Biomedical subjects

George A Macones

Publications and source records attributed to George A Macones.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

The effect of prematurity on vaginal birth after cesarean delivery: success and maternal morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) success and uterine rupture rates between preterm and term gestations in women with a history of one prior cesarean delivery. Our hypothesis was that preterm women undergoing VBAC were more likely to be successful and have a lower rate of complications than term women undergoing VBAC. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of women with a history of a cesarean delivery who either attempted a VBAC or underwent a repeat cesarean delivery from 1995 through 2000 in 17 community and university hospitals. We collected information on demographics, medical and obstetric history, complications, and outcome of the index pregnancy. The primary analysis was limited to women with singleton gestations and one prior cesarean delivery. Statistical analysis consisted of bivariate and multivariable techniques. RESULTS: Among the 20,156 patients with one prior cesarean delivery, 12,463 (61%) attempted a VBAC. Mean gestational ages for the term and preterm women were 39.2 weeks and 33.9 weeks of gestation, respectively. The VBAC success rates for the term and preterm groups were 74% and 82%, respectively (P < .001). Multivariable analysis showed that the VBAC success was higher (adjusted odds ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.27-1.86) in preterm gestations. A decreased risk of rupture among preterm gestations was suggested in these results (adjusted odds ratio 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.07-1.17; P = .08). CONCLUSION: Preterm patients undergoing a VBAC have higher success rates when compared with term patients undergoing a VBAC. Preterm patients undergoing VBAC may have lower uterine rupture rates.

Cesarean Section, Repeat↗

PubMed2005

A cost-effectiveness analysis of prenatal screening strategies for Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate which Down syndrome screening strategy is the most cost-effective. METHODS: Using decision-analysis modeling, we compared the cost-effectiveness of 9 screening strategies for Down syndrome: 1) no screening, 2) first-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) only, 3) first-trimester combined NT and serum screen, 4) first-trimester serum only, 5) quadruple screen, 6) integrated screening, 7) sequential screening, 8) integrated serum only, or 9) maternal age. Costs included cost of tests and resources used for raising a child with Down syndrome. One-way and multiway sensitivity analyses were performed for all model variables. The main outcome measures were cost per Down syndrome case detected, rate of delivering a liveborn neonate with Down syndrome, and rate of diagnostic procedure-related pregnancy loss for each strategy. RESULTS: Sequential screening detected more Down syndrome cases compared with the other strategies, but it had a higher procedure-related loss rate. Integrated serum screening was the most cost-effective strategy. Sensitivity analyses revealed the model to be robust over a wide range of values for the variables. The addition of the cost of genetic sonogram to the second-trimester strategies resulted in first-trimester combined screening becoming the most cost-effective strategy. CONCLUSION: Within our baseline assumptions, integrated serum screening was the most cost-effective screening strategy for Down syndrome. If the cost of nuchal translucency is less than dollars 57 or when genetic sonogram is included in the second-trimester strategies, first-trimester combined screening became the most cost-effective strategy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Thromboprophylaxis after cesarean delivery: a decision analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 4 strategies for managing patients after cesarean delivery. METHODS: Using decision analysis, we compared universal subcutaneous (SC) heparin prophylaxis, heparin prophylaxis only for patients with a genetic thrombophilia, use of pneumatic compression stockings (PCS), and no thromboprophylaxis. Outcomes included heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), HIT-related thrombosis, major maternal bleeding, and venous thromboembolism (VTE). RESULTS: Use of PCS was the strategy with the lowest number of adverse events. With heparin prophylaxis, 13 cases of HIT-induced thrombosis and hemorrhage would occur per VTE prevented. When heparin prophylaxis is administered only to thrombophilia-positive women, 1.2 cases of HIT-induced thrombosis and bleeding would occur per VTE prevented. In sensitivity analyses, the model was stable across virtually all variable ranges. CONCLUSION: Use of PCS after cesarean delivery is the strategy with the lowest number of adverse events. Universal prophylaxis with SC heparin is associated with an excess risk of HIT-induced thrombosis and bleeding per VTE prevented compared with PCS use. Until future studies are completed, postcesarean thromboprophylaxis with PCS should be used if the clinician elects to provide prophylaxis.

