Lorie M. Harper

Adolescent pregnancy and gestational weight gain: do the Institute of Medicine recommendations apply?

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines for gestational weight gain in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN We studied a retrospective cohort using the Missouri Birth Certificate Registry and included subjects who were primiparous, who had singleton gestations, who were <20 years old, and who delivered at 24-44 weeks gestation. The exposure was defined as weight gain less than, within, or greater than IOM recommendations. Outcomes that were examined were small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, large-for-gestational age (LGA) infants, preterm delivery, infant death, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and operative vaginal delivery. The analysis was stratified by body mass index category. RESULTS In any body mass index category, inadequate weight gain was associated with increased odds of SGA infants, preterm delivery, and infant death. When subjects gained more than the IOM recommendations, the number of SGA infants decreased, with slight increases in the number of LGA infants, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION Adolescents should be counseled regarding adequate weight gain in pregnancy. Further research is necessary to determine whether the IOM recommendations recommend enough weight gain in adolescents to optimize pregnancy outcomes.

Preparedness of Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents for Fellowship Training.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perceptions of fellowship program directors of incoming clinical fellows for subspecialty training. METHODS: A validated survey by the American College of Surgeons was modified and distributed to all fellowship program directors in four subspecialties within obstetrics and gynecology: female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, gynecologic oncology, maternal–fetal medicine, and reproductive endocrinology–infertility. The 59-item survey explored five domains concerning preparedness for fellowship: professionalism, independent practice, psychomotor ability, clinical evaluation, and academic scholarship. A Likert scale with five responses was used and tailored to each subspecialty. Standard statistical methods were used to compare responses between subspecialties and to analyze data within each subspecialty individually. RESULTS: One hundred thirty directors completed the survey, for a response rate of 60%. In the domain of professionalism, more than 88% of participants stated that incoming fellows had appropriate interactions with faculty and staff. Scores in this domain were lower for gynecologic oncology respondents (P=.046). Responses concerning independent practice of surgical procedures (hysterectomy, pelvic reconstruction, and minimally invasive) were overwhelmingly negative. Only 20% of first-year fellows were able to independently perform a vaginal hysterectomy, 46% an abdominal hysterectomy, and 34% basic hysteroscopic procedures. Appropriate postoperative care (63%) and management of the critically ill patient (71%) were rated adequate for all subspecialties. CONCLUSION: Graduating residents may be underprepared for advanced subspecialty training, necessitating an evaluation of the current structure of resident and fellow curriculum. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Effect of regional anesthesia on the success rate of external cephalic version: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether the use of regional anesthesia is associated with increased success of external cephalic version. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and clinical trial registries. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Electronic databases were searched from 1966 through April 2011 for published, randomized controlled trials in the English language comparing regional anesthesia with no regional anesthesia for external cephalic version. The primary outcome was external cephalic version success. Secondary outcomes included cesarean delivery, maternal discomfort, and adverse events. Pooled risk ratios (relative risk) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrans Q statistic and quantified using the I2 method. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials met criteria for study inclusion. Regional anesthesia was associated with a higher external cephalic version success rate compared with intravenous or no analgesia (59.7% compared with 37.6%; pooled relative risk 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29–1.93). This significant association persisted when the data were stratified by type of regional anesthesia (spinal compared with epidural). The number needed to treat with regional anesthesia to achieve one additional successful external cephalic version was five. There was no evidence of statistical heterogeneity (P=.32, I2=14.9%) or publication bias (Harbord test P=.78). There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of cesarean delivery comparing regional anesthesia with intravenous or no analgesia (48.4% compared with 59.3%; pooled relative risk 0.80; 95% CI 0.55–1.17). Adverse events were rare and not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Regional anesthesia is associated with a higher success rate of external cephalic version.

Effect of placenta previa on fetal growth

OBJECTIVE To estimate the association between placenta previa and abnormal fetal growth. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of consecutive women undergoing ultrasound between 15 and 22 weeks. Groups were defined by the presence or absence of complete or partial placenta previa. The primary outcome was intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), defined as a birthweight <10th percentile by the Alexander growth standard. Univariable, stratified, and multivariable analyses were used to estimate the effect of placenta previa on fetal growth restriction. RESULTS Of 59,149 women, 724 (1.2%) were diagnosed with a complete or partial previa. After adjusting for significant confounding factors (black race, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and single umbilical artery), the risk of intrauterine growth restriction remained similar (adjusted odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.5). The presence of bleeding did not impact the risk of growth restriction. CONCLUSION Placenta previa is not associated with fetal growth restriction. Serial growth ultrasounds are not indicated in patients with placenta previa.

The institute of medicine guidelines for gestational weight gain after a diagnosis of gestational diabetes and pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the impact of gestational weight gain outside the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations after the diagnosis of gestational diabetes (GDM) on perinatal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study. Women were classified as gestational weight gain (GWG) within, less than, or greater than IOM recommendations for body mass index as calculated by gestational weight gain per week after a diagnosis of GDM. Outcomes assessed were preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, A2 GDM, birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), macrosomia, and preterm delivery. Groups were compared using analysis of variance and chi-square test for trend, as appropriate. Backward stepwise logistic regression was used to adjust for significant confounding factors. RESULTS Of 635 subjects, 92 gained within, 175 gained less than, and 368 gained more than IOM recommendations. The risk of cesarean delivery and A2 GDM was increased in those gaining above the IOM recommendations compared with within. For every 1-lb/week increase in weight gain after diagnosis of GDM, there was a 36 to 83% increase in the risk of preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, A2 GDM, macrosomia, and LGA, without decreases in SGA or preterm delivery. CONCLUSION Weight gain more than the IOM recommendations per week of gestation after a diagnosis of GDM is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Defining an abnormal first stage of labor based on maternal and neonatal outcomes

