.80) and wheeze before age 3 (Ora = 2.73, 95% CI 1.17, 6.35). Offspring of mothers with asthma also had increased odds of asthma diagnosis (Ora = 2.53, 95% CI 1.04, 6.17) and current asthma (Ora = 3.46, 95% CI 1.45, 8.26). CONCLUSIONS Maternal anemia during pregnancy is associated with infant respiratory health outcomes. If this observation is replicated, maternal anemia may be a target for intervention and future research.

Wide Variation Found In Hospital Facility Costs For Maternity Stays Involving Low-Risk Childbirth

Childbirth is the leading cause of hospital admission in the United States, yet there has been little research on variation in hospital costs associated with childbirth. Using data from the 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we characterized the variation in estimated facility costs of hospitalizations for low-risk childbirth across US hospitals. We found that the average estimated facility cost per maternity stay ranged from

Factors Predictive of Improved Survival in Patients With Brain Metastases From Gynecologic Cancer: A Single Institution Retrospective Study of 47 Cases and Review of the Literature

1,189 to

Women's Prenatal Concerns Regarding Breastfeeding: Are They Being Addressed?

11,986 (median: