Faculty Bibliography

To estimate the risk of preterm birth in asymptomatic women with twin pregnancies with a normal cervical length (CL) and a positive fetal fibronectin (fFN), we reviewed a retrospective cohort of twin pregnancies delivered in our practice from 2005 to 2010. Patients were screened from 22 to 32 weeks with CL and fFN at 2- to 4-week intervals. We examined 244 patients with twin pregnancies and a normal CL (>25 mm) between 22 and 32 weeks and compared outcomes based on the fFN result. Fourteen (5.7%) patients had a positive fFN and 230 (94.3%) patients had a negative fFN. Positive fFN was associated with an increased the risk of spontaneous preterm birth < 37 weeks (85.7% versus 38.3%, p = 0.001), < 35 weeks (50% versus 11.8%, p < 0.001), < 34 weeks (35.7% versus 6.9%, p < 0.001), and < 32 weeks (21.4% versus 2.2%, p < 0.001). On adjusted analysis, a positive fFN was independently associated with preterm birth < 32 weeks (odds ratio 6.8, 95% confidence interval 1.42, 32.2) and gestational age at delivery (p = 0.001). In the setting of a normal CL, a positive fFN is significantly associated with preterm birth in asymptomatic twin pregnancies. Contingency model screening of fFN in asymptomatic twin pregnancies solely based on CL evaluation may fail to identify a cohort of at-risk patients.

17 alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate is a synthetic form of the natural progestin 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone that is US FDA approved for the prevention of recurrent spontaneous preterm birth in women with a history of a prior singleton preterm birth. For women with a history of a prior spontaneous preterm birth between 20 weeks and 36 weeks and 6 days of gestation, the use of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent preterm birth by more than 30%. This medication is the only drug currently FDA approved for the prevention of preterm birth, and it is the first drug the FDA has approved for use exclusively during pregnancy in approximately 15 years

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the association between second-trimester estimated fetal weight and fetal growth restriction in twin pregnancies. METHODS: A historical cohort of 306 twin pregnancies from a single center was analyzed. Estimated fetal weight and discordance at 18 to 24 weeks were calculated. Patients with a fetus whose second-trimester estimated fetal weight was below the 10th percentile were compared to patients with both fetuses at or above the 10th percentile. Also, patients with second-trimester discordance of 15% or greater were compared to patients with discordance of less than 15%. RESULTS: Second-trimester discordance was significantly smaller than birth weight discordance (mean discordance +/- SD, 7.41% +/- 6.06% versus 11.43% +/- 9.6%, respectively; P < .001). Patients with second-trimester discordance of 15% or greater were significantly more likely to deliver a twin with a birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age (67.7% versus 44.1%; P = .012) and below the 5th percentile for gestational age (41.9% versus 22.8%; P = .019). Patients with a second-trimester estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile were significantly more likely to deliver a twin with a birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age (65.5% versus 44.5%; P = .031) and below the 5th percentile for gestational age (55.2% versus 21.5%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In twin pregnancies, second-trimester estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile and discordance of 15% or greater are associated with fetal growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of maternal obesity on maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: Women with singleton pregnancies and GDM enrolled in an outpatient GDM education, surveillance and management program were identified. Maternal and neonatal pregnancy outcomes were compared for obese (pre-pregnancy BMI >/= 30 kg/m(2)) and non-obese (pre-pregnancy BMI < 30 kg/m(2)) women and for women across five increasing pre-pregnancy BMI categories. RESULTS: A total of 3798 patients were identified. Maternal obesity was significantly associated with the need for oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin, development of pregnancy-related hypertension, interventional delivery, and cesarean delivery. Adverse neonatal outcomes were also significantly increased including stillbirth, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, need for NICU admission, hypoglycemia, and jaundice. When looking across five increasing BMI categories, increasing BMI was significantly associated with the same adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: In women with GDM, increasing maternal BMI is significantly associated with worse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

