Cerebroplacental Ratio on Doppler as a Predictor of Fetuses at Risk of Perinatal Complications

Background: Doppler velocimetry is the best method of surveillance for fetal hypoxemia during pregnancy. Cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), has been suggested as a useful clinical simplification. It is believed that the CPR better predicts adverse perinatal outcomes than its individual components and better than conventional anthropometric models. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the significance of the cerebroplacental 10th centile threshold measured weekly from 36 weeks of gestation till delivery as a screening test for prediction of need for Cesarean section for intrapartum fetal compromise and the adverse neonatal outcome in women with normally grown fetuses and uncomplicated pregnancy. Methods: This study was carried out on 40 pregnant women uncomplicated, singleton pregnancy with appropriately grown fetuses on clinical assessment. The last Doppler indices including cerebroplacental ratio measurement obtained before labor was reported. CPR values below 1.1 were reported as abnormal. Various studies have variably defined the threshold of abnormal CPR ratio as <1.08. Results: There was significant decrease in the Mean of CPR among patients who had anemia compared to those without anemia. In addition, there was no significant association seen between low CPR and having previous history of abortion or IUGR as well as being a smoker. There was no significant difference between cases who had normal and abnormal CPR regarding gestational age at delivery. There was no difference between cases who had normal and abnormal cerebroplacental ratio regarding mode of delivery. there was significant decrease in the prevalence of low birth weight among group who had CPR≥1.08. CPR <1.08 was significantly associated with neonatal complication like NICU admission, and neonatal death. There was no statistically significant relationship between cerebroplacental ratio and neonatal complication like IUFD, and neonatal sepsis. There was no statistically significant association between the mean cerebroplacental ratio and IUFD. There was statistically significant association between the mean cerebroplacental ratio and NICU. There was no statistically significant association between the mean cerebroplacental ratio and neonatal sepsis. The mean cerebroplacental ratio of 0.93± 0.22 has a significant association with neonatal death. Conclusion: A low cerebroplacental ratio reflects redistribution of the cardiac output to the cerebral circulation and has been shown to improve accuracy in predicting adverse outcome compared with Middle cerebral artery (MCA) or Umbilical artery (UA) Doppler alone. Therefore, integrating CPR in clinical management may help to better identify fetuses at risk for adverse perinatal events, since abnormal CPR has been associated with an increased risk of perinatal complications.

Maternal and neonatal outcome of twin pregnancies with single fetal demise

Background: In current study we managed twin pregnancies having single fetal demise with a successful outcome. Generally monochorionic and monoamniotic pregnancies are having high probability of complications, so we have to be more watchful in these pregnancies. Termination of pregnancy is not the only option as we can manage and prolong pregnancies with a good outcome by strict monitoring of patients. Aim of our study was to look for fetomaternal outcome in twin pregnancies with single fetal demise.Methods: This is a retrospective study done between July 2017 to June 2020 at Command hospital, Panchkula, Haryana. Total 3249 deliveries have been conducted during above said period. Out of which 47 deliveries were having twin pregnancy. We had six twin pregnancies who reported with one fetal demise. These cases were managed with regular monitoring of coagulation profile and strict fetal surveillance for surviving twin. The cases were studied for antenatal, postnatal and any neonatal complication.Results: No antenatal, postnatal maternal or any neonatal complication observed in this study. During study period we delivered total 3249 patients, out of which 47 were twin pregnancy. Out of these 47 (1.44%) twins’ pregnancies 33 (70.31%) were DADC and 14 (29.69%) DAMC. We studied six twin pregnancies who had single fetal demise. Conclusions: Even with single fetal demise pregnancies can be continued till term with strict monitoring for maternal and fetal complications. Termination is not the only answer in twin pregnancies with single fetal demise. Although our study was small, it indicates that in case of twin pregnancy with single fetal death and under good surveillance, the live fetus can be salvaged.

P–778 Repeated cryopreservation process impairs embryo implantation potential but does not affect neonatal outcomes

