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Objective The random urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) is a screening test used for predicting clinically significant proteinuria (urine protein ≥ 300 mg) during pregnancy. No consensus exists on the optimal random UPCR cutoff for performing follow-up 24 hour urine (24H) total protein collection. We aim to evaluate the test performance of random UPCR in predicting proteinuria in a contemporary cohort. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of pregnant patients at our institution from 2014 to 2018 with a random UPCR and follow-up 24H protein collection. The primary analysis estimated the test characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) of using random UPCR for the detection of proteinuria defined as urine protein ≥300 mg on 24H protein collection. UPCR cutoffs from 0.10 to 0.30 mg/dL were evaluated, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed, and area under the curve (AUC) was determined. A secondary analysis examined the correlation between UPCR and 24H protein using least squares regression and Pearson correlation. Results Paired UPCR and 24H collection results were available for 1,120 patients. Mean gestational age at time of UPCR was 31.1 ± 5.1 weeks and 687 (61.3%) of patients had a 24H ≥300 mg. UPCR <0.10 mg/dL effectively excluded proteinuria ≥300 mg on 24H collection, while UPCR ≥0.18 mg/dL correctly classifies proteinuria with 91% sensitivity, 57% specificity, 77% positive predictive value, and 79% negative predictive value. UPCR ≥1.07 mg/dL had 100% specificity for 24 hour proteinuria. The area under ROC curve was 0.86. UPCR and 24H collection were highly correlated with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.85. After our institution lowered the threshold to obtain a 24H from UPCR ≥0.20 mg/dL to ≥0.10 mg/dL in May 2017, the percentage of patients meeting criteria for 24H collection increased from 57.8 to 84.4%. Conclusion The AUC and Pearson correlation suggest random UPCR is a high performance test for the prediction of proteinuria on 24H. Optimal test performance is dependent upon clinical consideration and upon the implications of the disease or condition. A random UPCR screen positive threshold of 0.18 mg/dL maximizes sensitivity to identify clinically significant proteinuria. Key Points Random urine protein to creatinine ratio is a high performance test for proteinuria. A random UPCR threshold of 0.18 mg/dL maximizes sensitivity to identify proteinuria. Optimal test performance is dependent on the disease or clinical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  Despite legislation and hospital policies (present in some institutions) mandating a minimum length of stay in an effort to decrease the frequency of hospital readmissions, the effectiveness of this approach remains uncertain. We hypothesized that following cesarean delivery (CD), the rates of maternal readmission or unscheduled health care visits are lower in patients discharged on postoperative day (POD) 3 or ≥4 as compared with those discharged earlier on POD 2. Methods  This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized trial comparing adjunctive azithromycin for unscheduled CD to prevent infection. Groups were compared based on the duration of hospitalization measured in days from delivery (POD 0) to day of discharge and categorized as POD 2, 3, and ≥4. The primary outcome was the composite of any maternal postpartum readmission, unscheduled clinic, or emergency room (ER) visit, within 6 weeks of delivery. Secondary outcomes included components of the primary outcome and neonatal readmissions. We excluded women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and infections diagnosed prior to POD 2. Results  A total of 1,391 patients were included. The rate of the primary outcome of any readmission increased with POD at discharge: 5.9% for POD 2, 9.4% for POD 3, and 10.9% for POD ≥4 group (trend for p  = 0.03). The primary outcome increased with later discharge (POD ≥4 when compared with POD 2). Among components of the composite, ER and unscheduled clinic visits, but not maternal readmissions, increased with the timing of discharge for patients discharged on POD ≥4 when compared with POD 2. Using logistic regression, discharge on POD 3 and on POD ≥4 was significantly associated with the composite (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.3–5.3]; aOR 2.9, 95% CI [1.3–6.4], respectively) compared with POD 2. Conclusion  The risk of maternal readmission composite following uncomplicated but unscheduled CD was not lower in patients discharged home on POD 3 or ≥4 compared with patients discharged earlier (POD 2). Key Points Risk of maternal readmission is higher in patients discharged on POD 3 or 4 compared with POD 2. No significant differences by the timing of discharge were observed for any neonatal readmissions. Timing of discharge should include an individualized approach with the option of discharge by POD 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study aimed to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with severe preeclampsia before and after implementation of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) taskforce hypertensive guidelines. Study Design  Single-center retrospective cohort study of women with severe preeclampsia delivering live nonanomalous singletons 23 to 34 2/7 weeks from 2013 to 2017. In 2015, the ACOG guidelines for expectant management of severe preeclampsia were implemented at our institution. Based on this, patients were categorized as preguideline (January 2013–December 2015) or postguideline adoption (January 2016–December 2017). Primary outcomes included composite maternal morbidity and composite neonatal morbidity; secondary outcomes included composite components, length of stay, birth weight, and delivery gestational age. Groups were compared with Student's t -test, Chi-square, and Wilcoxon's rank-sum tests; adjusted odds ratios (aOR; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were calculated. Yearly composite outcomes were compared using the Cochran–Armitage trend test. We estimated a sample size of 250 per group would provide 80% power at α  = 0.05 to detect a 50% reduction in neonatal morbidity from a baseline rate of 21.5%. Results  From 2013 to 2017, a total of 543 women with severe preeclampsia were identified: 278 (51%) preguideline and 265 (49%) postguideline. Baseline characteristics were overall similar between groups. There were no significant differences in maternal (aOR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.6–1.41) or neonatal (aOR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.61–1.28) composite morbidity between groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in