Impact of extending criteria for home care management in Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes.

BACKGROUND: Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) is a frequent obstetrical condition with risks of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Home hospitalization (HH) management is an alternative to conventional hospitalization (CH) which remains controversial, and there has been little study of eligibility criteria. OBJECTIVE: To study obstetrical and perinatal outcomes of PPROM between 24 and 34 gestational weeks in patients discharged to homecare after 4 days, based on a policy of expanded discharge criteria. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective before-and-after study over 10 years in a single French level III perinatal center. In period A (2009-2013), discharge criteria were restrictive and in period B (2015-2019), more extended discharge criteria were adopted. The primary outcome was the incidence of confirmed early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS). RESULTS: The proportion of patients discharged to home hospitalization increased from 28/170 (16.5) in period A to 39/114 (34.2) in period B (p < 0.01). Regarding the primary outcome, no statistically significant difference in EOS rates was observed between periods (11/153 (7.1) vs 5/110 (4.5), p = 0.37). The incidence of a composite outcome combining severe perinatal complications (intrauterine fetal demise, placental abruption and cord prolapse) did not significantly increase during period B (7/170 (4.1) vs 4/114 (2.7), p = 0.37). There was no significant difference between the periods for chorioamniotitis (9.41% in period A and 11.4% in period B, p = 0.58). CONCLUSION: Severe maternal or neonatal complications rates did not increase when criteria for home hospitalization were expanded. Larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm the results of such a strategy.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy associated with azathioprine: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is characterised by otherwise unexplained maternal pruritus, increased serum bile acid concentration over 10 µmol/L and spontaneous relief of symptoms and liver abnormalities after delivery. It occurs most frequently during the third trimester and is usually not induced by medication. Besides, azathioprine is recommended as first-line immunosuppressant in patients with steroid-dependent inflammatory bowel disease and is allowed during pregnancy, in order to stabilize maternal disease. METHODS: We reviewed all cases of ICP between 2010 and 2018 in two French perinatal centers. RESULTS: We encountered eight pregnancies complicated by atypical ICP among patients treated with azathioprine. ICP associated with azathioprine appears to be biologically more severe and to occur earlier than "standard" ICP. Furthermore, clinical and biochemical abnormalities related to ICP disappear when azathioprine is discontinued. Azathioprine safety should be reconsidered and practitioners advised to discuss discontinuing this drug as soon as ICP diagnosis is established.

Evolution of third-trimester pregnancy terminations in France.

OBJECTIVE: To study changes in the reasons for third-trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP) for fetal anomalies over a 20-year period in France. STUDY DESIGN: We compared a consecutive series of third-trimester TOPs from a single centre in 2005-2014 to those performed by Dommergues et al. in a similar centre in 1986-1994, using the same criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The process leading to late TOP, using the same categories in both studies. RESULTS: In the present series, 205 of 1409 TOPs were performed in the third trimester, vs. 305/956 in the historical series. There were 33 (16.1 %) diagnoses missed at the screening before the third trimester, 55 (26.8 %) cases in which the anomaly was impossible to diagnose until the third trimester, 86 (42 %) cases in which fetal prognosis could not be established until the third trimester despite earlier diagnosis, 31 (15.1 %) TOPs postponed to allow more time for the women/couples to contemplate, versus respectively 113 (37 %), 55 (18 %), 122 (40 %), and 15 (5%) in the historical series. CONCLUSION: There was a significant drop in the rate of anomalies missed earlier. The increase in late TOP due to couples requiring additional time for contemplation might result from changes in counselling processes.

Delayed-interval delivery of twins in 13 pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Delayed interval delivery is a rare practice aiming at prolonging gestation for the second twin in case of pre-viable birth of twin one. Our objective was to identify factors related to successful delayed delivery of the second twin, among cases in which the interval after delivery of the first twin was above 24h. METHOD: A descriptive, retrospective and multicenter study of all delayed interval deliveries in dichorionic twins in 4 perinatal centers in Paris over a 14-year period. RESULTS: In 13 cases of delayed interval delivery, delivery of twin 1 was at a median of 18 weeks' gestation (range 14WG+2days to 24WG), and none survived. Delivery of the second twin occurred at a median of 25 weeks' gestation +3 days, 51 days after twin 1 (range 13-138 days). Seven of the 13s twins (54 %) survived. There were 5 cases of chorioamnionitis and 1 case of maternal disseminated intravascular coagulation. Poor outcome was not significantly associated with the gestational age, presentation for PPROM or inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and white blood cell count) at the time of delivery of twin 1. CONCLUSION: Delayed-interval delivery of the second twin may prolong pregnancy and lead the second twin child to a viable term of birth; but carries a risk of maternal complications.

