Development and validation of a prognostic model to predict birth weight: individual participant data meta-analysis.

Objective: To predict birth weight at various potential gestational ages of delivery based on data routinely available at the first antenatal visit.

Design: Individual participant data meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Individual participant data of four cohorts (237 228 pregnancies) from the International Prediction of Pregnancy Complications (IPPIC) network dataset.

Early Detection of Isolated Severe Congenital Heart Defects Is Associated with a Lower Threshold to Terminate the Pregnancy.

Introduction: Early detection of isolated severe congenital heart defects (CHDs) allows extra time for chromosomal analysis and informed decision making, resulting in improved perinatal management and patient satisfaction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the value of an additional first-trimester screening scan compared to only a second-trimester scan in fetuses diagnosed with isolated severe CHDs. Prenatal detection rate, time of prenatal diagnosis, and pregnancy outcome were evaluated in the Netherlands after implementation of a national screening program.

The influence of the introduction of a national prenatal screening program on late termination of pregnancy, a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To assess the influence of a national prenatal screening program on category 1 (lethal anomalies) late terminations of pregnancy (LTOP).

Methods: In this population-based retrospective cohort study, we included all category 1 LTOPs from 2004 to 2015 in the Netherlands. The number of LTOPs before and after the introduction of the program was compared as well as the diagnostic process and factors contributing to LTOP.

Tocolysis with nifedipine versus atosiban and perinatal outcome: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: Worldwide, nifedipine and atosiban are the two most commonly used tocolytic agents for the treatment of threatened preterm birth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nifedipine and atosiban in an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA).

Methods: We investigated the occurrence of adverse neonatal outcomes in women with threatened preterm birth by performing an IPDMA, and sought to identify possible subgroups in which one treatment may be preferred.

Uniform International Method to Measure Cervical Length: Are We There Yet?

Introduction: Cervical length is an important predictor of spontaneous preterm birth. So far, the best way to measure cervical length has not been established. We aimed to compare the incidence of short cervical length between three methods of cervical length measurement with and without the inclusion of cervico-isthmic complex (CIC) (six methods in total) and to determine the positive predictive value for spontaneous preterm birth.

Which second trimester placenta previa remains a placenta previa in the third trimester: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: The far majority of women with a placenta previa in the second trimester will no longer have a placenta that overlies the internal os in the third trimester. Women with a placenta previa in the third trimester are at risk for complication such as preterm birth and blood loss. Four counselling purposes we aim to identify which women with a second trimester placenta previa have a low-risk and a high-risk for persistence of the placenta previa.

Development of placental abnormalities in location and anatomy.

Low-lying placentas, placenta previa and abnormally invasive placentas are the most frequently occurring placental abnormalities in location and anatomy. These conditions can have serious consequences for mother and fetus mainly due to excessive blood loss before, during or after delivery. The incidence of such abnormalities is increasing, but treatment options and preventive strategies are limited.

Prenatal sonographic features can accurately determine parental origin in triploid pregnancies.

Objective: To describe the prenatal sonographic features and maternal biochemical markers in triploid pregnancies and to assess whether prenatal phenotype can determine genetic origin.

Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort study that included all triploid pregnancies diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 in two Fetal Medicine Units in Amsterdam. Fetal growth, presence of structural anomalies, extra-fetal anomalies, and maternal biochemical markers were retrieved.

Final outcome of a second trimester low-positioned placenta: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Low-positioned placentas which are located in the lower uterine segment (LUS), either a low-lying placenta or a placenta previa, are associated with increased obstetric risks. However, most second trimester low-positioned placentas resolve during pregnancy and have a higher position in the third trimester, without posing any risks. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the proportion of second trimester low-positioned placentas that have a position towards the fundus in the third trimester.

Determination of threshold value for follow-up of isolated antenatal hydronephrosis detected in the second trimester.

Introduction: Isolated antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH), defined as a dilation of the renal pelvis (≥5 mm), is one of the most common abnormalities detected on prenatal ultrasound. However, established cut-off values for postnatal follow-up differ between countries and are based on little evidence. The current protocol in the Netherlands for follow-up might be too conservative.

The capacity of mid-pregnancy cervical length to predict preterm birth in low-risk women: a national cohort study.

Introduction: We investigated the predictive capacity of mid-trimester cervical length (CL) measurement for spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm birth.

Material And Methods: We performed a prospective observational cohort study in nulliparous women and low-risk multiparous women with a singleton pregnancy between 16(+0) and 21(+6) weeks of gestation. We assessed the prognostic capacity of transvaginally measured mid-trimester CL for spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm birth (<37 weeks) using likelihood ratios (LR) and receiver-operating-characteristic analysis.

Prognostic models in obstetrics: available, but far from applicable.

Health care provision is increasingly focused on the prediction of patients' individual risk for developing a particular health outcome in planning further tests and treatments. There has been a steady increase in the development and publication of prognostic models for various maternal and fetal outcomes in obstetrics. We undertook a systematic review to give an overview of the current status of available prognostic models in obstetrics in the context of their potential advantages and the process of developing and validating models.

Preventing Preterm Birth with Progesterone in Women with a Short Cervical Length from a Low-Risk Population: A Multicenter Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of vaginal progesterone in reducing adverse neonatal outcome due to preterm birth (PTB) in low-risk pregnant women with a short cervical length (CL).

Study Design: Women with a singleton pregnancy without a history of PTB underwent CL measurement at 18 to 22 weeks. Women with a CL ≤ 30 mm received vaginal progesterone or placebo.

Differentially expressed genes in the pre-eclamptic placenta: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically review the literature on human gene expression data of placental tissue in pre-eclampsia and to characterize a meta-signature of differentially expressed genes in order to identify novel putative diagnostic markers.

Data Sources: Medline through 11 February 2011 using MeSH terms and keywords related to placenta, gene expression and gene expression arrays; GEO database using the term "placent*"; and reference lists of eligible primary studies, without constraints.

Methods: From 1068 studies retrieved from the search, we included original publications that had performed gene expression array analyses of placental tissue in the third trimester and that reported on differentially expressed genes in pre-eclampsia versus normotensive controls.

Preventing preterm birth with progesterone: costs and effects of screening low risk women with a singleton pregnancy for short cervical length, the Triple P study.

Background: Women with a short cervical length in mid-trimester pregnancy have a higher risk of preterm birth and therefore a higher rate of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Progesterone can potentially decrease the number of preterm births and lower neonatal mortality and morbidity. Previous studies showed good results of progesterone in women with either a history of preterm birth or a short cervix.