1.
Lindström, Linda, 1978-, et al.
(author)
Swedish intrauterine growth reference ranges of biometric measurements of fetal head, abdomen and femur
2020
In: Scientific Reports. - BERLIN, GERMANY : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 10:1
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Ultrasonic assessment of fetal growth is an important part of obstetric care to prevent adverse pregnancy outcome. However, lack of reliable reference ranges is a major barrier for accurate interpretation of the examinations. The aim of this study was to create updated Swedish national reference ranges for intrauterine size and growth of the fetal head, abdomen and femur from gestational week 12 to 42. This prospective longitudinal multicentre study included 583 healthy pregnant women with low risk of aberrant fetal growth. Each woman was examined up to five times with ultrasound from gestational week 12+3 to 41+6. The assessed intrauterine fetal biometric measurements were biparietal diameter (outer-inner), head circumference, mean abdominal diameter, abdominal circumference and femur length. A two-level hierarchical regression model was employed to account for the individual measurements of the fetus and the number of repeated visits for measurements while accounting for the random effect of the identified parameterization of gestational age. The expected median and variance, expressed in both standard deviations and percentiles, for each individual biometric measurement was calculated. The presented national reference ranges can be used for assessment of intrauterine size and growth of the fetal head, abdomen and femur in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.
2.
Hovén, Emma, et al.
(author)
Sexual dysfunction in young adult survivors of childhood cancer : A population-based study
2021
In: European Journal of Cancer. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-8049 .- 1879-0852. ; 154, s. 147-156
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and to identify the factors associated with sexual dysfunction in young adult childhood cancer survivors.METHODS: All survivors of childhood cancer (aged 19-40 years) in Sweden were invited to this population-based study, and 2546 men and women (59%) participated. Sexual function was examined with the PROMIS Sexual Function and Satisfaction Measure. Logistic regression was used to assess the differences between survivors and a general population sample (n = 819) and to identify the factors associated with sexual dysfunction in survivors.RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction in at least one domain was reported by 57% of female and 35% of male survivors. Among females, dysfunction was most common for Sexual interest (36%), Orgasm - ability (32%) and Vulvar discomfort - labial (19%). Among males, dysfunction was most common for the domains satisfaction with sex life (20%), Sexual interest (14%) and Erectile function (9%). Compared with the general population, male survivors more frequently reported sexual dysfunction in ≥2 domains (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.03-2.71), with an increased likelihood of dysfunction regarding Orgasm - ability (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.01-3.28) and Erectile function (OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.18-4.49). Female survivors reported more dysfunction regarding Orgasm - pleasure (9% versus 5%, OR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.11-3.13). A more intensive cancer treatment, emotional distress and body image disturbance were associated with sexual dysfunction in survivors.CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the need for routine assessment of sexual health in follow-up care of childhood cancer survivors and highlight that those treated with more intensive cancer treatment and who experience concurrent psychological concerns may benefit from targeted screening and interventions.
3.
Kallak, Theodora Kunovac, 1985-, et al.
(author)
Maternal and female fetal testosterone levels are associated with maternal age and gestational weight gain
2017
In: European Journal of Endocrinology. - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 177:4, s. 379-388
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
OBJECTIVE: Prenatal androgen exposure has been suggested to play a role in polycystic ovary syndrome. Given the limited information on what maternal characteristics influence maternal testosterone levels, and the even less explored routes by which female fetus androgen exposure would occur, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of maternal age, BMI, weight gain, depressed mood and aromatase SNPs on testosterone levels in maternal serum and amniotic fluid of female fetuses.METHODS: Blood samples from pregnant women (n = 216) obtained in gestational weeks 35-39, and pre-labor amniotic fluid samples from female fetuses (n = 56), taken at planned Caesarean section or in conjunction with amniotomy for induction of labor, were analyzed. Maternal serum testosterone and amniotic fluid testosterone and cortisol were measured by tandem mass spectrometry.RESULTS: Multiparity (β = -0.28, P < 0.001), self-rated depression (β = 0.26, P < 0.001) and weight gain (β = 0.18, P < 0.05) were independent explanatory factors for the maternal total testosterone levels. Maternal age (β = -0.34, P < 0.001), weight gain (β = 0.19, P < 0.05) and amniotic fluid cortisol levels (β = 0.44, P < 0.001) were independent explanatory factors of amniotic fluid testosterone in female fetuses, explaining 64.3% of the variability in amniotic fluid testosterone.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Young maternal age and excessive maternal weight gain may increase the prenatal androgen exposure of female fetuses. Further studies are needed to explore this finding.
4.
Shabana, Hana, et al.
(author)
Prenatal findings and postnatal follow-up of a midline dural sinus malformation
2021
In: Acta Radiologica Open. - : Sage Publications. - 2058-4601. ; 10:4
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Dural sinus malformation is a rare condition. We describe a prenatally detected case followed by repeated ultrasound scans and a prenatal magnetic resonance imaging examination. A substantial spontaneous regression was observed, which is associated with a favorable outcome. We believe that our observations, including a long postnatal follow-up, will add to the present knowledge of prenatally detected cases, and thus improve management of the pregnancies as well as our possibilities to counsel the parents-to-be.
