Expectant Management in Twin Pregnancies With Discordant Structural Fetal Anomalies

Objective:Routine obstetric ultrasound increasingly leads to the detection of structural fetal anomalies. In twin pregnancies with one anomalous twin, counseling on management strategies is complicated. Patients and methods: Twin pregnancies (n= 212) were referred to a tertiary center between January 2007 and July 2009. In a retrospective analysis, twins discordant for a structural fetal anomaly were compared to twins without anomalies in the prenatal ultrasound. Outcome parameters were survival and gestational age at birth.Results:Anomalies were seen in at least one fetus of 30 twin pairs. The two pregnancies in which the anomalies were concordant were terminated. Selective feticide was performed in three cases of major but non-lethal anomalies in dichorionic twins. The remaining 25 cases were managed expectantly. In three of these cases, spontaneous fetal demise of the affected fetus was observed. In five cases with major (lethal) anomalies, the pregnant women and their partners opted for non-intervention comfort care after birth for the affected fetus. Median gestational age at delivery was 257 days for twins without structural anomalies and was 254 days (n= 22) for twins with one anomalous fetus. This was not significantly different (Mann Whitney U,p= .69). Again, no difference was found for median gestational age at delivery in normal vs. discordant anomalous dichorionic twins if subdivided for chorionicity (Mann Whitney U,p= .68).Conclusion:In this cohort we describe the request for expectant management by pregnant women and their partners of those twins discordant for major (lethal) anomalies. Expectant management was not associated with increased risk of premature delivery. Fetocide was only opted for in a small number of cases with severe but non-lethal anomalies in dichorionic twins.

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apoA2 correlates to gestational age with decreased apolipoproteins A2, C1, C3 and E in gestational diabetes

BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care ◽

10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001925 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. e001925

Author(s):

Manjunath Ramanjaneya ◽

Alexandra E Butler ◽

Mohammed Bashir ◽

Ilham Bettahi ◽

Abu Saleh Md Moin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Pregnancy Outcome ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Gestational Hypertension ◽

Adverse Pregnancy Outcome ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Premature Delivery ◽

Gestational Age At Delivery

IntroductionPregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at risk of adverse outcomes, including gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and preterm delivery. This study was undertaken to determine if apolipoprotein (apo) levels differed between pregnant women with and without GDM and if they were associated with adverse pregnancy outcome.Research design and methodsPregnant women (46 women with GDM and 26 women without diabetes (ND)) in their second trimester were enrolled in the study. Plasma apos were measured and correlated to demographic, biochemical, and pregnancy outcome data.ResultsapoA2, apoC1, apoC3 and apoE were lower in women with GDM compared with control women (p=0.0019, p=0.0031, p=0.0002 and p=0.015, respectively). apoA1, apoB, apoD, apoH, and apoJ levels did not differ between control women and women with GDM. Pearson bivariate analysis revealed significant correlations between gestational age at delivery and apoA2 for women with GDM and control women, and between apoA2 and apoC3 concentrations and C reactive protein (CRP) as a measure of inflammation for the whole group.ConclusionsApoproteins apoA2, apoC1, apoC3 and apoE are decreased in women with GDM and may have a role in inflammation, as apoA2 and C3 correlated with CRP. The fact that apoA2 correlated with gestational age at delivery in both control women and women with GDM raises the hypothesis that apoA2 may be used as a biomarker of premature delivery, and this warrants further investigation.

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Perinatal Outcome of Twin Pregnancies Complicated by Rupture of Membranes at 13–20 Weeks: Is Selective Termination an Appropriate Management Option?

Ultraschall in der Medizin - European Journal of Ultrasound ◽

10.1055/a-1176-0919 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (04) ◽

pp. e17-e22

Author(s):

Michal Zajicek ◽

Simcha Yagel ◽

Dan Valsky ◽

Moshe Ben-Ami ◽

Yoav Yinon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Survival Rate ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Neonatal Outcome ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Expectant Management ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Fetal Demise ◽

