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Biomedicines Dec 2022Vasa previa is a rare fetal life-threatening obstetric disease classified into types I and II. This study aimed to examine the characteristics and obstetric outcomes of... (Review)
Review
Vasa previa is a rare fetal life-threatening obstetric disease classified into types I and II. This study aimed to examine the characteristics and obstetric outcomes of type II vasa previa. A systematic review was performed, and 20 studies (1998-2022) were identified. The results from six studies showed that type II vasa previa accounted for 21.3% of vasa previa cases. The characteristics and obstetric outcomes (rate of assisted reproductive technology (ART), antenatal diagnosis, emergent cesarean delivery, maternal transfusion, gestational age at delivery, and neonatal mortality) were compared between type I and II vasa previa, and all outcomes of interest were similar. The association between ART and abnormal placenta (bilobed placenta or succenturiate lobe) was examined in three studies, and the results were as follows: () increased rate of succenturiate lobes (ART versus non-ART pregnancy; OR (odds ratio) 6.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.45-19.78); () similar rate of abnormal placenta (cleavage-stage versus blastocyst embryo transfer); () increased rate of abnormal placenta (frozen versus fresh embryo transfer; OR 2.97, 95%CI 1.10-7.96). Although the outcomes of type II vasa previa appear to be similar to those of type I vasa previa, the current evidence is insufficient for a robust conclusion.
PubMed: 36552018
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123263 -
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... May 2021To derive accurate estimates of perinatal survival in pregnancies with and without a prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa based on a systematic review of the literature and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
To derive accurate estimates of perinatal survival in pregnancies with and without a prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa based on a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.
METHODS
A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library was performed to review relevant citations reporting on the perinatal outcomes of pregnancies with vasa previa. We included prospective and retrospective cohort and population studies that provided data on pregnancies with a prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa or cases diagnosed at birth or following postnatal placental examination. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed to derive weighted pooled estimates of perinatal survival (excluding stillbirths and neonatal deaths) and intact perinatal survival (additionally excluding hypoxic morbidity). Incidence rate difference (IRD) meta-analysis was used to estimate the significance of differences in pooled proportions between cases of vasa previa with and those without a prenatal diagnosis. Heterogeneity between studies was estimated using Cochran's Q and the I statistic.
RESULTS
We included 21 studies reporting on the perinatal outcomes of 683 pregnancies with a prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa. There were three stillbirths (1.01% (95% CI, 0.40-1.87%)), five neonatal deaths (1.19% (95% CI, 0.52-2.12%)) and 675 surviving neonates, resulting in a pooled estimate for perinatal survival of 98.6% (95% CI, 97.6-99.3%). Based on seven studies that included cases of vasa previa with and without a prenatal diagnosis, the pooled perinatal survival in pregnancies without a prenatal diagnosis (61/118) was 72.1% (95% CI, 50.6-89.4%) vs 98.6% (95% CI, 96.7-99.7%) in cases with a prenatal diagnosis (224/226). Therefore, the risk of perinatal death was 25-fold higher when a diagnosis of vasa previa was not made antenatally, compared with when it was (odds ratio (OR), 25.39 (95% CI, 7.93-81.31); P < 0.0001). Similarly, the risk of hypoxic morbidity was increased 50-fold in cases with vasa previa without a prenatal diagnosis compared with those with a prenatal diagnosis (36/61 vs 5/224; OR, 50.09 (95% CI, 17.33-144.79)). The intact perinatal survival rate in cases of vasa previa without a prenatal diagnosis was significantly lower than in those with a prenatal diagnosis (28.1% (95% CI, 14.1-44.7%) vs 96.7% (95% CI, 93.6-98.8%)) (IRD, 73.4% (95% CI, 53.9-92.7%); Z = -7.4066, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa is associated with a high rate of perinatal survival, whereas lack of an antenatal diagnosis significantly increases the risk of perinatal death and hypoxic morbidity. Further research should be undertaken to investigate strategies for incorporating prenatal screening for vasa previa into routine clinical practice. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Perinatal Mortality; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prenatal Diagnosis; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Vasa Previa
PubMed: 32735754
DOI: 10.1002/uog.22166 -
BMJ Open Sep 2023To derive accurate estimates of the incidence of vasa praevia (VP) in a routine population of unselected pregnancies. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
To derive accurate estimates of the incidence of vasa praevia (VP) in a routine population of unselected pregnancies.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane database was performed to review relevant citations reporting outcomes in pregnancies with VP from January 2000 until 5 April 2023.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF STUDIES
Prospective or retrospective cohort or population studies that provided data regarding VP cases in routine unselected pregnancies during the study period. We included studies published in the English language after the year 2000 to reflect contemporary obstetric and neonatal practice.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two reviewers independently screened the retrieved citations and extracted data. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses was used to ensure standardised reporting of studies.
