Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler before and after Fetal Spina Bifida Repair: An Indirect Sign of Hindbrain Compression and Decompression?

INTRODUCTION: Reduced middle cerebral artery resistance indices (MCA-RI) in fetuses with spina bifida (fSB) are commonly observed. Compression of neuronal pathways in the brainstem due to hindbrain herniation (HH) and disturbed cerebrospinal fluid circulation likely cause an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system. This may increase systemic vasoconstriction and compensatory increase cerebral vasodilation (like brain sparing). The aim of this study was to systematically analyze all fetal MCA-RI before and after fSB repair and to compare their correlation with the presence and postsurgical resolution of HH. METHODS: 173 patients were included. Standardized ultrasound examinations including MCA and umbilical artery (UA) Doppler as well as assessment of HH presence and regression were performed. Fetuses with MCA-RI <5th percentile (P) before fetal surgery were compared to the group with normal MCA-RI and correlated to the presence of HH before and its regression after fSB repair. RESULTS: 30% (49/161) fetuses showed RI's <5th P before fSB repair. All fetuses had normal UA-RI. 99.4% of fetuses (160/161) showed normal of MCA-RI before delivery. Normalization occurred within a mean of 1.3 ± 1.2 weeks. HH regression was observed in 97% in the group with normal MCA-RI and in 96% in the group with MCA-RI <5th P before surgery (p = 0.59). Time lapse to HH regression after fSB repair was 1.8 ± 1.7 and 1.9 ± 1.6 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSION: In fetuses with MCA-RIs <5 P before fSB repair, a parallel timely course of MCA-RI normalization and HH regression was noted. To suggest common pathogenic factor(s), more studies are needed. However, normalization of the fetal cerebral circulation could be a further benefit of fSB repair.

Postpartum hemorrhage and postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the postpartum depression (PPD) risk in women with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and moderators. METHODS: We identified observational studies of PPD rates in women with versus without PPH in Embase/Medline/PsychInfo/Cinhail in 09/2022. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale. Our primary outcome was the odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence intervals [95%CI]) of PPD in women with versus without PPH. Meta-regression analyses included the effects of age, body mass index, marital status, education, history of depression/anxiety, preeclampsia, antenatal anemia and C-section; subgroup analyses were based on PPH and PPD assessment methods, samples with versus without history of depression/anxiety, from low-/middle- versus high-income countries. We performed sensitivity analyses after excluding poor-quality studies, cross-sectional studies and sequentially each study. RESULTS: One, five and three studies were rated as good-, fair- and poor-quality respectively. In nine studies (k = 10 cohorts, n = 934,432), women with PPH were at increased PPD risk compared to women without PPH (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.44, p < 0.001), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 98.9%). Higher PPH-related PPD ORs were estimated in samples with versus without history of depression/anxiety or antidepressant exposure (OR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.18 to 1.60, k = 6, n = 55,212, versus 1.06, 95%CI = 1.04 to 1.09, k = 3, n = 879,220, p < 0.001) and in cohorts from low-/middle- versus high-income countries (OR = 1.49, 95%CI = 1.37 to 1.61, k = 4, n = 9197, versus 1.13, 95%CI = 1.04 to 1.23, k = 6, n = 925,235, p < 0.001). After excluding low-quality studies the PPD OR dropped (1.14, 95%CI = 1.02 to 1.29, k = 6, n = 929,671, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Women with PPH had increased PPD risk amplified by history of depression/anxiety, whereas more data from low-/middle-income countries are required.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and assess related moderators. METHODS: Observational studies reporting on PPD rates in women with vs. without PCOS were identified in Embase/Medline/PsychInfo/Cinhail in 03/2021 since data inception. Quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale. The primary outcome was the odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence intervals [95%CI]) of PPD in women with vs. without PCOS. Meta-regression analyses included the effects of age, body mass index, percent smokers, history of depression, preterm delivery, hypertension during pregnancy, gestational diabetes and cesarian section as well as subgroup analyses based on the assessment methods for PCOS and PPD. Sensitivity analyses after excluding poor quality studies and cross-sectional studies and sequentially excluding each study were performed. RESULTS: One study was rated as good, two as fair and three as low-quality. In six studies (n = 934,922), 44,167 women with PCOS were at increased PPD risk compared to 890,755 women without PCOS (OR= 1.45, 95%CI= 1.18 to 1.79, p< 0.001). When excluding one study that underestimated PCOS prevalence, we estimated an OR of 1.59 (95%CI= 1.56 to 1.62, p< 0.001) with reduced heterogeneity (I2= 45.3%). Higher ORs of PPD in women with PCOS were moderated by lower percentage of preterm delivery (co-efficient -0.07, 95%CI= -0.1 to -0.04, p< 0.001). After excluding low-quality studies yielded an OR of 1.58 (95%CI= 1.56 to 1.59, p< 0.001) with heterogeneity dropping (I2= 14.0%). LIMITATIONS: The methodological heterogeneity of available studies. CONCLUSIONS: Women with PCOS are at elevated PPD risk with risk moderators requiring further research.

A comparative investigation of mussel-mimetic sealants for fetal membrane repair.

Towards the prevention of iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of the fetal membrane, two mussel-mimetic tissue adhesives (cT and cPEG) have been compared and qualified as possible sealants for membrane repair. Monotonic and cyclic inflation tests of repaired fetal membranes were carried out in order to investigate the performance of the glues under quasi-static, fast, and repeated loading. Finite element simulations of repaired and inflated synthetic membranes allowed to compare cT and cPEG under large deformations. Both adhesives seal the membrane well, resisting pressures higher than the intra-uterine baseline. Only under repeated mechanical load, as well as under fast and acute deformation of the membrane, the sealing performance has deteriorated. Even though cT loses adhesion to the deformed membrane, it is able to withstand high deformations and pressures without rupturing, while cPEG breaks.