Placental abruption and perinatal mortality in twins: novel insight into management at preterm versus term gestations.

Twins suffer a disproportionately higher burden of adverse perinatal outcomes than singletons. However, the degree to which preterm delivery shapes the relationship between abruption and perinatal mortality in twins is unknown. Through causal mediation decomposition, we examine how preterm delivery mediates the effect of abruption on perinatal mortality among twins using the US-matched multiple birth data (1995-2000).

Uptake rate of carrier screening among consanguineous couples.

Objective: To quantify the uptake rates of Carrier Screening (CS) in consanguineous couples and compare this rate to that of non-consanguineous couples.

Methods: We performed a matched case control study of 82 consanguineous couples seen at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical school who were offered carrier screening between January 1, 2012 and October 10, 2022. We then matched each consanguineous female patient to a non-consanguineous female control patient who was also offered CS at the time of their genetic counseling appointment.

Pregnancy-associated mortality due to cardiovascular disease: Impact of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Background: Reported rates of maternal mortality in the United States have been staggeringly high and increasing, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a chief contributor to such deaths. However, the impact of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) on the short-term risk of cardiovascular death is not well understood.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between HDP (chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, and superimposed preeclampsia) and pregnancy-associated mortality rates (PMR) from all causes, CVD-related causes both at delivery and within 1 year following delivery.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Stillbirths in Canada and the United States.

Objective: There is uncertainty regarding the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on population rates of stillbirth. We quantified pandemic-associated changes in stillbirth rates in Canada and the United States.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective study that included all live births and stillbirths in Canada and the United States from 2015 to 2020.

Chronic Hypertension and the Risk of Readmission for Postpartum Cardiovascular Complications.

Objective: Preeclampsia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD, including heart disease and stroke) along the life course. However, whether exposure to chronic hypertension in pregnancy, in the absence of preeclampsia, is implicated in CVD risk during the immediate postpartum period remains poorly understood. Our objective was to estimate the risk of readmission for CVD complications within the calendar year after delivery for people with chronic hypertension.

Risk of postpartum readmission for depression in relation to ischaemic placental disease: a population-based study.

Background: There are limited data on postpartum readmissions for depression in the United States (US). Specifically, the extent to which ischaemic placental disease (IPD) during pregnancy predisposes patients to develop postpartum depression remains poorly understood. We investigated whether IPD is associated with postpartum readmission for new-onset depression in the first year after delivery.

Epidemiologic trends and risk factors associated with the decline in mortality from coronary heart disease in the United States, 1990-2019.

Background: Despite the decline in the rate of coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality, it is unknown how the 3 strong and modifiable risk factors - alcohol, smoking, and obesity -have impacted these trends. We examine changes in CHD mortality rates in the United States and estimate the preventable fraction of CHD deaths by eliminating CHD risk factors.

Methods: We performed a sequential time-series analysis to examine mortality trends among females and males aged 25 to 84 years in the United States, 1990-2019, with CHD recorded as the underlying cause of death.

Placental abruption at near-term and term gestations: pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.

Placental abruption is the premature separation of the placenta from its uterine attachment before the delivery of a fetus. The clinical manifestations of abruption typically include vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain with a wide variety of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns. Clinical challenges arise when pregnant people with this condition present with profound vaginal bleeding, necessitating urgent delivery, especially when there is a concern for maternal and fetal compromise and coagulopathy.

Gender-inclusive research instructions in author submission guidelines: results of a cross-sectional study of obstetrics and gynecology journals.

Background: People with marginalized gender identities, including people with transgender and gender-expansive identities, have been historically excluded from research. Professional societies recommend the use of inclusive language in research, but it is uncertain how many obstetrics and gynecology journals mandate the use of gender-inclusive research practices in their author guidelines.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the proportion of "inclusive" journals with specific instructions about gender-inclusive research practices in their author submission guidelines; to compare these journals with "noninclusive" journals based on publisher, country of origin, and several metrics of research influence; and to qualitatively evaluate the components of inclusive research in author submission guidelines.

Evolving stillbirth rates among Black and White women in the United States, 1980-2020: A population-based study.

Background: Given slowing secular declines and persistent racial disparities, stillbirth remains a major health burden in the US. We investigate changes in stillbirth rates overall and for Black and White women, and determine how maternal age, delivery year (period), and birth year (cohort) have shaped trends.

Methods: We designed a sequential time-series analysis utilising the 1980 to 2020 US vital records data of live births and stillbirths at ≥24 weeks gestation.

Adverse maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes among pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

Introduction: Despite a growing body of research on the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, there is continued controversy given heterogeneity in the quality and design of published studies.

Methods: We screened ongoing studies in our sequential, prospective meta-analysis. We pooled individual participant data to estimate the absolute and relative risk (RR) of adverse outcomes among pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection, compared with confirmed negative pregnancies.