PURPOSE

To report the technical details and outcomes of a case of cervical cancer in pregnancy treated with reduced standard radiation volume via Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT).

A 33-year-old G4P3 (3003) was diagnosed with cervical squamous cell carcinoma at 17 weeks of gestation. She had a 5-year history of intermittent post-coital bleeding and an incidental finding of a cervical mass during prenatal ultrasound. Internal examination revealed a 6-cm mass with no extension to the upper vagina and pliable bilateral parametria, leading to a staging of IB3. A multidisciplinary meeting with a gynecologic oncologist, radiation oncologist, medical ethicist and the patient was held wherein different treatment options were discussed. She consented to definitive external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with concurrent cisplatin and was administered during 19-25 weeks of gestation using IMRT. A prescribed dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions was delivered to the entire cervix with a 1-cm geometric expansion covering the lower uterus, and upper vagina as well as the pelvic lymph nodes, followed by four fractions of brachytherapy.

The patient tolerated treatment with only grade 1 gastrointestinal and genitourinary adverse effects. After completion of concurrent chemoradiation, she underwent induction of labor and delivered a nonviable fetus. Three months post-treatment, MRI found no evidence of disease. At 15 months follow-up, she remains asymptomatic with no palpable disease.

This report demonstrates that treating only the involved uterus may be considered in cases wherein giving the full radiation dose to the whole uterus may lead to significant toxicities and eventual treatment interruption.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of HBV infection on pre- and postpartum health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in pregnant women. METHODS: A prospective matched cohort consisting of 70 HBV-infected and 70 healthy pregnant women was recruited from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between April 17 and September 25, 2023. HRQoL of the participants was assessed at 16-24 weeks of gestation, between 32 weeks and delivery, and 5-13 weeks postpartum. Mixed linear models were used for evaluating temporal trends of HRQoL changes, and univariate ANOVA with multiple linear regression was used to identify the predictors of HRQoL. RESULTS: Compared with healthy pregnant women, HBV-infected pregnant women had consistently lower total HRQoL scores across all the 3 intervals, with the lowest scores observed between 32 weeks of gestation and delivery, during which these women had significantly reduced mental component scores (74.27±13.43 vs 80.21±12.9, P=0.009) and postpartum mental (76.52±16.19 vs 85.02±6.51, P<0.001) and physical component scale scores (77.17±14.71 vs 83.09±10.1, P=0.009). HBV infection was identified as an independent risk factor affecting HRQoL during late pregnancy and postpartum periods. Additional independent risk factors for postpartum HRQoL reduction included self-pay medical expenses, spouse's neutral attitude toward the current pregnancy, and preexisting comorbidities (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS HRQoL of pregnant women deteriorates progressively in late pregnancy, and HBV infection exacerbates reductions of physical function and role emotion in late pregnancy and after delivery, suggesting the importance of targeted interventions for financial burdens, partner support and comorbid conditions to improve HRQoL of pregnant women with HBV infection.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Quality of Life ; Prospective Studies ; Postpartum Period ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/psychology* ; Adult ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious

OBJECTIVE: Data on homocysteine (Hcy) status and its determinants are limited among women during pregnancy and postpartum. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate Hcy levels during pregnancy and postpartum, and to explore the determinants like geographic factor. METHODS: This study was conducted in women at mid-pregnancy, late-pregnancy and postpartum from southern, central and northern China. Approximately 132 women were included in each stratum by the three phases and regions. Plasma Hcy concentrations were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with hyperhomocysteinemia defined as > 10.0 µmol/L. Quantile regression was to estimate medians and interquartile ranges ( IQRs), and logistic regression to examine the determinants of hyperhomocysteinemia. RESULTS: For 1,190 women included, the median (IQR) Hcy concentration was 5.66 (4.62, 7.37) μmol/L. The adjusted median in mid-pregnancy, late-pregnancy and postpartum women was 4.75 (4.13, 5.54), 5.72 (4.81, 6.85) and 7.09 (5.65, 8.75) μmol/L, respectively, showing an increasing trend ( P < 0.001). This increasing trend persisted across the three regions. Higher Hcy concentrations were observed in women residing in northern region and those with younger age or lower economic status. A total of 106 (8.9%) women had hyperhomocysteinemia, with a higher prevalence in those residing in northern region (16.0%), or in postpartum women (16.5%). CONCLUSION Hcy levels, varying with geographic region, maternal age and economic status, are increased from mid-pregnancy to late-pregnancy and postpartum, indicating a need to monitor Hcy levels in pregnant and postpartum women to control potential risks related to elevated Hcy levels.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Homocysteine/blood* ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Postpartum Period/blood* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Hyperhomocysteinemia/blood* ; Young Adult ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third/blood* ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; East Asian People