RESULTS
A total of 3847 citations were screened and 82 full-text manuscripts were retrieved for analysis. There were 24 studies that met the inclusion criteria, of which 12 studies reported prenatal diagnosis with a systematic protocol of screening. There were 1320 pregnancies with VP in a total population of 2 278 561 pregnancies; the weighted pooled incidence of VP was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.59 to 1.01) per 1000 pregnancies, corresponding to 1 case of VP per 1271 (95% CI: 990 to 1692) pregnancies. Nested subanalysis of studies reporting screening for VP based on a specific protocol identified 395 pregnancies with VP in a population of 732 654 pregnancies with weighted pooled incidence of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.53 to 1.18) per 1000 pregnancies (1 case of VP per 1218 (95% CI: 847 to 1901) pregnancies).
CONCLUSION
The incidence of VP in unselected pregnancies is 1 in 1218 pregnancies. This is higher than is previously reported and can be used as a basis to assess whether screening for this condition should be part of routine clinical practice. Incorporation of strategies to screen for VP in routine clinical practice is likely to prevent 5% of stillbirths.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020125495.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Incidence; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Vasa Previa; Databases, Factual
PubMed: 37730391
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075245 -
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... May 2015Vasa previa is an obstetric complication in which the fetal blood vessels lie outside the chorionic plate in close proximity to the internal cervical os. In women with... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Vasa previa is an obstetric complication in which the fetal blood vessels lie outside the chorionic plate in close proximity to the internal cervical os. In women with vasa previa, the risk of rupture of these vessels is increased, thus potentially causing fetal death or serious morbidity. Our objective was to assess the accuracy of ultrasound in the prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and PubMed for studies on vasa previa. Two reviewers independently selected studies on the accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of vasa previa. The studies were scored on methodological quality using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool (QUADAS-2). Data on sensitivity and specificity were subsequently extracted.
RESULTS
The literature search revealed 583 articles, of which two prospective and six retrospective cohort studies were eligible for inclusion in the qualitative analysis. All studies documented methods suitable for the prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa. Four out of the eight studies used transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) for primary evaluation, while the remaining four studies used transabdominal ultrasound and performed a subsequent TVS when vasa previa was suspected. The QUADAS-2 tool reflected poor methodology in six of the eight included studies, and prenatal detection rates varied from 53% (10/19) to 100% (total of 442,633 patients, including 138 cases of vasa previa). In the two prospective studies (n = 33,795, including 11 cases of vasa previa), transvaginal color Doppler performed during the second trimester detected all cases of vasa previa (sensitivity, 100%) with a specificity of 99.0-99.8%.
CONCLUSION
The accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of vasa previa is high when performed transvaginally in combination with color Doppler.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Placenta; Predictive Value of Tests; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Umbilical Cord; Vasa Previa
PubMed: 25491755
DOI: 10.1002/uog.14752 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Aug 2022The ideal time for birth in pregnancies diagnosed with vasa previa remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review aiming to identify the gestational age at delivery... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The ideal time for birth in pregnancies diagnosed with vasa previa remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review aiming to identify the gestational age at delivery that best balances the risks for prematurity with that of pregnancy prolongation in cases with prenatally diagnosed vasa previa.
DATA SOURCES
Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to January 2022.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The intervention analyzed was delivery at various gestational ages in pregnancies prenatally diagnosed with vasa previa. Cohort studies, case series, and case reports were included in the qualitative synthesis. When summary figures could not be obtained directly from the studies for the quantitative synthesis, authors were contacted and asked to provide a breakdown of perinatal outcomes by gestational age at birth.