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine the threshold for defining abnormal labor that is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN This study consisted of a retrospective cohort of all consecutive women admitted at a gestation of 37.0 weeks or longer from 2004 to 2008 who reached the second stage of labor. The 90th, 95th, and 97th percentiles for progress in the first stage of labor were determined specific for parity and labor onset. Women with a first stage above and below each centile were compared. Maternal outcomes were cesarean delivery in the second stage, operative delivery, prolonged second stage, postpartum hemorrhage, and maternal fever. Neonatal outcomes were a composite of the following: admission to level 2 or 3 nursery, 5 minute Apgar less than 3, shoulder dystocia, arterial cord pH of less than 7.0, and a cord base excess of -12 or less. RESULTS Of the 5030 women, 4534 experienced first stage of less than the 90th percentile, 251 between the 90th and 94th percentiles, 102 between the 95th and 96th percentiles, and 143 at the 97th percentile or greater. Longer labors were associated with an increased risk of a prolonged second stage, maternal fever, the composite neonatal outcome, shoulder dystocia, and admission to a level 2 or 3 nursery (P < .01). Depending on the cutoff used, 29-30 cesarean deliveries would need to be performed to prevent 1 shoulder dystocia. CONCLUSION Although women who experience labor dystocia may ultimately deliver vaginally, a longer first stage of labor is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, in particular shoulder dystocia. This risk must be balanced against the risks of cesarean delivery for labor arrest.

Fetal congenital heart disease and intrauterine growth restriction: a retrospective cohort study

Objective: Fetal congenital heart disease may lead to abnormal fetal growth. Our objective was to estimate the association between fetal congenital heart disease (CHD) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in an effort to better inform clinical management of continuing pregnancies complicated by fetal congenital heart disease. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, outcome data was collected from singleton pregnancies undergoing routine anatomic survey at a tertiary medical center between 1990 and 2008. Dedicated research nurses collected information on delivery outcomes in an on-going manner. Subjects with a prenatal diagnosis of fetal CHD were compared to those without CHD. Stratified analyses for isolated fetal CHD and major CHD were performed. The primary outcome was IUGR less than 10th percentile by the Alexander growth standard. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding variables and refine the estimates of risk. Results: Among 67,823 patients, there were 193 cases of fetal CHD (0.3%) and 5,669 cases of IUGR (8.4%). Prenatal diagnosis of CHD was associated with an increased risk of IUGR (23.8% vs. 8.5%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4–4.6), and the risk was greatest in fetuses with major CHD (16.5% vs. 8.5%, aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3–3.2). Isolated CHD was also associated with an increased risk of IUGR (17.8% vs. 8.5%, aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4–3.7). Conclusion: Patients with a prenatal diagnosis of fetal CHD have a three-fold increase in risk of developing IUGR; patients with isolated fetal CHD are twice as likely to develop IUGR. Based on our findings, serial growth assessment may be a reasonable option for patients with fetal CHD diagnosed at routine anatomic survey.

Customized growth charts for twin gestations to optimize identification of small-for-gestational age fetuses at risk of intrauterine fetal death.

Customized growth charts developed for singleton pregnancies have been shown to be more effective than population‐based ones at identifying small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) fetuses at risk for intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). We sought to compare the association between SGA and IUFD in twins using customized growth charts designed for twin gestations compared to those designed for singletons.

Predicting success and reducing the risks when attempting vaginal birth after cesarean.

The goal of this manuscript is to review the contemporary evidence on issues pertinent to improving the safety profile of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) attempts. Patients attempting VBAC have success rates of 60%–80%, and no reliable method of predicting VBAC failure for individual patients exists. The rate of uterine rupture in all patients ranges from 0.7% to 0.98%, but the rate of uterine rupture decreases in patients with a prior vaginal delivery. In fact, in patients with a prior vaginal delivery, VBAC appears to be safer from the maternal standpoint than repeat cesarean. Inevitably, the obstetrician today will encounter the situation of deciding whether or not to induce a patient with a uterine scar, and particular attention is paid to the success and risks of inducing labor in this patient population. Induction of labor is associated with a slightly lower successful vaginal delivery rate, although the rate remains above 50% in virtually all patient populations. The rate of uterine rupture increases slightly, but still remains around 2%–3%. Although misoprostol use is discouraged due to its association with increased risks of uterine rupture, transcervical catheters, oxytocin, and amniotomy may be used to induce labor in women attempting VBAC. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to summarize recent literature regarding vaginal birth after cesarean and list factors related to labor induction success among women with a history of cesarean delivery.

Maternal seizure disorder and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes

OBJECTIVE We sought to estimate the association between maternal seizure disorder and adverse pregnancy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN We performed a retrospective cohort study of singleton, nonanomalous pregnancies. Women with self-reported seizure disorder were compared to women without medical problems. The primary outcome was intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) <10th percentile. Secondary outcomes included IUGR <5th percentile, stillbirth, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery. A sensitivity analysis was performed using women who reported using antiepileptics to estimate the impact of disease severity on pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS Of 47,118 women, 440 reported a seizure disorder. Women with seizure disorder were not at increased risk of IUGR <10th percentile (adjusted odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.50), IUGR <5th percentile, stillbirth, preeclampsia, or preterm delivery. The results were similar in the sensitivity analysis of women taking antiseizure medications. CONCLUSION Our results suggest women with a seizure disorder are not at increased risk of IUGR, stillbirth, preeclampsia, or preterm delivery.