Management Group ◽

Gestational Age At Delivery ◽

Twin Pregnancies

Abstract Objective To evaluate the outcome of twin pregnancies that were complicated by rupture of membranes at 13–20 weeks of gestation and were managed by expectant management or by selective termination. Methods A retrospective cohort study of all bichorionic twin pregnancies that were referred to three fetal medicine units between 2001 and 2016, due to rupture of membranes of one sac at 13–20 weeks of gestation. Women without clinical signs of infection who opted for expectant management or selective termination were included. Results 20 patients met the inclusion criteria. 7 of them were managed expectantly and 13 underwent selective termination. In the expectant management group there was one case of fetal demise and two cases of neonatal death, resulting in a survival rate of 79 %. The median gestational age at delivery was 30 weeks. 3 neonates suffered from prematurity-related complications and 2 suffered from oligohydramnios-related orthopedic complications. Following selective termination the survival rate was 50 % (all fetuses that were not reduced), the median gestational age at delivery was 39 weeks, and the neonatal outcome was favorable. The maternal outcome was favorable in both groups. Conclusion Selective termination in twin pregnancies complicated by rupture of membranes at 13–20 weeks has a favorable outcome and should be offered.

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Postpartum Severe Acute Maternal Morbidity According to Gestational Age at Delivery in Twin Pregnancies: A Prospective Cohort Study

10.22541/au.163518939.95714207/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lola Loussert ◽

Catherine Deneux-Tharaux ◽

Aurélien Seco ◽

Francois Goffinet ◽

diane korb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Maternal Morbidity ◽

Population Based ◽

Severe Acute Maternal Morbidity ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Gestational Age At Delivery ◽

Twin Pregnancies

Objective: To assess the association between gestational age at delivery and postpartum severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM) in twin pregnancies. Design: Population-based, national, prospective, cohort study Setting: From 02/2014 to 03/2015 in France Population: Women with twin pregnancies who gave birth after 32 weeks of gestation. We excluded women with fetal death or medical termination of either twin, with antepartum SAMM, with antepartum conditions responsible for postpartum SAMM. Methods: Gestational age at delivery was studied as the number of completed weeks of gestation. We assessed the association between gestational age at delivery and postpartum SAMM by using multivariable multilevel modified Poisson regression modelling. Main Outcome Measures: Composite criteria of postpartum severe acute maternal morbidity Results: Among the 7,713 women included, 410 (5.3%) developed postpartum SAMM, mainly (88.5%) postpartum haemorrhage. Compared with the reference category of 37 weeks, the risk of postpartum SAMM was significantly lower for all categories of earlier gestational age at delivery (from aRR=0.34, 95% CI 0.17-0.68 at 32 weeks to aRR=0.71, 95% CI 0.54-0.94 at 36 weeks), and did not differ for later categories. Conclusion: In twin pregnancies, compared with delivery at 37 weeks, delivery at earlier gestational ages is associated with a lower risk of postpartum SAMM. Continuing pregnancy beyond 37 weeks is not associated with an increased risk of postpartum SAMM. Funding: Supported by a grant from the French Ministry of Health (Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique, AOM2012) and a grant from Université Toulouse III. Keywords: severe acute maternal morbidity, twin pregnancy, timing of delivery

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Blood Flow Changes in Dichorionic Twins With Growth Discordance

Twin Research and Human Genetics ◽

10.1017/thg.2012.51 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 781-787 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mariola Ropacka-Lesiak ◽

Grzegorz Bręborowicz ◽

Anna Dera

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Neonatal Outcome ◽

Fetal Outcome ◽

Premature Delivery ◽

Lower Birth Weight ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Gestational Age At Delivery ◽

Gestational Week ◽

The Difference

Aim: The study evaluated the applicability of Doppler ultrasonography in predicting the course of pregnancy and neonatal outcome in dichorionic pregnancy complicated by growth discordance. Methods: Doppler examination of the umbilical artery (UA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) was performed in 106 twins. Abnormal values of the UA pulsatility index (PI) were considered to be above the 95th percentile and below 5th percentile for the MCA PI for gestational week. The difference of UA PI ≥0.5 in twin pairs was considered abnormal. Doppler results were compared with selected parameters that characterize the course of pregnancy and fetal outcome. Results: Abnormal UA PI as well as the intertwine PI difference of 0.5 and more correlated significantly with lower gestational age at delivery, intertwine growth discordance of 35% or more, lower birth weight, and abnormal fetal outcome. The abnormal cerebro-umbilical (C/U) ratio correlated statistically with lower birth weight, abnormal fetal outcome, and an increased risk of premature delivery. There were no statistically significant differences in the majority of parameters that characterize the neonatal outcome between the groups with normal and abnormal MCA PI. Conclusion: The intertwine UA PI difference ≥0.5 had the highest predictive value in the assessment of adverse fetal outcome and risk for small for gestational age (SGA). Relatively poor sensitivity was noted with regard to the abnormal values of UA PI and C/U ratio. The worse correlation was found in case of MCA PI.

