Publications

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of prepregnancy obesity as a mediator in the association between race-ethnicity and severe maternal morbidity.

Methods: We conducted an analysis on a population-based retrospective cohort study using 2010-2014 birth records linked with hospital discharge data in New York City. A multivariable logistic regression mediation model on a subgroup of the sample consisting of normal-weight and obese women (n=409,021) calculated the mediation effect of obesity in the association between maternal race-ethnicity and severe maternal morbidity, and the residual effect not mediated by obesity. A sensitivity analysis was conducted excluding the severe maternal morbidity cases due to blood transfusion.

Results: Among 591,455 live births, we identified 15,158 cases of severe maternal morbidity (256.3/10,000 deliveries). The severe maternal morbidity rate among obese women was higher than that of normal-weight women (342 vs 216/10,000 deliveries). Black women had a severe maternal morbidity rate nearly three times higher than White women (420 vs 146/10,000 deliveries) and the severe maternal morbidity rate among Latinas was nearly twice that of White women (285/10,000 deliveries). Among women with normal or obese body mass index (BMI) only (n=409,021), Black race was strongly associated with severe maternal morbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.02, 95% CI 2.88-3.17) but the obesity-mediated effect represented only 3.2% of the total association (aOR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05). Latina ethnicity was also associated with severe maternal morbidity (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.90-2.12) and the obesity-mediated effect was similarly small: 3.4% of the total association (aOR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03). In a sensitivity analysis excluding blood transfusion, severe maternal morbidity cases found a higher mediation effect of obesity in the association with Black race and Latina ethnicity (15.3% and 15.2% of the total association, respectively).

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association of early continuous infusions of opioids and/or midazolam with survival and sensorimotor outcomes at age 2 years in very premature infants who were ventilated.

Study design: This national observational study included premature infants born before 32 weeks of gestation intubated within 1 hour after birth and still intubated at 24 hours from the French EPIPAGE 2 cohort. Infants only treated with bolus were excluded. Treated infants received continuous opioid and/or midazolam infusion started before 7 days of life and before the first extubation. Naive infants did not receive these treatments before the first extubation, or received them after the first week of life, or never received them. This study compared treated (n = 450) vs naive (n = 472) infants by using inverse probability of treatment weighting after multiple imputation in chained equations. The primary outcomes were survival and survival without moderate or severe neuromotor or sensory impairment at age 2 years.

Results: Survival at age 2 years was significantly higher in the treated group (92.5% vs 87.9%, risk difference, 4.7%; 95% CI, 0.3-9.1; P = .037), but treated and naive infants did not significantly differ for survival without moderate or severe neuromotor or sensory impairment (86.6% vs 81.3%; risk difference, 5.3%; 95% CI -0.3 to 11.0; P = .063). These results were confirmed by sensitivity analyses using 5 alternative models.

Conclusions: Continuous opioid and/or midazolam infusions in very premature infants during initial mechanical ventilation that continued past 24 hours of life were associated with improved survival without any difference in moderate or severe sensorimotor impairments at age 2 years.

Asthma exacerbation in pregnant women is associated with obstetrical complications such as fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery and preeclampsia. Omalizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of severe persistent allergic asthma. Data on its safety during pregnancy, based on case series and registries, are limited. In this case report, we provide an assessment of omalizumab placental transfer and discussed its safety.

Asthma exacerbation in pregnant women is associated with obstetrical complications such as fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery and preeclampsia. Omalizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of severe persistent allergic asthma. Data on its safety during pregnancy, based on case series and registries, are limited. In this case report, we provide an assessment of omalizumab placental transfer and discussed its safety.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe neurodevelopment at age 5 among children born preterm.

Design: Population based cohort study, EPIPAGE-2.

Setting: France, 2011.