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of induced labor in twin pregnancy and the related factors of induced labor failure. Methods: The clinical data of twin pregnant women who underwent induced labor in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2016 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether they had labor or not after induction, pregnant women were divided into the success group (pregnant women who had labor after induction, 72 cases) and the failure group (pregnant women who did not have labor after induction, 30 cases). Logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of induction failure in twin pregnant women. Results: The parity and cervical Bishop score in the failure group were significantly lower than those in the success group, while the proportion of dichorionic diamniotic twins, assisted reproductive technology pregnancy and cervical Bishop score <6, postpartum hospital stay and total hospital stay in the failure group were significantly higher than those in the success group (all P<0.05). The proportion of induced labor by artificial rupture of membranes ± oxytocin intravenous infusion in the success group was 72.2% (52/72), which was significantly higher than that in the failure group (46.7%, 14/30; P=0.030). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the gestational age at delivery, the incidence of severe postpartum hemorrhage and blood transfusion, the amount of postpartum hemorrhage, the neonatal weight of two fetuses, the incidence of neonatal asphyxia, and the proportion of neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (all P>0.05). There were no severe perineal laceration and hysterectomy in all pregnant women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that primipara (OR=3.064, 95%CI: 1.112-8.443; P=0.030) and cervical Bishop score <6 (OR=5.208, 95%CI: 2.008-13.508; P=0.001) were the independent risk factors for induction failure in twin pregnancy. Conclusions: Elective induction of labor in twin pregnancy is safe and feasible. It is helpful to improve the success rate of induction of labor by strictly grasping the timing and indications of termination of pregnancy, choosing the appropriate method of induction according to the condition of the cervix, and actively promoting cervical ripening .
Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Postpartum Hemorrhage/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Labor, Induced/methods* ; Cervical Ripening

Humans ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Labor, Induced/methods* ; Cervical Ripening/physiology* ; Cervix Uteri

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of isolated thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positive in the first trimester with fetal growth. METHODS: A total of 16 446 pregnant women were included in the birth cohort study, whose last menstrual period was between May 2016 and April 2019 and with singleton pregnancy. Maternal serum samples were collected when they firstly came for prenatal care in the first trimester. The pregnant women were consecutively seen and followed in the hospital and the information of pregnant women was extracted from the electronic medical information system. The pregnant women were divided into isolated TPOAb positive group (n=1 654) and euthyroid group (n=14 792). Three fetal ultrasound examinations were scheduled during the routine prenatal visits at the hospital and were performed by trained sonographers. All fetal growth indicators were quantified as gestational age- and gender- adjusted standard deviation score (Z-score) using the generalized additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS). Fetal growth indicators included estimated fetal weight (EFW), abdominal circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL) and head circumference (HC). Fetal growth restriction (FGR) was defined as AC or EFW Z-score＜3rd centile based on clinical consensus. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis was applied to assess the association of maternal isolated TPOAb positive with fetal growth. The generalized linear model was further used to analyze the association between isolated TPOAb positive and fetal growth indicator at different gestational ages when the fetal growth indicator was significantly associated with isolated TPOAb positive in the GEE mo-del. RESULTS: The median gestational age at three ultrasound measurements was 23.6 (23.3, 24.1), 30.3 (29.7, 30.9), 37.3 (37.0, 37.7) weeks, respectively. The BPD Z-score was higher in isolated TPOAb positive women, compared with the euthyroid pregnant women after adjustment (β=0.057, 95%CI: 0.014-0.100, P=0.009). The generalized linear model showed the BPD Z-score was higher in the isolated TPOAb positive women at the end of 21-25 weeks (β=0.052, 95%CI: 0.001-0.103, P=0.044), 29-32 weeks (β=0.055, 95%CI: 0.004-0.107, P=0.035) and 36-40 weeks (β=0.068, 95%CI: 0.011-0.125, P=0.020), compared with the euthyroid pregnant women. There was no difference in other fetal growth indicators (EFW, AC, FL and HC) and FGR between the isolated TPOAb positive and euthyroid pregnant women. CONCLUSION The BPD Z-score was slightly increased in the isolated TPOAb positive pregnant women in the first trimester, while other fetal growth indicators were not changed. The reproducibility and practical significance of this result need to be confirmed.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Iodide Peroxidase ; Cohort Studies ; Reproducibility of Results ; Fetal Development ; Fetal Weight ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

