Assessment of an AI-based tool for population-wide collection of placental morphological data.

OBJECTIVES: Automated placental assessment could allow accurate and timely morphological/pathological measurements at scale. We undertook a pilot study using an artificial intelligence-based assessment system (AI-PLAX) to ascertain the potential of a state-wide rollout as part of Generation Victoria, assessing the impact of time post-delivery, user, and technology used for image capture, on a range of derived placental data. STUDY DESIGN: Ten placentas were imaged by three different users and imaging technologies (iPad, iPhone, Samsung) at (0 h), 24 h, and 48 h post-delivery. Using AI-PLAX, disc size (short and long length, perimeter, area), shape (normal, abnormal), cord insertion type (central, eccentric), cord coiling, abruption (retroplacental hematoma), and meconium staining were determined. RESULTS: When analysing the maternal surface of the placenta, time in cold storage post-delivery had modest effects on placental dimensions, with decreases in the short length (24-48 h: -3.7 %), disc area (0-24 h: 4.7 % and 0-48 h: -7.4 %), and perimeter (0-48 h: -3.8 %) observed. There was marginal impact on placental dimensions when the placenta was imaged by different users, including long length (+1.9 %), disc area (+2.9 %), and perimeter (+2.0 %). Measures of placental size were not impacted by the type of technology used to capture the images. When analysing the fetal surface of the placenta, more variance in placental size measures were observed between users. Abruption detection was not affected by any parameter. Time between delivery and imaging impacted apparent meconium staining - likely reflecting changes in fetal surface colour over time. Meconium staining was not affected by technology or user. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the feasibility of the collection of placenta images for later morphological analysis by AI-PLAX, with measures obtained minimally influenced by time in cold storage, user imaging the placenta, or technology to capture the images.

Vitamin D, pre-eclampsia, and preterm birth among pregnancies at high risk for pre-eclampsia: an analysis of data from a low-dose aspirin trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between maternal vitamin D status and risk of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth in women at high risk for pre-eclampsia. DESIGN: Analysis of prospectively collected data and blood samples from a trial of prenatal low-dose aspirin. SETTING: Thirteen sites across the USA. POPULATION: Women at high risk for pre-eclampsia. METHODS: We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in stored maternal serum samples drawn at 12-26 weeks' gestation (n = 822). We used mixed effects models to examine the association between 25(OH)D and risk of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth, controlling for confounders including prepregnancy BMI and race. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre-eclampsia and preterm birth. RESULTS: Twelve percent of women were vitamin D deficient [25(OH)D <30 nmol/l]. Women with 25(OH)D <30 versus ≥75 nmol/l had a 2.4-fold (95% CI 1.0-5.6) higher risk of early-onset pre-eclampsia (<35 weeks' gestation) after confounder adjustment. Women with 25(OH)D <50 nmol/l had a 1.8-fold (95% CI 1.0-3.2) increased risk of preterm birth at <35 weeks compared with women who had 25(OH)D ≥75 nmol/l, which was driven by indicated preterm births at <35 weeks' gestation [25(OH)D <50 versus ≥75 nmol/l adjusted RR 2.5 (95% CI 1.1-5.8)]. There was no association between vitamin D status and pre-eclampsia or preterm birth at <37 weeks. CONCLUSION: Maternal vitamin D status in the second trimester was inversely associated with risk of early-onset pre-eclampsia and preterm birth at <35 weeks in women at high risk for pre-eclampsia. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Vitamin D is inversely related to risk of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth at <35 weeks in high-risk pregnancies.

Maternal vitamin D status, prolonged labor, cesarean delivery and instrumental delivery in an era with a low cesarean rate.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and adverse labor and delivery outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We measured serum 25(OH)D at ⩽ 26 weeks gestation in a random subsample of vertex, singleton pregnancies in women who labored (n=2798) from the 12-site Collaborative Perinatal Project (1959 to 1966). We used labor and delivery data to classify cases of adverse outcomes. RESULT: Twenty-four percent of women were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D <30 nmol l(-1)), and 4.5, 3.3, 1.9 and 7.5% of women had prolonged stage 1 labor, prolonged stage 2 labor, primary cesarean delivery or indicated instrumental delivery, respectively. After adjustment for prepregnancy body mass index, race and study site, 25(OH)D concentrations were not associated with risk of prolonged stage 1 or 2, cesarean delivery or instrumental delivery. CONCLUSION: Maternal vitamin D status at ⩽ 26 weeks was not associated with risk of prolonged labor or operative delivery in an era with a low cesarean rate.