Volume 06 · Issue 04 · 2024

To compare the effects of human breast milk with those of chlorhexidine and the dry method on umbilical cord separation in Ethiopia.

This open-label 3-arm nonrandomized pilot clinical trial was conducted among 45 neonates (15 in each arm) with more than 630 home visits. After a standard cord cut, human breast milk, chlorhexidine, or nothing was applied once per day for 7 days. The primary outcome was the duration of cord separation, while the secondary outcomes were umbilical cord infection, neonatal fever, jaundice, feeding and breathing difficulty, and persistent crying.

There were statistically significant differences in the time-to-cord separation between the human breast milk group and the chlorhexidine (P < 0.001) and dry alone (P = 0.038) groups. Compared to those of chlorhexidine, the rates of cord separation among human breast milk and the dry-alone group were 16.02, with 95% confidence intervals (3.81, 37.43; P < 0.001) and 3.15 (0.99, 10.00; P = 0.052), respectively. One (6.7%) cord site infection was observed in the dry-alone groups only.

This community-label study indicated that human breast milk application significantly shortened the length of umbilical cord separation time compared to chlorhexidine and dry methods. A large-scale randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm these results.

PACTR202310902873290; https://pactr.samrc.ac.za

To measure the accuracy of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) risk assessment performed by unaided individual clinicians, to inform future comparison to alternative risk assessment methods.

Prospective PPH risk assessments were collected from obstetric care team clinicians at two quaternary medical centers in the United States (Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital) from January 2022 to January 2023, following written informed consent from the providers. The data included a cohort of both vaginal and cesarean deliveries (CD). For each assessment, the clinician quantified the patient’s predicted PPH risk on a scale from 0 to 100% and rated their confidence in these assessments using a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 'not at all confident’ to 'completely confident’. Medical records were reviewed 24 hours postpartum to assess the dichotomous outcome of PPH, defined as blood loss ≥1000 mL. The accuracy of these predictions was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Of 271 patients, 32 (11.8%) experienced PPH, accounting for 11.4% (104/915) of assessments. The overall AUC was 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58–0.71). Prediction accuracy was higher for CD than for vaginal deliveries, with AUCs of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72–0.91) and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.48–0.63), respectively. No significant differences in the accuracy of assessments were observed according to physician specialty, physician experience level, or confidence level of the assessment.

Overall unaided clinician performance in predicting PPH was moderate, with an AUC of 0.64. Predictions were more accurate for patients undergoing CD. Further study is needed to understand how clinician performance compares to other modalities of risk prediction.

To conduct a hierarchical classification analysis of the nonreportable results of noninvasive prenatal testing in an attempt to reduce failure rates and provide pregnant women with accurate information to alleviate their anxiety.

In this study, 30,039 singleton pregnancies who underwent noninvasive prenatal testing in a single center from May 2019 to April 2022 were collected, and 811 samples with initial noninvasive prenatal testing failure were retrospectively analyzed. Grouping was based on the reasons for initial test failure; tracking the noninvasive prenatal testing results and prenatal diagnosis results (if any) of the "z-scores in the gray area" group and analyzing the possible influencing factors of the "low fetal fraction" group in the pre-experimental and experimental period by using one-way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ² test; and tracking the pregnancy outcomes of the test failures samples to analyze the risk of perinatal complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes of the different types of test failures.

None of the samples' initial inconclusive results because of z-scores in the gray area were found to have chromosomal aneuploidy. However, pregnancy complications (P = 0.018) and a high likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes (P = 0.048) may still occur. Maternal gestational age (P < 0.001), body mass index (P < 0.001), library concentration (P < 0.001), and fetal gender (P < 0.001) were considered to be the associated factors for the initial low fetal fraction results. This may be associated with pregnancy complications (P < 0.001) and a high likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes (P = 0.034). The body mass index (P = 0.015) and time between draws (P = 0.001) were associated with the second test’s success. The incidence of low fetal fraction samples was more frequent with blood collection tubes of the G type than with the K type (P < 0.001).

Initial inconclusive results because of z-scores in the gray area did not imply an increased risk of aneuploidy, but vigilance is needed for an increased risk of pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Because of the low fetal fraction, the initial absence of results may be related to the assay method, as well as the effect of blood collection tubes and the need to be alert to the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

To assess the role of a nurse-assisted early warning intervention in improving prophylaxis against obstetric venous thromboembolism (VTE) and preventing VTE following cesarean delivery (CD).