Study question Does repeated cryopreservation process effect embryo implantation potential and neonatal outcomes of human embryos? Summary answer Repeated cryopreservation impaired embryo implantation potential, resulting in a lower live birth rate and higher miscarriage rate, despite a comparable neonatal complication rate. What is known already With significant advances in the field of ART, the number of available embryos for transfer per cycle has also increased, resulting in a slew of surplus embryo cryopreservation. However, limited researches have focused on the embryonic development potential, clinical outcomes, pregnancy complications as well as the neonatal complications of embryos experiencing repeated cryopreservation. Study design, size, duration This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study. All ART cycles from January 2014 to December 2018. Age, body mass index, and number of oocytes retrieved were preferentially matched within a required range, with a total of 709 couples included in the study. Participants/materials, setting, methods The study was conducted in the Reproductive Medicine Centre affiliated to a university. Preferentially matched participants were divided into three groups according to the times of embryo cryopreservation: the fresh group (n = 249), the cryopreservation group (n = 244) and the re-cryopreservation group (n = 216). Embryo implantation rate, live birth rate, miscarriage rate, and neonatal complication rate were compared among these three groups. Main results and the role of chance The embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in the re-cryopreservation group were significantly lower, and there was also a slight increase in the miscarriage rate. Logistic regression analysis indicated that embryos with repeated cryopreservation and lower TE scores were at higher risk of embryo implantation failure in single embryo transfer cycles (OR = 1.79 and 1.56 respectively). No significant differences were observed in gender, gestational age, birthweight, neonatal abnormality, and neonatal complications among the groups. Limitations, reasons for caution This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in single center. A multi-center prospective study with a larger sample size in well-matched participants is needed to reinforce our findings. Wider implications of the findings: Our findings demonstrated the adverse effect of repeated cryopreservation on embryo implantation potential. To avoid embryo waste, or in some special circumstances such as re-biopsy in PGT cycles, an additional cryopreservation on embryos was considered to be available to achieve clinical pregnancy and live birth. Trial registration number Not applicable

Maternal and perinatal outcome in patients with preterm labor pains receiving tocolytic therapy

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the maternal and neonatal outcomes in patients with preterm labor pains and also to correlate threatened abortion with preterm pains.Methods: The study conducted was a prospective observational study. 100 cases of preterm labor admitted to JK hospital, Bhopal over a period of 2 years with singleton gestation between 28 to 36+6 weeks were included.Results: Maximum preterm deliveries were in the late preterm group (80%). Correlation of preterm labor with threatened abortion was not significant (OR=1.03; p>0.05). 42% cases delivered vaginally and 58% by LSCS. Prolongation of pregnancy after tocolytic therapy was upto 12 hours in 35% cases, 12-24 hours in 40% cases and >24 hours in only 15% cases. The most commonly encountered neonatal complication was RDS, 37%, out of which 9% required resuscitation at birth and 8% required ventilator support followed by jaundice in 23%, sepsis in 3% cases and NEC in 4% cases. The association between gestational age and requirement of resuscitation at birth (X2=19.9; p=0.00), need of ventilator (X2=12.6; p=0.002) and neonatal RDS (X2=6.9; p=0.031) was found to be significant.Conclusions: Preterm births are major obstetric problem that have an extensive impact on neonatal morbidity and mortality.

The Effect of Asthma Severity on Perinatal Outcomes: A Tertiary Hospital Experience

Objective To evaluate the effect of asthma severity and disease exacerbation on pregnancy outcomes. Materials and Methods Pregnancies were classified into 3 groups as mild (n=195), moderate (n=63), and severe (n=26) according to preconceptional asthma severity. Demographic features, clinical characteristics, and perinatal outcomes were compared between the groups. Delivery characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were also compared between the pregnancies with or without asthma exacerbation (43 and 241 pregnancies, respectively). Results Worsening of symptoms during pregnancy was higher in moderate and severe asthma groups (p<0.001). Rates of spontaneous abortion, fetal structural anomaly, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction (FGR), oligohydramnios, gestational diabetes, and intrauterine fetal demise were higher in moderate and severe asthma groups (p-values were < 0.001, 0.01, 0.008, 0.02, 0.01, < 0.001, < 0.001, and 0.007, respectively). Admissions to neonatal intensive care units and neonatal complication rates were higher among moderate and severe asthma groups (p=0.035 and < 0.001). Spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, FGR, oligohydramnios, and neonatal complication rates were higher (p<0.001) in the group with exacerbated symptoms. Conclusion Moderate to severe asthma before pregnancy and the exacerbation of asthma symptoms during pregnancy may lead to increased rates of perinatal complications.

The Alteration of Carnitine Metabolism in Second Trimester in GDM and a Nomogram for Predicting Macrosomia

Objective. The metabolism of three major nutrients (sugar, lipid, and protein) will change during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester. The present study is aimed at evaluating carnitine alteration in fatty acid metabolism in the second trimester of pregnancy and the correlation between carnitine and GDM. Methods. 450 pregnant women were recruited in the present prospective study. Metabolic profiling of 31 carnitines was detected by LC-MS/MS in these women. Correlation between carnitine metabolism and maternal and neonatal complication with GDM was analyzed. Results. We found the levels of 7 carnitines increased in age>35, BMI≥30, weight gain>20 kg, and ART pregnant groups, but the level of free carnitine (C0) decreased. Nine carnitines were specific metabolites of GDM. Prepregnancy BMI, weight gain, and carnitines (C0, C3, and C16) were independent risk factors associated with GDM and related macrosomia. C0 was negatively correlated with FBG, LDL, TG, and TC. A nomogram was developed for predicting macrosomia in GDM based on carnitine-related metabolic variables. Conclusion. The carnitine metabolism in the second trimester is abnormal in GDM women. The dysfunction of carnitine metabolism is closely related to the abnormality of blood lipid and glucose in GDM. Carnitine metabolism abnormality could predict macrosomia complicated with GDM.