Faculty Bibliography

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To assess the performance of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening to detect sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA) in an unselected obstetrical population with genetic confirmation. METHODS:This was a planned secondary analysis of the multicenter, prospective SMART study. Patients receiving cfDNA results for autosomal aneuploidies and who had confirmatory genetic results for the relevant sex chromosomal aneuploidies were included. Screening performance for SCAs, including monosomy X (MX) and the sex chromosome trisomies (SCTs; 47,XXX; 47,XXY; 47,XYY) was determined. Fetal sex concordance between cfDNA and genetic screening was also evaluated in euploid pregnancies. RESULTS:17,538 cases met inclusion criteria. Performance of cfDNA for MX, SCTs and fetal sex was determined in 17,297, 10,333 and 14,486 pregnancies, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and PPV of cfDNA were 83.3%, 99.9%, and 22.7% for MX, and 70.4%, 99.9%, and 82.6% for the combined SCTs. The accuracy of fetal sex prediction by cfDNA was 100%. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Screening performance of cfDNA for SCAs is comparable to that reported in other studies. The PPV for the SCTs was similar to the autosomal trisomies, while the PPV for MX was substantially lower. No discordance in fetal sex was observed between cfDNA and postnatal genetic screening in euploid pregnancies. These data will assist interpretation and counseling for cfDNA results for sex chromosomes.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes when the diagnosis of FGR was based on isolated abdominal circumference < 10th percentile for gestational age (GA) (iAC group) versus overall estimated fetal weight < 10th percentile (EFW group). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of singleton gestations who underwent growth ultrasounds and delivered at a single health system from 1/1/19"“9/4/20. The study group was comprised of patients with AC < 10th percentile and EFW ≥ than the 10th percentile (iAC group). The control group included patients with overall EFW < 10th percentile (EFW group). Outcomes evaluated included GA at delivery, mode of delivery, fetal and neonatal outcomes. Data was analyzed using Mann Whitney U, X ², and Fisher exact tests with significance defined as p < 0.05. Results: 635 women met the inclusion criteria, 259 women in the iAC group and 376 women in the EFW group. The iAC group was noted to have a later GA at diagnosis and delivery. iAC was associated with lower rates of preterm birth (PTB), NICU admission, SGA at delivery and umbilical artery cord gas < 7.0. Conclusion: Using iAC as a definition of FGR increased the number of FGR cases by 1.69-fold over EFW criteria alone. However, obstetrical and neonatal outcomes for the iAC group appear to be significantly better than those in the EFW group, with low rates of PTB, NICU admission, and umbilical artery cord gas < 7.0.

Objective: To determine whether a machine learning model can predict patients at risk for shoulder dystocia (SD) better than estimations of birthweight (BW) alone.
Study Design: This was a retrospective analysis of 17,731 pregnant individuals from 7/2013 to 10/2018. Utilizing a machine learning model, a total of 122 binary and continuous variables were included. Baseline models were built with different sets of variables during 3 time periods: 57 in antepartum period, 96 in stage 1 and 119 in stage 2 of labor. BW was used as a proxy for estimated fetal weight (EFW) because documented assessment of EFW was not available in all cases. Two decision tree-based models, Random Forest and XGBoost, were used as predictive models and performance was evaluated with 5-fold cross validation. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and area under precision/recall curve (AUPR) were used as metrics for evaluating model performance. Mean and standard error of performance metrics were calculated.
Result(s): The cohort included 21,232 vaginal deliveries. There were 415 (1.95%) vaginal deliveries complicated by SD that occurred in 406 patients. An AUROC of 0.73 +/- 0.01 (mean +/- standard error) was achieved for RandomForest model and 0.78 +/- 0.01 for XGBoost model for BW. BW was then added as a variable to variable sets from the antepartum period and each labor stage to assess performance change. The RandomForest model predicted patients at risk for SD better than BW alone, but only the AUROC was statistically significant at all stages (p < 0.05). (Figure 1) This finding was not demonstrated in the XGBoost model.
