Metformin Exposure and Risk of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Metformin has been found to have a role in promoting vascular remodeling and angiogenesis which may reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia. Prior studies have shown a decrease in the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in patients with type 2 and gestational diabetes taking metformin. We hypothesize metformin exposure decreases the risk of developing hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study from 2009 to 2019 of singleton pregnancies was complicated by type 2 diabetes. We compared patients who received metformin throughout pregnancy to those with no metformin exposure. The primary outcome was a hypertension composite defined as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia with or without severe features, HELLP syndrome, or eclampsia. Individual hypertensive outcomes and neonatal outcomes were secondarily evaluated. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding variables. RESULTS: A total of 254 pregnancies were included. Women exposed to metformin were significantly less likely to develop hypertension composite compared with nonexposed women (22.7 vs. 33.1%, aOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.96). The incidence of preeclampsia with severe features was also significantly lower in those who received metformin compared with those who did not (12.1 vs. 20.7%, aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.18-0.81). There were no differences in preterm birth prior to 34 or 37 weeks, fetal growth restriction, or birth weight between the study groups. A subgroup analysis of women without chronic hypertension also had a significantly lower risk of developing preeclampsia with severe features (7.6 vs. 17.8%, aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13-0.94). CONCLUSION: Metformin exposure was associated with a decreased risk of composite hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in patients with pregestational type 2 diabetes. These data suggest that there may be benefit to metformin administration beyond glycemic control in this patient population. KEY POINTS: · Metformin use showed a decreased risk of a hypertension composite.. · Results were consistent in patients without chronic hypertension.. · Metformin may show benefit beyond glycemic control in women with type 2 diabetes..

Structured Training for Fetal Diagnostic Skills in a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship.

Objective The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine has described what constitutes a detailed fetal anatomic examination but what comprises an appropriate physician training program has not been described. The purpose of this paper is to describe a highly-structured program developed by our center to train maternal-fetal medicine fellows in a systematic approach to fetal diagnostic imaging. Study Design We describe this approach in three phases. Phase I: Development of Skills as a Perinatal Sonographer, Phase II: Mentored Evolution to a Perinatal Sonologist and Phase III: Supervised Independent Practice as Consultant-in-training. Results This curriculum was implemented in 2006. Of the eight maternal-fetal medicine fellows who completed this program, 100% were capable of following this curriculum and 100% felt comfortable performing and interpreting detailed sonograms including sonograms with significant and uncommon anomalies. Qualitative feedback was also positive. Finally, this structured approach resulted in an increase in the average total number of sonograms interpreted. Conclusion Our curriculum, by following the explicit guidelines and expectations set out by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology for practicing maternal-fetal medicine fellowship graduates, provides an opportunity to explore national standardization for this component of training.

Epidemiologic factors and urogenital infections associated with preterm birth in a midwestern U.S. population.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate epidemiologic factors with urogenital infections associated with preterm birth. METHODS: Pregnant women were sequentially included from four Wisconsin cohorts: large urban, midsize urban, small city, and rural city. Demographic, clinical, and current pregnancy data were collected. Cervical and urine specimens were analyzed by microscopy, culture, and polymerase chain reaction for potential pathogens. RESULTS: Six hundred seventy-six women were evaluated. Fifty-four (8.0%) had preterm birth: 12.1% (19/157) large urban, 8.8% (15/170) midsize urban, 9.4% (16/171) small city, and 2.3% (4/178) rural city. Associated host factors and infections varied significantly among sites. Urogenital infection rates, especially Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma parvum, were highest at the large urban site. Large urban site, minority ethnicity, multiple infections, and certain historical factors were associated with preterm birth by univariable analysis. By multivariable analysis, preterm birth was associated with prior preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-6.02) and urinary tract infection (aOR 2.62, 95% CI 1.32-519), and negatively associated with provider-assessed good health (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23-0.76) and group B streptococcal infection treatment (surrogate for health care use) (aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.15-.99). Risk and protective factors were similar for women with birth at less than 35 weeks, and additionally associated with M hominis (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4-9.7). CONCLUSION: These measured differences among sites are consistent with observations that link epidemiologic factors, both environmental and genetic, with minimally pathogenic vaginal bacteria, inducing preterm birth, especially at less than 35 weeks of gestation.

Technical challenges of a term delivery in a separated ischiopagus twin.

BACKGROUND: Conjoined twins occur in one in 100,000 live births. Successful term pregnancy in a separated conjoined twin is rare. CASE: We present a 27-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 0, former ischiopagus conjoined twin with successful separation at 12 days of life. We report a successful term gestation delivered by cesarean without complications. CONCLUSION: Term pregnancy is possible in a previous conjoined twin patient having undergone surgical separation. We recommend a multidisciplinary approach with close evaluation of maternal anatomy to achieve a successful pregnancy outcome while minimizing the risk of complications.