Outpatient versus inpatient care for preterm premature rupture of membranes before 34 weeks of gestation.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is associated with an increased risk of serious maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidities. We compared neonatal outcomes of women with PPROM before 34+0 weeks of gestation according to inpatient or outpatient management policy. 587 women with PPROM >48 hours, 246 (41.9%) in the group with an inpatient care policy (ICP) and 341 (58.1%) in the group with an outpatient care policy (OCP), were identified in France, from 2009 to 2012. Neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups using logistic regression. A second analysis was performed to compare inpatient care and effective outpatient care (discharge from hospital) through propensity score matching. The outcome was a neonatal composite variable including one or more of the neonatal morbidity complications. The perinatal composite outcome was 14.6% with the ICP and 15.5% with the OCP (p = 0.76). After using the 1:1 ratio propensity score matching, effective outpatient care was not associated with a significantly higher risk of the perinatal composite outcome (OR 0.88, CI 0.35 to 2.25; p = 0.80) compared with inpatient care. Outpatient care is not associated with an increased rate of obstetric or neonatal complications and can be an alternative to hospital care for women with uncomplicated PPROM.

Prenatal sonographic description of fetuses affected by pyruvate dehydrogenase or pyruvate carboxylase deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency (PDHD) and pyruvate carboxylase deficiency (PCD) are diseases with severe neonatal forms, and their low prevalence makes them difficult to diagnose during pregnancy. Our objective was to describe prenatal ultrasound features that may be suggestive of these diagnoses. METHODS: We analyzed 3 cases from our institution and reviewed 12 published cases of PDHD and 6 cases of PCD, recording all of the ultrasound signs, as well as magnetic resonance findings when available. Because of the small number of cases of PCD, we also included postnatal signs that could have been observed during imaging during pregnancy, for a total of 11 cases of PCD. RESULTS: We conclude that PDHD can be suggested in the presence of ventriculomegaly or paraventricular cysts, associated with an abnormality of the cerebral parenchyma such as abnormal gyration or involvement of the corpus callosum. Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency can be suggested in the presence of ventriculomegaly, frontal horn impairment associated with subependymal, and paraventricular cysts. CONCLUSION: When confronted to the ultrasound abnormalities we described, and after eliminating the most frequent etiologies, a metabolic deficiency should be considered. Furthermore, the hereditary character of these diseases makes that it is important to send the family with genetic advice in particular in case of history of a fetal death in utero or a death neonatal unexplained.

Placental transfer of elvitegravir and cobicistat in an ex-vivo human cotyledon double perfusion model.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the transplacental pharmacokinetics of the HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitor elvitegravir and of cobicistat, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor used as a pharmacoenhancer in antiretroviral therapy. DESIGN AND METHODS: Maternal-to-fetal transfer across the term human placenta was investigated with the ex-vivo dually perfused cotyledon model, in seven open-circuit experiments and 10 closed-circuit (recirculating) experiments. Elvitegravir and cobicistat were added to a maternal perfusate containing 2 g/l of human serum albumin and antipyrine, as a marker to validate the cotyledon's viability. Elvitegravir and cobicistat concentrations were measured using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: For elvitegravir, in open-circuit experiments the mean (±SD) fetal transfer rate (FTR) (fetal/maternal concentration at steady state from 30 to 90 min) was 19 ±â€Š13% and the mean clearance index was 0.46 ±â€Š0.21; in the closed-circuit model, after 3 h of perfusion the FTR was 20 ±â€Š10% and the mean accumulation index was 12.28 ±â€Š5.57. For cobicistat, in the open perfusions the FTR was 23 ±â€Š13% and the mean clearance index was 0.63 ±â€Š0.34; in the closed perfusions after 3 h the fetal-to-maternal ratio of cobicistat was 21 ±â€Š11%. The mean accumulation index was 3.46 ±â€Š2.19 CONCLUSION:: The two models concurred to show moderate placental transfer of elvitegravir and cobicistat across the placenta as well as elvitegravir accumulation in the placenta tissue. Whether this may lead to toxicities and modifications in fetal or placental metabolism requires clinical studies.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes: is home care acceptable?