composite maternal or neonatal morbidity over time. Conclusion  Perinatal outcomes were similar before and after implementation of severe preeclampsia management guidelines at our institution. Studies to evaluate if benefits are limited to subsets of this population, such as earlier gestational ages, are needed. Key Points Expectant management of severe preeclampsia has yet to be fully evaluated outside of trial conditions. We did not see a significant improvement in neonatal composite morbidity/mortality. We also did not see a worsened composite maternal morbidity/mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  To explore whether the effect of azithromycin (AZI) on postcesarean infections varied by the presence/absence of genital mycoplasmataceae placental colonization. Study Design  This was a single-center substudy of multicenter double-blind C/SOAP (Cesarean Section Optimal Antibiotic Prophylaxis) trial of women randomized to AZI or placebo (+cefazolin) antibiotic prophylaxis at cesarean. Chorioamnion/placenta specimens were tested for genital mycoplasmataceae colonization by polymerase chain reaction. Primary outcome was a composite of endometritis, wound infection, or other infections up to 6 weeks postpartum. Analysis was intent-to-treat; logistic regression was used to evaluate interactions between treatment assignment (AZI/placebo) and the presence/absence of mycoplasmataceae and to quantify effects of AZI in analyses stratified by the presence/absence of these microorganisms. Results  Specimens from 613 women (303 AZI and 310 placebo) were evaluated. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, and approximately 1/3 (30.3%) had mycoplasmataceae placental/chorioamnion colonization. There was no evidence of effect modification (p interaction  = 0.79) between treatment assignment and the presence/absence of organisms. Stratified analyses showed fewer events in the AZI group in the presence (odds ratio [OR]: 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17–1.01) and absence (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.24–1) of mycoplasmataceae. Results were similar with endometritis/wound infections and with ureaplasmas/mycoplasmas considered separately. Conclusion  The reduction in postcesarean infection with AZI does not vary based on the presence or absence of genital mycoplasmataceae placental colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In full-term patients, early artificial rupture of membranes (AROMs) decreases time in labor. We assessed the impact of early AROM in preterm patients undergoing indicated induction of labor. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing indicated preterm induction (23-34 weeks) at a single tertiary care center from 2011 to 2014. Early AROM was defined as<4 cmand late AROMwas defined as ≥4 cm. The primary outcomes evaluated were cesarean delivery and time in labor. Secondary outcomes were chorioamnionitis and a composite of maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. Results Of the 149 women included, 65 (43.6%) had early AROM. Early AROM was associated with an increased time from the start of induction to delivery (25.7 ± 13.0 vs. 19.0 ± 10.3 hours, p < 0.01) and with an increase in the risk of cesarean (53.4 vs. 22.6%, adjusted odds ratio: 3.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.60-7.74). Early AROM was not associated with an increased risk of chorioamnionitis or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Conclusion In this observational cohort, early AROM was associated with an increased risk of cesarean. A randomized controlled trial is necessary to determine the optimal timing of AROM in preterm patients requiring delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate cesarean outcomes, stratified by abdominal incision type, in women with class III obesity. Study Design We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with class III obesity undergoing cesarean at our institution from 2010 to 2013 with singletons ≥ 34 weeks. Outcomes were compared between patients with transverse subpannicular and vertical abdominal incisions. The primary outcome was a wound composite (cellulitis, abscess, hematoma, seroma, or dehiscence). Other outcomes included transfusion, vertical hysterotomy, 5-minute Apgar < 7, and umbilical artery pH < 7.10. Results Of 423 patients, 364 had subpannicular transverse, 57 had vertical, and 2 had periumbilical transverse incisions (not analyzed). Although vertical incisions were associated with more wound complications (26.3 vs. 14.8%; p = 0.03), the difference became null after adjustment (adjusted odds ratios [aOR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7, 4.1). Vertical incisions were associated with increased risk of vertical hysterotomy (aOR 4.8; 95% CI, 2.2, 10.4), decreased risk of 5-minute Apgar < 7 (aOR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.004, 0.9), and not statistically significantly associated with transfusion (aOR, 4.2; 95% CI, 0.9, 19.0) or umbilical artery pH < 7.1 (aOR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.11, 1.7). Conclusions In women with class III obesity cesarean delivery via vertical abdominal incisions is associated with more maternal but less immediate neonatal complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between positive glucose challenge test (GCT) values and perinatal outcomes stratified by maternal body mass index (BMI). Study Design Retrospective cohort of singleton gestations with a GCT performed at >20 weeks and documented BMI at entry to care. Subjects were classified by GCT level and BMI. Primary outcomes included large for gestational age (LGA), macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Cochran-Armitage tests for trend and logistic regression were used to compare the GCT categories. Results A total of 14,525 women met enrollment criteria—8,521 with a GCT < 120 mg/dL and 6,004 with a GCT ≥ 120 mg/dL.When BMI < 25 kg/m2 was considered, the risks were not increased at any level of GCT for any outcome. However, for subjects with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, the risk of LGA for a GCT 130 to 134 mg/dL was increased, but not at GCTof 135 to 139mg/dL (p < 0.001). Similar, but nonsignificant, trends were observed for macrosomia and shoulder dystocia. Conclusion Increasing GCT is associated with adverse outcomes primarily in women with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Women with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and a GCT 135 to 140 mg/dL appear to have less risk of LGA than women with GCT 130 to 134 mg/dL, suggesting a possible effect of diagnosing and treating gestational diabetes mellitus in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]