Should we abandon Kielland's forceps?

To assess the risks associated with the use of Kielland''s forceps 2708 consecutive deliveries were studied prospectively and the neonatal outcome related to the mode of delivery. Of the 1191 primigravidas, 279 (23.4%) underwent instrumental delivery, of whom 65 (5.5%) were delivered with Kielland''s forceps. There was no difference in early neonatal outcome (as judged by Apgar scores, intubations, and admission to the special care baby unit) between these babies and those delivered normally or by non-rotational forceps, but a higher proportion of the 127 (10.7%) delivered by emergency caesarean section were compromised. Of the 1517 multigravid patients, only 57 (3.8%) underwent instrumental delivery, 15 (1.0%) by Kielland''s forceps. Among these babies, also, the outcome was no worse than for those delivered normally, but the babies delivered by caesarean section showed a greatly increased incidence of low Apgar scores, intubations, and admission to the special care baby unit. There were no stillbirths or neonatal deaths among babies delivered by Kielland''s forceps, nor were there any cases of severe birth trauma or of obvious neonatal morbidity.     

Kielland's forceps: role of antenatal factors in prediction of use.

The association between certain antenatal factors and the use of Kielland''s forceps was analysed retrospectively in liveborn singleton births that occurred at this hospital between January and December 1976. Factors significantly associated with the use of Kielland''s forceps were primiparity, short maternal stature, induction of labour, late engagement of the fetal head, low ratio of maternal height to fetal occipitofrontal head circumference, slow dilatation of the cervix in labour, and the use of epidural analgesia in labour. The findings support a contribution of cephalopelvic disproportion in the genesis of malposition, and when associated with slow dilatation of the cervix delivery should be expedited. Long-term follow-up studies are needed, however, before the role of caesarean section in reducing morbidity associated with malposition can be properly assessed.     

Outcome of breech delivery at term.

OBJECTIVE--To compare neonatal mortality and morbidity in term infants presenting by the breech and delivered vaginally or by caesarean section. DESIGN--Population based comparison of outcomes. Data derived from the St Mary''s maternity information system. SETTING--North West Thames Regional Health Authority, 1988-90. SUBJECTS--3447 singleton fetuses presenting by the breech at term. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Intrapartum and neonatal mortality, low Apgar scores, intubation at birth, and admission to special care baby units. RESULTS--After the exclusion of babies with congenital anomalies the incidence of intrapartum and neonatal death associated with vaginal birth was 8/961 (0.83%) compared with 1/2486 (0.03%) in babies born by caesarean section (relative risk 20, 95% confidence interval 2.5 to 163). The numbers of low Apgar scores and neonatal intubation were doubled in babies born vaginally or by emergency caesarean section compared with those delivered by elective operation. CONCLUSIONS--The good neonatal outcome associated with elective caesarean delivery of the term breech fetus may influence the decision of women and their obstetricians about mode of delivery.     

Effectiveness of neonatal transport.

The condition of 259 infants transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Montreal Children''s Hospital from Oct. 1, 1974 to Mar. 31, 1975 was evaluated. Their transport was provided by personnel and equipment from the Montreal Children''s Hospital. When the transport team arrived at the referring hospital hypothermia (temperature of less than 36 degrees C) was present in 25.2% of the 163 infants for whom complete temperature measurements were available. Most (77.3%) of the infants were warmed during transport and only 3.1% arrived at the NICU with a temperature of less than 35 degrees C. The mortality was significantly higher in babies of all birth weight groups whose core temperature had been below the optimal temperature for survival (36 to 37 degrees C). It appears that the use of appropriate equipment and trained personnel can reduce the incidence of hypothermia and therefore the mortality in infants requiring transfer.     

Obstetric accidents: a review of 64 cases.