5.
Sohlberg, Sara, 1977-, et al.
(author)
MRI estimated placental perfusion in fetal growth assessment
2015
In: Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. - : Wiley. - 0960-7692 .- 1469-0705. ; 46:6, s. 700-705
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate placental perfusion fraction estimated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vivo as a marker of placental function.MethodsThe study population included 35 pregnant women, of whom 13 had preeclampsia, examined at gestational weeks 22 to 40. Each woman underwent, within a 24 hour period: a MRI diffusion-weighted sequence (from which we calculated the placental perfusion fraction); venous blood sampling; and an ultrasound examination including estimation of fetal weight, amniotic fluid index and Doppler velocity measurements. We compared the perfusion fraction in pregnancies with and without fetal growth restriction and estimated correlations between the perfusion fraction and ultrasound estimates and plasma markers with linear regression. The associations between the placental perfusion fraction and ultrasound estimates were modified by the presence of preeclampsia (p < 0.05) and therefore we included an interaction term between preeclampsia and the covariates in the models.ResultsThe median placental perfusion fraction in pregnancies with and without fetal growth restriction was 21% and 32%, respectively (p = 0.005). The correlations between the placental perfusion fraction and ultrasound estimates and plasma markers were highly significant (p-values 0.002 to 0.0001). The highest coefficient of determination (R2= 0.56) for placental perfusion fraction was found for a model including pulsatility index in ductus venosus, plasma level of sFlt1, estimated fetal weight and presence of preeclampsia.ConclusionThe placental perfusion fraction has potential to contribute to the clinical assessment in cases of placental insufficiency.
6.
Akhter, Tansim, 1967-, et al.
(author)
Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Singleton Nulliparous Spontaneous Preterm Birth with and without Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes—A National Population-Based Cohort Study
2022
In: American Journal of Perinatology. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 0735-1631 .- 1098-8785.
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Objective Preterm birth (PTB, birth before 37 gestational weeks) is the leading cause of neonatal death and a major challenge for obstetric and neonatal care. About two-thirds of PTBs are spontaneous PTB (sPTB), of which approximately 30% start with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors and maternal and perinatal outcomes in sPTB with and without PPROM.Study Design This is a national population-based cohort study including all singleton pregnancies in nulliparous women with spontaneous onset of labor and vaginal births (n = 266,968) registered in the Swedish Medical Birth Register 2005 to 2014. sPTB with PPROM (sPTB-PPROM) and sPTB without PPROM were compared regarding risk factors and maternal and perinatal outcomes. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Adjustments were made for maternal age, body mass index, country of birth, smoking, chronic hypertension, pregestational and gestational diabetes, and gestational length.Results sPTB-PPROM (n = 5,037), compared with sPTB without PPROM (n = 8,426), was more common in women with previous spontaneous abortions, prepregnancy urinary tract infections, chronic hypertension, and gestational diabetes and had a higher risk of postpartum endometritis (aOR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.55–5.00). Infants born to women with sPTB-PPROM had a lower risk of birth asphyxia (aOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.43–0.83), respiratory distress syndrome (aOR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.70–1.00), retinopathy of prematurity (aOR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.92–0.94), necrotizing enterocolitis (aOR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.94–0.96), and higher risk of hypoglycemia (aOR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01–1.28), and hyperbilirubinemia (aOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.19–1.38) compared with infants born to sPTB without PPROM.Conclusion Our findings of risk factors and distinct differences in adverse outcomes after sPTB-PPROM compared with sPTB without PPROM are of vital importance and might serve as a basis when elaborating programs for the prevention and management of PPROM.
7.
Asp, Joline, et al.
(author)
Alcohol exposure prior to pregnancy-does hazardous consumption affect placenta- and inflammatory-mediated pregnancy outcomes? A Swedish population-based cohort study.
2022
In: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 1600-0412 .- 0001-6349. ; 101:12, s. 1386-1394
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is related to severe birth complications such as low birthweight, preterm birth and birth defects. During the last decade, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) has been used as a screening tool in Swedish maternal healthcare units to identify hazardous, pre-pregnancy alcohol use. However, evaluation of the screening with AUDIT, as well as adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes, has not been assessed at a national level.This was a population-based cohort study of 530 458 births from 2013 to 2018 using demographic, reproductive and maternal health data from the Swedish Pregnancy Register. Self-reported alcohol consumption in the year before pregnancy, measured as AUDIT scores, was categorized into moderate (6-13 points) and high-risk (14-40 points) consumption, with low-risk (0-5 points) consumption as the reference group. Associations with pregnancy- and birth outcomes were explored with logistic regressions using generalized estimating equation models, adjusting for maternal and socioeconomic characteristics. Estimates are presented as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).High-risk and moderate pre-pregnancy alcohol consumption was associated with preeclampsia, preterm birth and birth of an infant small for gestational age (SGA), but these associations were nonsignificant after adjustments. Prior moderate-risk (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.17-1.42) and high-risk consumption (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.17-2.25) increased the likelihood of intrapartum and neonatal infections.Apart from identifying hazardous alcohol consumption prior to pregnancy and the offer of counseling, screening with the AUDIT in early pregnancy indicates a high risk of inflammatory-/placenta-mediated pregnancy and birth outcomes. For most outcomes, AUDIT was not an independent contributor when adjusting for confounding factors. Hazardous alcohol use prior to pregnancy was independently linked to intrapartum and neonatal infections; conditions associated with morbidity and long-term sequalae. These associations may be explained by alcohol-induced changes in the maternal or fetal immune system in early pregnancy or persistent alcohol intake during pregnancy, or may depend on unidentified confounding factors.