Bandages↗

PubMed2005

Safety and efficacy of vaginal birth after cesarean attempts at or beyond 40 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare rates of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) failure and major complications in women attempting VBAC before and after the estimated date of delivery (EDD) METHODS: This was a 5-year retrospective cohort study in 17 university and community hospitals of women with at least 1 prior cesarean delivery. Women who attempted VBAC before the EDD were compared with those at or beyond 40 weeks of gestation. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between delivery beyond the EDD and VBAC failure or complication rate. RESULTS: A total of 11,587 women in the cohort attempted VBAC. Women past 40 weeks of gestation were more likely to have a failed VBAC. After controlling for confounders, the increased risk of a failed VBAC beyond 40 weeks remained significant (31.3% compared with 22.2%, odds ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.24-1.50). The risk of uterine rupture (1.1% compared with 1.0%) or overall morbidity (2.7% compared with 2.1%) was not significantly increased in the women attempting VBAC beyond the EDD. When the cohort was defined as 41 weeks or more of gestation, the risk of a failed VBAC was again significantly increased (35.4% compared with 24.3%, odds ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.20-1.53), but the risk of uterine rupture or overall morbidity was not increased. CONCLUSION: Women beyond 40 weeks of gestation can safely attempt VBAC, although the risk of VBAC failure is increased.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Gender mix in twins and fetal growth, length of gestation and adult cancer risk.

This study evaluated the effect of gender mix (the gender combinations of twin pairs) on fetal growth and length of gestation, and reviewed the literature on the long-term effects of this altered fetal milieu on cancer risk. In singletons, it is well established that females weigh less than males at all gestations, averaging 125-135 g less at full term. This gender difference is generally believed to be the result of the effect of androgens on fetal growth. The gender difference in fetal growth is greater before the third trimester and less towards term, with males growing not only more, but also earlier than females. Plurality is a known risk factor for reduced fetal growth and birthweight. Compared with singletons, the mean birthweight percentiles of twins fall substantially (by 10% or more) below the singleton 10th percentile by 28 weeks, below the singleton 50th percentile by 30 weeks, and below the singleton 90th percentile by 34 weeks. In unlike-gender twin pairs, it has been reported that the female prolongs gestation for her brother, resulting in a higher birthweight for the male twin than that of like-gender male twins. Other researchers have demonstrated that females in unlike-gender pairs had higher birthweights than females in like-gender pairs. Analyses from our consortium on 2491 twin pregnancies with known chorionicity showed longer gestations and faster rates of fetal growth in both males and females in unlike-gender pairs compared with like-gender male or female pairs, although these differences were not statistically significant. The post-natal effects for females growing in an androgenic-anabolic environment include increased sensation-seeking behaviour and aggression, lowered visual acuity, more masculine attitudes and masculinising effects of the auditory system and craniofacial growth. In contrast, there is no evidence to suggest that there might be a similar feminising effect on males from unlike-gender pairs. This hormonal exposure in utero may influence adult body size and susceptability to breast cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Type-specific screening for asymptomatic herpes infection in pregnancy: a decision analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the merits of serum screening for herpes simple virus (HSV) in pregnant women with no history of prior HSV infection. DESIGN: Clinical decision analysis. POPULATION: Hypothetical cohort of pregnant women in first trimester with no clinical history of HSV infection. METHODS: We used decision analysis techniques to compare three strategies for antepartum screening for HSV in women with no history of infection: (1) universal screening; (2) targeted screening in women estimated to be at high risk for infection; and (3) current care (no screening). For the screening strategies, we considered screening at 35 weeks of gestation, with prophylactic antiviral therapy for seropositive women. For all women, we assumed caesarean delivery in the setting of symptomatic infection at delivery. We performed a literature review of English-language publications to derive probability estimates for the rate of HSV seropositivity in asymptomatic pregnant women, and the risks of symptomatic HSV infection and asymptomatic shedding at the time of delivery. We determined the modification of rates of viral shedding, symptomatic lesions and caesarean section with the use of prophylactic suppression therapy for seropositive women based on available data. We chose neonatal herpes with severe sequelae, neonatal death, as well as caesarean delivery as clinically relevant outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of cases of neonatal death, neonatal HSV with severe sequelae, neonatal HSV with moderate sequelae, patients screened, patients treated and caesarean section with each strategy. RESULTS: Universal maternal screening reduced the total number of deaths and severe sequelae secondary to neonatal HSV. Universal screening required treatment of 3849 women to prevent one case of neonatal death or disease with severe sequelae from HSV. Targeted screening of high risk women treatment of 2277 women to prevent one death or case of severe disease. Universal screening reduced the rate of neonatal HSV attributable to recurrent HSV by 79.3%. Caesarean delivery was reduced with both screening strategies. We used one-way sensitivity analyses to evaluate the robustness of our model. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal screening reduced the number of cases of neonatal HSV. Screening also reduced the rate of caesarean delivery. However, employing universal screening will likely result in a significant expenditure of medical resources because the number needed to treat to avert a single case of neonatal herpes is high.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMed2005

