Hypercoiling of the umbilical cord in uncomplicated singleton pregnancies

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 593-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwan Ma’ayeh ◽  
Evan McClennen ◽  
Dmitri Chamchad ◽  
Michael Geary ◽  
Norman Brest ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The umbilical coiling index (UCI) is a measure of the number of coils in the umbilical cord in relation to its length. Hypercoiled cords with a UCI of >0.3 coils/cm have been associated with adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes. Aims: The primary aim is to determine the accuracy of UCI measured on second trimester ultrasound in predicting UCI at birth. The secondary outcome is to investigate the association between hypercoiling of the umbilical cord on prenatal ultrasound and adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. Seventy two patients were included in the study. UCI was measured in the second trimester ultrasound, and compared to UCI measured postnatally. Outcomes of patients with hypercoiled cords on ultrasound were compared to outcomes of patients with normocoiled cords. Results: Our results failed to show a strong correlation between the UCI determined with ultrasound, and the UCI determined with examination of the umbilical cord after delivery. We also did not demonstrate that measurement of the UCI on second trimester ultrasound is able to predict adverse maternal, fetal or neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: This study suggests that measurement of the umbilical coiling index should not be part of routine second trimester sonography in patients with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies, with no other medical or surgical comorbidities.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2152
Author(s):  
Hadar Rosen ◽  
Yossi Bart ◽  
Rita Zlatkin ◽  
Liat Ben-Sira ◽  
Dafna Ben Bashat ◽  
...  

A novel coronavirus termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of coronavirus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease, which emerged as a global pandemic. Data regarding the implications of COVID-19 disease at early gestation on fetal and obstetric outcomes is scarce. Thus, our aim was to investigate the effect of first and second trimester maternal COVID-19 disease on fetal and perinatal outcomes. This was a prospective cohort study of pregnant women with a laboratory-proven SARS-COV-2 infection contracted prior to 26 weeks gestation. Women were followed at a single tertiary medical center by serial sonographic examinations every 4–6 weeks to assess fetal well-being, growth, placental function, anatomic evaluation and signs of fetal infection. Amniocentesis was offered to assess amniotic fluid SARS-COV-2-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was offered at 30–32 weeks gestation. Demographic, obstetric and neonatal data were collected from history intake, medical charts or by telephone survey. Perinatal outcomes were compared between women infected at first vs. second trimester. 55 women with documented COVID-19 disease at early gestation were included and followed at our center. The mean maternal age was 29.6 ± 6.2 years and the mean gestational age at viral infection was 14.2 ± 6.7 weeks with 28 (51%) women infected at the first trimester and 27 (49%) at the second trimester. All patients but one experienced asymptomatic to mild symptoms. Of 22 patients who underwent amniocentesis, none had evidence of vertical transmission. None of the fetuses exhibited signs of central nervous system (CNS) disease, growth restriction and placental dysfunction on serial ultrasound examinations and fetal MRI. Pregnancies resulted in perinatal survival of 100% to date with mean gestational age at delivery of 38.6 ± 3.0 weeks and preterm birth <37 weeks rate of 3.4%. The mean birthweight was 3260 ± 411 g with no cases of small for gestational age infants. The obstetric and neonatal outcomes were similar among first vs. second trimester infection groups. We conclude SARS-CoV-2 infection at early gestation was not associated with vertical transmission and resulted in favorable obstetric and neonatal outcomes.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e040817
Author(s):  
Patrick O'Byrne ◽  
Amanda Vandyk ◽  
Lauren Orser ◽  
Marlene Haines

ObjectiveTo report the results of a nurse-led pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery service.DesignThis was a prospective cohort study conducted from 5 August 2018 to 4 March 2020. It involved manual chart review to collect data. Variables were described using frequencies and percentages and analysed using χ2 testing. Those significant in bivariate analysis were retained and entered into a binary multiple logistic regression. Hierarchical modelling was used, and only significant factors were retained.SettingThis study occurred in an urban public health unit and community-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Ottawa, Canada.ParticipantsOf all persons who were diagnosed with a bacterial STI in Ottawa and everyone who presented to our STI clinic during the study period, there were 347 patients who met our high-risk criteria for PrEP; these criteria included patients who newly presented with any of the following: HIV contacts, diagnosed with a bacterial STI or single use of HIV PEP. Further, eligibility could be determined based on clinical judgement. Patients who met the foregoing criteria were appropriate for PrEP-RN, while lower-risk patients were referred to elsewhere. Of the 347 patients who met our high-risk criteria, 47% accepted and 53% declined. Of those who accepted, 80% selected PrEP-registered nurse (RN).Primary and secondary outcome measuresUptake, acceptance, engagement and attrition factors of participants who obtained PrEP through PrEP-RN.Findings69% of participants who were eligible attended their intake PrEP-RN visit. 66% were retained in care. Half of participants continued PrEP and half were lost to follow-up. We found no significant differences in the uptake, acceptance, engagement and attrition factors of participants who accessed PrEP-RN regarding reason for referral, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, annual income, education attainted, insurance status, if they have a primary care provider, presence or absence of depression or anxiety and evidence of newly acquired STI during the study period.ConclusionsNurse-led PrEP is an appropriate strategy for PrEP delivery.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e023386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carly Welch ◽  
Thomas A Jackson

