Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE: To investigate which second-trimester ultrasound markers for aneuploidy are the most diagnostically efficient in detecting fetal trisomy 21. METHODS: All second-trimester genetic sonograms performed since November 1, 1992 for women at increased risk for fetal trisomy 21 were analyzed retrospectively. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, the test of proportions, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis using trisomy 21 as the dependent variable and ten aneuploidy ultrasound markers as independent variables. RESULTS: There were 581 normal fetuses, 23 with trisomy 21 and four with other chromosomal abnormalities. When one or more abnormal ultrasound markers were present, the sensitivity and false-positive rate for trisomy 21 were 87% and 13.4%, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the best combination of ultrasound markers for detecting trisomy 21 to be nuchal fold thickening (relative risk [RR] 85.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.4, 357.7), pyelectasis (RR 25.2; 95% CI 6.7, 95.0), and short humerus (RR 20.4; 95% CI 4.5, 92.1). The model combining these three ultrasound markers yielded a sensitivity of 87% and a false-positive rate of 6.7%. CONCLUSION: By using only three ultrasound markers (combination of nuchal fold thickening, pyelectasis, and short humerus) the false-positive rate is decreased from 13.4% to 6.7% without any compromise in the sensitivity (87%). The clinical usefulness of evaluating the various second-trimester ultrasound markers needs to be evaluated in prospective studies

The objective of this presentation is to describe noninvasive techniques of antepartum fetal assessment which allow the differentiation of fetuses who will benefit from remaining in-utero versus those who are at risk for intraamniotic infection and will benefit from your prompt delivery. The literature is reviewed in regard to the fetal biophysical profile, the effect of premature rupture of membranes (PROM), the usefulness of individual biophysical component in predicting intraamniotic infection (amniotic fluid volume, non-stress testing), the use of the fetal biophysical profile in improving pregnancy outcome, the relationships among umbilical artery velocimetry, fetal biophysical profile and intraamniotic infection and the mechanisms by which infection diminishes fetal biophysical activities in PROM. After reviewing our own as well as the published experience with the use of fetal biophysical assessment in patients with PROM, the following conclusions are suggested: a) most studies have shown strong correlation between abnormal biophysical assessment and infection outcome (maternal and/or neonatal infection) as well as intraamniotic infection, if there is frequent (i.e. daily) testing; and b) fetal biophysical tests (profiles, NSTs, amniotic fluid volume determinations) are quite reliable in predicting the well fetus who can safely remain in-utero and also the fetus who is at high risk for developing neonatal sepsis. A protocol for management of preterm PROM will be outlined based upon frequent (daily) fetal biophysical assessment. Although there are no controlled randomized trials to support that pregnancy outcome is improved by the use of frequent biophysical assessment, non-randomized studies as well as studies with historic controls suggest that the use of frequent biophysical assessment is beneficial in managing patients with PROM.

The objective of this study was to determine the degree of documented compliance of community-based ultrasound reports with suggested standards/guidelines for basic ultrasound examinations as published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). First trimester reports from obstetric offices (n = 20) had complete compliance with ACOG guidelines in 35% and AIUM standards in 15% of the cases (p = NS). Radiological reports (n = 26) had complete compliance with ACOG guidelines in 11.5% and AIUM standards in 3.9% of the cases (p = NS). None of the second/third trimester reports from either the obstetrical offices (n = 35) or from radiological facilities (n = 94) had complete compliance with either ACOG or AIUM standards/guidelines. Ultrasound reports generated by community-based obstetricians and radiologists from our referral sources demonstrate significant omissions in documentation of components suggested by AIUM and ACOG for minimum standards of basic ultrasound examinations.

OBJECTIVE:Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, the major serum protease inhibitor of fibrinolysis, increases steadily during pregnancy. The study objective was to examine four hormones, namely, estradiol-17 beta, progesterone, prolactin, and hydrocortisone to determine their individual contributions in the production of tissue plasminogen activator antigen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were grown with physiologic third-trimester concentrations of the above hormones, and fibrinolytic parameters were measured. RESULTS:Of the four hormones evaluated, only hydrocortisone significantly increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen and activity at both concentrations tested (p < 0.001). Estradiol-17 beta significantly increased tissue plasminogen activator antigen and progesterone significantly decreased tissue plasminogen activator antigen, but neither affected the overall fibrinolytic balance. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Hydrocortisone demonstrated antifibrinolytic properties at physiologic concentrations in pregnancy, suggesting that there may be a role for hydrocortisone in the prothrombotic tendency associated with pregnancy. The overall process of fibrinolysis was unaffected by estradiol-17 beta, progesterone, or prolactin.

