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Aim This retrospective study was performed to determine the frequency of malformed infants born at a tertiary center in Hokkaido, Japan. The accuracy of prenatal diagnosis rates was also investigated. Methods An observational study was performed using data of 1509 and 1743 newborn infants at a single center during two study periods, 2005-2009 (first) and 2010-2014 (second), respectively. Cases including minor anomalies (accessory auricle, nevus and fistula auris congenita) were not included. Results In total, 274 and 569 malformations were identified in 191 and 337 newborn infants in the first and second study periods, respectively. The number of malformed infants increased significantly over time (13% [191/1509] vs 19% [337/1743], respectively; P < 0.001), mainly as a result of an increase in cases of congenital heart disease (CHD), from 59 to 141 (31% [59/191] vs 42% [141/337] of all malformed infants in the first and second periods, respectively). The overall accurate prenatal diagnosis rate improved over time from 47% (128/274) to 58% (329/569) because of significant improvements in accurate prenatal diagnosis of CHD subtypes (23% [16/70] vs 65% [151/232] in the first and second periods, respectively, P < 0.0001). Conclusions The frequency of malformed newborns was higher in the tertiary center than in the general population. The increased number of cases with prenatal suspicion and diagnosis of CHD contributed to the increased frequency of malformed infants during the study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether antenatal decline in antithrombin (AT) activity occurs frequently and precedes the development of perinatal liver dysfunction in women with triplet pregnancies. Material and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on all women who gave birth to triplets at gestational week ⩾22 at a single centre during a study period from January 2001 to March 2013. The following eight blood parameters were monitored weekly during the last 5 weeks of pregnancy and postpartum: AT activity, platelet count, fibrinogen, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), uric acid and creatinine. Pregnancy-induced AT deficiency (PIATD) and gestational thrombocytopenia were defined as antenatal AT activity <70% of normal level and antenatal platelet count <150 × 109/L, respectively. Liver dysfunction was defined as AST > 40 IU/L. LDH elevation was defined as LDH > 450 IU/L. Results: Sixteen women were eligible for this study. All variables except LDH exhibited significant changes antenatally: AT activity, platelet count and fibrinogen decreased, while D-dimer, AST, urate and creatinine increased. LDH increased significantly postpartum. PIATD, gestational thrombocytopenia, perinatal liver dysfunction, and LDH elevation occurred in eight, seven, six, and eight women, respectively. Liver dysfunction was preceded by PIATD alone in three, by both PIATD and gestational thrombocytopenia in one and by gestational thrombocytopenia alone in none of the subjects. After delivery, laboratory abnormalities similar to HELLP syndrome were seen in three women exclusively in the presence of PIATD. Conclusions: Reduced AT activity was likely to precede perinatal liver dysfunction in women with triplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: It is unknown whether weekly maternal weight gain differs between Japanese women with singleton, twin, and triplet pregnancies. Methods: Gestational weight gain defined as net weight gain during pregnancy was analyzed in 135,036 pregnant Japanese women, including 128,838 with singletons, 5573 with twins, and 132 with triplets, who gave birth at ≥22 weeks of gestation between 2007 and 2009. Weekly weight gain was defined as follows: gestational weight gain÷[gestational week (GW) at Delivery-2]. Results: Length of gestation (weeks, mean±SD) decreased significantly (38.2±2.6, 35.3±3.0, and 32.7±2.8) with increasing number of fetuses, while overall gestational weight gain (kg) was significantly smaller in women with singletons than in those with either twins or triplets (9.6±4.4 vs. 10.9±4.8 or 10.9±5.2, respectively). Thus, weekly maternal weight gain (kg/week) increased significantly with increasing number of fetuses (0.26±0.12, 0.33±0.13, and 0.35±0.16). Among women with delivery at or after GW 34, difference in gestational weight gain (kg) was prominent between the three groups (9.8±4.4, 11.4±4.7, and 13.0±5.1 for singleton, twin, and triplet pregnancies, respectively, P<0.001 between any two groups). Conclusions: Weekly