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Clinical Stratification of Pregnant COVID-19 Patients based on Severity: A Single Academic Center Experience

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1723761 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 (05) ◽

pp. 515-522

Author(s):

Marissa Berry ◽

Amanda Wang ◽

Shannon M. Clark ◽

Hassan M. Harirah ◽

Sangeeta Jain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Neonatal Outcomes ◽

P Value ◽

Asymptomatic Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Maternal And Neonatal Outcomes

Objective This study aimed to describe baseline characteristics of a cohort of pregnant women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and determine if these correlate with disease severity and perinatal outcomes. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort trial conducted at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Texas. All pregnant women presented to our medical center, who were screened and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus, were included. We stratified our study population in three groups: asymptomatic, symptomatic not requiring oxygen therapy, and patients requiring oxygen support to maintain oxygen saturation >94%. Relevant population characteristics, laboratory data, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were abstracted. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Between March and July 2020, 91 women tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 upon admission to our labor and delivery unit. Among these, 61.5% were asymptomatic, 34.1% were symptomatic, and 4.4% required oxygen support. Our population was mainly Hispanic (80.2%), multiparous (76.9%), obese (70.3%), and with a median age of 27 years. Median gestational age at symptom onset or diagnosis was 36 weeks. Significant differences were found between gestational age and disease severity. Maternal characteristics including age, body mass index (BMI), and presence of comorbid conditions did not appear to influence severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Significant laboratory findings associated with increasing disease severity included decreasing hemoglobin and white blood cell count, lymphopenia, and increasing levels of inflammatory markers including CRP, ferritin, and procalcitonin. Maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ among groups. No SARS-CoV-2 was detected by polymerase chain reaction testing in neonates of mothers with COVID-19. Conclusion Pregnant patients with COVID-19 infection are predominantly asymptomatic. Patients appear to be at increased risk for more severe infection requiring oxygen support later in pregnancy. Key Points

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Endocrine disrupting chemical-associated hair product use during pregnancy and gestational age at delivery: a pilot study

Environmental Health ◽

10.1186/s12940-021-00772-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emma V. Preston ◽

Victoria Fruh ◽

Marlee R. Quinn ◽

Michele R. Hacker ◽

Blair J. Wylie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

Black Women ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Endocrine Disrupting Chemical ◽

Product Use ◽

Frequent Use ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Endocrine Disrupting ◽

Gestational Age At Delivery

Abstract Background Prenatal endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure has been associated with increased risk of preterm birth. Non-Hispanic Black women have higher incidence of preterm birth compared to other racial/ethnic groups and may be disproportionately exposed to EDCs through EDC-containing hair products. However, research on the use of EDC-associated hair products during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth is lacking. Therefore, the objective of this pilot study was to estimate associations of prenatal hair product use with gestational age at delivery in a Boston, Massachusetts area pregnancy cohort. Methods The study population consisted of a subset of participants enrolled in the Environmental Reproductive and Glucose Outcomes (ERGO) Study between 2018 and 2020. We collected self-reported data on demographics and hair product use using a previously validated questionnaire at four prenatal visits (median: 12, 19, 26, 36 weeks’ gestation) and abstracted gestational age at delivery from medical records. We compared gestational age and hair product use by race/ethnicity and used linear regression to estimate covariate-adjusted associations of product use and frequency of use at each study visit with gestational age at delivery. Primary models were adjusted for maternal age at enrollment and delivery method. Results Of the 154 study participants, 7% delivered preterm. Non-Hispanic Black participants had lower mean gestational age at delivery compared to non-Hispanic White participants (38.2 vs. 39.2 weeks) and were more likely to report ever and more frequent use of hair products. In regression models, participants reporting daily use of hair oils at visit 4 had lower mean gestational age at delivery compared to non-users (β: -8.3 days; 95% confidence interval: -14.9, -1.6). We did not find evidence of associations at earlier visits or with other products. Conclusions Frequent use of hair oils during late pregnancy may be associated with shorter gestational duration. As hair oils are more commonly used by non-Hispanic Black women and represent potentially modifiable EDC exposure sources, this may have important implications for the known racial disparity in preterm birth.

