Maternal infection with Zika virus (ZIKV), dengue virus (DENV), or chikungunya virus (CHIKV) may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy and foetal outcomes, but evidence credibility varies. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the strength of evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on these arboviruses and pregnancy outcomes. PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to December 31, 2025 were searched. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using AMSTAR 2. Evidence credibility was graded as high, moderate, or weak based on precision, consistency, and small-study effects. Nine meta-analyses were included (five on ZIKV, three on DENV, one on CHIKV). AMSTAR 2 ratings were high (n = 5) and low (n = 4), with lack of protocol registration as the main flaw. High credibility evidence linked maternal ZIKV infection to microcephaly (including severe cases > 3SD) and corpus callosum anomalies. Moderate credibility supported ZIKV associations with decreased brain volume, ventriculomegaly, and other neuroimaging abnormalities, and DENV associations with preterm birth, low birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirth, and postpartum haemorrhage. Prevalence estimates for small for gestational age (ZIKV) had high credibility, and intracranial calcifications and joint abnormalities (ZIKV), small for gestational age and stillbirth (DENV), and intrapartum mother-to-child transmission and symptomatic neonatal infection (CHIKV) had moderate credibility. Most other associations were weak. Strong evidence confirms ZIKV causes severe congenital malformations. DENV shows moderate associations with major adverse outcomes, while evidence for CHIKV remains limited at the meta-analytic level despite emerging primary data. Improved methodological rigour and surveillance are needed to protect maternal and child health. Trial Registration: PROSPERO number: CRD420251150405.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate demographic, pregnancy, and labor characteristics and perinatal outcomes related to intrapartum cesarean delivery in twin gestations. METHODS:We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study of twin pregnancies using natality data from the National Center for Health Statistics in the United States from 2018 to 2023. Women who attempted vaginal delivery for twin pregnancy after 35 weeks of gestation were included. The primary outcome was intrapartum cesarean delivery for one or both twins. Multinomial and binary logistic regression models were used to explore factors related to intrapartum cesarean delivery. In secondary analyses, we compared perinatal outcomes between twin pregnancies with intrapartum cesarean delivery and those with successful vaginal delivery. RESULTS:A total of 69,172 participants with twin gestations were included. The rate of intrapartum cesarean delivery for one or both twins was 25.0% (95% CI, 24.6-25.3%), with 16.6% of participants undergoing intrapartum cesarean delivery for both twins and 8.4% for the second twin (combined delivery). The factors most strongly associated with intrapartum cesarean delivery for both twins and combined delivery included previous cesarean delivery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.27, 95% CI, 3.00-3.55) and nulliparity (aOR 2.55, 95% CI, 2.44-2.66) compared with vaginal delivery of both twins. In secondary analyses, compared with vaginal delivery of both twins, intrapartum cesarean delivery was most strongly associated with maternal transfusion (1.2% vs 2.9%, aOR 1.98, 95% CI, 1.71-2.30 with cesarean delivery of both twins; 1.2% vs 3.0%, aOR 2.53, 95% CI, 2.13-3.01 with combined delivery), maternal intensive care unit admission (0.1% vs 0.5%, aOR 2.96, 95% CI, 2.02-4.33 with cesarean delivery of both twins; 0.1% vs 0.5%, aOR 3.51, 95% CI, 2.28-5.41 with combined delivery), and Apgar score lower than 7 at 5 minutes (1.9% vs 5.1%, aOR 2.44, 95% CI, 2.20-2.71 with combined delivery). CONCLUSION:Intrapartum cesarean delivery in twin gestations was more prevalent than previously reported and was associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. The factors associated with intrapartum cesarean delivery in twin pregnancies may assist in decision making regarding attempted vaginal delivery.
