Impact of maternal social vulnerability and timing of prenatal care on outcome of prenatally detected congenital heart disease

Prevalence of congenital anomalies and prenatal diagnosis by birth institution (public vs. non-public): indicators of inequality in access to elective termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies

Congenital anomalies (CA) encompass all morphological or functional alterations originating prenatally and present at birth. The prenatal diagnosis of these anomalies can significantly impact the overall health of the pregnant individual and may influence her decision regarding the continuation of the pregnancy. In contexts where safe pregnancy termination is not guaranteed by the state, it can lead to unsafe procedures with severe consequences. In our research, we analyzed epidemiological information on CA to develop potential indicators of inequity in access to safe abortion prior to the legalization of legal termination of pregnancy in Argentina. We included cases from 13 public hospitals and 9 non-public subsector hospitals, from the period 2013-2020. Two groups of specific CA were selected: 1) CA capable of being prenatally diagnosed, and 2) CA related to vascular disruptive events. 10/18 of the selected CA capable of being prenatally diagnosed had a significantly higher prevalence in public hospitals (anencephaly, encephalocele, spina bifida, microcephaly, hydrocephalus, holoprosencephaly, hydranencephaly, diaphragmatic hernia, gastroschisis, bilateral renal agenesis). Non public hospitals had higher prenatal detection. Birth prevalence of CA related with vascular disruptive events (limb reduction, Moebius syndrome, amniotic band sequence) were significantly higher in public hospitals. These results suggest disparities in access to prenatal diagnosis and safe abortion based on socioeconomic status. There was a significant gap in access to prenatal diagnosis for CA and possibly to safe elective abortion depending on the type of institution (public vs. non-public).

Examining provider practice-level disparities in delivery outcomes among patients with a history of Cesarean Delivery

BACKGROUND

Choosing whether to pursue a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) or scheduled repeat cesarean delivery (SRCD) requires prenatal assessment of risks and benefits. Providers and patients play a central role in this process. However, the influence of provider-associated characteristics on delivery methods remains unclear. We hypothesized that different provider practice groups have different obstetric outcomes in patients with one prior cesarean delivery (CD).

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of deliveries between April 29, 2015 - April 29, 2020. Subjects were divided into three cohorts: SRCD, successful VBAC, and unsuccessful VBAC (patients who chose TOLAC but had a CD). Disparities were reviewed between five different obstetric provider practice groups, determined from a breakdown of different providers delivering at the study site during the study period. Proportional differences were examined using Chi-squared tests and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

1,439 deliveries were included in the study. There were significant proportional disparities between patients in the different groups. Specifically, patients from Group D were significantly more likely to undergo successful VBAC, while patients seeing a provider from Group A were more likely to deliver by SRCD. In our multivariate analysis of successful versus unsuccessful VBAC, patients from Group D had greater odds ratios of successful VBAC compared to Group A. Patients delivered by Group E had a significantly lower odds ratio of successful VBAC.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests an association between provider practice groups and delivery outcomes among patients with one prior CD. These data contribute to a growing body of literature around patient choice in pregnancy and the interplay of patients and providers. These findings help to guide future investigations to improve outcomes among patients with a history of CD.

Racial and Ethnic Minorities With Acute Pancreatitis Live in Neighborhoods With Higher Social Vulnerability Scores

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to determine differences in Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores among minorities (African-Americans and Hispanics) with acute pancreatitis (AP) compared with non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) with AP. The secondary objectives were to determine differences in diet, sulfidogenic bacteria gene copy numbers (gcn) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels between the 2 groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with AP were enrolled during hospitalization (n = 54). Patient residential addresses were geocoded, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's SVI scores were appended. Dietary intake and serum H2S levels were determined. Microbial DNAs were isolated from stool, and gcn of sulfidogenic bacteria were determined.

RESULTS

Minorities had higher SVI scores compared with NHWs ( P = 0.006). They also had lower consumption of beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids [stearidonic ( P = 0.019), and eicosapentaenoic acid ( P = 0.042)], vitamin D ( P = 0.025), and protein from seafood ( P = 0.031). Lastly, minorities had higher pan-dissimilatory sulfite reductase A ( pan-dsrA ) gcn ( P = 0.033) but no significant differences in H2S levels ( P = 0.226).