Participants: 4441 children aged 5½ born at 24-26, 27-31, and 32-34 weeks MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severe/moderate neurodevelopmental disabilities, defined as severe/moderate cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) ≥2), or unilateral or bilateral blindness or deafness, or full scale intelligence quotient less than minus two standard deviations (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, 4th edition). Mild neurodevelopmental disabilities, defined as mild cerebral palsy (GMFCS-1), or visual disability ≥3.2/10 and <5/10, or hearing loss <40 dB, or full scale intelligence quotient (minus two to minus one standard deviation) or developmental coordination disorders (Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition, total score less than or equal to the fifth centile), or behavioural difficulties (strengths and difficulties questionnaire, total score greater than or equal to the 90th centile), school assistance (mainstream class with support or special school), complex developmental interventions, and parents’ concerns about development. The distributions of the scores in contemporary term born children were used as reference. Results are given after multiple imputation as percentages of outcome measures with exact binomial 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Among 4441 participants, 3083 (69.4%) children were assessed. Rates of severe/moderate neurodevelopmental disabilities were 28% (95% confidence interval 23.4% to 32.2%), 19% (16.8% to 20.7%), and 12% (9.2% to 14.0%) and of mild disabilities were 38.5% (33.7% to 43.4%), 36% (33.4% to 38.1%), and 34% (30.2% to 37.4%) at 24-26, 27-31, and 32-34 weeks, respectively. Assistance at school was used by 27% (22.9% to 31.7%), 14% (12.1% to 15.9%), and 7% (4.4% to 9.0%) of children at 24-26, 27-31, and 32-34 weeks, respectively. About half of the children born at 24-26 weeks (52% (46.4% to 57.3%)) received at least one developmental intervention which decreased to 26% (21.8% to 29.4%) for those born at 32-34 weeks. Behaviour was the concern most commonly reported by parents. Rates of neurodevelopment disabilities increased as gestational age decreased and were higher in families with low socioeconomic status.

Conclusions: In this large cohort of children born preterm, rates of severe/moderate neurodevelopmental disabilities remained high in each gestational age group. Proportions of children receiving school assistance or complex developmental interventions might have a significant impact on educational and health organisations. Parental concerns about behaviour warrant attention.

Abstract

Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes expressing the VAR2CSA antigen in the placenta results in poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight and maternal anemia. Antigen-specific antibody-mediated immunity is acquired during successive pregnancies. Thus, evaluating VAR2CSA-specific IgG profiles among pregnant women will increase knowledge on the immunological mechanisms associated with protection, and help in the development of VAR2CSA-based placental malaria vaccines. Using the PAMVAC candidate vaccine antigen, we assessed anti-VAR2CSA IgG subclass responses of a cohort of pregnant Beninese, and analyzed their relationships with pregnancy outcomes. Cytophilic IgG1 and IgG3 responses were the most frequent, with prevalences ranging from 28% (IgG3) up to 50% (IgG1). Elevated levels of VAR2CSA-specific total IgG and cytophilic IgG3 during pregnancy were consistently associated with higher birth weights, whilst high levels of IgG4 were associated with a reduced risk of placental infections. This suggests that protective anti-VAR2CSA IgG responses are coordinated between both cytophilic and non-cytophilic antibodies.

Abstract

Background: Cancer during pregnancy is rare (about 1/1000 pregnancies) and its diagnosis raises the question of whether or not to continue the pregnancy.

Objectives: The primary objective of our study was to evaluate associated factors with termination of pregnancy in cases of cancer during pregnancy. Secondary objectives were to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes when pregnancy is continued.

Study design: We conducted a retrospective, single-center study between January 2009 and December 2019 including 2 groups of patients those who underwent termination of pregnancy and those who continued pregnancy. Patients were distributed in 3 categories breast cancer, blood cancer and other cancers.

Results: A total of 71 pregnancies associated with cancer were included. Twenty patients (28.16 %) underwent termination of pregnancy. The median gestational age at diagnosis was significantly earlier in the termination of pregnancy group compared with the ongoing pregnancy group (9 vs 22 weeks, p < 0.01). Blood cancer was more frequent in the termination group 7 (35 %) compared to continuous pregnancy 8 (15.7 %) as other cancers 8 (40 %) in the termination group vs 5 (9,8 %). Conversely breast cancer what was less frequent in the termination group 5 (25 %) vs 38 (74,5 %) (p < 0.01). In the continued pregnancy group, there was a high rate of induced prematurity (35.5 %) and scheduled delivery to optimize maternal oncologic management (78.4 %).

