Project description:ObjectiveTo compare maternal and neonatal outcomes after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) from 23 to 34 weeks of gestation in twin compared with singleton gestations.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of an obstetric cohort of 115,502 individuals and their singleton or twin neonates born in 25 hospitals nationwide (2008-2011). Those with preterm PROM from 23 0/7 through 33 6/7 weeks of gestation were included; neonates with major fetal anomalies were excluded. The coprimary outcomes for this analysis were composite maternal morbidity (chorioamnionitis, blood transfusion, postpartum endometritis, wound infection, sepsis, venous thromboembolism, intensive care unit admission, or death) and composite major neonatal morbidity (persistent pulmonary hypertension, intraventricular hemorrhage grade III or IV, seizures, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, necrotizing enterocolitis stage II or III, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, stillbirth subsequent to admission, or neonatal death before discharge). Logistic regression was used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs for twin compared with singleton gestations.ResultsOf 1,531 (1.3%) individuals who met eligibility criteria for this analysis, 218 (14.2%) had twin gestations. The median gestational age at preterm PROM was similar between those with twins and singletons (31.2 weeks [interquartile range 27.4-32.9] vs 30.6 weeks [interquartile range 26.9-32.7], P=.23); however, those with twin gestations had a shorter median latency period (2.0 days [interquartile range 1.0-5.0] vs 3.0 days [interquartile range 2.0-8.0], P<.001). After adjustment for potential confounders, odds of experiencing composite maternal morbidity (17.9% vs 19.3%, adjusted OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.66-1.42) or composite neonatal morbidity (20.4% vs 20.5%, OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.72-1.31) did not differ between groups.ConclusionIn a large, diverse cohort, the likelihood of composite maternal or neonatal morbidity per fetus after preterm PROM was similar for twin and singleton gestations.
Project description:IntroductionMultiple gestations are a risk factor for most pregnancy complications. The current study aimed to study whether offspring born after twin pregnancies are at increased risk for long-term health complications.Material and methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted in a large medical center, including all offspring born between the years 1991-2021, which were followed-up until 18 years of age. Hospital-based diagnoses of the offspring were categorized into main groups of morbidities: cardiac, respiratory, infectious, neurological, malignancy, and metabolic. Incidence of hospitalization with diagnoses from each main group was compared between twins and singletons, as well as time to first hospitalization. Cox proportional hazard models were used to study the association between twins vs singletons and hospitalizations by grouped morbidities, while adjusting for maternal age, ethnicity and gender, besides maternal recurrence in the cohort.ResultsA total of 369 478 offspring were included in the analysis; of these 11 986 (3.2%) were twins and 357 492 (96.8%) were singletons. Twins were more likely to be delivered preterm (odds ratio = 17.65, 95% CI: 16.74-18.60), by cesarean delivery and following infertility treatments. Incidence of hospitalizations with all morbidity groups was slightly, some significantly, higher among twins, including cardiac: 1.9% vs 1.5%, respiratory; 8.4% vs 7.1%, neurological: 7.7% vs 7.4%, infectious: 26.0% vs 24.1%, and malignancies: 0.7% vs 0.4%. The risk remained higher in the multivariable analyses (adjusted hazard ratios ranging between 1.09-1.75). When stratifying by gestational age at delivery, the risk for most morbidities was lower among twins vs singletons born in similar gestational ages.ConclusionsTwins as compared to singletons are at increased risk for most morbidities due to their risk of being born earlier.
Project description:ObjectiveUnderstanding of twin growth in the United States (US) is based on outdated or predominantly non-Hispanic White samples, and the age at which twins catch up to singletons is unclear. In this study, we characterized normative weight trajectories of twins and singletons in a contemporary, diverse cohort.MethodsData were from the PROMISE study, an electronic health record-based cohort of pregnant people and their children in the US (2005-2021). The Jenss model was used to characterize weight trajectories from 0 to 24 months of age. Twins (n = 716) were compared to the full cohort of singletons (n = 40,075) and a matched sample with similar gestational age at birth (GA) (n = 7160).ResultsMale and female twins had lower birth weight compared to singletons and experienced a high rate of weight gain throughout infancy. Among males, twins caught up in weight to the full singleton cohort and to GA-matched singletons at approximately 12 and 6 months, respectively. Among females, twins caught up to GA-matched singletons at approximately 15 months but did not fully overcome their birth weight disadvantage to the full singleton sample by 24 months.ConclusionsThese findings highlight that the use of singleton growth charts or preterm singleton growth charts among twins may be inappropriate and suggest the need for a twin-specific growth chart. Future research is needed to understand factors that drive differences in weight trajectories between twins and singletons and to guide twin-specific guidelines.