Background: Placenta previa with antepartum hemorrhage (APH) is common and closely related to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. It is of the utmost importance to prepare for the possibility of APH using perinatal factors prior to delivery. Objective: To develop and validate a nomogram predicting APH in women with placenta previa based on the perinatal factors. Design: This was a retrospective and prospective cohort study of pregnant women with placenta previa. Methods: The model was developed in the retrospective and validated in the prospective cohort study. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to discover independent variables and develop a nomogram to predict the possibility of APH. An Excel form computer interface was constructed to use the model. Results: There are 1601 and 693 participants in the retrospective and prospective cohort study. Maternal age (odds ratio 0.950, 95% confidence interval 0.918–0.984), married (0.533, 0.309–0.920), parity (1.240, 1.024–1.502), threatened abortion (5.059, 3.648–7.014), and complete placenta previa (1.833, 95% CI 1.469–2.289) were independent variables for APH in placenta previa women. The area under the curve and concordance index were 0.828 and 0.676, respectively. The model was a good fit by the Hosmer–Lemeshow test ( p = 0.352). The prospective validation proved the reliability of the prediction nomogram. The Excel form computer interface was practical. Conclusion: A nomogram based on perinatal factors was developed and validated to predict APH in women with placenta previa. The reliable tool may thereafter offer important assistance for decision-making processes.
BACKGROUND:The existing evidence on the association between interpregnancy interval (IPI) and pregnancy outcomes primarily focuses on singleton pregnancies, with limited research on twin pregnancies. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to investigate the association between IPI and adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN:This population-based, retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the National Center for Health Statistics in the United States between 2016 and 2020. We included multiparous women aged 18 to 45 years with live-born twins without congenital anomalies, born between 26 and 42 weeks of gestation. Poisson regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used to evaluate the associations between IPI and adverse outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB) <36 weeks, small for gestational age (SGA), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, neonatal composite morbidity, and infant death. Missing data on covariates were managed using multiple imputations. Dose-response analyses were performed using the restricted cubic splines (RCS) approach. Subgroup analyses were stratified by maternal age, parity, and combination of neonatal sex. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using complete data and excluding pregnancies with intervening events during the IPI. RESULTS:A total of 143,014 twin pregnancies were included in the analysis. Compared to the referent group (IPI of 18-23 months), an IPI of less than 6 months was associated with an increased risk of PTB<36 weeks (RR, 1.21; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.17-1.25), SGA (RR, 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03-1.18), neonatal composite morbidity (RR, 1.19; 95% CI: 1.12-1.27), NICU admission (RR, 1.18; 95% CI: 1.14-1.22), and infant death (RR, 1.29; 95% CI: 1.05-1.60). An IPI of 5 years or more was associated with an increased risk of PTB<36 weeks (RR, 1.18; 95% CI: 1.15-1.21), SGA (RR, 1.24; 95% CI: 1.18-1.30), neonatal composite morbidity (RR, 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05-1.15), and NICU admission (RR, 1.14; 95% CI: 1.11-1.17). The dose-response analyses showed that these outcomes had U-shaped or J-shaped associations with IPI. The associations between IPI and the outcomes slightly differed by advanced maternal age, parity, and combination of neonatal sex. The sensitivity analyses yielded similar results to the main findings. CONCLUSION:Extreme IPI, less than 6 months or more than 5 years, was associated with adverse outcomes in twin pregnancies. IPI could be used as a predictor for risk stratification in high-risk twin pregnancies.
Background:As birth policy can affect maternal and infant health, we sought to identify whether and how the introduction of the two-child policy might have affected the prevalence of placenta previa in pregnant women in mainland China. Methods:In this update meta-analysis and systematic review, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Weipu, Wanfang, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases for studies evaluating the prevalence of placenta previa in China published between the inception of each database and March 2024, with no restrictions. Two investigators independently extracted the data from each included study. We then combined the prevalence of placenta previa using random-effects models. Results:We included 128 studies in our analysis, 48 more than in our previous review. The prevalence of placenta previa among Chinese pregnant women was 1.44% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32, 1.56). After the implementation of the two-child policy, the prevalence increased significantly, from 1.25% (95% CI = 1.16, 1.34) to 4.12% (95% CI = 3.33, 4.91). Conclusions:The prevalence of placenta previa increased significantly from the one-child policy period to the two-child policy period among mainland Chinese pregnant women, with varying trends across regions. This change requires the attention of health officials and timely adjustment of resource allocation policies. Registration:PROSPERO: CRD42021262309.