CONCLUSION

Minorities with AP have higher SVI compared with NHWs with AP. Higher SVI scores, lower consumption of beneficial nutrients, and increased gcn of pan-dsrA in minorities with AP suggest that neighborhood vulnerability could be contributing to AP inequities.

The Impact of Social Vulnerability on Substance Use Detection Practices in Pregnancy

This study aimed to synthesize current literature regarding the impact of social vulnerability on pregnancy-related substance use detection in the United States and highlight disparities in substance use detection practices. Clinicaltrials.gov, Google Scholar, PubMed (includes MEDLINE), and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): (["pregnancy" or "prenatal"] AND ["substance use screening" or "urine toxicology testing" or "toxicology testing" or "urine drug screening" or "CRAFFT" or "4P's" or "4P's Plus" or "NIDA Quick Screen" or "DAST-10" or "SURP-P" or "WIDUS"], AND ("bias" or "disparities" or "social vulnerability"]). The search included systematic reviews, prospective and retrospective studies, randomized controlled trials, case studies, and qualitative and quantitative research from January 2014 through November 2023. Selected literature was limited to studies published in English, which included a study population of either pregnant individuals or pregnancy health care providers in the United States, and that were focused on inequities in pregnancy substance use detection. Using Covidence, three authors screened abstracts, and two screened full articles for inclusion. The included studies were evaluated for quality of evidence using the mixed methods appraisal tool. The search yielded 4,188 manuscripts; 37 were eligible for full review. A total of 18 manuscripts were included based on the relevancy of the topic. The most common social vulnerability domain identified was minority status (17/18), followed by socioeconomic status (11/18), household characteristics (8/18), and housing type (1/18). Social vulnerability plays a role in substance use detection among pregnant individuals. Most notably, race and ethnicity, age, and public insurance lead to increased rates of detection, though most individual factors need to be studied in greater depth. This study was registered with PROSPERO (PROSPERO ID CRD42022352598), the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. KEY POINTS: · Socially vulnerable pregnant individuals are more likely to receive substance use screening or urine toxicology testing.. · Race, ethnicity, age, and insurance influence substance use detection disparities.. · More research is needed to understand how other characteristics influence disparities in substance use detection..

Prenatal detection rates for congenital heart disease using abnormal obstetrical screening ultrasound alone as indication for fetal echocardiography

OBJECTIVE

To determine the live born prenatal detection rate of significant congenital heart disease (CHD) in a large, integrated, multi-center community-based health system using a strategy of referral only of patients with significant cardiac abnormalities on obstetrical screening ultrasound for fetal echocardiography. Detection rates were assessed for screening in both radiology and maternal fetal medicine (MFM). The impact on fetal echocardiography utilization was also assessed.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study using an electronic health record, outside claims databases and chart review to determine all live births between 2016 and 2020 with postnatally confirmed sCHD that were prenatally detectable and resulted in cardiac surgery, intervention, or death within 1 year.

RESULTS

There were 214,486 pregnancies resulting in live births. Prenatally detectable significant CHD was confirmed in 294 infants. Of those 183 were detected for an overall live-born detection rate of 62%. Detection rates in MFM were 75% and in radiology were 52%. The number of fetal echocardiograms needed to detect (NND) sCHD was 7.

CONCLUSIONS

A focus on quality and standardization of obstetrical screening ultrasound with referral to fetal echocardiography for cardiac abnormalities alone achieves benchmark targets for live-born detection of significant CHD requiring fewer fetal echocardiograms.

Clinical characteristics of congenital heart defects in mild congenital anorectal malformation: single-centre experience

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical characteristics and types of congenital heart defect (CHD) in mild congenital anorectal malformation (CARM), namely the rectoperineal and rectovestibular fistulas.

METHODS

The retrospective study of 183 patients with mild CARM was conducted with assessments of demographic information, color Doppler echocardiography results, and follow-up data. We performed an analysis of the clinical characteristics of CHD, grouping them based on sex and type of mild CARM.

RESULTS

Of the 183 patients, rectoperineal fistula occurred in 133 patients (72.7%), while the frequency of CHD was 79.8% (146/183). Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) occur more frequently in patients with rectoperineal fistula compared to those with rectovestibular fistula (1.5% vs. 10%), while the opposite trend was observed for patent ductus arteriosus (PDAs) (39.8% vs. 22.0%). Additionally, males presented higher frequency of PDA (42.7% vs. 26.4%) and self-healing (6 months: 87.2% vs. 42.6%; 12 months: 91.0% vs. 63.2%) than females. However, males had a lower rate of undergoing cardiac surgery (6.4% vs. 17.6%) and a younger median diagnosis age (1 day vs. 9 days).