Project description:ObjectivesDetermine the prevalence of glucose concentrations below the Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) term and late preterm-focused guideline target for mean glucose concentrations (≥70 mg/dL) among preterm NICU infants on full enteral nutrition and assess the impact on monitoring practices.Study designRetrospective cohort study.ResultsWe analyzed 1717 infants who were at least 2 days old and 48 hours after parenteral fluids were discontinued. Glucose concentrations were ≥70, 60-69, 50-59, and <50 mg/dL in 76.6, 16.2, 5.9, and 1.3% of measurements, respectively. In multivariate models, concentrations <60 mg/dL were common among male infants at lower postnatal age, small-for-gestational age, and born to women with hypertension (p < 0.05). After PES guideline, infants were more likely to have >3 glucose measurements (p < 0.05).ConclusionsGlucose concentrations <70 mg/dL are not uncommon among preterm infants receiving full enteral nutrition. Monitoring increased after guideline publication. Applying PES threshold to well-appearing preterm infants may promote increased monitoring and intervention without clear long-term benefit.
Project description:The factors determining fatty acid transfer across the placenta are not fully understood. This study used a combined experimental and computational modeling approach to explore placental transfer of nonesterified fatty acids and identify the rate-determining processes. Isolated perfused human placenta was used to study the uptake and transfer of 13C-fatty acids and the release of endogenous fatty acids. Only 6.2 ± 0.8% of the maternal 13C-fatty acids taken up by the placenta was delivered to the fetal circulation. Of the unlabeled fatty acids released from endogenous lipid pools, 78 ± 5% was recovered in the maternal circulation and 22 ± 5% in the fetal circulation. Computational modeling indicated that fatty acid metabolism was necessary to explain the discrepancy between uptake and delivery of 13C-fatty acids. Without metabolism, the model overpredicts the fetal delivery of 13C-fatty acids 15-fold. Metabolic rate was predicted to be the main determinant of uptake from the maternal circulation. The microvillous membrane had a greater fatty acid transport capacity than the basal membrane. This study suggests that incorporation of fatty acids into placental lipid pools may modulate their transfer to the fetus. Future work needs to focus on the factors regulating fatty acid incorporation into lipid pools.
Project description:ObjectivesTo examine the association between antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) use and perinatal mortality in singletons and twins delivered before 35 weeks of gestation.DesignSecondary analysis of data from an observational prospective chart review study that investigated if exposure to ACS was associated with lower rates of perinatal mortality in preterm infants.SettingThis study was conducted in four hospitals located in Mwanza region, Tanzania.ParticipantsThe study population included all preterm singletons and twins delivered at these hospitals between 24 weeks 0 days and 34 weeks 6 days of gestation from July 2019 to February 2020.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome was perinatal mortality; the secondary outcome was respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).ResultsThe study included 844 singletons and 210 twin infants. Three hundred and fourteen singletons (37.2%) and 52 twins (24.8%) were exposed to at least one dose of ACS. Adjusted multivariate analyses revealed that among singletons' exposure to ACS was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of perinatal mortality, adjusted relative risk (aRR) 0.30 (95% CI 0.22 to 0.40) and RDS, aRR 0.92 (95% CI 0.87 to 0.97). In twin infants, exposure to ACS was associated with a reduced risk of RDS only, aRR 0.87 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.98).ConclusionThe use of ACS between 24 weeks 0 days and 34 weeks 6 days of gestation in both singletons and twins in low-resource settings is associated with positive infant outcomes. No adverse effects were noted. Further research that examines the benefits of ACS for twin infants is needed.
Project description:ObjectiveTo compare short-term outcomes after placental transfusion (delayed cord clamping (DCC) or umbilical cord milking (UCM)) versus immediate cord clamping among extremely preterm infants.DesignRetrospective study.SettingThe Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network registry.PatientsInfants born <29 weeks' gestation in 2016 or 2017 without congenital anomalies who received active treatment after delivery.Intervention/exposureDCC or UCM.Main outcome measuresPrimary outcomes: (1) composite of mortality or major morbidity by 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA); (2) mortality by 36 weeks PMA and (3) composite of major morbidities by 36 weeks' PMA. Secondary composite outcomes: (1) any grade intraventricular haemorrhage or mortality by 36 weeks' PMA and (2) hypotension treatment in the first 24 postnatal hours or mortality in the first 12 postnatal hours. Outcomes were assessed using multivariable regression, adjusting for mortality risk factors identified a priori, significant confounders and centre as a random effect.ResultsAmong 3116 infants, 40% were exposed to placental transfusion, which was not associated with the primary composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity by 36 weeks' PMA (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.26, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.66). However, exposure was associated with decreased mortality by 36 weeks' PMA (aOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.92) and decreased hypotension treatment in first 24 postnatal hours (aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.82).ConclusionIn this extremely preterm infant cohort, exposure to placental transfusion was not associated with the composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity, though there was a reduction in mortality by 36 weeks' PMA.Trial registration numberNCT00063063.