METHODS
Study appraisal was completed using the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for the respective study types. Statistical analysis was performed using a random-effects meta-analysis of proportions.
RESULTS
The search identified 3435 studies of which 1264 were duplicates. After screening 2171 titles and abstracts, 140 studies proceeded to the full-text screen. A total of 37 studies were included for analysis, 14 of which were included in a quantitative synthesis. Among 490 neonates, there were 2 perinatal deaths (0.4%), both of which were neonatal deaths before 32 weeks' gestation. In general, the rate of neonatal complications decreased steadily from <32 weeks' gestation (4.6% rate of perinatal death, 91.2% respiratory distress, 11.4% 5-minute Apgar score <7, 23.3% neonatal blood transfusion, 100% neonatal intensive care unit admission, and 100% low birthweight) to 36 weeks' gestation (0% perinatal death, 5.3% respiratory distress, 0% 5-minute Apgar score <7, 2.9% neonatal blood transfusion, 29.2% neonatal intensive care unit admission, and 30.9% low birthweight). Complications then increased slightly at 37 weeks' gestation before decreasing again at 38 weeks' gestation.
CONCLUSION
Prolonging pregnancies until 36 weeks' gestation seems to be safe and beneficial in otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies with antenatally diagnosed vasa previa.
Topics: Birth Weight; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Perinatal Death; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Vasa Previa
PubMed: 35283090
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.03.006 -
Biomedicines Jan 2023Vasa previa carries a high risk of severe fetal morbidity and mortality due to fetal hemorrhage caused by damage to unprotected fetal cord vessels upon membrane rupture.... (Review)
Review
Vasa previa carries a high risk of severe fetal morbidity and mortality due to fetal hemorrhage caused by damage to unprotected fetal cord vessels upon membrane rupture. Vasa previa is generally classified into types I and II. However, some cases are difficult to classify, and some studies have proposed a type III classification. This study aimed to review the current evidence on type III vasa previa. A systematic literature search was conducted, and 11 articles (2011-2022) were included. A systematic review showed that type III vasa previa accounts for 5.7% of vasa previa cases. Thirteen women with type III vasa previa were examined at a patient-level analysis. The median age was 35 (interquartile range [IQR] 31.5-38) years, and approximately 45% were assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancies. The median gestational week of delivery was 36 (IQR 34-37) weeks; the antenatal detection rate was 84.6%, and no cases reported neonatal death. The characteristics and obstetric outcomes (rate of ART, antenatal diagnosis, emergent cesarean delivery, gestational age at delivery, and neonatal mortality) were compared between types I and III vasa previa, and all outcomes of interest were similar. The current evidence on type III vasa previa is scanty, and further studies are warranted.
PubMed: 36672661
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010152 -
Biomedicines Jul 2022Abnormal cord insertion (ACI) is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes; however, the relationship between ACI and assisted reproductive technology (ART) has not... (Review)
Review
Abnormal cord insertion (ACI) is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes; however, the relationship between ACI and assisted reproductive technology (ART) has not been examined in a meta-analysis. This study examines the association between ACI and ART, and delivery outcomes of women with ACI. A systematic review was conducted, and 16 studies (1990-2021) met the inclusion criteria. In the unadjusted pooled analysis ( = 10), ART was correlated with a higher rate of velamentous cord insertion (VCI) (odds ratio (OR) 2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64-2.79), marginal cord insertion ( = 6; OR 1.58, 95%CI 1.26-1.99), and vasa previa ( = 1; OR 10.96, 95%CI 2.94-40.89). Nevertheless, the VCI rate was similar among the different ART types (blastocyst cleavage-stage transfer and frozen fresh embryo transfer). Regarding the cesarean delivery (CD) rate, women with VCI were more likely to have elective ( = 3; OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.04-1.22) and emergent CD ( = 5; OR 1.93, 95%CI 1.82-2.03). In conclusion, ART may be correlated with an increased prevalence of ACI. However, most studies could not exclude confounding factors; thus, further studies are warranted to characterize ART as a risk factor for ACI. In women with ACI, elective and emergent CD rates are high.
PubMed: 35885027
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071722