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates that there is a necessity for meticulous cardiac assessment and follow-up in neonates diagnosed with mild CARM.

Postnatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies despite active systematic prenatal screening policies: a population-based registry study

BACKGROUND

Prenatal screening for congenital anomalies is an important component of maternity care, with continual advances in screening technology. However, few recent studies have investigated the overall effectiveness of a systematic policy of prenatal screening for congenital anomalies, such as in France where an ultrasound per trimester is recommended for all pregnant individuals.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the proportion and the type of congenital anomalies that are not detected during pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

The study population included all singleton fetuses and newborns with congenital anomalies from the Paris Registry of Congenital Malformations (remaPAR) from 2001 to 2021. The registry includes all live births and stillbirths at ≥22 weeks of gestation and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly at any gestational age with congenital anomalies diagnosed from the prenatal period until discharge home from hospital after birth. The prevalence of postnatally detected congenital anomalies was estimated overall and for 5-year intervals within the study period. We also reported the proportion of postnatal detection by subgroups of congenital anomalies according to the EUROCAT classification.

RESULTS

Of the 16,602 malformed singleton fetuses and newborns, 32.7% were detected postnatally. Of those with severe anomalies, 11.9% were detected postnatally. The postnatal detection rate decreased from 34.3% from 2001 to 2005, to 27.8% from 2016 to 2021 (P<.001). Anomalies most frequently detected postnatally were genital anomalies (n=969; 87.0%), followed by ear, neck, and face anomalies (n=71; 78.0%), eye anomalies (n=154; 74.0%), and limb anomalies (n=1802; 68.4%). Anomalies of the kidneys and the urinary tract (n=219; 7.1%) and the abdominal wall (n=37; 8.7%) were least likely to be detected after birth. Among the anomalies classified as severe, postnatal detection rates were highest for limb reduction defects (n=142; 40.6%), complete transposition of the great arteries (n=31; 17.6%), and diaphragmatic hernia (n=26; 17.2%).

CONCLUSION

Despite improvement of prenatal screening over a 20-year period, our results show that there is still a margin for improvement in prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies.

Cardiac problems in the fetus: a review for pediatric providers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to provide pediatric providers with a review of the diagnosis and management of fetal cardiac disease in the current era.

RECENT FINDINGS

Prenatal detection of congenital heart disease (CHD) has improved but is still imperfect. In experienced hands, fetal echocardiography can detect severe CHD as early as the first trimester and a majority of more subtle conditions in the second and third trimesters. Beyond detection, a prenatal diagnosis allows for lesion-specific counseling for families as well as for development of a multidisciplinary perinatal management plan, which may involve in-utero treatment. Given the diversity of cardiac diagnoses and the rarity of some, collaborative multicenter fetal cardiac research has gained momentum in recent years.

SUMMARY

Accurate diagnosis of fetal cardiac disease allows for appropriate counseling, pregnancy and delivery planning, and optimization of immediate neonatal care. There is potential for improving fetal CHD detection rates. Fetal interventions are available for certain conditions, and fetal and pediatric cardiac centers have developed management plans specific to the expected postnatal physiology.

Developing a National-Scale Exposure Index for Combined Environmental Hazards and Social Stressors and Applications to the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort

Tools for assessing multiple exposures across several domains (e.g., physical, chemical, and social) are of growing importance in social and environmental epidemiology because of their value in uncovering disparities and their impact on health outcomes. Here we describe work done within the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO)-wide Cohort Study to build a combined exposure index. Our index considered both environmental hazards and social stressors simultaneously with national coverage for a 10-year period. Our goal was to build this index and demonstrate its utility for assessing differences in exposure for pregnancies enrolled in the ECHO-wide Cohort Study. Our unitless combined exposure index, which collapses census-tract level data into a single relative measure of exposure ranging from 0-1 (where higher values indicate higher exposure to hazards), includes indicators for major air pollutants and air toxics, features of the built environment, traffic exposures, and social determinants of health (e.g., lower educational attainment) drawn from existing data sources. We observed temporal and geographic variations in index values, with exposures being highest among participants living in the West and Northeast regions. Pregnant people who identified as Black or Hispanic (of any race) were at higher risk of living in a "high" exposure census tract (defined as an index value above 0.5) relative to those who identified as White or non-Hispanic. Index values were also higher for pregnant people with lower educational attainment. Several recommendations follow from our work, including that environmental and social stressor datasets with higher spatial and temporal resolutions are needed to ensure index-based tools fully capture the total environmental context.