The Hispanic paradox in twin pregnancies.

The objective of this study was to compare length of gestation, fetal growth, and birthweight by race/ethnicity and pregravid weight groups in twin pregnancies. Three thousand and thirty-six twin pregnancies of 28 weeks or more gestation were divided by race/ethnicity (White, Black and Hispanic), and pregravid body mass index (BMI) groups (less than 25.0 vs. 25.0 or more). Outcomes were modeled using multiple regression, controlling for confounders, with White non-Hispanic women as the reference group. Hispanic women had the highest average birthweight and the longest gestation, as well as the lowest proportions of low birthweight, very low birthweight, preterm and early preterm births of the 3 race/ethnicity groups. In the multivariate analyses, Hispanic women had significantly longer gestations (by 7.8 days) and faster rates of fetal growth midgestation (20 to 28 weeks, by 17.4 g/week) and late gestation (after 28 weeks, by 5.3 g/week), whereas Black women had significantly slower rates of fetal growth (by 5.7 g/week and by 4.5 g/week, respectively). These findings in twins reflect the racial and ethnic disparities previously shown in singletons, including the Hispanic paradox of longer gestations and higher rates of fetal growth.

Birth Weight↗

PubMed2005

Cerebroplacental Doppler ratio and adverse perinatal outcomes in intrauterine growth restriction: evaluating the impact of using gestational age-specific reference values.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of using gestational age-specific reference levels of the cerebroplacental Doppler ratio (CPR) with categorical threshold in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes in growth-restricted pregnancies. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of cases of intrauterine growth restriction over a 3-year period was conducted. The umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery pulsatility indices were converted to CPRs. The efficacy of using gestational age-specific reference levels of CPRs in predicting adverse outcomes was compared with the use of a CPR of less than 1.08. Adverse perinatal outcomes evaluated included cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal heart tones, umbilical artery pH less than 7.0, 5-minute Apgar scores less than 7.0, intraventricular hemorrhage greater than grade 2, periventricular leukomalacia, respiratory distress syndrome, and perinatal death. RESULTS: Of 183 pregnancies meeting our inclusion criteria, there were 70 with at least 1 adverse outcome. With the use of a CPR ratio below the 5th percentile for gestational age, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for predicting an adverse outcome were 65%, 73%, 73%, and 65%, respectively, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 5.2 (1.4-19.4; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.69). With a CPR threshold of less than 1.08, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 72%, 62%, 68%, and 67%, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 4.2 (1.2-15.3; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: An abnormal CPR is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in growth-restricted fetuses. The accuracy of using gestational age-specific reference levels was similar to that of using a categorical threshold.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Elevated maternal glucose concentrations and placental infection in twin pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between maternal screening glucose concentration and placental infection in nondiabetic twin pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: One thousand sixty-one nondiabetic twin pregnancies at > or =28 weeks' gestation were divided into 3 groups based on the screening 50-g fasting glucose concentration at 24-28 weeks: lowest quartile (< 96 mg/dL), middle 2 quartiles (96-128 mg/dL) and upper quartile (> 128 mg/dL). Outcomes were modeled using general linear and multinomial logistic regression, controlling for confounding factors. RESULTS: The middle and highest glucose groups were associated with increased risks for clinical chorioamnionitis (adjusted OR [AOR] 3.18, 95% CI 1.34, 7.54; AOR 6.80, CI 1.89, 24.53, respectively). Birth at <32 weeks and histologic diagnosis of placental infection (chorioamnionitis, funisitis, necrosis, vasculitis or villitis) were significantly associated only with the highest glucose group (AOR 1.79, CI 1.02, 3.13; AOR 6.95, CI 1.10, 8.68, respectively). CONCLUSION: Elevated screening glucose in nondiabetic twin pregnancies may be a marker of placental inflammation and infection.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Cocaine use during pregnancy and the failure of vaginal birth after cesarean.