Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective cohort study of 2368 patients.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) comprise a group of hypertension-related diseases and represent the most common medical disorders in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with different types of HDP, including gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia (PE, early or late onset), PE superimposed on chronic hypertension (superimposed PE), eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome. Data from a multicenter retrospective patient cohort in China were analyzed. Seventeen adverse maternal or perinatal outcomes were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of adverse outcomes for each HDP subgroups, using the gestational hypertension group as the reference. The final analysis included 2368 patients with HDP. Of these, 39.9% of patients reported at least one adverse pregnancy outcome. Patients with early onset PE had the highest risk for having both adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes (OR = 7.28, 95% CI: 2.68, 19.79). The risk of perinatal death significantly increased in HELLP syndrome, superimposed PE, and early onset PE, (OR = 13.81, 6.32, and 4.84, respectively, p < 0.05) groups. This study highlights that among patients with HDP, those with early onset PE had the highest risk for having both adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, and patients with HELLP syndrome had the highest risk for perinatal death.

Preterm birth, low birthweight, and small for gestational age among women with preeclampsia: Does maternal age matter?

OBJECTIVES: To better understand the effects of maternal age on birth outcomes among preeclampsia (PE) patients, we examined the rates of preterm birth, low birthweight, and small for gestational age (SGA) among different age groups and explored whether maternal age was associated with those adverse outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This is a multicenter retrospective study. Data from 1128 PE patients, including 580 with early onset PE and 548 with late onset PE, were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal age was categorized into three groups: <25, 25-34, and ≥35 years. The outcome variables were preterm birth (<37 weeks; subgroups: <28 weeks, 28-33 weeks, and 34-36 weeks), low birthweight (<2500 g; subgroups: <1500 g and <1000 g), and SGA. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between maternal age groups and outcomes. RESULTS: In early onset PE, compared with maternal age 25-34 years, maternal age ≥35 years was associated with elevated risk for preterm delivery before 28 weeks, and maternal age <25 years was associated with elevated risk for low birthweight and SGA. When the analysis was restricted to women who underwent cesarean section, elevated risks for preterm birth and/or low birthweight were observed for women younger than 25 years in both early and late onset PE. CONCLUSIONS: Among women with PE, maternal age <25 years could add risk to preterm birth and/or low birthweight. For women with early onset PE, maternal age ≥35 years is a risk factor for preterm delivery before 28 weeks.

[Effect of the anterior aspect of sacral nerve root tunnel on iliosacral screw placement on the standard lateral image of sacrum].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the location and course of S1, S2 sacral nerve root tunnel and to clarify the significance of the anterior aspect of sacral nerve root tunnel on placement of iliosacral screw on the standard lateral sacral view. METHODS: Firstly the data of 2.0 mm slice pelvic axial CT images were imported into Mimics 10.0, and the sacrum, innominate bones, and sacral nerve root tunnels were reconstructed into 3D views respectively, which were rotated to the standard lateral sacral views, pelvic outlet and inlet views. Then the location and course of the S1, S2 sacral nerve root tunnel on each view were observed. RESULTS: The sacral nerve root tunnel started from the cranial end and anterior aspect of the vertebral canal of the same segment and ended up to the anterior sacral foramen with a direction from cranial-posterior-medial to caudal-anterior-lateral. The tunnel had a lower density than the iliac cortex and greater sciatic notch on the pelvic X-rays,especially on the standard sacral lateral view, on which it showed up as a disrupted are line and required more careful recognition. CONCLUSION: It can prevent the iliosacral screw from penetrating the sacral nerve root tunnel and vertebral canal when recognizing the anterior aspect of sacral nerve root tunnel and choosing it as the caudal-posterior boundary of the "safe zone" on the standard lateral sacral view.