American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 2016
Comparative StudyThe role of antenatal corticosteroids in twin pregnancies complicated by preterm birth.
Data regarding the effects of antenatal corticosteroids in twin pregnancies are limited because of the insufficient number of women with twins enrolled in randomized controlled trials on antenatal corticosteroids. Furthermore, the interpretation of available data is limited by the fact that the interval from the administration of antenatal corticosteroids to delivery is greater than 7 days in a large proportion of twins, a factor that has been shown to affect the efficacy of antenatal corticosteroids and has not been controlled for in previous studies. ⋯ Administration of a complete course of antenatal corticosteroids 1-7 days before birth in twin pregnancies is associated with a clinically significant decrease in neonatal mortality, short-term respiratory morbidity, and severe neurological injury that is similar in magnitude to that observed among singletons.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 2016
Acidemia in neonates with a 5-minute Apgar score of 7 or greater - What are the outcomes?
The Apgar score is universally used for fetal assessment at the time of birth, whereas, the collection of fetal cord blood gases is performed commonly in high-risk situations or in the setting of Apgar scores of <7, which is a less standardized approach. It has been well-established that neonatal acidemia at the time of delivery can result in significant neonatal morbidity and death. Because of this association, knowledge of the fetal acid-base status and detection of acidemia at the time of delivery can serve as a sensitive and useful component in the assessment of a neonate's risk. Umbilical cord blood gas analysis is an accurate and validated tool for the assessment of neonatal acidemia at the time of delivery. Because the collection of fetal cord blood gases is not a standardized practice, it is possible that, with such a varied approach, some cases of neonatal acidemia are not detected, particularly in the setting of reassuring Apgar scores. ⋯ Because neonates with reassuring Apgar scores have a residual risk of neonatal acidemia that is associated with higher rates of adverse outcomes, the potential utility of obtaining universal cord blood gases should be further investigated.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 2016
ReviewAntenatal corticosteroids beyond 34 weeks gestation: What do we do now?
The practice of antenatal corticosteroid administration in pregnancies of 24-34 weeks of gestation that are at risk of preterm delivery was adopted over 20 years after the first randomized clinical trial in humans. It is biologically plausible that antenatal corticosteroid in pregnancies beyond 34 weeks of gestation would reduce rates of respiratory morbidity and neonatal intensive care admission. Mostly guided by the results of a large multicenter randomized trial of antenatal corticosteroid in late preterm infants, the Antenatal Late Preterm Steroids Trial, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has released a practice advisory that the "administration of betamethasone may be considered in women with a singleton pregnancy between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation at imminent risk of preterm birth within 7 days." However, many unanswered questions about the risks and benefits of antenatal corticosteroids in this population remain and should be considered with the adoption of this treatment recommendation. ⋯ Some of these consequences may include treatment with multiple steroid courses or "treatment creep" in women at 34 to <37 weeks of gestation who do not meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the Antenatal Late Preterm Steroids Trial, particularly when a high percentage of women do not receive antenatal corticosteroid within 7 days of delivery. Finally, we believe that caution should be exercised before wide-scale universal adoption of antenatal corticosteroid for pregnancies that are at risk of preterm birth at 34 to <37 weeks of gestation, when it is unclear whether there are long-term effects. For a more balanced rationale for the decision to use antenatal corticosteroid treatment in pregnancies at >34 weeks of gestation, we urge for ongoing research into the risks and benefits of antenatal corticosteroid use in preterm infants overall, for better prediction of preterm birth so that antenatal corticosteroid can be administered within the ideal time frame, and for long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up of the participants in the large randomized Antenatal Late Preterm Steroids Trial.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 2016
Trends in hospitalizations of pregnant HIV-infected women in the United States: 2004 through 2011.
With the development and widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy, HIV-infected women live longer, healthier lives. Previous research has shown that, since the adoption of combination antiretroviral therapy in the United States, rates of morbidity and adverse obstetric outcomes remained higher for HIV-infected pregnant women compared with HIV-uninfected pregnant women. Monitoring trends in the outcomes these women experience is essential, as recommendations for this special population continue to evolve with the progress of HIV treatment and prevention options. ⋯ The numbers of hospitalizations during pregnancy and delivery have not increased for HIV-infected women since 2004, a departure from previously estimated trends. Pregnancy hospitalizations of HIV-infected women remain more medically complex than those of HIV-uninfected women. An increasing trend in infections among the delivery hospitalizations of HIV-infected pregnant women warrant further attention.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 2016
Quantitative fetal fibronectin and cervical length to predict preterm birth in asymptomatic women with previous cervical surgery.
Quantitative fetal fibronectin testing has demonstrated accuracy for prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic women with a history of preterm birth. Predictive accuracy in women with previous cervical surgery (a potentially different risk mechanism) is not known. ⋯ Prediction of spontaneous preterm birth using cervicovaginal fluid quantitative fetal fibronectin in asymptomatic women with cervical surgery is valid, and has comparative accuracy to that in women with a history of spontaneous preterm birth.