OBJECTIVE--To identify the causes of obstetric accidents. DESIGN AND SETTING--Analysis of case records at the Medical Protection Society''s London office covering the five years 1982-6. SUBJECTS--Cases that had come to litigation which had resulted in stillbirth, perinatal or neonatal death, central nervous system damage to the baby, or maternal death and in which there was an opinion from a senior obstetrician consulted by the society. Of 147 cases reviewed, 64 met the criteria for the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--The principal findings of the expert reviewers. RESULTS--Three major topics of concern emerged common to most of the 64 cases. These were inadequate fetal heart monitoring, mismanagement of forceps, and inadequate supervision by senior staff. In 11 of the 64 cases cardiotocography was omitted, in 19 cases the trace was missing, in six cases the trace was unreadable, and in 14 of the remaining 28 cases signs of fetal distress went unnoticed or were ignored. In 31 cases forceps were used to aid delivery or were tried and abandoned in favour of caesarean section. In 16 cases two or more attempts to use forceps were made. Five infant deaths were directly attributed to mismanaged forceps. In 20 cases senior staff were criticised by the expert reviewer for failure to come to the labour ward. In many of these cases they may have given advice over the telephone, but the inadequacy of records made it impossible to tell. In these cases the labour and birth were managed by junior staff, usually a senior house officer. In six cases when senior staff did come they suggested that no action was needed. CONCLUSION--These few cases should not be dismissed as isolated incidents in obstetric practice in Britain. They reflect more general problems--namely, concerning the ability of junior doctors to interpret fetal heart traces accurately, their ability to use forceps, and the participation of senior staff in running a labour ward and delivery suite.     

关于新生儿缺血缺氧性脑病的研究进展

新生儿缺血缺氧性脑病(hypoxia-ischemia encephalopathy,HIE)是指围产期窒息导致脑的缺血缺氧性损害,临床出现一系列中枢神经系统异常的表现,部分患儿可留有不同程度的神经系统后遗症,如脑瘫、癫痫、认知和运动功能发育障碍等,至今仍是导致新生儿死亡以及神经发育障碍的一大原因。HIE的发病机制复杂,是一个多环节、多因素的病理生理过程。单一治疗措施很难彻底治愈,需多种治疗措施联合使用,才能取得更好疗效。HIE发病迅速,病情进展快,治疗过程中应积极把握治疗"时间窗"。临床上目前应用最广泛的治疗方法是亚低温结合其他对症治疗措施。新生儿HIE难以有效预防,及时正确评估新生儿出生时状态,尽早发现异常并进行治疗是改善HIE预后最有效的方法。本文就HIE的病因,诊断,治疗和预后等方面的进展进行介绍。     

Reliability of cardiotocography in predicting baby's condition at birth.

A prospective study of 6825 labours was undertaken to determine the relation between the Apgar scores of the babies at one minute and the cardiotocograph tracing in labour. The sensitivity of an abnormal tracing was 35.2% for babies who needed intermittent positive pressure ventilation and 20.0% for babies who did not but who had Apgar scores of less than 7. The sensitivity of an abnormal tracing for all babies with an Apgar score of less than 7 was 23.2%. The positive predictive value of an abnormal tracing was 8.7% for babies who needed intermittent positive pressure ventilation and 18.7% for babies who did not but who had an Apgar score of less than 7. The positive predictive value of an abnormal tracing was 27.4% for all babies with an Apgar score of less than 7. The specificity of the tracing was 93.4% for babies with an Apgar score of 7 or over. The relatively high incidence of false positive predictions might be explained on the grounds that abnormalities in the cardiotocograph tracing are a more sensitive indicator of hypoxia than the Apgar score. False negative predictions might have been due to adverse factors other than hypoxia--for example, fetal trauma, compression of the head, infection, and analgesia in labour. These findings suggest that the current overdependence on fetal monitoring by cardiotocography alone should be examined and that other reliable indicators for non-hypoxic fetal distress should be sought.     