Background Placental anomalies, including placenta previa (PP), placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS), and vase previa (VP), are associated with several adverse foetalneonatal and maternal complications. How-ever, there is still a lack of robust evidence on the pathogenesis and ad-verse outcomes of the diseases. Through this umbrella review, we aimed to systematically review existing meta-analyses exploring the factors and outcomes for pregnancy women with placental anomalies. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Co-chrane Library from inception to February 2023. We used AMSTAR 2 to assess the quality of the reviews and estimated the pooled risk and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each meta-analysis. Results We included 34 meta-analyses and extracted 55 factors (27 for PP, 22 for PAS, and 6 for VP) and 16 outcomes (12 for PP, and 4 for VP) to assess their credibility. Seven factors (maternal cocaine use (for PP), uterine leiomyoma (for PP), prior abortion (spontaneous) (PP), threatened miscarriage (PP), maternal obesity (PP), maternal smoking (PAS), male foetus (PAS)) had high epidemiological evidence. Twelve factors and six outcomes had moderate epidemiological evidence. Twenty-two factors and eight outcomes showed significant association, but with weak credibility. Conclusions We found varying levels of evidence for placental anoma-lies of different factors and outcomes in this umbrella review.
BACKGROUND:Nowadays, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a common surgery option for the treatment of uterine fibroids in China, the immediate response of which is clinically evaluated using Contrast Enhanced (CE) imaging. However, the injection of gadolinium with its potential adverse effect is of concern in CE and therefore, it deserves efforts to find a better imaging method without the need for contrast agent injection for this task. OBJECTIVE:To assess the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in evaluating the immediate therapeutic response of HIFU treatment for uterine fibroids in comparison with CE. METHODS:68 patients with 74 uterine fibroids receiving HIFU treatment were enrolled, and immediate treatment response was assessed using post-surgical DWI images. Semi-quantitative ordinal ablation quality grading and quantitative nonperfusion volume (NPV) measurement based on DWI and CE imaging were determined by two experienced radiologists. Agreement of ablation quality grading between DWI and CE was assessed using the weighted kappa coefficient, while intraobserver, interobserver and interprotocol agreements of NPV measurements within and between DWI and CE were evaluated using the intraclass correlation (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS:Grading of immediate HIFU treatment response showed a moderate agreement between DWI and CE (weighted kappa = 0.446, p < 0.001). NPV measured in 65 fibroids with DWI of Grade 3~5 showed very high ICCs for the intraobserver and interobserver agreement within DWI and CE (all ICC > 0.980, p < 0.001) and also for the interprotocol agreement between DWI and CE (ICC = 0.976, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION:DWI could provide satisfactory ablation quality grading, and reliable NPV quantification results to assess immediate therapeutic responses of HIFU treatment for uterine fibroids in most cases, which suggests that non-contrast enhanced DWI might be potentially used as a more costeffective and convenient method in a large proportion of patients for this task replacing CE imaging.
BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence regarding optimal gestational weight gain in women with twin pregnancies and gestational diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the association between gestational weight gain and perinatal outcomes among women with gestational diabetes mellitus and twin pregnancies and to explore the gestational weight gain targets by prepregnancy body mass index category. STUDY DESIGN: A national population-based cohort study of twin pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus was conducted between 2014 and 2020. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus aged between 18 and 45 years with live-born twins without congenital malformations between 24 and 42 weeks of gestation were included in the analysis. Two approaches were used to determine the optimal gestational weight gain targets by body mass index category: an interquartile range method to calculate targets in low-risk gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies and a logistic model method to identify the odds ratio targets at which a composite adverse outcome decreased. RESULTS: Of 29,308 women with gestational diabetes mellitus and twin pregnancies, 8239 (28.1%) were normal-weight, 7626 (26.0%) were overweight, and 13,443 (45.9%) were obese. The continuous standardized gestational weight gain by 36 weeks was associated with preterm birth <36 weeks, large-for-gestational-age infants, small-for-gestational-age infants, and gestational hypertensive disorders. The interquartile range targets were 13.6 to 20.9 kg, 10.9 to 20.4 kg, and 7.7 to 17.7 kg for normal-weight, overweight, and obese women, respectively. The odds ratio targets were 14.1 to 20.0 kg, 12.1 to 16.0 kg, and 6.1 to 12.0 kg for normal-weight, overweight, and obese women, respectively. Gestational weight gain outside these targets was associated with preterm birth <36 weeks, large-for-gestational-age and small-for-gestational-age infants, and gestational hypertensive disorders, and exhibited significant population attributable fractions for preterm birth <36 weeks, large-for-gestational-age infants, and gestational hypertensive disorders across body mass index categories. CONCLUSION: Compared with the Institute of Medicine guidelines, more stringent gestational weight gain targets would be beneficial for improved perinatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and twin pregnancies.