We sought to estimate the association of several maternal risk factors with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in twin pregnancies. This is a case-control study of 313 patients with twin pregnancies delivered greater than 24 weeks between June 2005 and January 2010. We used three definitions of IUGR: (1) either twin with a birth weight < 10th percentile for gestational age; (2) either twin with a birth weight < 5th percentile for gestational age; and (3) birth-weight discordance >/= 20%. Using each definition of IUGR, we estimated the association between IUGR and maternal age, weight, monochorionicity, in vitro fertilization, pregnancy reduction, thrombophilia, hypertension, and diabetes. Overall, 47% of patients delivered at least one twin with a birth weight <10th percentile, 27% of patients delivered at least one twin with a birth weight <5th percentile, and 16% of patients had birth-weight discordance of >/=20%. Using any of these three definitions for IUGR in twin pregnancies, there was no significant association between IUGR and any of the risk factors examined. This remained true when we excluded all patients who delivered <34 weeks. IUGR is very common in twin pregnancies. However, in twin pregnancies, IUGR cannot be predicted by maternal risk factors.

The objective of this study is to evaluate neonatal and maternal outcomes of multiple gestations undergoing delayed-interval delivery at a single institution. A 10-year retrospective review of medical records of patients followed by a Maternal-Fetal Medicine practice in a university-based setting was performed. Patients met criteria for inclusion if a single fetus was delivered spontaneously between 16 and 28 weeks of gestation and a planned attempt was made to prolong the gestation for the remaining fetus(es). Nineteen pregnancies met criteria for inclusion. The median gestational age at delivery of the first fetus was 20 (2)/ (7) weeks and the last fetus was 25 (1)/ (7) weeks. The median latency was 16 days (range 0 to 152 days). Three patients (15.8%) delivered within 24 hours. There was a 15.8% survival rate for the firstborn fetus and a 53.8% survival rate for all retained fetuses ( P = 0.01). There was a 31.6% incidence of serious maternal morbidity related to the procedure. One patient required a postpartum hysterectomy due to massive hemorrhage and uterine atony. Delayed-interval delivery is associated with a higher neonatal survival rate when retained fetuses are compared with firstborn fetuses. However, the procedure is associated with a significant risk of serious maternal morbidity

We evaluated the added benefit of a comprehensive counseling protocol for first-trimester aneuploidy risk assessment. We performed a prospective cohort study surveying patients referred for first-trimester aneuploidy risk assessment. We compared responses between women who underwent serum testing done in advance of their ultrasound such that their final risk assessment was given to them the same day as their ultrasound (comprehensive) versus women who underwent serum testing the same day as their ultrasound and who therefore received their final risk assessment later (standard). Response rate was 94.8%. The comprehensive group was significantly more likely to receive counseling in accordance with recommended American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines, had significantly greater reduction in anxiety and increased satisfaction, and was more likely to report an increased understanding of their results. The comprehensive group scored significantly higher on test-style questions about aneuploidy risk assessment. Comprehensive aneuploidy risk assessment counseling including same-day results is associated with increased patient understanding and satisfaction, decreased anxiety, and increased adherence to ACOG guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in obese vs. non-obese women with gestational diabetes (GDM) treated with diet only, oral Glyburide or insulin. STUDY DESIGN: Women with a singleton gestation enrolled for outpatient perinatal services diagnosed with GDM and without history of pregnancy-related hypertension (gestational hypertension or preeclampsia) in a prior pregnancy or diagnosed with pregnancy-related hypertension at enrollment for outpatient services were identified in a database. Included were those women whoseGDMwas controlled by diet only (n=3918); oral glyburide (n=873); or insulin without prior exposure to oral hypoglycemic agents (n=2229).GDMdiagnosis and treatment was determined by each patient's individual physician. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared for obese (pre-pregnancy body mass index>30kg/m²) vs. non-obese women within each GDM treatment group and also compared across treatment groups within the obese and non-obese populations. RESULTS: Within each treatment group obesity was associated with higher rates of cesarean delivery, diagnosis of pregnancy-related hypertension, birth weight >4000gms, and hyperbilirubinemia (all p<0.05). Significant maternal and neonatal outcomes across treatment groups are presented in table (adjusted p<0.05 vs. ¹ Diet only, and ² Glyburide groups) CONCLUSIONS: In this large observational study of women with GDM, including 873 women receiving Glyburide, we found significantly higher rates of pregnancy-related hypertension and infant hyperbilirubinemia in pregnancies receiving Glyburide for management of GDM. These findings should be considered when pharmacologic treatment of GDM is necessary. (Table presented)