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the failure rate of a trial of vaginal birth in women with singleton pregnancies and 1 prior cesarean section who reported using cocaine during the current pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: The medical records of 9254 women who attempted a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) at 16 community and tertiary care hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. VBAC was considered a failure if a woman who was initially considered suited to a trial of VBAC for whatever reason did not succeed in vaginal delivery and had to undergo a repeat cesarean section. We used stratified analysis as well as forward and backward logistic regression analysis to assess the relation between cocaine use during pregnancy and VBAC failure. RESULTS: Thirteen percent of patients who reported using cocaine had a significant 59% decrease in the odds for VBAC failure in the unadjusted analysis (OR = 0.41, 95% CI= 0.29-0.58) as compared to those who did not report using this substance. Nevertheless, after adjusting for other important predictors of failure and possible confounding variables, the use of cocaine in our final model showed no difference in the odds for VBAC failure (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.49-1.13) as compared to the odds in women who did not report using the drug. CONCLUSION: We could not find any statistically significant difference in the odds for VBAC failure between patients who reported cocaine use during pregnancy and patients who reported those who did not.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

A polymorphism in the promoter region of TNF and bacterial vaginosis: preliminary evidence of gene-environment interaction in the etiology of spontaneous preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: The rarer of 2 alleles of a polymorphism in the promoter of the tumor necrosis factor alpha gene (TNF) has been associated with spontaneous preterm birth following preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes in some populations. The aim of this study was to assess if the presence of symptomatic bacterial vaginosis amplifies the risk of spontaneous preterm birth in those with a "susceptible" TNF genotype. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study was performed at our institution. Cases (n=125) were defined as women who delivered before 37 weeks as a result of ruptured membranes or preterm labor, while control subjects (n=250) were defined as women who delivered after 37 weeks. DNA was collected from maternal blood and analyzed for the TNF genotype. Information on symptomatic bacterial vaginosis and other risk factors for preterm birth was obtained by review of the antenatal record. Multiple logistic regression was also used to test the interaction between bacterial vaginosis, the TNF genotype, and preterm birth. RESULTS: Maternal carriers of the rarer allele (TNF-2) were at a significantly increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth [odds ratio (OR) 2.7, 95% CI 1.7-4.5]. The association between TNF-2 and preterm birth was modified by the presence of bacterial vaginosis, such that those with a "susceptible" genotype and bacterial vaginosis had increased odds of preterm birth compared with those who did not (OR 6.1, 95% CI 1.9-21.0). CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence that an interaction between genetic susceptibilities (ie, TNF-2 carriers) and environmental factors (ie, bacterial vaginosis) is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Abnormal multiple marker screens are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in cases of intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if abnormal multiple marker screens (MMS) are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: This was a case control study of IUGR pregnancies (birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age [GA]) delivered in our unit over 6 years. Cases were compared with controls for the association between abnormal MMS and adverse perinatal outcomes (APO). RESULTS: Of the 261 IUGR pregnancies, 39 (16%) had at least 1 APO. An elevated HCG was significantly associated with an APO (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.4). A low uE3 was also associated with an APO (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.2-14). The association between an elevated AFP and APO was not statistically significant (OR 1.6, 95% CI, 0.6-4.6). CONCLUSION: An elevated HCG and low uE3 were associated with APO in cases of IUGR. This information could be useful in identifying a subset of IUGR cases deserving closer surveillance.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed2004