ObjectiveExercise during pregnancy has been proven to reduce the risk of cesarean delivery. However, few studies have examined the relationship between walking or jogging during pregnancy and the success rate of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC). This multicenter, retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the association between walking or jogging during pregnancy and the success rate of VBAC in women who underwent a trial of labor after cesarean delivery. MethodsThe study was conducted between January 2018 and December 2019 in Foshan, China. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed on demographic and obstetric data collected from the electronic record system. ResultsOf 1080 women included in the final analysis, 80.4% underwent VBAC. In the multivariable analysis, women who walked or jogged >= 200 min/week during pregnancy had a higher likelihood of successful VBAC than women who did not exercise, after adjusting for two sets of confounders: Model 1: Adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.74 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-2.85) and model 2: Adjusted OR, 1.83 (95% CI, 1.09-3.06). ConclusionsWalking or jogging >= 200 min/week during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of cesarean delivery among women who undergo a trial of labor after cesarean delivery.
Background:Multiple studies and meta-analyses have claimed that breastfeeding is inversely correlated with maternal and childhood cancers. These results could either be causal or confounded by shared risk factors. By conducting an umbrella review, we aimed to consolidate the relationship between breastfeeding and maternal and childhood cancers. Methods:We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to December 2022. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the quality of the studies using standardised forms. We considered two types of breastfeeding comparisons ("ever" vs "never" breastfeeding; and "longest" vs "shortest" duration). We estimated the pooled risk and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each meta-analysis. Results:We included seventeen meta-analyses with 55 comparisons. There was an inverse correlation between breastfeeding and childhood leukaemia (pooled risk = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.81-0.99), neuroblastoma (pooled risk = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.71-0.93), maternal ovarian cancer (pooled risk = 0.76, CI = 0.71-0.81), breast cancer (pooled risk = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.82-0.88), and oesophageal cancer (pooled risk = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.54-0.81) for "ever" vs "never" breastfeeding; and with childhood leukaemia (pooled risk = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.89-0.98), and maternal ovarian cancer (pooled risk = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.78-0.90) and breast cancer (pooled risk = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89-0.96) for "longest" vs "shortest" breastfeeding duration. Conclusions:We found evidence that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of maternal breast cancer, ovarian cancers, and childhood leukaemia, suggesting positive implications for influencing women's decision in breastfeeding. Registration:PROSPERO (CRD42021255608).
BACKGROUND:Labor after cesarean (LAC) remains an optional delivery method among healthy pregnant individuals. Exploring women's attitudes, preferences, reasons for previous cesarean delivery, and the incentives underlying pregnant individuals' preferences could help us understand their choice of delivery mode. In this study we evaluated the preferences and attitudes of eligible pregnant women regarding participation in a LAC in Foshan, China.METHODS:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 438 pregnant individuals with one prior cesarean delivery (CD) who attended their antenatal examination at a tertiary hospital in southern China, between November 1, 2018, and October 31, 2019. Information on demographic characteristics, obstetric data, preferences for LAC, and incentives for LAC were analyzed.RESULTS:Overall, 85.4% (374/438) of women preferred LAC if they did not have contraindications before delivery, whereas 12.3% (54/438) refused and 2.3% (10/438) were unsure. Participants reported that the most important factors affecting their willingness to undergo LAC were safety indicators (i.e., "ability of hospitals to perform emergency cesarean delivery" [score of 9.28 ± 1.86]), followed by accessibility indicators (i.e., "priority bed arrangements" [score of 9.17 ± 1.84]). Logistic regression analysis indicated that neonatal wellbeing with the prior CD was an independent influencing factor (OR = 2.235 [95%CI: 1.115-4.845], p = 0.024) affecting willingness to access LAC in the subsequent pregnancy.CONCLUSIONS:We found a high preference for LAC among pregnant individuals without contraindications before delivery in southern China. Healthcare providers need to ensure access to LAC and increase pregnant individuals' LAC willingness through high-quality shared decsision-making in alignment with patient preferences.
OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to develop and validate a prediction model of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) in China. METHODS:A nomogram for effective prediction of VBAC of singleton, cephalic and one previous low-transverse cesarean section deliveries was created by comparing the combinations of ultrasonographic and non-ultrasonographic factors from five hospitals between 2018 and 2019. RESULTS:A total of 1066 women were included. Of the women who underwent trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC), 854 (80.1%) had a VBAC. Ultrasound factors included reached a higher area under the curve (AUC) combined with non-ultrasonographic factors. Of the three ultrasonographic factors analyzed, the best predictive factor for successful TOLAC was fetal abdominal circumference. A nomogram was generated with eight validated factors, including maternal age, gestational week, height, previous vaginal delivery, Bishop score, dilatation of the cervix at the time of admission, body mass index at delivery, and fetal abdominal circumference by ultrasound. The trained and validated AUC were 0.719 (95% confident interval 0.674-0.764) and 0.774 (95% confident interval 0.712-0.837), respectively. CONCLUSION:Our VBAC nomogram based on obstetric factors and fetal abdominal circumference obtained by ultrasound could be used to counsel women who are considering TOLAC.
Background Placenta previa increases the risks of obstetrical complications. Many studies have reported a link between various ABO blood types and pregnancy complications. This study is aimed at describing and comparing the characteristics and outcomes of women with placenta previa by ABO blood type. Methods Data for this study was obtained from a retrospective cohort study between January 1, 2014, and June 30, 2019, of all clinically confirmed placenta previa in a university-based tertiary medical center. Both types of A, B, O, AB, and combining O and non-O blood types were compared to the characteristics and outcomes. Results 1678 participants with placenta previa were included in this study. The highest participants were blood type O with 666 (39.7%), followed by type A with 508 (30.3%) and type B with 395 (23.5%), and the lowest participants were AB with 109 (6.5%). Blood type AB had a higher incidence of antepartum hemorrhage (p = 0.017), predelivery anemia (p = 0.036), and preterm birth (p = 0.015) in placenta previa women. Meanwhile, the incidence of rhesus D positive (97.9% vs. 95.8%, p = 0.012) and twins (5.0% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.011) was higher in the non-O group, and the incidence of neonatal asphyxia (5.9% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.016) was lower in the non-O group. Conclusion Type AB blood may be a potential risk factor for women with placenta previa. This finding may help provide any obstetrician to predict the risk of complication for placenta previa women by the ABO blood types.
Abstract Background Describing the pattern of pediatric eye diseases is necessary for appropriate eye care in children. This study explored the spectrum and characteristics of pediatric ophthalmic diseases in a typical tertiary ophthalmology hospital in China. Methods A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary ophthalmology hospital between 2010 and 2019 in Guangzhou, China. This study included 44,552 inpatients who were younger than 18 years old. Demographic and diagnostic data were collected from the electronic medical record system. Multiphase regression analysis was used to estimate trends in the annual percentages of ten common ophthalmic diseases. Results From 2010 to 2019, 44,552 inpatients met the inclusion criteria. The majority were male (61.9%), aged 7 to 12 years (30.3%) and self-paying (56.6%). The top ten conditions were refractive error (41.2%), strabismus (36.1%), cataract (13.6%), trauma (11.8%), congenital ptosis (8.8%), tumor (8.1%), amblyopia (7.1%), glaucoma (7.0%), entropion and trichiasis of eyelid (7.0%), and retinal detachment (6.5%). The annual percentage changes (APCs) for refractive error, strabismus, and retinal detachment were 9.3% (95% CI, 8.1–10.5%), 4.7% (95% CI, 3.8–5.6%) and − 2.8% (95% CI, − 5.1% to − 0.4%) respectively. For trauma, the average APC (AAPC = -9.2%, (95% CI, − 12.1% to − 6.2%) decreased gradually from 2010 to 2015 (APC = -4.2% (95% CI, − 8.8-0.7%)) and decreased rapidly from 2015 to 2019 (APC = -15.1% (95% CI, − 21.0% to − 8.7%)). Conclusions Pediatric ophthalmic diseases are common in China. Preventive strategies and health education aimed at the prevention of refractive error, strabismus, and entropion and trichiasis of eyelid will be crucial in reducing the burden of pediatric ophthalmic diseases on health care systems and human development.
