Maternal and neonatal outcomes among scheduled versus unscheduled deliveries in women with prenatally diagnosed, pathologically proven placenta accreta

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes among scheduled versus unscheduled deliveries in cases of prenatally diagnosed, pathologically proven placenta accreta.

Study design: Retrospective cohort of placenta accreta cases delivered in five University of California hospitals.

Results: Of 151 cases of histopathologically proven placenta accreta, 82% were prenatally diagnosed. Sixty-seven percent of women underwent scheduled deliveries and 33% were unscheduled. There were no differences in demographics between groups except a higher rate of antepartum bleeding in the unscheduled delivery group (81 versus 53%; p = .003). Scheduled deliveries were associated with a later gestational age at delivery (34.6 versus 32.6 weeks; p = .001), lower blood loss (2.0 versus 2.5 l; p = .04), higher birth weight (2488 versus 2010 g; p < .001), shorter postpartum length of stay (4 versus 5 d; p = .03) and neonatal length of stay (12 versus 20 d; p = .005).

Conclusion: Despite a prenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta, 1/3 of these cases require unscheduled delivery, portending poorer maternal and neonatal outcomes.

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Continuous glucose monitoring as a screening tool for neonatal hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers

Abstract

Objective: To assess the plausibility of using the continuous glucose monitoring as a sole source of data for the screening of the neonatal hypoglycemia.

Study design: Infants of mothers with diabetes were screened for neonatal hypoglycemia (less than 2.5 mmol/l after 4 h of life). Initial measurement was performed using point of care analyzer. We applied continuous glucose monitoring system subsequently. Infants were monitored up to 5 days or until discharge.

Results: Out of 32 infants 11 had postnatal hypoglycemia resolved within 12 h of life. Two infants had hypoglycemia found due to continuous glucose monitoring after 24 h of life when sufficient feeding was established and they did not show any signs of hypoglycemia. We did not have any false negative measurements. No infant showed clinical signs of neonatal hypoglycemia.

Conclusions: Continuous glucose monitoring is plausible and safe to use for screening of neonatal hypoglycemia. It operates well within the range that is accepted as safe for neurodevelopment. In addition, it can be used after first day of life where regular screening ends. Limitation of this method is possible alarm negligence of caregivers.

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Neonatal acute liver failure due to enteroviruses: a 14 years single NICU experience

Abstract

Background: Neonatal acute liver failure (ALF) is a severe condition with a mortality rate up to 70%. Human enterovirus (HEV) infections are associated with serious diseases in newborns, including myocarditis, meningoencephalitis and, more rarely, ALF with a fulminant course.

Methods: Cases of neonatal-onset ALF were identified using the institutional clinical database. The history and clinical data of infants with HEV infection were collected by medical record revision. Viral testing by nested real- time PCR (nRT-PCR) was performed by the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital Clinical Laboratory and by National Institute of Public Health in Rome.

Results: Among ten infants referred to our Institution with neonatal-onset ALF in the 2004–2018 period, we identified five cases due to HEV. In three of these, the mother reported an episode of mild fever and diarrhea during the last trimester of gestation, suggesting fetal-maternal transmission. All were late preterm infants (32–36 weeks). Two infants died as a result of ALF; the other three survived with full normalization of liver function. In four, the causing agents were coxsackie B serotypes 3 (n = 1), 4 (n = 1) and 5 (n = 2), in the fifth case we identified echovirus serotype 11.

Conclusions: Human enterovirus (HEV) are a rare but relevant cause of ALF in neonates. HEV testing should be systematically performed in cases of neonatal ALF for diagnostic and management purposes.

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Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by endometriosis

Abstract

Objective: Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, associated with pelvic pain and subfertility, affecting 0.6–10% of the general female population. The association between endometriosis and obstetrical outcomes is not well established. We aimed to evaluate whether endometriosis is associated with a higher incidence of obstetrical and neonatal complications.

Study design: A retrospective cohort study of all deliveries in a university-affiliated tertiary hospital (2007–2014). Eligibility was limited to women with previously diagnosed endometriosis and singleton pregnancies. Fetuses or neonates diagnosed with structural or chromosomal anomalies were excluded. We compared labor and delivery outcomes and immediate neonatal outcomes among women with endometriosis compared with women without endometriosis.