To study the characteristics of heart rate rhythm in pregnant women at different trimester of pregnancy, and to explore the relationship between the basic rhythm of heart rate and pregnancy complications. Thirteen pregnant women who were diagnosed with normal early pregnancy in the Reproductive Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from June 2018 to December 2019 were prospectively selected. Personal files were created and the heart rate data of pregnancy women was collected 24 hours a day by wearable devices until delivery. Prenatal examination and pregnancy outcomes were surveyed at follow-up. The cosine analysis method and the designed statistical module were used to analyze the long-term rhythm of pregnant women's heart rate. The heart rate of pregnant women showed a significant rhythm at different gestational weeks. Compared with the gestational week of 12, the midline-estimating statistic of rhythm(MESOR) increased significantly at the gestational week of 28 and 32 (t=-2.751,P=0.013;t=-2.314,P=0.032).The phase of rhythm shifted from 14∶00 pm in the first trimester of pregnancy (12 weeks) to 16∶00 pm in the second trimester (24 weeks) (t=2.613,P=0.018) and returned to 14∶00 pm at the third trimester (32 weeks) (t=-2.176,P=0.046). Season had no significant effect on the changes of MESOR, amplitude and phase of maternal heart rate in the first trimester (t=-0.356,P=0.729;t=-0.777,P=0.464;t=-0.434,P=0.673), while season had no significant effect on the changes of MESOR, amplitude and phase in the third trimester (t=-0.663,P=0.532;t=-0.209,P=0.841;t=0.625,P=0.592). The heart rate of one pregnant woman with natural delivery had rhythm disorder from the start of labor to delivery. The heart rate of one pregnant woman with premature rupture of membranes showed rhythm disorder before and after the rupture of membranes, and smaller amplitude. Rhythm disturbance may play a suggestive role in preterm delivery and labor initiation. In conclusion, pregnancy may cause changes in the internal heart rate rhythm. Maternal internal rhythm disturbance may occur when delivery or premature rupture of membranes occurs. The heart rate rhythm of pregnant women may be related to some common complications of pregnancy such as premature rupture of membranes.
Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Premature Birth ; Periodicity

Objective: To characterize the relationship between the levels of plasma methyl donor and related metabolites (including choline, betaine, methionine, dimethylglycine and homocysteine) and fetal growth in twin pregnancies. Methods: A hospital-based cohort study was used to collect clinical data of 92 pregnant women with twin pregnancies and their fetuses who were admitted to Peking University Third Hospital from March 2017 to January 2018. Fasting blood was collected from the pregnant women with twin pregnancies (median gestational age: 18.9 weeks). The levels of methyl donors and related metabolites in plasma were quantitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. The generalized estimation equation was used to analyze the relationship between maternal plasma methyl donors and related metabolites levels and neonatal outcomes of twins, and the generalized additive mixed model was used to analyze the relationship between maternal plasma methyl donors and related metabolites levels and fetal growth ultrasound indicators. Results: (1) General clinical data: of the 92 women with twin pregnancies, 66 cases (72%) were dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies, and 26 cases (28%) were monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies. The comparison of the levels of five plasma methyl donors and related metabolites in twin pregnancies with different basic characteristics showed that the median levels of plasma choline and betaine in pregnant women ≥35 years old were higher than those in pregnant women <35 years old, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (2) Correlation between plasma methyl donor and related metabolites levels and neonatal growth indicators: after adjusting for confounding factors, plasma homocysteine level in pregnant women with twins was significantly negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight (β=-47.9, 95%CI:-94.3- -1.6; P=0.043). Elevated methionine level was significantly associated with decreased risks of small for gestational age infants (SGA; OR=0.5, 95%CI: 0.3-0.9; P=0.021) and low birth weight infants (OR=0.6, 95%CI: 0.4-0.9; P=0.020). Increased homocysteine level was associated with increased risks of SGA (OR=1.5, 95%CI: 1.0-2.2; P=0.029) and inconsistent growth in twin fetuses (OR=1.9, 95%CI: 1.0-3.7; P=0.049). (3) Correlation between the levels of plasma methyl donors and related metabolites and intrauterine growth indicators of twins pregnancies: for every 1 standard deviation increase in plasma choline level in pregnant women with twin pregnancies, fetal head circumference, abdominal circumference, femoral length and estimated fetal weight in the second trimester increased by 1.9 mm, 2.6 mm, 0.5 mm and 20.1 g, respectively, and biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference and estimated fetal weight increased by 0.7 mm, 3.0 mm and 38.4 g in the third trimester, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (4) Relationship between plasma methyl donor and related metabolites levels in pregnant women with different chorionicity and neonatal birth weight and length: the negative correlation between plasma homocysteine level and neonatal birth weight was mainly found in DCDA twin pregnancy (β=-65.9, 95%CI:-110.6- -21.1; P=0.004). The levels of choline, betaine and dimethylglycine in plasma of MCDA twin pregnancy were significantly correlated with the birth weight and length of newborns (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Homocysteine level is associated with low birth weight in twins, methionine is associated with decreased risk of SGA, and choline is associated with fetal growth in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy/metabolism* ; Betaine/metabolism* ; Birth Weight/physiology* ; Choline/metabolism* ; Cohort Studies ; Fetal Development/physiology* ; Fetal Weight/physiology* ; Homocysteine/metabolism* ; Methionine/metabolism* ; Pregnancy, Twin/physiology* ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Pregnancy Trimesters/physiology* ; Pregnancy Outcome