Objective To investigate the correlation between lower uterine segment thickness (LUST) and gestational weeks (GW) in women who attempted trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC) and to estimate the reference ranges of LUST. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2019 and December 2020 at a tertiary-care center in Foshan, China. A total of 2588 women who attempted TOLAC were included. LUST was measured in different trimesters using transabdominal ultrasound. Histograms were used to review the mean and standard deviations (SD) of LUST at different GW. Results The mean LUST of the patients were 6.90 +/- 2.86, 4.36 +/- 1.87, 2.83 +/- 0.65, and 2.57 +/- 0.51 mm in the first (12.10 +/- 1.28 weeks), second (21.79 +/- 3.40 weeks), middle third (34.28 +/- 2.64 weeks), and late third (38.20 +/- 1.00 weeks) trimesters, respectively. An inverse correlation was noted between LUST and uterine rupture in women who underwent a planned ERCD (P < 0.001), but not in women who attempted TOLAC during the late third trimester (P = 0.629). Conclusion LUST is inversely correlated with GW and decreases faster in the first and second trimesters than in the middle and late third trimesters. TOLAC should be approached with caution for pregnant women with a thin myometrium in late third trimester.
Inter-delivery interval (IDI) has been proven to be a factor associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, the optimal IDI in trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between IDI and major maternal and neonatal outcomes in women who underwent TOLAC. A multicenter, retrospective cohort study including five hospitals was conducted between January 2018 and December 2019 in Foshan, China. This study included 1080 pregnant women with one or two cesarean deliveries who attempted a TOLAC. Data on maternal and neonatal outcomes were collected from the electronic record system. Maternal and neonatal outcomes in different groups of IDI were compared by univariate and multivariable analyses. A short IDI of < 24 months did not show a statistically significant association with uterine rupture in the univariate analysis (P = 0.668). In multivariable analysis, the incidences of postpartum hemorrhage (OR 19.6, 95% CI:4.4–90.9, P < 0.05), preterm birth (OR 5.5, 95% CI:1.5–21.3, P < 0.05), and low birth weight (OR 3.5, 95% CI:1.2–10.3, P < 0.05) were significantly increased in women with an IDI of < 24 months than in those with a normal interval (24–59 months). Infection morbidity (OR 1.8, 95% CI:1.4–7.9, P < 0.05), transfusion (OR 7.4, 95% CI:1.4–40.0, P < 0.05), and neonatal unit admission (OR 2.6, 95% CI:1.4–5.0, P < 0.05) were significantly increased in women with an IDI of 120 months or more than in those with a normal interval. Postpartum hemorrhage (P = 0.062) had a trend similar to that of a significant IDI of 120 months or more. We found no statistically significant difference in maternal and neonatal outcomes between 24–59 months and 60–119 months. An IDI of less than 24 months or 120 months or more increased the risk of major maternal and neonatal outcomes. We recommend that the optimal interval for women who underwent TOLAC should be 24 to 119 months. An inter-delivery interval (IDI) that is too short or too long increases the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, the optimal IDI for trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC) remains unclear. We performed a multicenter, electronic medical record-based, retrospective cohort study that included 1080 pregnant women who had one or two cesarean deliveries and underwent TOLAC. Data on maternal and neonatal outcomes were collected from the electronic record system. In multivariable analysis, the incidences of postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, and low birth weight were significantly increased in women with an IDI of < 24 months than in those with a normal interval (24–59 months). Infections, transfusion, and neonatal unit admission were significantly increased in women with an IDI of ≥ 120 months than in those with a normal interval. In conclusion, we found that an IDI < 24 months or ≥ 120 months increased the risk of major maternal and neonatal outcomes. We recommend that the optimal interval for women who underwent TOLAC should be 24 to 119 months.