A prospective cohort study conducted between January 1, 2020, and December 30, 2022, enrolled pregnant women who underwent CD in the obstetric unit of Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital. The patients were assigned to a control group (routine nursing care) or the intervention group (nurse-assisted early warning intervention) depending on whether or not the nurse-assisted early warning intervention had been implemented. The χ² test and Student’s t-test were used for statistical analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence of systemic VTE following CD, and secondary outcomes were the rates of mechanical or pharmacologic prophylaxis receipts for VTE and the frequency and severity of adverse events related to pharmacologic prophylaxis.

A total of 27,074 cases were enrolled. The incidence of symptomatic VTE following CD was significantly lower in the intervention group (0.29 per 1000 deliveries) than in the control group (2.4 per 1000 deliveries) (P < 0.001). Significantly more cases received mechanical and pharmacological VTE prophylaxis in the intervention group than in the control group (respectively, 19.8% vs. 12.6% receiving mechanical prophylaxis and 0.9% vs. 0.2% receiving pharmacological prophylaxis). No cases of life-threatening bleeding occurred in either group.

The application of nurse-assisted early warning intervention may be an effective method for preventing VTE following CD.

To describe the challenges in diagnosing concealed postpartum bleeding, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, and to highlight key factors in identifying and managing this condition.

We reviewed clinical cases and diagnostic approaches where concealed postpartum bleeding was suspected, focusing on the role of imaging, serologic markers, and angiography. We examined instances of hemodynamic instability, the utility of pelvic space analysis via computed tomography, and the limitations of digital angiography, particularly in identifying bleeding sources in the posterior iliac internal artery division.

Concealed postpartum bleeding often originates from venous damage or, less commonly, arterial injury. Hemodynamic instability was noted to occur periodically, despite negative findings on vaginal examination and ultrasound, leading to diagnostic delays. Digital angiography often yields negative results when the focus is limited to the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. Bleeding typically arises from damage to the vaginal muscular layer or levator ani muscle, both supplied by branches of the internal pudendal artery (posterior iliac division). In some cases, laparotomy also failed to locate the source due to the bleeding being in the subperitoneal spaces.

Concealed postpartum bleeding presents a diagnostic challenge due to intermittent hemodynamic instability and often negative imaging results. A detailed pelvic space analysis and awareness of posterior iliac internal artery involvement are crucial. Advanced expertise, along with serologic markers of hidden bleeding, is essential for timely diagnosis and management.

To evaluate the impact of pregestational and gestational characteristics on postpartum glucose follow-up screening (PGFS) compliance in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in southwest China.

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University. Pregestational and gestational factors were extracted from hospital records and compared between women who completed PGFS and those who did not. The screening method chosen was the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), performed 4–12 weeks postpartum. Univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis, and Cochran-Armitage test were used to assess associations between maternal characteristics and PGFS compliance.

A total of 3047 women with GDM were included, with a PGFS completion rate of 47.2%. Of those who completed PGFS, 430 women (29.9%) presented abnormal results: 1.8% with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), 24.1% with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), 2.2% with both IFG and IGT, and 1.8% with suspected diabetes. Independent factors associated with non-compliance to PGFS included higher pregestational BMI (odds ratio (OR): 0.952; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.922, 0.984), multipara (OR: 0.721; 95% CI: 0.593, 0.877), use of assisted reproduction technology (ART) (OR: 1.427; 95% CI: 1.080, 1.885), excessive gestational weight gain (OR: 0.956; 95% CI: 0.936, 0.977), elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG) prior to delivery (OR: 0.909; 95% CI: 0.835, 0.988), and undergoing cesarean section (OR: 1.232; 95% CI: 1.017, 1.492). PGFS completion rates significantly decreased with increasing pregestational BMI and earlier gestational age (P < 0.001).

Establishing dedicated postpartum follow-up teams and targeting women with higher pregestational BMI, multiparity, ART use, excessive gestational weight gain, elevated pre-delivery FPG, and those undergoing cesarean section are critical to improving postpartum GDM management.