Causes of Birth Asphyxia and Trauma

Causes of birth asphyxia and trauma were determined in the 208 most severely affected infants of 10,995 consecutive live births; 159 infants had cerebral disturbances, 39 had fractures and palsies, and 10 had fractures or palsies in addition to cerebral disturbances. Most frequent causes of birth asphyxia and trauma were: prolonged labour, midforceps or breech delivery in full-term infants; abruption placentae, difficult breech delivery, and maternal sedation in premature infants; and unattended precipitate deliveries in immature infants. Asphyxia following normal labour and delivery usually occurred in infants with fetal malnutrition.Improved obstetrical management with more frequent use of Cesarean section delivery might have been of value in preventing much of this fetal injury.Asphyxia and trauma due to complications of delivery were twice as frequent on the ward as on the private service. This may have been due in part to a lower Cesarean section rate on the ward service. A monthly review of birth asphyxia and trauma is recommended to help maintain a high standard of obstetrical practice.     

Experimental Modelling of the Consequences of Brief Late Gestation Asphyxia on Newborn Lamb Behaviour and Brain Structure

Brief but severe asphyxia in late gestation or at the time of birth may lead to neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and is associated with long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. We undertook this study to examine the consequences of transient in utero asphyxia in late gestation fetal sheep, on the newborn lamb after birth. Surgery was undertaken at 125 days gestation for implantation of fetal catheters and placement of a silastic cuff around the umbilical cord. At 132 days gestation (0.89 term), the cuff was inflated to induce umbilical cord occlusion (UCO), or sham (control). Fetal arterial blood samples were collected for assessment of fetal wellbeing and the pregnancy continued until birth. At birth, behavioral milestones for newborn lambs were recorded over 24 h, after which the lambs were euthanased for brain collection and histopathology assessments. After birth, UCO lambs displayed significant latencies to (i) use all four legs, (ii) attain a standing position, (iii) find the udder, and (iv) successfully suckle - compared to control lambs. Brains of UCO lambs showed widespread pathologies including cell death, white matter disruption, intra-parenchymal hemorrhage and inflammation, which were not observed in full term control brains. UCO resulted in some preterm births, but comparison with age-matched preterm non-UCO control lambs showed that prematurity per se was not responsible for the behavioral delays and brain structural abnormalities resulting from the in utero asphyxia. These results demonstrate that a single, brief fetal asphyxic episode in late gestation results in significant grey and white matter disruption in the developing brain, and causes significant behavioral delay in newborn lambs. These data are consistent with clinical observations that antenatal asphyxia is causal in the development of neonatal encephalopathy and provide an experimental model to advance our understanding of neuroprotective therapies.     

Antenatal ultrasonography to detect fetal renal abnormalities: a prospective screening programme.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate screening for abnormalities of the fetal renal tract by ultrasonography and to determine the incidence of such abnormalities in a population. DESIGN--A 12 month prospective population study. Follow up of infants to between 9 and 18 months. SETTING--A district general hospital. PARTICIPANTS--6292 Pregnant women reaching 28 weeks'' gestation within the study period. INTERVENTIONS--Antenatal ultrasound scanning was offered to all of the women. Babies in whom an abnormality of the renal tract had been detected antenatally underwent ultrasound scanning at the end of the first week. If the abnormality was confirmed contrast radiography was performed. END POINT--Confirmation of suspected renal abnormality by postnatal investigations. Detection of abnormality in children thought to be normal antenatally. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Of the 92 babies who had abnormal antenatal scans, 42 had abnormalities confirmed postnatally. Four of them died and 21 had had or were awaiting an operation at 18 months'' follow up. Seven children had renal abnormalities that were missed antenatally. The incidence of abnormalities detected by screening antenatally was 0.65%, and the overall incidence at 18 months'' follow up was 0.76%. CONCLUSIONS--The incidence of structural renal abnormalities in babies is higher than reported previously. Antenatal ultrasonography is an effective way of detecting such abnormalities.     

