Preterm birth Flashcards
Incidence of PTB
5-10% of births
7% in NZ, 8% in Australia
Extreme PTB <28 weeks = 0.5% in NZ
Definition of extreme preterm, very preterm, and moderate-late preterm - gestations
extremely preterm = less than 28 weeks
- combined 2% of births in Australia
very preterm = 28 to 32 weeks
- combined 2% of births in Australia
Moderate to late preterm = 32 to 37 weeks
7% of births in Australia
Broad causes of PTB - rule of thirds
1/3 = iatrogenic e.g. PET, severe IUGR
1/3 = following PPROM
1/3 = spontaneous labour
Causes of preterm birth = PICFUPS
P = previous PTB (15% with 1x PTB, 30% with 2x, 45% with 3x)
I = infection Intrauterine = ascending (BV, trich, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, GBS, gardnerella, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, kleibsiella, E coli), transplacental via maternal blood stream (bacteraemia), from abdomen via tubes (e.g. appendicitis, TOA), introduced via procedure (e.g. amniocentesis) Extrauterine = sepsis e.g. urosepsis, pneumonia, viral, peridontal disease
C=cervix
Shortened cervix - previous LLETZ >1cm, cone biopsies, previous D+Cs/STOPs, cervical trauma in previous deliveries, CS at full dilatation
F=fetal
Chromosomal or congenital abnormalities
U=uterine (OUT)
Overdistension (polyhydramnios, LGA, multiple pregnancy), uterine structural abnormalities (bicornuate/septate), trauma
P=placenta
Placental abruption, placental insufficiency
S=social Substance use (smoking, ETOH, drugs) Low SES, Maori/Pacific/Indigenous Low pre-pregnancy weight AMA Stress, IPV
History taking
PC - abdo pain, back pain, ROM, FM, localising sx of infection
Pregnancy this far
PTB risk factors
Gestation accurate?
Whether appropriate to do fFN = no bleeding, PPROM, VE, intercourse
NICE Guidance on USS Cx length vs fFN
Treat as TPTL if 29+6 or less based on clinical assessment only
If 30+0 or more
Offer TV ultrasound first line
If > 15mm - unlikely preterm labour, consider other diagnoses and offer inpatient observation vs outpatient
If 15mm or less - diagnose preterm labour
Offer FFN if TVUSS not available or acceptable
If 50ng/ml or less - unlikely preterm labour, consider other diagnoses and offer inpatient observation for outpatient
If >50ng/ml - diagnose preterm labour
Maternal and Fetal Impacts of PTB
Maternal
Increased operative birth
Increased PPH
Reduced bonding due to increased NICU admissions
Increased postpartum depression and anxiety
Morbidity related to underlying cause - infection, abruption, PET
Fetal Intrapartum hypoxia Low birth weight Hypothermia Hypoglycaemia Respiratory - TTN, RDS, surfactant deficiency, BPD, apnoeas Cardiac - PDA Gut - NEC Brain - IVH Jaundice Retinopathy Neonatal death
Counselling in event of PTL or TPTL
Discuss implications for mother and baby, short and long term consequences
Consider gestation - active management vs palliative
If active: steroids, tocolysis unless contraindications, MgSO4, benzylpenicillin, NICU availability - transfer in-utero or ex-utero
BV Definition Associated organisms Does routine treatment of BV reduce PTB? Who should we treat for BV?
Imbalance of vaginal flora - reduction in protective acids producing lactobacilli and overgrowth of BV associated organisms:
Gardnerella vaginalis,
bactericides, peptostreptococcus, mycoplasma species, atopbium species, moriluncun species
Routine treatment of BV in pregnancy is not associated with reduced PTB or PPROM
Treat those with other risk factors for preterm birth
Treat those who are symptomatic
MgSO4 for neuroprotection: dose and monitoring
Dose
4g bolus over 25-20 minutes
Then IV infusion 1g per hour until birth or for 24 hours (Which ever is sooner)
Monitoring
At least 4 hourly HR, BP, RR, deep tendon reflexes, UO
Rescue cerclage indications and contraindications
Indications
- 16+0 - 27+6
- Dilated cervix, exposed, unruptured membranes
Contraindications
- Vaginal bleeding
- Uterine contractions
- Signs of infection
- Ruptured membranes
Caesarean section - choice of uterine incision
Depends on presence of lower segment, position of fetus, multiple pregnancy, placental location, membranes ruptured
Options - classical, upper transverse, J or T
Classical facilitate atraumatic and rapid delivery of the fetus
Ventouse and forceps contraindicated before what gestation?
Ventouse contraindicated < 34 weeks
Forceps relatively contraindicated < 34 weeks - perform with caution, do not perform rotational forceps, only if certain of position
FSE and FBS contraindicated before what gestation?
34/40
Avoid FSE if <34+0/40 unless it is not possible to monitor externally
AND has been discussed with a senior obstetrician AND benefits outweigh risks
AND alternatives and inappropriate to the woman
FBS - avoid if less that 34+0/40
Cervical length measurements and risk of PTB <37 weeks
Length 30mm, 27mm, 22mm
30mm (10th centile) - RR 3.8
27mm (5th centile) - RR 5.4
22mm (2.5th centile) - RR 6.3
(Median length at 20 week is 42mm)
USS technique for cervical measurement
Consider TA scan with partially full bladder as potential firstline screening test. If >35mm do not need TV USS.
Most accurately measured using TV ultrasound
- Empty bladder
- Probe in anterior fornix, minimising pressure on cervix
- Measure from internal to external os, take smallest of three measurements over 5 minutes (As cervix is dynamic)
Transperineal not adequately studied
Cervical USS assessment - Predictive value of funnelling and shortening with fundal pressure, or presence of amniotic sludge?
Associated with PTB but don’t contribute to predictive monitoring beyond the cervical length itself
Progesterone vs cerclage in LOW RISK WOMEN? RR?
Progesterone - RR 0.66 (ie reduces risk by 34%) reduces risk of preterm delivery before 34 weeks or fetal death. NNT = 11.
Progesterone also reduces risk of RDS, composite neonatal morbidity and mortality,
birthweight <1.5kg, admission to NICU
Cervical cerclage
- RR 0.74 if low risk
- RR 0.61 if previous PTB.
No clear benefit of cerclage to progesterone, therefore progesterone is generally preferred treatment as avoids surgical risks.
Role of progesterone vs cerclage in WOMEN WITH RFS FOR PRETERM BIRTH? RR?
- Previous PTB
- benefit from progesterone or cerclage, consider cervical length surveillance to guide decision and if progressive shortening consider cerclage. - Multiple pregnancy
- Cervical length has predictive value however there
is conflicting evidence regarding therapeutic intervention. - Previous cervical excisional procedure - can help stratify risk for women and determine appropriateness of intervention
Possible interventions for shortened cervix or women with multiple RFs
- Conservative:
- If no risk factors or patient declines
- Consider cervical length monitoring - Progesterone
- CONSIDER if history of PTB <34 weeks but normal cervical length
- RECOMMEND if CL <25mm (singleton or multi) - Cervical cerclage
- CONSIDER if history of PTB, PPROM or cervical surgery AND cervix <25mm
- No significant difference between two interventions and increased risk with cerclage
- Therefore, progesterone should be firstline in these women with serial cervical length in 1-2 weeks
- If further shortening of cervix despite progesterone, consider cerclage