To evaluate the expression and diagnostic value of levels of the microRNAs (miRNAs), miRNA-181a, miRNA-23b, and miRNA-16, in late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) and compare them with the diagnostic utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

This was a prospective diagnostic study conducted between January 2021 and March 2023 at a tertiary care center (Sri Ramachandra Hospital) in India. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine miRNA-181a, miRNA-23b, and miRNA-16 expression levels, and CRP was measured by nephelometry. The diagnostic value of miRNA and CRP levels were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. ROC curves were utilized to determine optimal cutoff points, and Mann–Whitney tests were performed using SPSS to ascertain P values, with statistical significance defined as <0.05.

This study included 100 samples, with 50 cases of culture-proven LOS (27 females, 23 males) and 50 healthy controls (31 females, 19 males). In LOS, miRNA-181a and miRNA-23b expression levels were significantly downregulated (P < 0.001), with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.83 and 0.92, respectively, whereas those of miRNA-16 were significantly upregulated (P < 0.001; AUC = 0.97). In comparison, CRP levels had an AUC value of 0.831 (P < 0.001). Further, miRNA-23b showed the highest sensitivity (98%) of markers tested, whereas miRNA-16 exhibited the highest specificity (96%).

MiRNA, especially miRNA-16, shows diagnostic potential for neonatal sepsis compared with traditional biomarkers like CRP and procalcitonin, suggesting its use as an early marker for LOS. However, further cohort studies are needed before practical application.

In this article, we report a case of spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy with successful delivery after myomectomy. A 35-year-old pregnant female (27 weeks of gestation) presented with lower abdominal pain. The patient had a history of uterine fibroids. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma (maximum diameter: 12.6 cm). Myomectomy was performed, and her abdominal distension and pain were significantly improved within 1 day; the condition of the fetus was normal. One month after surgery, severe tenderness was detected in the lower right side of the uterus. Considering the higher risk of uterine rupture and associated complications, a cesarean section was performed. The mother and neonate were discharged 3 and 42 days after delivery, respectively, in good condition. Myomectomy for spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy may be feasible and extend gestational age to improve outcomes for the mother and neonate.

Approximately 75% of lymphangiomas manifest in the head and neck region, with limb and bone involvement observed in only 2% of cases. This case report presents a rare instance of fetal lymphangioma associated with hydrops fetalis, affecting the left lower extremity and abdomen. A 22-year-old secundigravida woman was referred to the gynecology department at 31.2 weeks of gestation. Initial fetal ultrasound revealed a live fetus with a large lymphangioma involving the left lower extremity, gluteal region, and abdomen. Additional ultrasound findings included subcutaneous edema, pericardial effusion, ascites, placentomegaly, and tricuspid regurgitation. Postnatal clinical examination confirmed the diagnosis of lymphatic malformation. Notably, only one other similar case has been reported in the English-language PubMed database. This report adds to the medical literature as a rare instance of prenatally diagnosed lymphangioma-associated hydrops fetalis.

Fetal hydrops can stem from immune or nonimmune causes. Immune causes often involve red cell alloimmunization, whereas nonimmune causes encompass structural malformations, aneuploidy, infections, lymphatic system disorders, genetic syndromes, and more. In a rare and complex case, we encountered a fetal hydrops presentation characterized by blended phenotypes, indicating both a genetic and an underlying immune etiology. The mother, Rhesus negative, presented with a history of adverse obstetric events. At 21 weeks, the current fetus was diagnosed with hydrops. Maternal blood tests unveiled Rhesus alloimmunization, featuring a positive indirect Coombs test at a 1:512 dilution and the presence of anti-D, anti-C, and anti-E antibodies. Fetal blood sampling revealed an O-positive blood group with a hemoglobin level of 10 gm/dL. Despite administering intrauterine transfusion to the fetus, there was no improvement; instead, the fetal hydrops worsened, accompanied by the emergence of nuchal and axillary masses. Exome sequencing of fetal DNA revealed the fetus was homozygous for a pathogenic variant in the SERPINA11 gene and compound heterozygous for a pathogenic variant in the PIEZO1 gene. Furthermore, the combination of pathogenic variants in SERPINA11 and PIEZO1 genes has not been described in cases of fetal hydrops before. This case posed significant challenges in management due to the concurrent presence of both immune and nonimmune hydrops. We describe some of the diagnostic challenges faced in clinical management of this case.

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