Conclusion(s): Our machine learning model performed better in predicting SD than EFW alone (using BW as a proxy) at each time period evaluated - the antepartum period, 1st stage and 2nd stage of labor. While our results indicate that our model may enhance the prediction of SD, these findings should be validated using a more robust data set that includes documented EFW to account for the margin of error between BW and EFW. [Formula presented] [Formula presented]
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Objective: Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy, which is associated with maternal and neonatal complications. The objective of this study was to identify the frequency and risk factors for isolated iron deficiency (iID) in the 1^st trimester.
Study Design: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study to identify risk factors for iID of non-anemic pregnant individuals presenting for prenatal care in the 1^st trimester from February 2022 to June 2022 at NYU Langone Health. iID was defined as serum ferritin level of <= 29 ng/mL. Inclusion criteria included pregnant individuals ages 18-60 years with a singleton gestation enrolled in the 1^st trimester (prior to 14 weeks 0 days gestation) and were non-anemic (hemoglobin >=11.0 g/dl). Patients were excluded if they had 1^st trimester anemia or history of blood transfusion 3 months prior to pregnancy. Univariate analyses were followed by multiple logistic regression (OR [95% CI]) with statistical significance defined at p< 0.05.
Result(s): Of 600 patients enrolled in the study, 89 (14.8%) had 1^st trimester iID. Black/African American patients (19.1% vs. 8.2%, p=0.003), those with uterine fibroids (20.2% vs. 9.4%, p=0.003), and those with higher median BMI (25.2 kg/m² (IQR 22.7-29.6) vs. 23.6 kg/m² (IQR 21.4-27.3), p=0.01) were more likely have to 1^st trimester iID. White patients (41.6% vs. 56.6%, p=0.01) and those with a normal BMI (44.9% vs. 57.3%, p=0.04) were less likely to have 1^st trimester iID. After adjusting for confounders in regression models, Black/African American patients had the strongest association with 1^st trimester iID (aOR 2.18 [1.12-4.11], p=0.02), followed by uterine fibroids (aOR 2.02 [1.05-3.72], p=0.03). Overweight or obese BMIs were not identified as risk factors for 1^st trimester iID.
Conclusion(s): Based on our findings, Black/African American pregnant individuals and those with uterine fibroids are at highest risk for 1^st trimester iID. Future studies should investigate perinatal outcomes for pregnant individuals with 1^st trimester iID. [Formula presented]
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Objective: Reticulocyte hemoglobin (RetHb) is used for early detection of iron deficiency (ID) in the nonpregnant patient population. It provides an indication of iron availability in the bone marrow and is an early marker of iron deficiency (ID) erythropoiesis before anemia is present. Due to the paucity of data regarding RetHb use in pregnancy, the study objective was to establish normal values and trend for RetHb during the 1^st and 2^nd trimester of pregnancy by correlating it with ferritin and Hb.
Study Design: This is a secondary analysis of an observational, prospective cohort study evaluating ID parameters in singleton gestations presenting for prenatal care in the first trimester from 2/2022 to 6/2022. ID was defined as serum ferritin level of <= 29 ng/mL. For this analysis, patients were excluded if they had 1^st trimester anemia (Hb< 11.0 g/dL) or history of blood transfusion 3 months prior to pregnancy. Data were analyzed using student's t-test and linear regression modeling with statistical significance defined at p< 0.05.
Result(s): 209 patients met inclusion criteria. In table 1, demographics of the study cohort are shown. There was a prevalence of 16.3% of ID in the 1^st trimester and 69.9% in the 2^nd trimester. Distribution of RetHb values throughout the first 2 trimesters are demonstrated in figure 1. In the 1^st trimester, the mean RetHb in women with ID was 34.01 pg +/- SD 1.64 compared to 34.68 pg +/- 1.65 in women without iron deficiency (p=0.03). In the second trimester, the mean RetHb in women with ID was 33.02 pg +/- 2.34 compared to 34.20 pg +/- SD 1.94 in women without ID (p< 0.001).
