Complications of second-trimester medical termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies compared with intrauterine fetal demise.

OBJECTIVE: To assess complication rates of patients undergoing a second-trimester medical termination for intrauterine fetal demise compared with fetal anomalies. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study comparing patients undergoing medical termination for a fetal anomaly versus medical termination for intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) before 24 weeks of gestation. Data were collected from two urban academic medical centers from 2009 to 2019. Institutional review board approval was obtained from both institutions and patient consent was not required. We included singleton gestations between 14.0 weeks and 23.6 weeks undergoing induction with mifepristone and misoprostol or misoprostol alone. Groups were matched based on gestational age with a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was composite complication rate (retained placenta requiring dilation and curettage, suspected infection, hemorrhage, failed induction requiring dilation and evacuation, intensive care unit admission, and readmission). RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were in each group. The groups differed in patient mean age (fetal anomaly 34 years versus 31 years for IUFD, P = 0.005) and mifepristone pretreatment (fetal anomaly 55% versus IUFD 5%, P < 0.001). Composite complication rate was similar (fetal anomaly 14% versus IUFD 17%), and specific complications did not differ. CONCLUSION: Second-trimester medical termination for IUFDs have similar complication rates as those undergoing induction terminations for fetal anomalies.

Complications of second trimester induction for abortion or fetal demise for patients with and without prior cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: Compare complication rates of second trimester induction for abortion or fetal demise for patients with and without prior cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study examining induction for abortion or fetal demise for pregnancies from 14w0d to 23w6d gestation at 2 urban academic medical centers from 2009 to 2019. Exclusion criteria included preterm labor or cervical insufficiency, neonatal interventions, or if misoprostol was not the primary induction method. Complication rates were compared between those with no prior, 1 prior, and 2 or more (2+) prior cesarean deliveries. Complications analyzed were retained placenta, failed induction, infection, hemorrhage, blood transfusion, uterine rupture, intensive care unit admission, death, and readmission. Secondary analysis included cumulative misoprostol dosages and complete abortion rate within 24 hours. RESULTS: Of 520 patients, 411 patients had no prior cesarean delivery, 77 had 1 prior cesarean delivery, and 32 had 2+ prior cesarean deliveries. Eleven patients had a prior vertical uterine incision. About 26.5% of all patients received mifepristone. The 2+ prior cesarean delivery group was significantly older (35 vs 32 vs 32, p < 0.001) and more likely to be induced for fetal demise (62.5 vs 41.56 vs 39.17%, p = 0.04). Both cesarean groups were more likely to be obese (58.62 vs 49.35 vs 34.26%, p = 0.003). Patients with 2+ prior cesarean deliveries were more likely to experience uterine rupture (6.25 vs 0 vs 0%, p = 0.004), and require ICU admission (6.45 vs 1.3 vs 0.49%, p = 0.02). Secondary analysis outcomes were similar. Logistic regression showed patients with 2+ prior cesarean deliveries were more likely to experience a complication than those with 1 prior (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.71, confidence interval [CI] 1.09-6.86, p = 0.03) or 0 prior cesarean deliveries (aOR 3.00, CI 1.30-7.02, p = 0.01). Patients with 1 prior or no prior cesarean deliveries had a similar risk of experiencing a complication (aOR 1.11, CI 0.64-1.89, p = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with prior cesarean deliveries can safely undergo induction in the second trimester for abortion or fetal demise. Patients with 2+ prior cesarean deliveries had a higher rate of at least 1 complication when compared to those with one or no prior cesarean delivery, despite similar misoprostol dosages and rates of complete abortion. IMPLICATIONS: This large 10-year retrospective study examines the impact of prior cesarean delivery on the safety of second trimester induction. While second trimester labor induction abortion remains an option for all patients, specialized counseling for patients with 2 or more prior cesarean deliveries may be warranted.

Conscious prone positioning in a pregnant patient with COVID-19 respiratory distress: A case report and review.

Prone positioning has been used for decades to improve oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. With the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a growing emphasis on the utilization of prone positioning for non-intubated patients as a means of preventing invasive ventilation and improving outcomes. In this case report, a patient is presented with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in late pregnancy who experienced significant improvements in oxygenation with prone positioning. Additionally, the physiology of prone positioning is reviewed, as well as its mechanism and safety in pregnancy.

Readability, content, and quality of COVID-19 patient education materials from academic medical centers in the United States.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 has spread rapidly resulted in a global pandemic and public health crisis. The internet is a frequently used resource for providing patient education materials (PEMs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the readability, content, and quality of web-based PEMs on COVID-19 from US academic medical centers. METHODS: The names of US medical schools were obtained from the Association of American Medical Colleges website (n = 145). Institutional, hospital, and heath encyclopedia websites associated with each schools' medical center were identified using Google. Readability of COVID-19 PEMs was calculated using three validated indices: (1) Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level, (2) Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, and (3) Gunning Frequency of Gobbledygook. Content was evaluated using a scoring matrix based on materials available on the Center for Disease Control website. The Patient Education Material Assessment Tool for Print (PEMAT-P) was used to assess usability and actionability. RESULTS: A total of 141 (97%) PEMs met inclusion criteria and were analyzed for readability, content, and quality. The mean readability was above the recommended sixth grade reading level (P < .001). Content was variable across PEMs. The PEMAT-P scores reflected good understandability with a median score of 83% (IQR 75%-87%), while actionability was poor with a median score of 41% (IQR 40%-60%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite availability of web-based PEMs for COVID-19, the readability was significantly higher than the National Institute of Health and US Department of Health and Human Services recommended sixth grade reading level and actionability of PEMs was low. It is critical to provide readable PEMs on COVID-19 to effectively disseminate accurate information and facilitate patients' understanding of the virus, how it spreads, and how to protect themselves.