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Late preterm (LP, born between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation) infants may experience several adverse outcomes, similar to those experienced by low birthweight (LBW, birthweight <2500 g) infants. However, while LP infants are often born with LBW, the association between LP and LBW remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate LBW rate and independent risk factors for LBW in LP singleton neonates. We retrospectively analyzed data of LP singleton neonates, born between 2013 and 2017, from the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Successive Pregnancy Birth Registry System. The exclusion criteria included stillbirths and infants with missing data. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate maternal and perinatal factors associated with LBW in LP singletons. LBW was observed in 62.5% (n = 35,113) of 56,160 LP singleton births. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, LBW in LP neonates was independently associated with modifiable maternal factors, including pre-pregnancy underweight, inadequate gestational weight gain, and smoking during pregnancy, as well as non-modifiable factors, including younger maternal age, nulliparity, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, preeclampsia, cesarean section delivery, and female offspring. According to the Japanese pregnancy birth registry data, more than half of LP neonates were LBW. We previously discussed the issue of LBW regarding infants with different backgrounds, as there are many different causes of LBW. Several risk factors should be subdivided and considered for the risk of LP and LBW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methods Results Conclusions The induction of labor before due date has recently been proved to reduce the rate of cesarean sections and is not associated with increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes as compared to expectant management. Controlled‐release dinoprostone (PGE2) vaginal insert has recently been approved for use in Japan. However, evidence regarding its efficacy in cervical ripening and labor induction before due date remains limited. We aimed to compare the efficacy of PGE2 vaginal inserts and mechanical dilation for labor induction before due date.This retrospective cohort study included 206 mothers at 37, 38, and 39 weeks' gestation delivered at our institution between January 2021 and October 2022. Perinatal outcomes, including the success rate of vaginal delivery, were compared between the PGE2 (n = 46) and metreurynter/laminaria tent (non‐PGE2) (n = 160) groups. The success rate of vaginal delivery was defined as the proportion of women who delivered vaginally within 48 h of initiating oxytocin augmentation.The success rate of vaginal delivery was significantly higher in the PGE2 group (37/49, 80.4%) than in the non‐PGE2 group (106/177, 66.2%). Emergency cesarean section related to non‐reassuring fetal status was performed with none in the PGE2 group and with eight (5.0%) in the non‐PGE2 group.The rate of vaginal delivery was significantly higher in the PGE2 group for elective labor induction between 37 and 39 weeks. The PGE2 vaginal insert could increase the success rate of vaginal delivery for elective induction of labor at 39 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims/Introduction Materials and Methods Results Conclusions This study evaluated the risk factors for insulin therapy before 24 gestational weeks (early insulin therapy) in pregnant women with gestational diabetes diagnosed before 24 gestational weeks (E‐GDM).This study included 530 singleton mothers with E‐GDM who underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in the first trimester at Keio University Hospital between January 2013 and December 2021. E‐GDM can be classified according to its management into only diet therapy until delivery (Diet E‐GDM), insulin therapy started before 24 gestational weeks (EarlyIns E‐GDM), and insulin therapy started after 24 gestational weeks (LateIns E‐GDM). We analyzed the risk factors for EarlyIns E‐GDM.Patients with EarlyIns E‐GDM had a significantly higher maternal age at delivery, pre‐pregnancy BMI, first trimester hemoglobin A1c, 1 h plasma glucose levels (1 h‐PG), and 2 h‐PG, as well as a more pronounced initial increase and subsequent decrease, compared with those in the Diet E‐GDM group. However, the Apgar scores at both 1 and 5 min were significantly lower in patients with EarlyIns E‐GDM than in those with Diet E‐GDM. The number of abnormal values in the OGTT showed the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for predicting EarlyIns E‐GDM (0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79–0.86), followed by the 1 h‐PG value (AUC: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.77–0.85). The initial increase showed the third largest AUC (0.78, 95% CI: 0.74–0.82).Although further research is needed, our data suggest the importance of early insulin therapy in cases of E‐GDM with multiple abnormal OGTT values, especially with high 1 h‐PG levels and initial increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]