Factors influencing the choice-of-care pathway and survival in the fetus with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in New Zealand: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To better understand the relative influence of fetal and maternal factors in determining the choice-of-care pathway (CCP) and outcome in the fetus with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).

DESIGN

A retrospective, population-based study of fetuses with HLHS from a national dataset with near-complete case ascertainment from 20 weeks' gestation. Fetal cardiac and non-cardiac factors were recorded from the patient record and maternal factors from the national maternity dataset. The primary endpoint was a prenatal decision for active treatment after birth (intention-to-treat). Factors associated with a delayed diagnosis (≥24 weeks' gestation) were also reviewed. Secondary endpoints included proceeding to surgical treatment, and 30-day postoperative mortality in liveborns with an intention-to-treat.

SETTING

New Zealand population-wide.

PARTICIPANTS

Fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of HLHS between 2006 and 2015.

RESULTS

Of 105 fetuses, the CCP was intention-to-treat in 43 (41%), and pregnancy termination or comfort care in 62 (59%). Factors associated with intention-to-treat by multivariable analysis included a delay in diagnosis (OR: 7.8, 95% CI: 3.0 to 20.6, p<0.001) and domicile in the maternal fetal medicine (MFM) region with the most widely dispersed population (OR: 5.3, 95% CI: 1.4 to 20.3, p=0.02). Delay in diagnosis was associated with Māori maternal ethnicity compared with European (OR: 12.9, 95% CI: 3.1 to 54, p<0.001) and greater distance from the MFM centre (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.2 to 8.2, p=0.02). In those with a prenatal intention-to-treat, a decision not to proceed to surgery was associated with maternal ethnicity other than European (p=0.005) and the presence of major non-cardiac anomalies (p=0.01). Thirty-day postoperative mortality occurred in 5/32 (16%) and was more frequent when there were major non-cardiac anomalies (p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Factors associated with the prenatal CCP relate to healthcare access. Anatomic characteristics impact treatment decisions after birth and early postoperative mortality. The association of ethnicity with delayed prenatal diagnosis and postnatal decision-making suggests systemic inequity and requires further investigation.

Contemporary Socioeconomic and Childhood Opportunity Disparities in Congenital Heart Surgery

BACKGROUND

While singular measures of socioeconomic status have been associated with outcomes after surgery for congenital heart disease, the multifaceted pathways through which a child's environment impacts similar outcomes remain incompletely characterized. We sought to evaluate the association between childhood opportunity level and adverse outcomes after congenital heart surgery.

METHODS

Data from patients undergoing congenital cardiac surgery from January 2011 to January 2020 at a quaternary referral center were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes of interest included predischarge (early) mortality or transplant, postoperative hospital length-of-stay, inpatient cost of hospitalization, postdischarge (late) mortality or transplant, and late unplanned reintervention. The primary predictor was a US census tract-based, nationally-normed composite metric of contemporary child neighborhood opportunity comprising 29 indicators across 3 domains (education, health and environment, and socioeconomic), categorized as very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. Associations between childhood opportunity level and outcomes were evaluated using logistic regression (early mortality), generalized linear (length-of-stay and cost), Cox proportional hazards (late mortality), or competing risk (late reintervention) models, adjusting for baseline patient-related factors, case complexity, and residual lesion severity.

RESULTS

Of 6133 patients meeting entry criteria, the median age was 2.0 years (interquartile range, 3.6 months-8.3 years). There were 124 (2.0%) early deaths or transplants, the median postoperative length-of-stay was 7 days (interquartile range, 5-13 days), and the median inpatient cost was $76 000 (interquartile range, $50 000-130 000). No significant association between childhood opportunity level and early mortality or transplant was observed (P=0.21). On multivariable analysis, children with very low and low opportunity had significantly longer length-of-stay and incurred higher costs compared with those with very high opportunity (all P<0.05). Of 6009 transplant-free survivors of hospital discharge, there were 175 (2.9%) late deaths or transplants, and 1008 (16.8%) reinterventions at up to 10.5 years of follow-up. Patients with very low opportunity had a significantly greater adjusted risk of late death or transplant (hazard ratio, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.1-2.6]; P=0.030) and reintervention (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.5-2.3]; P<0.001), versus those with very high opportunity.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood opportunity level is independently associated with adverse outcomes after congenital heart surgery. Children from resource-limited settings thus constitute an especially high-risk cohort that warrants closer surveillance and tailored interventions.