What antepartum fetal test should guide the timing of delivery of the preterm growth-restricted fetus? A decision-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to use a decision-analytic approach to explore the best strategy for the timing of the delivery of preterm intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses. STUDY DESIGN: We constructed a decision-analysis model that compared 4 antenatal fetal testing strategies The fetal/neonatal states that were compared included live in utero pregnancy; fetal death; neonatal death; disabled neonate, and healthy neonate. Probability estimates for these states and sensitivity and specificity for Doppler velocimetry and biophysical profile were derived from literature review. Sensitivity analyses were performed on the baseline assumptions. RESULTS: Under the baseline assumptions, biophysical profile was the best test to guide decisions on delivery. Sensitivity analyses revealed the model to be sensitive only to the specificity of a biophysical profile <82%. CONCLUSION: Compared with the other options, biophysical profile was the best strategy to guide physicians on the timing of the delivery of the preterm growth-restricted fetus.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

PubMed2004

Active management of risk in pregnancy at term in an urban population: an association between a higher induction of labor rate and a lower cesarean delivery rate.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to an alternative method of care, called the active management of risk in pregnancy at term, was associated with a lower group cesarean delivery rate. STUDY DESIGN: Active management of risk in pregnancy at term used risk factors for cesarean delivery to guide an increased use of labor induction. A retrospective cohort design was used to compare clinical outcomes of 100 pregnant women who were exposed to active management of risk in pregnancy at term to 300 randomly selected subjects who received standard management. RESULTS: The 2 groups had comparable levels of prenatal risk. The group exposed to the active management of risk in pregnancy at term exposure group encountered a higher induction rate (63% vs 25.7%; P < .001) and a lower cesarean delivery rate (4% vs 16.7%; P = .01). Findings were similar for both nulliparous and multiparous subgroups. Active management of risk in pregnancy at term exposure was not associated with higher rates of other major birth outcomes. CONCLUSION: Exposure to the active management of risk in pregnancy at term exposure was associated with a significantly lower group cesarean delivery rate. A prospective randomized trial that involved active management of risk in pregnancy at term exposure is needed to further explore this association.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

