Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE:To report the utility of the ultrasonographic biophysical profile, which includes all the components of a biophysical profile minus the nonstress test, in women with maternal indications for antepartum surveillance. METHODS:We conducted a case series reviewing the records of all women at 32 weeks of gestation or greater with at least one indication for antenatal testing (per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) delivered by a single maternal-fetal medicine practice between 2006 and 2018. Indications included diabetes, hypertension, lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome, sickle cell disease, renal disease, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, isoimmunization, inherited thrombophilia, and prior intrauterine fetal demise. Weekly ultrasonographic biophysical profiles were initiated at 32 weeks of gestation. We calculated the test-positive rate, the percentage of women delivered for an abnormal ultrasonography biophysical profile, and the intrauterine fetal demise rate (false-negative rate). RESULTS:Nine hundred eighty-five women underwent 3,981 ultrasonographic biophysical profiles (four per woman; range 1-11). Sixteen women had an abnormal ultrasonographic biophysical profile, for a test positive rate of 1.6% (95% CI 1.0-2.6%) per woman, or 0.4% (95% CI 0.3-0.7%) per ultrasonographic biophysical profile. Of the 16 women with abnormal ultrasonographic biophysical profiles, 13 were delivered with good outcomes and three women had normal follow-up testing and uncomplicated deliveries at a later date. There were three women with intrauterine fetal demise (false-negative rate of 0.3%, 95% CI 0.1-0.9%). One woman with intrauterine fetal demise had a factor V Leiden mutation, fetal ventriculomegaly, and fetal growth restriction. The second woman with intrauterine fetal demise had advanced maternal age, a factor V Leiden mutation, and fetal growth restriction. The third woman with intrauterine fetal demise had class B diabetes. All three intrauterine fetal demises were diagnosed antepartum with an interval from normal ultrasonographic biophysical profile to intrauterine fetal demise of 7, 7, and 6 days, respectively. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The use of ultrasonographic biophysical profile in a high-risk cohort is associated with a very low test-positive rate and a very low incidence of intrauterine fetal demise. In women with preexisting medical conditions that place them at higher risk for intrauterine fetal demise, ultrasonographic biophysical profile can be used for antenatal testing.

OBJECTIVE:Recent studies have shown that for twin pregnancies with a cephalic presenting first twin, planned vaginal delivery is not associated with adverse short-term neonatal outcomes, as compared to planned cesarean delivery. Our objective was to compare long-term outcomes in twins, based on planned mode of delivery. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:This was a prospective, observational cohort of twin pregnancies delivered by a single MFM practice. All the patients with a twin pregnancy >34 weeks delivered from 2005-2014 were surveyed regarding pediatric outcomes at or after 2 years of life. The survey was mail-based, with phone follow-up for nonresponses or for clarification of answers. Using chi-square, Student's t-tests, and regression analysis we compared outcomes between women who planned a vaginal (with active management of the second stage) versus cesarean delivery. The main outcome measures were: (1) a composite of major adverse outcomes (death, cerebral palsy, necrotizing enterocolitis, chronic renal, heart, or lung disease); (2) a composite of minor adverse outcomes (learning disability, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy). RESULTS:Five hundred and thirty-two women met inclusion criteria and 354 (66.5%) responded. 178 (50.3%) women planned to have a cesarean delivery (100% of whom had a cesarean delivery) and 176 (49.7%) women planned to have a vaginal delivery (83% of whom had a vaginal delivery). The average age of the children at the time of the survey was 5.9 years. There were no differences in any pediatric outcomes between the two groups. After controlling for maternal age, IVF, obesity, and preeclampsia, the planned mode of delivery was not associated with a composite of major adverse outcomes (aOR 0.673, 95% CI 0.228, 1.985), nor a composite of minor adverse outcomes (aOR 0.767, 95% CI 0.496, 1.188). CONCLUSIONS:Planned vaginal delivery with active management of the second stage of labor in twin pregnancies >34 weeks is not associated with adverse childhood outcomes.

OBJECTIVE:Early-onset fetal growth restriction is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, but frequently is due to fetal structural or chromosomal abnormalities. The objective of this study was to determine outcomes in patients with early-onset fetal growth restriction without diagnosed fetal or genetic anomalies and to identify additional risk factors for poor outcomes in these patients. METHODS:This was retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies in women with early-onset growth restriction defined as a sonographic estimated fetal weight <10% diagnosed between 16-28 weeks' gestation. We excluded all women with a fetal structural or chromosomal abnormality diagnosed prenatally. Data on pregnancy characteristics and outcomes were collected and analyzed for estimated fetal weight <10% and ≤5%. A nested case-control study within the cohort of patients with ongoing pregnancies was then performed to identify risk factors associated with poor pregnancy outcome using chi-squared test. RESULTS:One hundred forty-two patients were identified who met inclusion and exclusion criteria and 20 patients were found to have fetal structural or chromosomal abnormalities. In the remaining 122 patients, the incidence of intrauterine fetal demise was 5.7% and there were high rates of preterm birth <37 weeks (20%), birth weight <10% (59.3%), and gestational hypertension (14.1%). Later gestational age at diagnosis and the presence of echogenic bowel and abnormal initial umbilical artery Dopplers were associated with poor pregnancy outcome (22.56 versus 20.86 weeks, p = .046), (17.4 versus 2.2%, OR 9.68, 95%CI 1.65-56.73), and (35.3 versus 0%, OR 4.46, 95%CI 2.65-7.50) respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with early-onset fetal growth restriction with no fetal structural or genetic abnormality have a high risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. Gestational age at diagnosis and certain ultrasound findings are associated with poor pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE:To compare wound complication rates in tertiary or higher-order cesarean delivery based on wound closure technique. METHODS:We performed a retrospective cohort study of all tertiary or higher-order cesarean deliveries performed by one group practice in a large academic medical center from 2005 to 2017. We excluded patients with a vertical skin incision. Although the study was not randomized, wound closure type was relatively uniform in this practice and based on time period: before 2011, the preferred closure was staple closure; after 2011, subcuticular suture closure was preferred. All patients received preoperative antibiotics and closure of subcutaneous tissue 2 cm deep or greater. The primary outcome was a wound complication, defined as a wound infection requiring antibiotics or a wound separation requiring wound packing or reclosure any time up to 6 weeks after delivery. Regression analysis was used to control for any significant differences at baseline between the groups. RESULTS:There were 551 patients with tertiary or higher-order cesarean delivery, 192 (34.8%) of whom had staple closure and 359 (65.2%) of whom had suture closure. Suture closure was associated with a significantly lower rate of wound complication (4.7% [17/359, 95% CI 3.0%-7.5%] vs 11.5% [22/192, 95% CI 7.7%-16.7%], P=.003). On regression analysis controlling for the number of prior cesarean deliveries and the participation of a resident in the closure, suture closure remained independently associated with a lower risk of a wound complication (adjusted odds ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.23-0.86). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:For women undergoing their third or higher-order cesarean delivery, suture closure is associated with a lower rate of wound complications.

OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study is to determine vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) success rates for patients with a prior cesarean delivery (CD) for arrest of descent, as well as determine any predictors for success. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients delivered by a single MFM practice from 2005 to 2017 with a singleton pregnancy and one prior CD for arrest of descent. We estimated the rate and associated risk factors for successful VBAC. RESULTS:We included 208 patients with one prior CD for arrest of descent, 100 (48.1%) of whom attempted a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) with a VBAC success rate was 84/100 (84%, 95% CI 76-90%). Among the women who attempted TOLAC, women with a prior vaginal delivery >24 weeks' had a significantly higher VBAC success rate (91.8% versus 71.8%, p = .01). Maternal age, body mass index, estimated fetal weight, induction of labor, and cervical dilation were not associated with a higher VBAC success rate. CONCLUSIONS:For women with a prior CD for arrest of descent, VBAC success rates are high. This suggests that arrest of descent is mostly dependent on factors unique to each pregnancy and not due to an inadequate pelvis or recurring conditions. Women with a prior CD for arrest of descent should not be discouraged from attempting TOLAC in a subsequent pregnancy due to concerns about the likelihood of success.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of screening tests for preterm birth (short cervical length [CL], positive fetal fibronectin (FFN), and amniotic fluid [AF] sludge) in twin gestations with histologic evidence of placental inflammation. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:weeks. A short CL was defined as ≤25 mm. Placental lesions evaluated were chronic and acute membrane inflammation and funisitis. Fischer's exact test and logistic regression were used. RESULTS: None of the screening tests was associated with chronic inflammation. All were associated with acute inflammation. On regression analysis, a short CL and positive FFN remained independently associated with acute inflammation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.66 and 2.51, respectively) and funisitis (aOR: 5.66 and 7.17, respectively). AF sludge was not independently associated with acute inflammation nor funisitis. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS: In twin gestations, a short CL and a positive FFN at 22 to 26 weeks are associated with acute but not chronic inflammation on placental histology. These findings imply that mechanisms underlying preterm birth in twins that result in positive screening tests weeks prior to delivery are not reflected as chronic placental inflammation. Therefore, pathologic interpretation of etiologic mechanisms for preterm birth may be limited using solely histologic reports.

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to compare long-term neurodevelopmental and health outcomes of twins born at 34 weeks or later, based on the presence of small for gestational age (SGA). STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: This study is a mail-based survey of twin gestations delivered by a single practice. We compared twins with and without SGA delivered at ≥34 weeks. There were two primary outcomes for this study: a composite of major adverse outcomes (death; cerebral palsy; necrotizing enterocolitis; chronic renal, heart, or lung disease) and a composite of minor adverse outcomes (learning disability, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy). Regression analysis was performed to control for clustering of outcomes within twin pairs. RESULTS: = 0.041). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS: Twins with SGA <10% born at ≥34 weeks have similar long-term neurodevelopmental and health outcomes compared with twins with normal birthweights. Birthweight less than 5th percentile is associated with an increased risk of major morbidity, specifically cardiac disease, but the absolute risk is low.

BACKGROUND:The objective was to identify risk factors associated with blood transfusion in patients undergoing high-order Cesarean delivery (CD). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing third or more CD by a single maternal-fetal medicine practice between 2005 and 2016. We compared risk factors between women who did and did not receive a red blood cell transfusion during the operation or before discharge. Repeat analysis was performed after excluding women with placenta previa. RESULTS:A total of 514 patients were included, 18 of whom (3.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2%-5.5%) received a blood transfusion. Placenta previa was the most significant risk factor for transfusion (61.1% of patients who received a transfusion vs. 1% of patients who did not; p < 0.001). Patients with a placenta previa had a 68.8% likelihood of requiring a blood transfusion. After women who had placenta previa were excluded, the incidence of blood transfusion was seven of 498 (1.4%; 95% CI, 0.7%-2.9%). Risk factors significantly associated with blood transfusion in the absence of previa were prophylactic anticoagulation during pregnancy and having labored. The incidence of transfusion in patients with no placenta previa, no anticoagulation, and no labor was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.3%-2.1%). Placenta previa was the most predictive risk factor for transfusion with a positive predictive value of 68.8% and a negative predictive value of 98.4%. CONCLUSION:In patients undergoing a third or more CD, only placenta previa, prophylactic anticoagulation during pregnancy, and having labored are independently associated with requiring a blood transfusion. These data can be used to guide physician ordering of prepared blood products preoperatively.