BACKGROUND: Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes is a frequent obstetric condition associated with increased risks of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Conventional management is in hospital. Outpatient management is an alternative in selected cases; however, the safety of home management has not been established. OBJECTIVE: To study the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of women with preterm premature rupture of membranes between 24 and 34 weeks who were managed as outpatient (outpatient care group), compared with those managed in hospital (hospital care group). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2013 in three French tertiary care centers. RESULTS: Ninety women were included in the outpatient care group and 324 in the hospital care group. In the outpatient care group, the gestational age at membrane rupture was lower, compared to the hospital care group (28.8 (26.6-30.5) vs. 30.3 (27.6-32.1) weeks; p < .01) and the cervical length at admission was higher (31.7 ± 10.4 vs. 24.3 ± 11.8 mm; p < .01). In the outpatient care group, no delivery or major obstetric complication occurred at home. CONCLUSION: We observed no major complication related to home care after a period of observation. A randomized study would be necessary to confirm its safety.

Umbilical vein thrombosis: to deliver or not to deliver at the time of diagnosis?

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: Umbilical vein thrombosis is a rare anomaly with high mortality that frequently occurs in association with fetomaternal conditions. The unfavorable outcome of our case highlights the need for consensus on severity criteria, including the percentage of vascular occlusion determined by power Doppler, in order to improve outcome.

Outcome of pregnancy following second- or third-trimester intrauterine fetal death.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcomes of a pregnancy after a second- or third-trimester intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted at Trousseau Hospital (Paris, France) between 1996 and 2011. The first ongoing pregnancy in women who had had a previous IUFD was monitored. Management of their treatment was according to a standardized protocol. Recurrence of fetal death was the main outcome criterion. RESULTS: The subsequent pregnancies of 87 women who had experienced at least one previous IUFD were followed up. The cause of previous IUFD was placental in 50 (57%) women, unknown in 19 (22%), adnexal in 12 (14%), metabolic in 2 (2%), and malformative in 4 (5%). Three (3%) participants had another stillbirth. Overall, obstetric complications occurred in 34 (39%) pregnancies (including 22 [25%] preterm births, 5 [6%] small for gestational age, and 6 [7%] maternal vascular complications). Obstetric complications were significantly more common among women whose previous stillbirth had been due to placental causes than among those affected by other causes (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Most pregnancies after IUFD resulted in a live birth; however, adverse obstetric outcomes were more common when the previous stillbirth was due to placental causes.

Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies following gastric bypass surgery: a retrospective cohort study in a French referral centre.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to analyze obstetrical and neonatal outcomes following Roux en Y Gastric Bypass procedures (RYGBP). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a single French tertiary perinatal care and bariatric center. The study involved 24 pregnancies, following RYGBP (exposed group) and two different control groups (non-exposed groups). A body mass index (BMI)-matched control group included 120 pregnancies matched for age, parity, and pregnancy BMI. A normal BMI control group included 120 pregnancies with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), matched for age and parity. Hospital data were reviewed from all groups in the same 6-year period. Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes after RYGB were compared, separately, to the two different-matched control groups. RESULTS: The median interval from RYGBP to conception was 26.6 (range: 3-74) months. Rates of perinatal complications did not differ significantly between the RYGBP group and normal BMI and BMI-matched controls groups. The rate of Cesarean section before labor was higher in the RYGBP patients than in the normal BMI control group (25% vs. 9.3% respectively, p = 0.04). Weight gain was lower in the RYGBP patients than normal BMI control group (5.8 kg vs. 13.2 kg respectively, p < 0.0001). Birthweight was also lower in the RYGBP group than those in normal BMI and BMI-matched controls groups (2,948.2 g vs. 3,368.2 g and 3,441.8 g, respectively, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: RYGBP surgery was associated with reduced birthweight, suggesting a possible role of nutritional growth restriction in pregnancy.