8.
Belachew, Johanna, 1976-, et al.
(author)
Longitudinal study of the uterine body and cavity with three-dimensional ultrasonography in the puerperium
2012
In: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 91:10, s. 1184-1190
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Objective. To describe uterine involution in the puerperium with three-dimensional ultrasound.Design. Prospective, longitudinal study.Setting. Fetal medicine unit, department of obstetrics and gynecology, university referral hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.Population. Fifty women with uncomplicated deliveries and puerperium between February 2009 and February 2010.Methods. Three-dimensional ultrasound was used to measure the uterine body and cavity volumes. The volume data set was analysed using virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) with a 30 degree rotation step. Measurements were performed transabdominally on days 1, 7 and 14 and transvaginally on days 28 and 56 postpartum. Parity, gestational age, birthweight, smoking, breastfeeding and blood loss were recorded.Main outcome measures. Uterine body and cavity volumes. Results. Median uterine body volume was 756 cm3 on day 1, 440 cm3 on day 7, 253 cm3 on day 14, 125 cm3 on day 28 and 68 cm3 on day 56. Median cavity volume was 22 cm3 on day 1, 18 cm3 on day 7, 6 cm3 on day 14, 1 cm3 on day 28 and not measurable on day 56. The interindividual variation of uterine body and cavity volumes was most pronounced on day 1 and decreased throughout the observation period. Intrauterine content was found in 36% of the women on day 1, 95% on day 7, 87% on day 14 and 28% on day 28.Conclusions. Three-dimensional ultrasound is a non-invasive tool suitable for measurement of the uterine body and cavity volumes during the puerperium. The volumes decreased in a similar pattern in the study population.
9.
Belachew, Johanna, 1976-, et al.
(author)
Placental location, postpartum hemorrhage and retained placenta in women with a previous cesarean section delivery : a prospective cohort study
2017
In: Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences. - : Uppsala Medical Society. - 0300-9734 .- 2000-1967. ; 122:3, s. 185-189
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
OBJECTIVE: Women previously giving birth with cesarean section have an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and retained placenta. The objective of this study was to determine if anterior placental location increased the risk of PPH and retained placenta in such women.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study on 400 women with cesarean section delivery in a previous pregnancy. Ultrasound examinations were performed at gestational week 28-30, and placental location, myometrial thickness, and three-dimensional vascularization index (VI) were recorded. Data on maternal age, parity, BMI, smoking, gestational week at delivery, induction, delivery mode, oxytocin, preeclampsia, PPH, retained placenta, and birth weight were obtained for all women. Outcome measures were PPH (≥1,000 mL) and retained placenta.RESULTS: The overall incidence of PPH was 11.0% and of retained placenta 3.5%. Twenty-three women (11.8%) with anterior placenta had PPH compared to 12 (6.9%) with posterior or fundal locations. The odds ratio was 1.94, but it did not reach statistical significance. There was no significant risk increase for retained placenta in women with anterior placentae. Seven of eight women with placenta previa had PPH, and four had retained placenta.CONCLUSIONS: The overall risk of PPH and retained placenta was high for women with previous cesarean section. Anterior location of the placenta in such women tended to impose an increased risk for PPH but no risk increase of retained placenta. Placenta previa in women with previous cesarean section is associated with a high risk for PPH and retained placenta.
10.
Belachew, Johanna, 1976-, et al.
(author)
Three-dimensional ultrasound does not improve diagnosis of retained placental tissue compared to two-dimensional ultrasound
2015
In: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 94:1, s. 112-116
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
The study objective was to improve ultrasonic diagnosis of retained placental tissue by measuring the volume of the uterine body and cavity using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Twenty-five women who were to undergo surgical curettage due to suspected retained placental tissue were included. The volume of the uterine body and cavity was measured using the VOCAL imaging program. Twenty-one women had retained placental tissue histologically verified. Three of these had uterine volumes exceeding the largest volume observed in the normal puerperium. Seventeen of the 21 women had a uterine cavity volume exceeding the largest volume observed in the normal puerperium. In all 14 cases examined 28 days or more after delivery the cavity volume exceeded the largest volume observed in the normal puerperium. A large cavity volume estimated with 3D ultrasound is indicative of retained placental tissue. However, 3D ultrasound adds little or no diagnostic power compared to 2D ultrasound.