Observation of the effect of the pregnancy complicated with the hepatitis B infection on the lying-in women and neonates

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of pregnancy complicated with the hepatitis B infection on the pregnancy outcome, immunological factors and the subgroup of lymphocytes in neonates.MethodsSubjects admitting to this hospital between January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2018 in this study were divided into two groups according to the hepatitis B infection, i.e. the observation group (infection) and the control group (healthy), with 60 subjects in each group. Pregnancy complications and the neonatal complications were all recorded, and furthermore, the subgroups of lymphocytes and the levels of immunoglobin in the umbilical cord blood were measured.ResultsThe incidence rates of the premature rupture of fetal membranes, premature delivery, postpartum hemorrhage and pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group, and the differences had statistical significance. In the observation group, the incidence rates of the neonatal distress and asphyxia, and the levels of neonatal CD3^＋, CD4^＋, CD19^＋, IgA and IgM varied significantly from those in the control group, and the differences showed statistical significance. However, no significant differences were identified in comparison of the incidence rate of the cesarean delivery, neonatal deformity, neonatal death, or levels of neonatal CD8⁺ and IgG.ConclusionDuring pregnancy, complications of hepatitis B infection results in the increases in the incidence rates of the premature rupture of fetal membranes and neonatal asphyxia, with influences on the levels of immunological factors and lymphocyte subgroups in the umbilical cord blood.     

单胎妊娠早产胎膜早破呼吸窘迫综合征的危险因素分析

目的:探讨单胎妊娠早产胎膜早破发生新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征(respiratory distress syndrome,RDS)的危险因素。方法:选择2017年5月至2019年5月在我院产科分娩的2810例产妇为研究对象,其中97例(3.45%)符合未足月胎膜早破(Preterm premature rupture of membranes,pPROM)标准,包括53例RDS。收集以下信息:PROM潜伏期、出生时胎龄、脐动脉搏动指数(Umbilical artery pulsatility index,UAPI)、大脑中动脉搏动指数(Middle cerebral artery pulsation index,MCAPI)、胎儿窘迫、产前使用类固醇、新生儿实验室参数、性别、体重、Apgar评分、分娩类型、妊娠高血压疾病、妊娠期糖耐量异常或糖尿病等信息,通过Logistic回归分析研究变量对RDS的影响。结果:Logistic回归分析结果显示,以下变量与RDS密切相关:新生儿性别女性(OR=0.517;95%CI:0.312-0.107;P=0.042),产前使用类固醇(OR=0.467;95%CI:0.355-0.698;P0.001),异常UAPI(OR=2.830;95%CI:1.783-6.234;P=0.002),异常MCA PI(OR=2.136;95%CI:1.120-4.017;P=0.032),胎儿窘迫(OR=2.420;95%CI:1.287-4.824;P=0.017),母体HGB(OR=0.689;95%CI:0.511-1.013;P=0.221),新生儿HGB(OR=0.752;95%CI:0.645-0.891;P0.001),新生儿RBC(OR=0.311;95%CI:0.201-0.565;P0.001)。结论:单胎妊娠早产胎膜早破发生RDS危险因素主要是性别、胎儿胎盘循环异常和胎儿窘迫。     

胎膜早破与分娩方式的关系及产程观察

目的:探讨胎膜早破对分娩方式与结果的影响,提高对产程观察的重视。方法:统计分析249例孕足月胎膜早破者的分娩方式、产程及母儿并发症,并与249例随机抽取同期孕足月无胎膜早破的产妇进行对照。结果:胎膜早破组自然分娩率明显低于对照组(P<0.05),产褥感染、新生儿窒息发生率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:胎膜早破易感染,并导致胎儿宫内窘迫和新生儿窒息,与难产、剖宫产有相关性,应合理选择分娩方式,积极处理产程,以确保母婴安全。     

Fetal nuchal translucency: ultrasound screening for chromosomal defects in first trimester of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE--To examine the significance of fetal nuchal translucency at 10-14 weeks'' gestation in the prediction of abnormal fetal karyotype. DESIGN--Prospective screening study. SETTING--The Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King''s College Hospital, London. SUBJECTS--827 fetuses undergoing first trimester karyotyping by amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Incidence of chromosomal defects. RESULTS--The incidence of chromosomal defects was 3% (28 of 827 cases). In the 51 (6%) fetuses with nuchal translucency 3-8 mm thick the incidence of chromosomal defects was 35% (18 cases). In contrast, only 10 of the remaining 776 (1%) fetuses were chromosomally abnormal. CONCLUSION--Fetal nuchal translucency > or = 3 mm is a useful first trimester marker for fetal chromosomal abnormalities.     