Conclusion: The rate of termination of pregnancy remains high particularly in case of non-breast cancer and early pregnancy detection. Scheduled preterm birth is frequent when pregnancy is continued in order to optimize of cancer management

Abstract

Background: IGEDEPP (Interaction of Gene and Environment of Depression during PostPartum) is a prospective multicenter cohort study of 3310 Caucasian women who gave birth between 2011 and 2016, with follow-up until one year postpartum. The aim of the current study is to describe the cohort and estimate the prevalence and cumulative incidence of early and late-onset postpartum depression (PPD).

Methods: Socio-demographic data, personal and family psychiatric history, as well as stressful life events during childhood and pregnancy were evaluated at baseline. Early and late-onset PPD were assessed at 8 weeks and 1 year postpartum respectively, using DSM-5 criteria.

Results: The prevalence of early-onset PPD was 8.3% (95%CI 7.3-9.3), and late PPD 12.9% (95%CI 11.5-14.2), resulting in an 8-week cumulative incidence of 8.5% (95%CI 7.4-9.6) and a one-year cumulative incidence of PPD of 18.1% (95%CI: 17.1-19.2). Nearly half of the cohort (N = 1571, 47.5%) had a history of at least one psychiatric or addictive disorder, primarily depressive disorder (35%). Almost 300 women in the cohort (9.0%) reported childhood trauma. During pregnancy, 47.7% women experienced a stressful event, 30.2% in the first 8 weeks and 43.9% between 8 weeks and one year postpartum. Nearly one in five women reported at least one stressful postpartum event at 8 weeks.

Conclusion: Incident depressive episodes affected nearly one in five women during the first year postpartum. Most women had stressful perinatal events. Further IGEDEPP studies will aim to disentangle the impact of childhood and pregnancy-related stressful events on postpartum mental disorders.

Abstract

Background: Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for both the mother and the newborn. The vaginal germ profile in PPROM is poorly known, particularly regarding the risk of early-onset neonatal infection (EONI).

Objective: To determine microbiological risk factors for EONI in case of PPROM before 34 weeks of gestation (WG).

Study design: A retrospective single-center cohort of patients with PPROM before 34 W G from 2008 to 2016. Vaginal swabs were obtained at admission and at delivery as per usual care and were analyzed by Gram stain and culture for vaginal dysbiosisi.e lactobacilli depletion and/or presence of potential pathogens.

Results: Among 268 cases of PPROM, 39 neonates had EONI 14.55 %; (95 %CI 0.11 – 0.19) Overall, vaginal samples culture was positive in 16.67 % (95 %CI 11.95 %-22.32 %) at the time of rupture and 24.76 % (95 %CI 19.02 %-31.23 %) at delivery, with no significant differences between EONI and no-EONI groups (p = 0.797 and 0.486, respectively), including for Group B Streptococci (GBS) and Escherichia coli. EONI was significantly associated with dysbiosis at the time of rupture (23.94 % versus 10.35 % in the absence of dysbiosis, p = 0.009) and at delivery (19.70 % versus 3.90 % if no dysbiosis, p < 0.001). Clinical intra-uterine infection was present in 78.5 % (n = 31) of the EONI group versus 37.2 % (n = 85) in the non-EONI group (p < 0.001) and chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis were found in 97.3 % and 91.9 %, respectively in the EONI group, versus 56.11 % and 53.96 %, respectively, in the non-EONI group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Dysbiosis following rupture and at delivery, but not the presence of pathogens in the VS culture, was associated with the risk of EONI in case of PPROM.

Abstract

Objective: To identify risk factors for early- and late-onset postpartum depression (PPD) among a wide range of variables, including sociodemographic characteristics, childhood trauma, stressful life events during pregnancy and history of personal and family psychiatric disorders, and to assess the contribution of each risk factor.

Design: Nested case-control study in a prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Setting: Eight maternity departments in the Paris metropolitan area, France.

Sample: A cohort of 3310 women with deliveries between November 2011 and June 2016.

Methods: Cases were women with early- or late-onset PPD. Controls were women without depression during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Logistic regression adjusted on sociodemographic variables was performed for each outcome and a multivariable model was proposed based on a stepwise selection procedure.

Main outcome measures: Early- and late-onset PPD assessed at 2 months and 1 year postpartum, respectively.

Results: Stressful life events during pregnancy have a dose-response relationship with both early- and late-onset PPD.

Conclusions: Early- and late-onset PPD presented distinct patterns of determinants. These results have important consequences in terms of prevention and specific care.