maternal weight gain increases with increasing number of fetuses. Our figures may be useful for advising Japanese women with multifetal pregnancies regarding gestational weight gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine whether macrosomic infants with a birthweight of 4.0 kg or more have increased risk of cerebral palsy associated with neonatal encephalopathy ( Enc- CP). Methods A retrospective review of 132 singleton infants with Enc- CP fulfilling all of the following criteria: born at gestational week ( GW) 37 or more ( n = 126) or weighing 2.5 kg or more at birth ( n = 116) in or after January 2009 in Japan; no identifiable causes of cerebral palsy other than antenatal or intrapartum hypoxia; and exhibition of neonatal encephalopathy. National statistics of Japan were used to determine the numbers of infants according to birthweight categories. Results Of the 116 infants with a birthweight of 2.5 kg or more, 46 (39.7%), 49 (42.2%), 17 (14.7%) and four (3.4%) infants had birthweights of 2.5-2.99, 3.0-3.49, 3.5-3.99 and 4.0 kg or more, respectively. Corresponding figures among Japanese infants born in 2009-2011 were 42.8%, 45.4%, 10.9% and 0.90%, respectively. Infants with a birthweight of 4.0 kg or more had a relative risk (95% confidence interval) of Enc- CP of 3.89 (1.52-9.95) compared to those with a birthweight of 2.5-2.99 kg. Conclusion Japanese infants with a birthweight of 4.0 kg or more have increased risk of Enc- CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to better characterize the nature of abruptio placentae ( AP) with regard to the timing of onset. Material and Methods Prevalence and prospective risk of AP according to gestational week ( GW) were determined among 293 899 women who gave birth to singleton infants at and after GW 30. The prospective risk of AP at gestational week N was defined as the number of all women who experienced an AP at ≥ GW N divided by the number of all women who gave birth at ≥ GW N. Results AP developed in 2649 (0.90%) women. The prevalence of AP (6.7% among women who gave birth at GW 30-33) sharply decreased with advancing GW at delivery to 0.9% for GW 37 and 0.1% for ≥ GW 42. The highest prospective risk of AP, 9 per 1000 women at GW 30, decreased linearly with advancing gestation to 1 per 1000 women at ≥ GW 42. AP accounted for 4.7% (1591/33 725) of all preterm births at GW <37, while prevalence of AP was 0.41% (1058/260 174) among term births. Preterm AP accounted for 60.1% (1591/2649) of all AP. Conclusion Our figures indicate that AP is more common in preterm births than in term birth and may be helpful for better understanding the epidemiology of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to underscore problems associated with the dipstick test and determination of protein concentration alone in spot-urine ( P-test) compared with spot-urine protein-to-creatinine ratio ( P/ Cr test) and to determine whether urine collection for 24-h test was complete. Material and Methods Dipstick and P/ Cr tests were performed simultaneously in 357 random spot-urine specimens from 145 pregnant women, including 35 with pre-eclampsia. Positive results were defined as ≥1+ on dipstick test, protein concentration ≥30 mg/dL on P-test, and P/ Cr ratio ≥ 0.27 (mg/mg) on P/ Cr test. Sixty-four 24-h urine tests (quantification of protein in urine collected during 24 h) were performed in 27 of the 145 women. We assumed that P/ Cr ratio ≥ 0.27 predicted significant proteinuria (urinary protein ≥ 0.3 g/day). The 24-h urine collection was considered incomplete when urinary creatinine excretion was <11.0 mg/kg/day or >25.0 mg/kg/day. Results Forty-four percent (69/156) of specimens with a positive test result on dipstick test contained protein < 30 mg/dL. Dipstick test was positive for 25.7% (69/269) of specimens with protein < 30 mg/dL and for 28.8% (79/274) of specimens with P/ Cr ratio < 0.27. P-test results were positive for 7.3% (20/274) and negative for 18.1% (15/83) of specimens with P/ Cr ratio < 0.27 and ≥0.27, respectively. Incomplete 24-h urine collection occurred in 15.6% (10/64) of 24-h urine tests. Daily urinary creatinine excretion was 702-1397 mg, while creatinine concentration varied from 16 mg/dL to 475 mg/dL in spot-urine specimens. Conclusion Dipstick test and P-test were likely to over- and underestimate risks of significant proteinuria, respectively. The 24-h urine collection was often incomplete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of transcervical balloon catheter ( TCBC) for induction of labor ( IOL) is a risk factor for cerebral palsy ( CP) associated with umbilical cord prolapse ( UCP-CP) in singleton pregnancies with cephalic presentation. Material and Methods Among all 102 infants with CP who were preliminarily determined as caused by antenatal and/or intrapartum hypoxemia by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care until April 2012, all 56 infants who met all of the following criteria were studied: cephalic singleton pregnancy, reassuring fetal status on electronic cardiotocogram at time of admission to obstetric facilities for labor pains, ruptured fetal membranes, and/or IOL, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy at birth. Clinical backgrounds were compared between six infants with UCP-CP and the remaining 50 infants with CP not associated with UCP (non- UCP-CP). Results Frequencies of IOL (83% [5/6] vs 32% [16/50], P = 0.0236), use of TCBC (67% [4/6] vs 10% [5/50], P = 0.0044), and amniotomy (67% [4/6] vs 24% [12/50], P = 0.0494) were significantly higher in the UCP-CP than the non- UCP-CP group. Only TCBC was a risk factor significantly associated with UCP-CP after logistic regression analysis, yielding an odds ratio of 18.0 (95% confidence interval, 2.6-124; P = 0.003). Saline volumes of 80-150 mL were used for TCBC inflation in the four UCP-CP patients. Conclusion Use of TCBC with a saline volume ≥ 80 mL was a significant risk factor for UCP-CP; however, the absolute risk of UCP-CP was estimated to be very low, approximately one in 7875 TCBC users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To examine the incidence of umbilical cord presentation, including cord prolapse (UCP) and cord descent (UCD), after the use of a trans-cervical balloon catheter (TCBC), such as a Foley catheter and a metreurynter, for the induction of labor (IOL). Methods A retrospective medical chart review was conducted, focusing on the occurrence of UCP and UCD in 800 women who underwent IOL with a TCBC at five hospitals during the study period (2008-2009 for two hospitals and 2006-2009 for three hospitals). The five hospitals had a total of 8245 deliveries during the study period. UCP and UCD were defined as the descent of the umbilical cord in advance of the presenting fetal part in the presence and absence of rupture of fetal membranes, respectively. Results The frequency of IOL using a TCBC with 70-250 mL of saline varied among the five hospitals from 4.9% to 18.8% (mean ± SD, 10.7 ± 5.0%). UCP and UCD occurred in two and four women, respectively, with the frequency of cord presentation varying among the hospitals from 0.0% to 1.8% (mean ± SD, 0.9 ± 0.9%); the cord presentation was significantly more likely to occur when 180-250 mL of saline was used, compared with when 70-150 mL of saline was used (8.2% [5/61] vs 0.15% [1/662], P < 0.0001). A change in the presenting fetal body part also occurred in 0.5% (4/800) of the women. Conclusion The use of a TCBC with 180-250 mL of saline increases the risk of cord presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the usefulness of a new method for cesarean section (CS) that is comprised of a transverse incision into the uterine fundus, developed for women with placentas covering the entire anterior uterine wall, and introduced in September 2006. Material and Methods: Review of medical records of 12 and 29 women who underwent CS by the new and conventional methods, respectively, for placenta previa, placenta accreta (accreta, increta and percreta) or placenta widely covering the entire anterior uterine wall in which placenta accreta cannot be excluded, between June 2003 and March 2011. Results: Placenta accreta (67% [8/12] vs 10% [3/29], P = 0.0006) and cesarean hysterectomy (67% vs 10%) were significantly more frequent in the group with the new compared with the conventional method. There were no significant differences between groups with the new and conventional methods in amount of blood loss (1732 ± 1067 vs 1847 ± 1279 g, respectively), prevalence of blood loss >3000 g (8.3% vs 17%, respectively) or blood transfusion (92% vs 72%, respectively), time required for cesarean hysterectomy (210 ± 58 vs 195 ± 41 min), or neonatal conditions at birth. The amount of blood loss for cesarean hysterectomy was significantly less for the new than conventional method (1959 ± 1025 g vs 4450 ± 1145 g, P = 0.041). Conclusion: The new method was superior to the conventional method with respect to reduction of blood loss during cesarean hysterectomy. However, careful observations are mandatory in women with preserved uterus with respect to a possible increased risk of uterine rupture in future pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To determine reliably the risk of stillbirth among twin pregnancies. Methods: A data analysis of 3241 and 6581 women with monochorionic diamniotic (MD) and dichorionic (DD) twins, respectively, who gave birth at ≥22 weeks of gestation. Results: The prospective risk (per 1000 women) of stillbirth, 25.3 and 11.5 at gestational week 22, decreased to <10.0 at gestational weeks 31 and 28 among the MD and DD twins, respectively. After single intrauterine fetal death, the co-twin died in utero or within 7 days of life more frequently among MD twins than among DD twins [42.7% (35/82) vs. 2.6% (2/76); relative risk, 16.2; 95% confidence interval, 4.0-65.1]. Conclusion: Women with MD twins were 2.2-fold more likely to experience stillbirth than women with DD twins. The prospective risks of stillbirth were <1.0% for both groups of women at ≥32 weeks of gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Which physical findings and blood parameters predict postpartum hypertension remain to be studied in women with twin pregnancies. Methods: The antenatal systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively), and 16 laboratory variables were investigated in 150 normotensive women who gave birth to twins. Results: When the median values of the 18 continuous variables were used as cut-off values, an SBP>120 mm Hg (relative risk [95% confidence interval], 2.81 [1.94-4.08]), a DBP>70 mm Hg (2.42 [1.68-3.49]), an aspartate aminotransferase level>18 U/L (2.22 [1.55-3.19]), and a uric acid level>5.3 mg/dL (1.68 [1.20-2.36]) were independent risk factors for postpartum hypertension. Conclusions: Antenatal blood pressure measurements and a laboratory work-up may be useful clinically for predicting postpartum hypertension in women with twin pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: No maternal mortality from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 occurred in Japan. However, the reasons for this lack of maternal deaths remain unknown. This study was performed to investigate how many pregnant women were infected, how many women took antiviral drugs for prophylaxis or treatment, and the rate of vaccination effectiveness. Material and Methods: A questionnaire study was given to 20 500 postpartum women before leaving obstetric facilities between December 2009 and May 2010 in Hokkaido, asking about antiviral drugs, vaccination, and infection with pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Results: Approximately one-third ( n = 7535) of women given the questionnaires responded. Of these, 268 women (3.5%) indicated that they had contracted influenza. 353 (4.7%) women took antiviral drugs for prophylaxis after close contact with an infected person and 140 (39.7%) of 353 women finally contracted influenza during or after prophylaxis with antiviral drugs, accounting for 52.2% (140/268) of all patients. 229 (85.4%) of 268 patients took antiviral drug for treatment and 6 (2.2%) needed hospitalization, but not mechanical ventilation or intensive care unit. 196 of 268 (73.1%) patients were already infected before the availability of a vaccine. Among 7328 candidates for vaccination, 4921 (67.2%) were vaccinated. Infection occurred in 0.22% (11/4921) and 2.1% (50/2407) of vaccinated and non-vaccinated women, respectively. Conclusion: Frequent use of antiviral drugs for prophylaxis and treatment may partially explain the low infection rate and no maternal mortality from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Japan. Vaccination reduced infection by 89% in pregnant Japanese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To determine the contribution of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) to preterm birth (PTB) at <37 weeks of gestation among Japanese twin pregnancies. Methods: An observational study using 3241 MC-BA (monochorionic biamniotic) and 6581 BC (bichorionic biamniotic) twin pregnancies. We focused on TTTS, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), and fetal sex as possible causes of PTB. Results: PTB was more common in MC-BA than in BC twin pregnancies (66.9% vs. 57.6%, P<0.0001) whereas PTB after PPROM (8.0% vs. 10.0%) and PIH (5.7% vs. 5.9%) was not. PTB after TTTS occurred in 7.3% of women with MC-BA twins. PTB was significantly more common for male-male pairs than for female-female pairs among both MC-BA (69.2% vs. 64.7%) and BC (59.6% vs. 56.3%) twins. Conclusion: The elevated risk of PTB among MC-BA twins could be explained by the occurrence of TTTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]