Reducing Neonatal Mortality in India: Critical Role of Access to Emergency Obstetric Care

Background

Neonatal mortality currently accounts for 41% of all global deaths among children below five years. Despite recording a 33% decline in neonatal deaths between 2000 and 2009, about 900,000 neonates died in India in 2009. The decline in neonatal mortality is slower than in the post-neonatal period, and neonatal mortality rates have increased as a proportion of under-five mortality rates. Neonatal mortality rates are higher among rural dwellers of India, who make up at least two-thirds of India''s population. Identifying the factors influencing neonatal mortality will significantly improve child survival outcomes in India.

Methods

Our analysis is based on household data from the nationally representative 2008 Indian District Level Household Survey (DLHS-3). We use probit regression techniques to analyse the links between neonatal mortality at the household level and households'' access to health facilities. The probability of the child dying in the first month of birth is our dependent variable.

Results

We found that 80% of neonatal deaths occurred within the first week of birth, and that the probability of neonatal mortality is significantly lower when the child''s village is closer to the district hospital (DH), suggesting the critical importance of specialist hospital care in the prevention of newborn deaths. Neonatal deaths were lower in regions where emergency obstetric care was available at the District Hospitals. We also found that parental schooling and household wealth status improved neonatal survival outcomes.

Conclusions

Addressing the main causes of neonatal deaths in India – preterm deliveries, asphyxia, and sepsis – requires adequacy of specialised workforce and facilities for delivery and neonatal intensive care and easy access by mothers and neonates. The slow decline in neonatal death rates reflects a limited attention to factors which contribute to neonatal deaths. The suboptimal quality and coverage of Emergency Obstetric Care facilities in India require urgent attention.     

Contribution of twin pregnancy to perinatal mortality and fetal growth retardation; reversal of growth retardation after birth.

A survey of factors associated with perinatal mortality in 511 twins and fetal growth retardation and its reversal in 262 twins is presented. The incidence of stillbirth was almost 50% higher in twins than in singletons and the neonatal mortality was six times as high. Eighty percent of the neonatal deaths occurred in infants born prior to or at 30 weeks of gestation; 93% of the deaths were in infants weighing less than 1500 g and 75% occurred within 48 hours of birth. Fetal malnutrition was the main cause of stillbirth, and respiratory distress syndrome and asphyxia neonatorum were the main causes of neonatal death. One quarter of the twins had fetal growth retardation, a prevalence 10 times that in singletons. In almost all, the growth retardation was reversed by high-energy feedings. Although twins represented only 1% of all pregnancies and 2% of live births, they composed 12% of infants with early neonatal death and 17% of growth-retarded infants. A program is suggested for reduction of twin mortality and morbidity.     

孤独症儿童生存质量、睡眠质量现状调查及睡眠障碍的影响因素分析

摘要 目的：分析孤独症儿童生存质量、睡眠质量现状,探讨其睡眠障碍的影响因素。方法：选择2017年1月至2019年12月期间我院收治的孤独症儿童100例作为研究组,另选同期于我院进行体检的健康儿童100例作为对照组,分别应用生存质量简易量表、社会支持评定量表、儿童睡眠质量调查问卷调查两组生存质量、社会支持情况、睡眠质量。应用单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析孤独症儿童睡眠障碍的影响因素。结果：研究组儿童生存质量简易量表的主观标准评分、客观标准评分及社会支持评定量表的主观支持评分、客观支持评分、对社会支持的利用度评分、总分均显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）。研究组入睡困难、睡眠不安、间断睡眠、夜惊、夜间尿床、打鼾、梦呓、梦游、张口呼吸、夜间磨牙、睡眠出汗发生率均显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）,两组梦魇发生率比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。研究组患儿中存在睡眠障碍的46例,无睡眠障碍的54例。单因素分析显示,睡眠障碍组父母关系差、家族精神病史、新生儿窒息史、出生体重<2500 g比例显著高于无睡眠障碍组（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,父母关系差、有家族精神疾病史、有新生儿期窒息史、出生体重<2500 g是孤独症儿童睡眠障碍的危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：与健康儿童相比,孤独症儿童生存质量、社会支持情况较差,睡眠障碍发生率也较高,父母关系差、有家族精神疾病史、有新生儿期窒息史、出生体重<2500 g是孤独症儿童睡眠障碍的危险因素。     