Project description:ObjectiveTo describe relationship between cord blood (representing fetal) myo-inositol concentrations and gestational age (GA) and to determine trends of blood concentrations in enterally and parenterally fed infants from birth to 70 days of age.Design/methodsSamples were collected in 281 fed or unfed infants born in 2005 and 2006. Myo-inositol concentrations were displayed in scatter plots and analyzed with linear regression models of natural log-transformed values.ResultsIn 441 samples obtained from 281 infants, myo-inositol concentrations varied from nondetectable to 1494 μmol/L. Cord myo-inositol concentrations decreased an estimated 11.9% per week increase in GA. Postnatal myo-inositol concentrations decreased an estimated 14.3% per week increase in postmenstrual age (PMA) and were higher for enterally fed infants compared to unfed infants (51% increase for fed vs. unfed infants).ConclusionsFetal myo-inositol concentrations decreased with increasing GA. Postnatal concentrations decreased with increasing PMA and were higher among enterally fed than unfed infants.
Project description:OBJECTIVES:To construct monochorionic (MC) twin-specific longitudinal Doppler references for umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA-PI), middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI and peak systolic velocity (PSV) and ductus venosus (DV) PI derived from a strictly selected cohort of uncomplicated MC twins. The secondary aim of the study was to compare our findings with singleton reference charts. METHODS:A retrospective evaluation was made of all consecutive uncomplicated MC twin pregnancies referred to our Unit from 2010 to 2018. Fortnightly serial examinations were performed of UA-PI, MCA-PI, MCA-PSV and DV-PI, according with the clinical protocol, from 20 to 37 weeks of gestation. We included cases with at least four ultrasound examinations, delivery at our hospital and complete neonatal follow up. A two-step method was used to trace the estimated centile curves: estimation of the median was performed with appropriate fractional polynomials by a multilevel model and estimation of the external centiles through the residuals (quantile regression). The comparison with singletons was made by plotting the references derived from the present study on the referred charts commonly used for singletons. RESULTS:The study group comprised 150 uncomplicated MC twin pairs. Estimated centiles (3rd, 5th, 10th, 50th, 90th, 95th, 97th) of UA-PI, MCA-PI, MCA-PSV and DV-PI in function of the gestational age are presented. The comparison with singletons showed substantial differences, with higher UA-PI and lower MCA-PI and PSV median values in MC twins. Median DV PI values were similar to the values for singletons, while the upper centiles were higher in MC twins. CONCLUSIONS:This study sets out MC twin-specific longitudinal references for UA-PI, MCA-PI, MCA-PSV and DV-PI derived from the largest series of uncomplicated MC twin pregnancies presently available. The comparison with singleton reference values underscores the deviation from physiology that is intrinsic to these unique pregnancies and supports the need for MC twin-specific charts.
Project description:Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in preterm infants with cholestasis. Study design: Preterm infants (<37 weeks gestational age) with cholestasis were tested for CMV DNA using Taqman PCR in blood cells from sedimented whole blood, plasma, and urine. Infants were regarded as positive for CMV if any sample was tested positive. Their mothers were tested for CMV serostatus simultaneously. A control group of non-cholestatic preterm infants, and their mothers, were tested at a similar age. Results: A total of 69 preterm infants with a median gestational age of 26 weeks and 5 days were included, 45 cholestatic and 24 non-cholestatic. Of the cholestatic infants, 31/45 (69%) were CMV positive vs. 3/24 (13%) of the non-cholestatic infants (p < 0.001). Cholestatic infants were equally preterm as the non-cholestatic ones, but were more severely ill. After adjusting for the risk factors necrotizing enterocolitis, prolonged parenteral nutrition, and gestational age, being CMV positive remained significantly associated with cholestasis in a multivariable logistic regression model. Characteristics of CMV-positive and -negative cholestatic infants showed differences only for necrotizing enterocolitis, occurring in 55% (17/31) of CMV positive vs. 21% (3/14) of CMV negative (p = 0.054), and mortality. Eight cholestatic CMV-positive infants died (26%) vs. none of the CMV-negative infants (p = 0.044). Conclusions: CMV DNA was detected in two out of three cholestatic preterm infants, by far more often than in the non-cholestatic control group. Cholestasis with simultaneous detection of CMV DNA may be associated with increased mortality.