ObjectiveTo assess if ongoing delirium research activity within an acute admissions unit impacts on prevalent delirium recognition.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingSingle-site tertiary university teaching hospital.Participants125 patients with delirium, as diagnosed by an expert using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition reference criteria, were recruited to a prospective cohort study investigating use of informant tools to detect unrecognised dementia. This study evaluated recognition of delirium and documentation of delirium by medical staff.InterventionsThe main study followed an observational design; the intervention discussed was the implementation of this study itself.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was recognition of delirium by the admitting medical team prior to study diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included recording of or description of delirium in discharge summaries, and factors which may be associated with unrecognised delirium.ResultsDelirium recognition improved between the first half (48%) and second half (71%) of recruitment (p=0.01). There was no difference in recording of delirium or description of delirium in the text of discharge summaries.ConclusionDelirium research activity can improve recognition of delirium. This has the potential to improve patient outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelia Elenis ◽  
Anna-Karin Wikström ◽  
Marija Simic

Abstract Background: Preterm birth (occurring before 37 completed weeks of gestation) affects 15 million infants annually, 7.5% of which die due to related complications. The detection and early diagnosis are therefore paramount in order to prevent the development of prematurity and its consequences. So far, focus has been laid on the association between reduced intrauterine fetal growth during late gestation and prematurity. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between accelerated fetal growth in early pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 69 617 singleton pregnancies without congenital malformations and with available biometric measurements during the first and second trimester. Estimation of fetal growth was based on measurements of biparietal diameter (BPD) at first and second trimester scan. We investigated the association between accelerated fetal growth and preterm birth prior to 37 weeks of gestation. The outcome was further stratified into very preterm birth (before 32 weeks of gestation) or moderate preterm birth (between 32 and 37 weeks of gestation) and medically induced or spontaneous preterm birth and was further explored. Results: The odds of prematurity were increased among fetuses with accelerated BPD growth (> 90th centile) estimated between first and second ultrasound scan, even after adjustment for possible confounders (aOR 1.36; 95% CI 1.20-1.54). The findings remained significant what regards moderate preterm births but not earlier births. Regarding medically induced preterm birth, the odds were found to be elevated in the group of fetuses with accelerated growth in early pregnancy (aOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.11-1.63). On the contrary, fetuses with delayed fetal growth exhibited lower risk for both overall and spontaneous preterm birth.Conclusions: Fetuses with accelerated BPD growth in early pregnancy, detected by ultrasound examination during the second trimester, exhibited increased risk of being born preterm. The findings of the current study suggest that fetal growth in early pregnancy should be taken into account when assessing the likelihood for preterm birth.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reihaneh Pirjani ◽  
Motahareh Afrakhteh ◽  
Mahdi Sepidarkish ◽  
Shahin Nariman ◽  
Mahboobeh Shirazi ◽  
...  

Thyroid ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1792-1801
Author(s):  
Nathalie Silva de Morais ◽  
Débora Ayres Saraiva ◽  
Carolina Corcino ◽  
Tatiana Berbara ◽  
Annie Schtscherbyna ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e038681
Author(s):  
Imran Ahmed ◽  
Mike Bowes ◽  
Charles E Hutchinson ◽  
Nicholas Parsons ◽  
Sophie Staniszewska ◽  
...  

IntroductionThis study is designed to explore the baseline characteristics of patients under 55 years of age with a meniscal tear, and to describe the relationship between the baseline characteristics and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) over 12 months. Research has highlighted the need for a trial to investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic meniscectomy in younger patients. Before this trial, we need to understand the patient population in greater detail.Methods and analysisThis is a multicentre prospective cohort study. Participants aged between 18 and 55 years with an MRI confirmed meniscal tear are eligible for inclusion. Baseline characteristics including age, body mass index, gender, PROMs duration of symptoms and MRI will be collected. The primary outcome measure is the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool at 12 months. Secondary outcome measures will include PROMs such as EQ5D, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and patient global impression of change score at 3, 6 and 12 months.Ethics and disseminationThe study obtained approval from the National Research Ethics Committee West Midlands—Black Country research ethics committee (19/WM/0079) on 12 April 2019. The study is sponsored by the University of Warwick. The results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication.Trial registration numberUHCW R&D Reference: IA428119. University of Warwick Sponsor ID: SC.08/18–19


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e026863
Author(s):  
Bui Ngoc Lan ◽  
Anders Castor ◽  
Thomas Wiebe ◽  
Jacek Toporski ◽  
Christian Moëll ◽  
...  

ObjectivesGlobal incidence and attention to childhood cancer is increasing and treatment abandonment is a major cause of treatment failure in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of factors contributing to non-adherence to treatment.DesignA prospective cohort study with 2 year follow-up of incidence, family-reported motives and risk factors.SettingThe largest tertiary paediatric oncology centre in Northern Vietnam.ParticipantsAll children offered curative cancer treatment, from January 2008 to December 2009.Primary and secondary outcome measuresFamily decision to start treatment was analysed with multivariable logistic regression, and family decision to continue treatment was analysed with a multivariable Cox model. This assessment of non-adherence is thereby methodologically consistent with the accepted definitions and recommended practices for evaluation of treatment abandonment.ResultsAmong 731 consecutively admitted patients, 677 were eligible for treatment and were followed for a maximum 2 years. Almost half the parents chose to decline curative care (45.5%), either before (35.2%) or during (10.3%) the course of treatment. Most parents reported perceived poor prognosis as the main reason for non-adherence, followed by financial constraints and traditional medicine preference. The odds of starting treatment increased throughout the study-period (OR 1.04 per month (1.01 to 1.07), p=0.002), and were independently associated with prognosis (OR 0.51 (0.41 to 0.64), p=<0.0001) and travel distance to hospital (OR 0.998 per km (0.996 to 0.999), p=0.004). The results also suggest that adherence to initiated treatment was significantly higher among boys than girls (HR 1.69 (1.05 to 2.73), p=0.03).ConclusionsNon-adherence influenced the prognosis of childhood cancer, and was associated with cultural and local perceptions of cancer and the economic power of the affected families. Prevention of abandonment is a prerequisite for successful cancer care, and a crucial early step in quality improvements to care for all children with cancer.


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