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Intraoperative blood volume loss according to gestational age at delivery among pregnant women with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS): an 11-year experience in Songklanagarind Hospital

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology ◽

10.1080/01443615.2021.1910638 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Nuttaporn Maison ◽

Athithan Rattanaburi ◽

Ninlapa Pruksanusak ◽

Rakchai Buhachat ◽

Sathana Tocharoenvanich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Blood Volume ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Placenta Accreta ◽

Volume Loss ◽

Gestational Age At Delivery ◽

Placenta Accreta Spectrum

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Twin Pregnancies Complicated by a Single Malformed Fetus: Chorionicity, Outcome and Management

Twin Research and Human Genetics ◽

10.1375/twin.13.5.501 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 501-507 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ali Gedikbasi ◽

Alpaslan Akyol ◽

Gokhan Yildirim ◽

Ali Ekiz ◽

Ahmet Gul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gestational Age ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Expectant Management ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Preliminary Evaluation ◽

Gestational Age At Birth ◽

The Impact ◽

Twin Pregnancies ◽

Age At Birth

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of one abnormal fetus in a twin pregnancy, to compare impact of chorionicity and clinical outcome of intervention and expectant management. Thirty-seven dichorionic (DC) twins and 18 monochorionic (MC) twins complicated with one malformed fetus were evaluated for gestational age, birthweight and perinatal outcome. Six hundred and forty-two twin pregnancies were evaluated in the database. The control groups consisted of 429 DC and 86 MC twins without anomalous fetus. Mean birthweight and gestational age at birth for DC control group were (n= 429; 2137g and 34.71 weeks), DC study group,n= 37; 2117g (p= .338) and 33.97 weeks (p= .311), and DC study group with major malformations,n= 30; 2019g (p= .289) and 33.3 weeks (p= .01), and showed only significance for gestational age. There was no statistical significance between MC control group,n= 86; 2097g and 34.93 weeks, and MC study group,n= 18; 2237g (p= .338), and 34.42 weeks (p= .502). Because of limited data, the preliminary evaluation for expectant management and intervention, and survival of at least one normal fetus showed no impact. We conclude that, although, all DC twin pregnancies have a risk for preterm delivery, DC twins complicated with major malformation of one twin, have a lower mean gestational age at birth. Preliminary results for intervention does not improve fetal outcome for DC and MC twins and needs further evaluation with greater studies of impact or review.

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Perinatal Outcomes of Small for Gestational Age in Twin Pregnancies: Twin vs. Singleton Charts

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10040643 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 643

Author(s):

Veronica Giorgione ◽

Corey Briffa ◽

Carolina Di Fabrizio ◽

Rohan Bhate ◽

Asma Khalil

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Small For Gestational Age ◽

Perinatal Death ◽

Perinatal Outcomes ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Chi Square ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Twin Pregnancies

Twin pregnancies are commonly assessed using singleton growth and birth weight reference charts. This practice has led to a significant number of twins labelled as small for gestational age (SGA), causing unnecessary interventions and increased risk of iatrogenic preterm birth. However, the use of twin-specific charts remains controversial. This study aims to assess whether twin-specific estimated fetal weight (EFW) and birth weight (BW) charts are more predictive of adverse outcomes compared to singleton charts. Centiles of EFW and BW were calculated using previously published singleton and twin charts. Categorical data were compared using Chi-square or McNemar tests. The study included 1740 twin pregnancies, with the following perinatal adverse outcomes recorded: perinatal death, preterm birth <34 weeks, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and admissions to the neonatal unit (NNU). Twin-specific charts identified prenatally and postnatally a smaller proportion of infants as SGA compared to singleton charts. However, twin charts showed a higher percentage of adverse neonatal outcomes in SGA infants than singleton charts. For example, perinatal death (SGA 7.2% vs. appropriate for gestational age (AGA) 2%, p < 0.0001), preterm birth <34 weeks (SGA 42.1% vs. AGA 16.4%, p < 0.0001), HDP (SGA 21.2% vs. AGA 13.5%, p = 0.015) and NNU admissions (SGA 69% vs. AGA 24%, p < 0.0001), when compared to singleton charts (perinatal death: SGA 2% vs. AGA 1%, p = 0.029), preterm birth <34 weeks: (SGA 20.6% vs. AGA 17.4%, p = 0.020), NNU admission: (SGA 34.5% vs. AGA 23.9%, p < 0.000). There was no significant association between HDP and SGA using the singleton charts (p = 0.696). In SGA infants, according to the twin charts, the incidence of abnormal umbilical artery Doppler was significantly more common than in SGA using the singleton chart (27.0% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, singleton charts misclassify a large number of twins as at risk of fetal growth restriction. The evidence suggests that the following twin-specific charts could reduce unnecessary medical interventions prenatally and postnatally.

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