Impact of rural residence and low socioeconomic status on rate and timing of prenatal detection of major congenital heart disease in a jurisdiction of universal health coverage

OBJECTIVE

Socioeconomic status (SES) and distance of residence from tertiary care may impact fetal detection of congenital heart disease (CHD), partly through reduced access to and quality of obstetric ultrasound screening. It is unknown whether SES and remoteness of residence (RoR) affect prenatal detection of CHD in jurisdictions with universal health coverage. We examined the impact of SES and RoR on the rate and timing of prenatal diagnosis of major CHD within the province of Alberta in Canada.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we identified all fetuses and infants diagnosed with major CHD in Alberta, from 2008 to 2018, that underwent cardiac surgical intervention within the first year after birth, died preoperatively, were stillborn or underwent termination. Using maternal residence postal code and geocoding, Chan SES index quintile, geographic distance from a tertiary-care fetal cardiology center and the Canadian Index of Remoteness (IoR) were calculated. Outcome measures included rates of prenatal diagnosis and diagnosis after 22 weeks' gestation. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated using log-binomial regression and stratified by rural (≥ 100 km from tertiary care) or metropolitan (< 100 km from tertiary care) residence, adjusting for year of birth and the obstetric ultrasound screening view in which CHD would most likely be detected (four-chamber view; outflow-tract view; three-vessel or three-vessels-and-trachea or non-standard view; septal view).

RESULTS

Of 1405 fetuses/infants with major CHD, prenatal diagnosis occurred in 814 (57.9%). Residence ≥ 100 km from tertiary care (adjusted RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05-1.34) and higher IoR (adjusted RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3) were associated with missed prenatal diagnosis of major CHD. Similarly, residence ≥ 100 km from tertiary care (adjusted RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.22-1.62) and higher IoR (adjusted RR, 3.6; 95% CI, 2.2-8.2) were associated with prenatal diagnosis after 22 weeks. Although adjusted and unadjusted analyses showed no association between Chan SES index quintile and prenatal-diagnosis rate overall nor for residence in rural areas, in metropolitan regions, lower SES quintiles were associated with missed prenatal diagnosis (quintile 1: RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.02-1.50) and higher risk of diagnosis after 22 weeks' gestation (quintile 1: RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.10-1.93; quintile 2: RR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.24-2.23).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite universal healthcare, rural residence in Alberta is associated with lower rate of prenatal diagnosis of major CHD and higher risk of late prenatal diagnosis (≥ 22 weeks). Within metropolitan regions, lower SES impacts negatively prenatal-diagnosis rate and timing. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Inequities in Availability of Evidence-Based Birth Supports to Improve Perinatal Health for Socially Vulnerable Rural Residents

Rural residents in the United States (US) have disproportionately high rates of maternal and infant mortality. Rural residents who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) face multiple social risk factors and have some of the worst maternal and infant health outcomes in the U.S. The purpose of this study was to determine the rural availability of evidence-based supports and services that promote maternal and infant health. We developed and conducted a national survey of a sample of rural hospitals. We determined for each responding hospital the county-level scores on the 2018 CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). The sample’s (n = 93) median SVI score [IQR] was 0.55 [0.25–0.88]; for majority-BIPOC counties (n = 29) the median SVI score was 0.93 [0.88–0.98] compared with 0.38 [0.19–0.64] for majority-White counties (n = 64). Among counties where responding hospitals were located, 86.2% located in majority-BIPOC counties ranked in the most socially vulnerable quartile of counties nationally (SVI ≥ 0.75), compared with 14.1% of majority-White counties. In analyses adjusted for geography and hospital size, certified lactation support (aOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.13–0.97), midwifery care (aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.12–0.99), doula support (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11–0.84), postpartum support groups (aOR 0.25, 95% CI 0.09–0.68), and childbirth education classes (aOR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.69) were significantly less available in the most vulnerable counties compared with less vulnerable counties. Residents in the most socially vulnerable rural counties, many of whom are BIPOC and thus at higher risk for poor birth outcomes, are significantly less likely to have access to evidence-based supports for maternal and infant health.