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Objective: To describe the association between maternal and fetal physical signs and symptoms (signs/symptoms) and childbirth outcomes in women with prior cesarean delivery (CD).Methods: Cases of uterine rupture at a single institution were reviewed to examine risk factors for experiencing signs/symptoms and poor childbirth outcomes.Results: Among 21 014 deliveries, 3252 (15.5%) had prior CD, and 75 (2.3%) had uterine rupture. Of these, 66 (88.0%) labored. Among those who labored, 51 (77.3%) demonstrated signs/symptoms prior to delivery. Signs/symptoms included vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, fetal bradycardia and decreased fetal heart rate (FHR) variability. Laboring patients with signs/symptoms were seven times more likely than those without them to have poor maternal/neonatal outcome (27/51 [52.9%] versus 2/15 [13.3%], OR = 7.31 [95% CI 1.34-52.43], p = 0.0155). In multivariate analysis, risk factors for poor fetal outcome were cervical ripening (OR 4.99 [95% CI 0.86-28.99, p = 0.0735) and prolonged FHR deceleration/bradycardia (OR 2.78 [95% CI 0.86-9.10], p = 0.0905). Fetal tachycardia was a risk factor for poor maternal outcome (OR 8.10 [95% CI 1.40-46.84], p = 0.0195).Conclusions: Among laboring women with uterine rupture, 77% demonstrated maternal or fetal signs/symptoms before delivery. The presence of at least one sign/symptom identified nearly all laboring patients (27/29 [93.1%]) with poor outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) are classified as distinct clinical disorders associated with unbalanced blood flow through placental vascular communications. Typically, TAPS placentas demonstrate few <1 mm arteriovenous (AV) communications, and at fetoscopy the twins are visibly pale and plethoric. Materials and Methods: In a cohort of TTTS patients who underwent laser surgery, those with preoperative findings suggestive of anemia/polycythemia (AP) were compared to those with TTTS alone. AP was defined as middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity in one twin >1.5 multiples of the median (MoM), and <1.0 MoM in the other. Results: Of 369 TTTS patients, 9 (2.4%) met criteria for preoperative AP. The mean number (±SD) of AV communications in the TTTS + AP group was 5.6 ± 5.7, compared with 8.8 ± 4.8 in the TTTS-alone group (p = 0.013). Five TTTS + AP patients (56%) had a few thin AV communications (mean 2.8 ± 1.6); all 5 had visibly pale and plethoric twins. The remaining 4 (44%) had large or numerous anastomoses (mean 10.5 ± 6.8); none had fetal skin color discordance. Discussion: Preoperative AP affected 2% of TTTS patients. Of these, approximately half had placental and skin color findings typically reported with isolated TAPS. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of 1-h post-glucola (PG) screening results and the need for insulin therapy in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). Methods. The study group was comprised of women with GDM treated at a single institution during calendar years 2000--2004. Women with singleton, term (≥≥37 weeks gestation), liveborn fetuses were included. The association of 1-h PG results and other perinatal risk factors to the need for subsequent insulin therapy was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. Results. Of the 1451 women were included in the analysis, 18.1%% required insulin treatment. The mean 1-h PG result was 170.0 ±± 26.1 mg/dl (range 140--414 mg/dl). We determined that a 1-h PG ≥≥ 190 mg/dl ( p < 0.0001), an obese body mass index (BMI) ( p < 0.0001), an overweight BMI ( p == 0.0019), prior GDM ( p == 0.0019), and prior macrosomia ( p == 0.0210) were each highly associated with the need for subsequent insulin therapy during the pregnancy. Conclusions. A 1-h PG ≥≥ 190 mg/dl was strongly associated with the need for insulin therapy in women with GDM. These data may be helpful in counseling and managing women with GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To describe our experience with preferential use of sequential selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels (SQLPCV) in women with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Methods. Women with TTTS received treatment using the SQLPCV technique whenever possible. SQLPCV mandates ablation of all donor-to-recipient arteriovenous communications first, in comparison to the standard non-sequential selective technique. Results. Of 99 consecutive women treated, 64 received SQLPCV. Overall survival of one or both twins was 91% and dual survival was 72%. Higher dual survival rates (80 vs. 57%, p = 0.0317) and donor survival rates (83 vs. 63%, p = 0.0489) were noted in the SQLPCV group. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that the SQLPCV technique was highly associated with dual survivorship (OR = 4.64 [1.57–13.74], p = 0.0056), when controlling for gestational age at surgery, duration of laser treatment and number of anastomoses lasered. Neither Quintero stage, placental location, preoperative discordance prior to surgery, nor preoperative cervical length contributed to this equation. The SQLPCV technique was also associated with donor survivorship (OR = 4.43 [1.44–13.67], p = 0.0095), when controlling for the same covariates. Conclusion. Treatment of TTTS via SQLPCV technique was associated with higher dual survival and donor twin survival rates as compared to standard SLPCV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To examine the relationship between prolonged second stage and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Methods. We conducted a retrospective case-control study of all cases of PPH which occurred at four Southern California hospitals in 2003. Cases were identified by ICD-9 codes and confirmed by chart reviews, and non-cases were randomly selected as controls. The relationship between PPH and prolonged second-stage was examined using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results. The sample consisted of 91 cases and 323 controls. Cases were significantly more likely than controls to have had a prolonged second stage of labor, over a range of definitions for PPH and prolonged second stage. In multivariable analyses, prolonged second stage was associated with greater than three-fold (OR = 3.35; 95% CI 1.22-9.19) increased risk for PPH. Conclusion. Prolonged second stage is an important risk factor for PPH. Close supervision is warranted for women with a prolonged second stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]