Mothers' birth weight and survival of their offspring: population based study.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that a baby''s survival is related to the mother''s birth weight. DESIGN: Population based dataset for two generations. SETTING: Population registry in Norway. SUBJECTS: All birth records for women born in Norway since 1967 were linked to births during 1981-94, thereby forming 105104 mother-offspring units. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perinatal mortality specific for weight for offspring in groups of maternal birth weight (with 500 g categories in both). RESULTS: A mother''s birth weight was strongly associated with the weight of her baby. Maternal birth weight was associated with perinatal survival of her baby only for mothers with birth weights under 2000 g. These mothers were more likely to lose a baby in the perinatal period (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 3.7). Among mothers with a birth weight over 2000 g there was no overall association between mother''s weight and infant survival. There was, however, a strong interaction between mother''s birth weight, infant birth weight, and infant survival. Mortality among small babies was much higher for those whose mothers had been large at birth. For example, babies weighing 2500-2999 g had a threefold higher mortality if their mother''s birth weight had been high (> or = 4000 g) than if the mother had been small (2500-2999 g). CONCLUSION: Mothers who weighed less than 2000 g at birth have a higher risk of losing their own babies. For mothers who weighed > or = 2000 g their birth weight provides a benchmark for judging the growth of their offspring. Babies who are small relative to their mother''s birth weight are at increased risk of mortality.     

高龄孕妇分娩新生儿出生体重及出院转归的影响因素分析

摘要 目的：探讨高龄孕妇分娩新生儿出生体重及出院转归的影响因素。方法：选择2021年01月到2022年01月与我院就诊的198例产妇作为研究对象,根据孕妇分娩时的年龄分为观察组和对照组,分娩时年龄满35周岁为高龄产妇组（98例）,分娩时年龄为20~34周岁为适龄组（100例）。比较适龄孕妇和高龄孕妇新生儿出生体重情况和新生儿住院时间,对高龄孕妇新生儿体重和新生儿出院转归影响因素进行Logistic单因素分析和多因素分析。结果：与适龄孕妇相比,高龄孕妇新生儿低出生体重儿、巨大儿发生率更高（P<0.05）,新生儿住院时间明显更长（P<0.05）。对高龄孕妇新生儿体重进行单因素分析结果显示,妊娠糖尿病、产检检查、分娩方式、是否使用催产素、分娩时麻醉方式和脐带情况与高龄孕妇新生儿体重无关（P>0.05）,孕妇年龄、孕前BMI、孕期体重增加情况、妊娠高血压、合并其他疾病状况、孕次、产次、羊水情况与高龄孕妇新生儿体重相关（P<0.05）。进行Logistic多因素回归分析结果显示,孕妇年龄、孕前BMI、孕期体重增加情况、孕次、产次、羊水情况是影响高龄孕妇新生儿出生体重的独立危险因素（P<0.05）。对新生儿出院转归情况进行单因素分析结果显示,胎次、开奶时间、喂养方式和有无接受治疗与新生儿出院转归无相关性（P>0.05）,胎龄、出生体重、Apgar评分、出生窒息史、有无伴发疾病与新生儿转归相关（P<0.05）。进行Logistic多因素分析结果显示,胎龄、出生体重、Apgar评分、出生窒息史、有无伴发病是影响新生儿出院转归的独立危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：孕妇年龄、孕前BMI、孕期体重增加情况、孕次、产次、羊水情况是影响高龄孕妇新生儿出生体重的独立危险因素。新生儿出院转归受到胎龄、出生体重、Apgar评分、出生窒息史、有无伴发病影响。