Objective: To investigate the maternal and fetal outcomes of expectant treatment and early termination of pregnancy in pregnant women with suspected invasive placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS) in the second trimester. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 51 pregnant women with suspected invasive PAS (ultrasound score ≥10) evaluated by ultrasound with gestational age <26 weeks and confirmed as invasive PAS by intraoperative findings or postoperative pathology in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2015 to January 2022. According to the informed choice of pregnant women and their families, they were divided into expectant treatment group (37 cases) and mid-term termination group (14 cases). The general clinical data and outcome indexes of the two groups were analyzed by χ² test, Mann-Whitney U rank sum test, logistic regression and linear regression. Results: (1) General clinical data: among 51 pregnant women who were assessed as suspected invasive PAS by ultrasonography in the second trimester, invasive PAS was finally diagnosed by intraoperative findings and postoperative pathology, among which 46 cases (90%) were placenta percreta and 5 cases (10%) were placenta increta. (2) Outcome indicators: univariate analysis showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the intraoperative blood loss (median: 2 200 vs 2 150 ml), the proportion of blood loss >1 500 ml [73% (27/37) vs 9/14], the hysterectomy rate [62% (23/37) vs 8/14], the rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission [78% (29/37) vs 9/14] between the expectant treatment group and the mid-term termination group (all P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the rate of intraoperative blood loss >1 500 ml (aOR=0.481, 95%CI: 0.017-13.958; P=0.670), hysterectomy (aOR=0.264, 95%CI: 0.011-6.569, P=0.417) and ICU admission (aOR=1.327, 95%CI: 0.048-36.882, P=0.867) between the two groups showed no statistical differences. (3) Outcome analysis: all 37 cases in the expectant treatment group had live births and no early neonatal death. Five pregnant women (14%, 5/37) in the expectant treatment group underwent emergency cesarean section in the course of expectant treatment. In the mid-term termination group, all pregnancies were terminated by operation, including 9 cases of hysterectomy and 5 cases of placental hysterectomy. There was 1 fetal survival (gestational age of termination: 27⁺⁴ weeks) and 13 fetal death in the mid-term termination group. Conclusions: Pregnant women who are diagnosed as suspected invasive PAS, especially those with placenta percreta, have the risk of uterine rupture and emergency surgery in the course of expectant treatment. However, early termination of pregnancy does not reduce the risk of intraoperative blood loss and hysterectomy.
Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Placenta Accreta/surgery* ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnant Women ; Cesarean Section ; Retrospective Studies ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Placenta ; Abortion, Induced ; Hysterectomy

Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Turner Syndrome/diagnostic imaging* ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Risk Factors