Conclusion(s): A statistically significant physiologic decrease was observed among pregnant individuals both with and without iron deficiency in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. Future studies should evaluate the utility of RetHb use in pregnancy to predict ID and iron deficiency anemia throughout pregnancy. [Formula presented] [Formula presented]
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Objective: To compare pregnancy latency achieved with oral labetalol versus extended-release nifedipine during expectant management of preterm preeclampsia with severe features (PEC-SF).
Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients initiated on antihypertensive therapy with oral labetalol or extended-release nifedipine during admission for expectant management of PEC-SF < 34 weeks between 1/2013 and 4/2022. Those on antihypertensive therapy prior to admission or with another indication for delivery < 34 weeks were excluded (monochorionic-monoamniotic twins, higher order multiples, absent or reversed umbilical artery Dopplers). Pregnancy latency (from oral agent initiation to delivery decision) was compared between groups. Secondary outcomes included need for initial agent dose uptitration, addition of second oral agent, acute antihypertensive therapy, and delivery for refractory hypertension. Linear and modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted mean differences (AMD) with 95% confidence intervals.
Result(s): The cohort included 78 patients (Table 1). Comparing those initiated on labetalol versus extended-release nifedipine (Table 2), there was no difference in latency (6.2 (7.5) vs 5.4 (7.4) days, AMD 1.1 days, 95% CI [-2.1, 4.4]), nor in the proportion of patients achieving 1 week latency (25.0% vs 23.8%, respectively, AMD 2.9%, 95% CI [-16.5, 22.3]). Those initiated on labetalol were less likely to require a second agent (16.7% vs 38.1% for nifedipine, AMD -18.4, 95% CI [-37.3, 0.5]). There were no differences in need for initial agent uptitration, acute antihypertensive therapy, or delivery for refractory hypertension.
Conclusion(s): There was no difference in pregnancy latency among patients with PEC-SF initiated on oral labetalol versus extended-release nifedipine. Patients on labetalol may be less likely to require a second antihypertensive agent, but comparative outcome estimates may be limited by small cohort size. Further investigations with a larger cohort should be performed to evaluate for any relative advantages of the two oral agents. [Formula presented] [Formula presented]
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Objective: The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to reductions in pregnancy intention and subsequent births in the United States (US). We sought to describe how fluctuations in COVID-19 case rates impacted numbers of births at NYU Langone Health (NYULH) to better understand the impact of the ongoing pandemic on New York City (NYC) births.
Study Design: Beginning in March 2020, three COVID-19 "waves'' and two "dips'' were identified using the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seven-day moving average of cases per 100,000 in NYC. We compared the number of births at two NYULH hospitals (Manhattan and Brooklyn) nine months following a COVID-19 wave or dip with births during the same window (to account for seasonality) two years prior (pre-COVID). We also performed a sensitivity analysis to account for post-COVID population movement using change-of-address request data from the US Postal Service.
Result(s): Table 1 shows numbers of births recorded in the periods of interest. Compared with pre-COVID, the largest reduction in births followed Wave 1 (-29.28%); as the pandemic went on, the difference vs. pre-COVID diminished. By Wave 2, the percent change was -6.38% and by Wave 3, there was a net increase (5.34%). Manhattan had a steeper decrease in live births following Wave 1; births rebounded in Brooklyn after Dip 2; and both sites reported increases following Wave 3, with a greater increase in Brooklyn (Figure 1). These trends were slightly attenuated after accounting for migration.