OBJECTIVE:To determine if a correlation exists between the level of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) elevation and the rate of adverse pregnancy outcome, to examine the timing of pregnancies ending in fetal or neonatal death, and to develop a protocol for antepartum surveillance in an effort to prevent these adverse outcomes. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:Singleton pregnancies with a single second-trimester elevated MSAFP > or = 2.0 multiples of the median (MoM) were eligible if a targeted ultrasound evaluation (< 24 weeks) was in agreement with the dates and no fetoplacental anomaly was detected. Three groups were established based on the second-trimester MSAFP elevation: 2.0-2.49, 2.5-2.99 and > or = 3.0 MoM. RESULTS:Among the 383 patients enrolled, delivery data were available on 333 infants. Stratified by MSAFP elevations of 2.0-2.49, 2.5-2.99 and > or = 3.0 MoM, the rates of adverse pregnancy outcome were: (1) preterm birth: 14.3%, 15.6%, 20.3%; (2) small for gestational age at birth: 7.4%, 11.1%, 22.2%; and (3) perinatal deaths (neonatal and fetal): 2.6%, 3.3%, 5.6%. Seven pregnancy losses (three neonatal and four fetal deaths) occurred prior to 28 weeks. Of these seven, six fetuses exhibited intrauterine growth retardation by 23-26 weeks' gestation, and five of six were associated with MSAFP levels > or = 2.5 MoM. Four losses (two neonatal and two fetal deaths) occurred after 28 weeks. Of these, three involved structurally normal infants with normal growth who died after 34 weeks. All three of these pregnancies exhibited MSAFP elevations < 2.5 MoM. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:In pregnancies with an unexplained elevated second-trimester MSAFP, the rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes is increased with higher elevations. Any proposed program to improve pregnancy outcome in patients with unexplained MSAFP elevations must include efforts aimed at preventing preterm delivery, repeat ultrasound at 24-26 weeks to rule out early-onset intrauterine growth retardation in pregnancies with elevations > or = 2.5 MoM and fetal biophysical monitoring, even in normally grown fetuses, instituted at 32 weeks to detect fetuses at risk for intrauterine death.

Puerperal psychosis occurs after delivery in 1-2/1,000 births. It usually presents after delivery, however, it also may present in the antepartum period. We report the third case which presented prior to delivery without a preceding history of maternal puerperal psychosis and the first which presented with catatonia and symptoms of eclampsia. Although uncommon, the first presentation of psychosis during pregnancy should be considered part of the differential diagnosis in pregnant patients presenting with altered mental status after organic causes are excluded.

In the United States, first-and second-trimester ultrasonography is most commonly used for gestational dating, detection of fetal aneuploidy, identification of early fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and assessment for cervical incompetence. Crown-rump length (CRL) between 7 and 12 weeks is the most accurate parameter for first-trimester dating. In the second trimester, the biparietal diameter, head circumference, transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD), abdominal circumference, femur length, and other long bones, such as tibia and humerus, are useful. The TCD appears to be particularly useful because of its relative sparing in IUGR. Ultrasound can aid in the detection of fetal aneuploidy by identifying structural anomalies or abnormal fetal biometry in the first and second trimester. Numerous structural abnormalities are suggestive of aneuploidy. Cystic hygroma and nuchal translucency appear to be most significant first-trimester markers for fetal aneuploidy. Second-trimester estimated fetal weight (FFW) curves have been developed and are useful in the early detection of IUGR. Second-trimester FFW curves are useful for the detection of trisomy 18 (sensitivity 60%) but not for trisomy 21 (sensitivity 8-12%). Fetal biometry of long bones is also useful in identifying fetuses at risk for aneuploidy. Identification of a second-trimester fetus with either humerus or femur shorter than expected places the fetus at risk for aneuploidy. The sensitivity of short long bone in detection of fetal aneuploidy is approximately 30%, with false positive rates < 5%. Nuchal fold thickness > 6 mm in the second trimester is also used for identifying aneuploid fetuses. The overall sensitivity for the detection of Down's syndrome in fetuses with increased nuchal fold thickness is approximately 34% and the false positive rate is 1.5%. We have developed a model by using an ultrasound examination to adjust the mid-trimester risk for trisomy 21 by combining maternal age or triple screen risk assessment (unconjugated estriol, alpha fetoprotein, and human chorionic gonadotropin) and ultrasound. Using this model, the risk for Down's syndrome is found to be increased with identification of abnormal biometry or anomalies, or decreased with a normal genetic ultrasound examination. Another important application is the use of abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound in the second trimester in pregnancies at risk for premature cervical dilatation, premature delivery, and cervical incompetence. We have found transfundal pressure to be useful in the diagnosis of otherwise clinically inapparent premature cervical dilatation and cervical incompetence.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe the relative contributions and characteristics of various subgroups of patients to the overall repeat cesarean delivery rate and to determine modifiable practice patterns that might lead to fewer repeat cesarean deliveries. STUDY DESIGN: Hospital records of all women with a previous cesarean section who were delivered between Jan. 1 and June 30, 1994, at St. Peter's Medical Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey, were reviewed. Four groups were identified: (1) elective repeat cesarean, (2) 'indicated' repeat cesarean, (3) failed vaginal birth after cesarean, and (4) successful vaginal birth after cesarean. Descriptive and outcome data were collected. RESULTS: There were 406 patients, 376 of whom had complete records available for review. Of these, 235 had a repeat cesarean delivery because of the following reasons: elective (107, 45%), 'indicated' (56, 24%), and failed vaginal birth after cesarean (72, 31%). The remaining 141 patients had a vaginal birth after cesarean. Patients with private or health maintenance organization insurance were nearly seven times more likely to have a repeat cesarean delivery as an elective procedure as compared with Medicaid or self-pay patients (odds ratio 6.88, 95% confidence interval 2.33 to 20.38). The failed vaginal birth after cesarean group was characterized by more frequent inductions of labor, less use of amniotomy, and very early epidural placement. CONCLUSIONS: Examination of patient characteristics is required to identify population-specific strategies to reduce repeat cesarean delivery rates. Modifiable practice patterns exist that may lead to interventions to reduce repeat cesarean delivery rates