False-positive 1-hour glucose challenge test and adverse perinatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a false-positive 1-hour glucose challenge test (GCT) is associated with perinatal complications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1825 eligible pregnant women among a cohort of 1998 patients. Patients were screened for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with the 1-hour 50-g GCT at 24-28 gestational weeks. A false-positive GCT was defined as a result greater than or equal to 135 mg/dL followed by a normal 3-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT). We compared the negative GCT and false-positive GCT cohorts for a composite perinatal outcome variable that included fetal macrosomia, antenatal death, shoulder dystocia, chorioamnionitis, preeclampsia, intensive care nursery admission, and postpartum endometritis. Secondary outcomes included cesarean delivery and each component variable of the composite. Unadjusted, stratified, and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between a false-positive GCT and the development of perinatal complications. RESULTS: We identified 164 patients with a false-positive GCT and 50 patients with GDM. The false-positive GCT cohort on average was older, of higher parity, had a higher body mass index, and more frequently had chronic hypertension, sickle cell trait, and elevated midtrimester human chorionic gonadotropin levels. The false-positive GCT cohort more frequently had adverse perinatal outcomes, including the composite perinatal outcome (odds ratio [OR] 5.96, 95% confidence interval[CI]1.47,24.16), macrosomia greater than 4500 g (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.30, 10.32), antenatal death (OR 4.61, 95% CI 0.77, 27.48), shoulder dystocia (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.25, 6.51), endometritis (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.03, 4.63), and cesarean delivery (OR 1.76, 95% CI 0.99, 3.14). CONCLUSION: A false-positive GCT is an independent risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The association between fetal nasal bone hypoplasia and aneuploidy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between fetal nasal bone hypoplasia and aneuploidy in women undergoing prenatal diagnosis. METHODS: A prospective cohort study involving women undergoing chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis for an increased risk of aneuploidy. Fetal biometric and nasal bone measurements were obtained at the time of prenatal diagnosis and compared with karyotypes. Nasal bone hypoplasia was defined as nasal bone less than 2.5th percentile for the gestational age. RESULTS: A total of 632 fetuses were evaluated. Twenty-nine (4.6%) had an aneuploidy (18 trisomy 21, 5 trisomy 18, 1 Turner's syndrome, one Marker chromosome 1, 2 sex chromosome anomalies, and 2 triploidy). Nasal bone measurements were documented in 29 aneuploid fetuses. The nasal bone was either absent or hypoplastic in 12 of 29 (41%) fetuses with aneuploidy and in 8 of 18 (44%) with trisomy 21. By using receiver operating characteristics curves, the optimal threshold of nasal bone hypoplasia associated with fetal aneuploidy was a biparietal diameter/nasal bone ratio of 11 or greater. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the detection of fetal aneuploidy were 50%, 93%, 24%, and 98%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Absent or hypoplastic nasal bone is a marker for fetal aneuploidy in a high-risk population. However, this marker needs to be evaluated by larger prospective studies in low-risk populations before adoption for clinical use.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Prenatal mild pyelectasis: evaluating the thresholds of renal pelvic diameter associated with normal postnatal renal function.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the threshold of the renal pelvic anteroposterior (AP) diameter that predicts normal postnatal renal outcome in the follow-up of cases with mild pyelectasis. METHODS: A retrospective review of our sonography database was conducted over a 3-year period for cases of mild pyelectasis diagnosed between 18 and 30 weeks. Cases were evaluated for the association between different thresholds of renal pelvic anteroposterior diameter and normal postnatal function after 32 weeks' gestation and also for the initial renalpelvic anteroposterior diameter at 18 to 30 weeks. RESULTS: In the 3-year period, 7416 women were evaluated, and 150 cases with a diagnosis of pyelectasis (2%) were identified. Among the 115 women meeting our inclusion criteria, complete outcomes were available for 66. Persistent postnatal renal anomalies were seen in 20 cases (30%). On the basis of receiver operating characteristic curves, the renal threshold that best predicted normal postnatal outcome was an anteroposterior diameter of less than 7.0 mm after 32 weeks, yielding sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 85%, respectively (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.86; P < .02). CONCLUSIONS: In the follow-up of fetuses with a diagnosis of mild pyelectasis between 18 and 30 weeks, a renal pelvic anteroposterior diameter of less than 7.0 mm after 32 weeks is highly predictive of normal postnatal renal function. Therefore, only those with an anteroposterior diameter of greater than 6 mm after 32 weeks deserve follow-up.

Dilatation, Pathologic↗

PubMed2003

Mild pyelectasis: evaluating the relationship between gestational age and renal pelvic anterior-posterior diameter.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between gestational age and renal pelvic anterior-posterior diameter and the feasibility of developing gestational age-specific thresholds for the diagnosis of mild pyelectasis. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 420 singleton fetuses between 16 and 39 weeks' gestation. The mean renal AP diameter as a function of gestational age was determined using fractional polynomial regression models and centile plots were generated. Assessment of goodness of fit for each regression model was performed. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between gestational age and renal pelvic AP diameter (Pearson's Correlation Coefficient 0.65). Using the derived mean and standard deviations of renal AP diameter, gestational-age specific 95% reference levels were generated. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of using the gestational age-specific cutoffs for predicting persistent postnatal renal anomaly were 80%; 99%; 29%; and 99% respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a positive correlation between gestational age and renal pelvic AP diameters. Reliable gestational age-specific renal AP thresholds for diagnosis of pyelectasis are provided.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