Objective To compare the outcomes between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) vs. non-GDM twin gestations. Methods A retrospective cohort study of 2,151 twin pregnancies was performed in a tertiary hospital in Foshan, China, 2012–2020. Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were compared between women with vs. without GDM using 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariable logistic models. For neonatal outcomes, generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach was used to address the intertwin correlation. Results Of the 2,151 participants, 472 women (21.9%) were diagnosed with GDM. Women with GDM were older and more likely to be overweight or obese, and more likely have chronic hypertension, assisted pregnancies and dichorionic twins. In the PSM cohort of 942 pregnancies, there was no statistical difference when comparing GDM twin pregnancies and non-GDM in any of the perinatal outcomes, especially in terms of preterm birth (PTB) <37 weeks ( P = 0.715), large for gestational age (LGA) ( P = 0.521) and neonatal respiratory distress (NRDS) ( P = 0.206). In the entire cohort, no significant adjusted ORs for these outcomes were obtained from logistic regression models adjusted for confounders (aOR for PTB < 37 weeks: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.98–1.58; aOR for LGA: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.88–1.82; and aOR for NRDS, 1.05, 95% CI: 0.68–1.64). Conclusion Twin pregnancies with GDM and adequate prenatal care have comparable perinatal outcomes to those without.
Abstract Background The optimal threshold of birthweight discordance (BWD) remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between BWD at different thresholds and early neonatal outcomes and to assess their predictive accuracy. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study using a birthweight data with the chorionicity information of 2348 liveborn twin pairs at a gestational age of ≥26 weeks, from 2012 to 2018. The percentage of BWD was calculated by dividing the actual birthweight difference by the weight of the larger twin and multiplying by 100. Outcomes of interest included neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), ventilator support and a composite outcome combining major morbidities and neonatal death. Logistic regression models were performed to estimate the association between neonatal outcomes and BWD with different thresholds (≥15.0%, ≥20.0%, ≥25% and ≥ 30%). Generalized estimated equation (GEE) models were used to address intertwin correlation. Restrictive cubic spline (RCS) models were established to draw the dose-response relationship between BWD and the odds ratios of outcomes. Clustered receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the predictive accuracy. Results Of 2348 twin pairs, including 1946 dichorionic twin pairs and 402 monochorionic twin pairs, BWD was significantly associated with NICU admission, regardless of the thresholds used. The incidence of NRDS, ventilator support and the composite outcome were significantly higher when a threshold of ≥20% or greater was chosen. The dose-response relationship showed nonlinear growth in the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes with increasing BWD. ROC analyses showed a low significant AUROC of 0.569 (95% CI: 0.526–0.612) for predicting NICU admission but no significant AUROCs for predicting other outcomes. A BWD of ≥30% provided a moderate increase in the likelihood of NICU admission [positive likelihood ratio (LR+) = 5.77]. Conclusion Although BWD is independently associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, it is not a single predictor for neonatal outcomes given the weak discriminative ability to predict neonatal outcomes. A cutoff of 30% is more practical for risk stratification among twin gestations.
Key Points Question What is the association of gestational weight gain (GWG) with perinatal outcomes among twin pregnancies across prepregnancy body mass index categories in the US? Findings In this cohort study of 200 810 individuals using data from the National Center for Health Statistics, composite adverse perinatal outcome risks showed a U-shaped association with GWG across prepregnancy body mass index categories. The optimal GWG range for individuals with underweight was similar to that for individuals with normal weight but decreased with increasing severity of obesity. Meaning These findings may inform prenatal counseling regarding optimal GWG for twin pregnancies and suggest the necessity of updating the current US Institute of Medicine guidelines on GWG.