Results: Overall, 61,535 deliveries were eligible for analysis, of which 135 (0.002%) had endometriosis. Women with in the endometriosis group were characterized by higher maternal age, lower parity and higher nulliparity rate, and an earlier gestational age at delivery. Women with endometriosis had higher rate of failure of induction of labor (aOR 5.2, 95%CI 1.8–14.9), cesarean delivery (aOR 5.0, 95%CI 3.3–7.4), postpartum hemorrhage (aOR 3.7, 95%CI 1.6–8.5), placenta accreta (aOR 6.24, 95%CI 2.20–17.67), postpartum hemoglobin <10 mg/dL (aOR 2.03, 95%CI 1.31–3.14), and packed cell transfusion (aOR 3.66, 95%CI 1.94–6.91). No significant differences in neonatal outcomes were observed.

Conclusions: Endometriosis is associated with higher risk of cesarean delivery and postpartum hemorrhage. Our findings suggest appropriate preparations for delivery, such as uterotonic agents and blood products, should be considered in these women.

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Parent Engagement Correlates With Parent and Preterm Infant Oxytocin Release During Skin-to-Skin Contact

Preterm infants remain increasingly neurodevelopmentally disadvantaged. Parental touch, especially during skin-to-skin contact (SSC), has potential to reduce adverse consequences.

Purpose: To examine relationships between parental engagement and salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels for parents participating in SSC intervention.

Methods: A randomized crossover design study was conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit; 28 stable preterm infants, mothers, and fathers participated. Parental engagement was measured using the Parental Risk Evaluation Engagement Model Instrument (PREEMI) prior to hospital discharge. Saliva samples for oxytocin and cortisol levels were collected 15-minute pre-SSC, 60-minute during-SSC, and 45-minute post-SSC.

Results: Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation to measure relationships between parental engagement composite scores and salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels. A significant negative correlation between paternal engagement and paternal oxytocin levels (r = −0.43; P = .03) and a significant negative correlation between infant oxytocin levels and maternal engagement (r = −0.54; P = .004) were present. Adjusted linear regression models demonstrated that as infant oxytocin levels increased during SSC, maternal engagement scores significantly decreased at discharge (β = −.04; P = .01). Linear regression, adjusting for infant oxytocin and cortisol levels, showed that as paternal oxytocin levels increased, there was a significant decrease in paternal engagement (β = −.16; P = .03) and as paternal cortisol levels increased, there was a significant decrease in paternal engagement (β = −68.97; P =.05).

Implications for Practice: Significant relationships exist between parental engagement and salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels. Defining parent engagement facilitates identification of parent risks and needs for intervention to optimize preterm outcomes.

Implications for Research: The PREEMI can serve as a standardized instrument to examine parent engagement.

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How Nurse Work Environments Relate to the Presence of Parents in Neonatal Intensive Care

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the NICU work environment and parental presence in the NICU using a national data set.

The authors conducted a cross-sectional, observational study of a national sample of 104 NICUs, where 6060 nurses reported on 15,233 infants cared for. Secondary analysis was used to examine associations between the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) (subscale items and with a composite measure) and the proportion of parents who were present during the nurses’ shift.

The study found that parents of 60% (SD = 9.7%) of infants were present during the nurses’ shift. The PES-NWI composite score and 2 domains—Nurse Participation in Hospital Affairs and Manager Leadership and Support—were significant predictors of parental presence. A 1 SD higher score in the composite or either subscale was associated with 2.5% more parents being present.

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A Typology of Breastfeeding Mothers of Preterm Infants:A Qualitative Analysis

Breastfeeding is an important element of motherhood with a preterm infant, but the role of maternal emotions in relation to breastfeeding is vague.

The purpose of this  qualitative study was  to describe maternal emotions regarding and insights into breastfeeding during the first year after a preterm birth. The study found that a typology of breastfeeding mothers of preterm infants was created. The group of survivors wished to be breastfeeding mothers, but after some unexpected difficulties, they had to give up their dream. The disappointment alleviated with time, but some of the mothers still harbored self-accusations after a year. The highfliers were mothers who succeeded in breastfeeding because of their own persistence. They described breastfeeding as enjoyable for both the mother and the infant. The pragmatist mothers breastfed because it was the general norm and a practical way to feed the infant; breastfeeding caused neither passion nor discomfort. The group of bottle-feeding–oriented mothers expressed that breastfeeding did not interest them at any point.

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