Conclusion(s): Births initially decreased during the pandemic; however, this decline attenuated as time passed and then reversed by Wave 3, when the number of births surpassed pre-COVID. This reversal may have resulted from delayed pregnancy intention or other factors. Changes in the number of births during the pandemic varied by hospital site, with a greater rebound in Brooklyn. Future studies are warranted that focus on the interplay between secular events, such the COVID-19 pandemic, and individual-level factors, including sociodemographics, in shaping pregnancy intention. [Formula presented] [Formula presented]
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BACKGROUND:Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) non-invasive prenatal screening for trisomy (T) 21, 18, and 13 has been rapidly adopted into clinical practice. However, prior studies are limited by lack of follow up genetic testing to confirm outcomes and accurately assess test performance, particularly in women at low-risk for aneuploidy. OBJECTIVE:To compare the performance of cfDNA screening for T21, T18 and T13 between women at low and high-risk for aneuploidy in a large, prospective cohort with genetic confirmation of results. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:A multicenter prospective observational study at 21 centers in 6 countries. Women who had SNP-based cfDNA screening for T21, T18 and T13 were enrolled. Genetic confirmation was obtained from prenatal or newborn DNA samples. Test performance and test failure (no-call) rates were assessed for the cohort and women with low and high prior risk for aneuploidy were compared. An updated cfDNA algorithm, blinded to pregnancy outcome, was also assessed. RESULTS:20,194 were enrolled at median gestational age of 12.6 weeks (IQR:11.6, 13.9). Genetic outcomes were confirmed in 17,851 (88.4%): 13,043 (73.1%) low-risk and 4,808 (26.9%) high-risk for aneuploidy. Overall, 133 trisomies were diagnosed (100 T21; 18 T18; 15 T13). cfDNA screen positive rate was lower in low- vs. high-risk (0.27% vs. 2.2%, p<0.0001). Sensitivity and specificity were similar between groups. The positive predictive value (PPV) for the low and high-risk groups was 85.7% vs. 97.5%, p=0.058 for T21; 50.0% vs. 81.3%, p=0.283 for T18; and 62.5% vs. 83.3, p=0.58 for T13, respectively. Overall, 602 (3.4%) patients had no-call result after the first draw and 287 (1.61%) after including cases with a second draw. Trisomy rate was higher in the 287 with no-call results than patients with a result on a first draw (2.8% vs. 0.7%, p=0.001). The updated algorithm showed similar sensitivity and specificity to the study algorhitm with a lower no-call rate. CONCLUSIONS:In women at low-risk for aneuploidy, SNP-based cfDNA has high sensitivity and specificity, PPV of 85.7% for T21 and 74.3% for the three common trisomies. Patients who receive a no-call result are at increased risk of aneuploidy and require additional investigation.

OBJECTIVE:The ideal time for birth in pregnancies diagnosed with vasa previa remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review aiming to identify the gestational age at delivery that best balances the risks for prematurity with that of pregnancy prolongation in cases with prenatally diagnosed vasa previa. DATA SOURCES/METHODS:Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to January 2022. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA/METHODS:The intervention analyzed was delivery at various gestational ages in pregnancies prenatally diagnosed with vasa previa. Cohort studies, case series, and case reports were included in the qualitative synthesis. When summary figures could not be obtained directly from the studies for the quantitative synthesis, authors were contacted and asked to provide a breakdown of perinatal outcomes by gestational age at birth. METHODS:Study appraisal was completed using the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for the respective study types. Statistical analysis was performed using a random-effects meta-analysis of proportions. RESULTS:The search identified 3435 studies of which 1264 were duplicates. After screening 2171 titles and abstracts, 140 studies proceeded to the full-text screen. A total of 37 studies were included for analysis, 14 of which were included in a quantitative synthesis. Among 490 neonates, there were 2 perinatal deaths (0.4%), both of which were neonatal deaths before 32 weeks' gestation. In general, the rate of neonatal complications decreased steadily from <32 weeks' gestation (4.6% rate of perinatal death, 91.2% respiratory distress, 11.4% 5-minute Apgar score <7, 23.3% neonatal blood transfusion, 100% neonatal intensive care unit admission, and 100% low birthweight) to 36 weeks' gestation (0% perinatal death, 5.3% respiratory distress, 0% 5-minute Apgar score <7, 2.9% neonatal blood transfusion, 29.2% neonatal intensive care unit admission, and 30.9% low birthweight). Complications then increased slightly at 37 weeks' gestation before decreasing again at 38 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Prolonging pregnancies until 36 weeks' gestation seems to be safe and beneficial in otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies with antenatally diagnosed vasa previa.