Explore the vast range of titles available.

The benefits and harms of early induction of labour to reduce shoulder dystocia in fetuses suspected to be large for gestational age (LGA) are uncertain. We aimed to investigate whether early induction of labour is associated with a reduced risk of shoulder dystocia compared with standard care. In this open-label, randomised controlled phase 3 trial, women aged ≥18 years with a suspected LGA fetus (estimated fetal weight >90th customised percentile) as identified by ultrasound scan between 35 weeks and 0 days (35+0 weeks) of gestation and 38+0 weeks' gestation, recruited from 106 hospitals across England, Scotland, and Wales in the UK, were randomly assigned (1:1) by web app to standard care or induction of labour between 38+0 weeks' gestation and 38+4 weeks' gestation using minimisation, balancing site, estimated fetal weight percentile (≤95th EFW percentile or >95th EFW percentile), and maternal age (≤35 years or >35 years). Key exclusion criteria included drug-treated diabetes, gestational diabetes, and elective caesarean section or induction already planned or indicated for any reason. Our primary outcome was incidence of shoulder dystocia, assessed by a masked independent expert adjudication panel who reviewed participants' delivery notes. Induction of labour was anticipated to result in birth 10·5 days earlier with a 300 g lower birthweight on average than standard care. We did an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis in all participants for whom we had primary outcome data, and a per-protocol analysis in participants in the induction group who went into labour or were induced at 38+0 to 38+4 weeks' gestation versus participants in the standard care group who had not started labour, been induced, or had an elective caesarean section before 38+4 weeks' gestation. This study was registered with ISRCTN (18229892) and is no longer recruiting. Between June 8, 2018, and Oct 25, 2022, 2893 women were randomly assigned to induction of labour (n=1447) or standard care (n=1446); the trial was terminated before the target of 4000 participants was reached on advice of the data monitoring committee following the lower-than-expected incidence of shoulder dystocia in the standard care group. Two participants in the induction group and seven in the standard care group had missing data for the primary outcome and were excluded from the ITT analysis. In the ITT analysis, 33 (2·3%) of 1445 babies in the induction group versus 44 (3·1%) of 1439 in the standard care group had shoulder dystocia (risk ratio [RR] 0·75 [95% CI 0·51–1·09]; p=0·14) with a mean difference of –6·0 days' (95% CI –6·3 to –5·6) gestation and –163·6 g (–190·0 to –137·1) birthweight between trial groups. 355 (24·6%) of 1446 mothers in the standard care group were induced, delivered, or went into labour at or before 38+4 weeks' gestation. In the per-protocol analysis, 27 (2·3%) of 1180 babies in the induction group versus 40 (3·7%) of 1074 in the standard care group had shoulder dystocia (RR 0·62 [0·41–0·92]; p=0·019), and there was a mean difference of –8·1 days' (–8·4 to –7·9) gestation and –213·3 g (–242·0 to –184·6) birthweight between trial groups. One neonatal death occurred from perinatal asphyxia after shoulder dystocia in the standard care group, and one neonatal death occurred following sepsis and congenital pneumonia in the induction group. 88 (6·1%) of 1447 mothers in the induction group had an adverse event versus 108 (7·5%) of 1446 in the standard care group (RR 0·81 [0·62 to 1·06]; p=0·13). Similar numbers of serious adverse events were reported in both groups. No significant difference in incidence of shoulder dystocia was found between trial groups in the ITT analysis, probably due to the high proportion of earlier-than-expected deliveries in the standard care group reducing the intended between-group differences in gestational age and birthweight. However, in the per-protocol analysis, compared with all deliveries after 38+4 weeks' gestation, induction of labour between 38+0 weeks' gestation and 38+4 weeks' gestation did show a significant reduction in shoulder dystocia. This study provides pregnant women with suspected LGA fetuses and their clinicians important information about choices and decision making for timing and mode of birth. National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Technology Assessment Programme.

Macrosomic fetuses are at increased risk of shoulder dystocia. We aimed to compare induction of labour with expectant management for large-for-date fetuses for prevention of shoulder dystocia and other neonatal and maternal morbidity associated with macrosomia. We did this pragmatic, randomised controlled trial between Oct 1, 2002, and Jan 1, 2009, in 19 tertiary-care centres in France, Switzerland, and Belgium. Women with singleton fetuses whose estimated weight exceeded the 95th percentile, were randomly assigned (1:1), via computer-generated permuted-block randomisation (block size of four to eight) to receive induction of labour within 3 days between 37+0 weeks and 38+6 weeks of gestation, or expectant management. Randomisation was stratified by centre. Participants and caregivers were not masked to group assignment. Our primary outcome was a composite of clinically significant shoulder dystocia, fracture of the clavicle, brachial plexus injury, intracranial haemorrhage, or death. We did analyses by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00190320. We randomly assigned 409 women to the induction group and 413 women to the expectant management group, of whom 407 women and 411 women, respectively, were included in the final analysis. Mean birthweight was 3831 g (SD 324) in the induction group and 4118 g (392) in the expectant group. Induction of labour significantly reduced the risk of shoulder dystocia or associated morbidity (n=8) compared with expectant management (n=25; relative risk [RR] 0·32, 95% CI 0·15–0·71; p=0·004). We recorded no brachial plexus injuries, intracranial haemorrhages, or perinatal deaths. The likelihood of spontaneous vaginal delivery was higher in women in the induction group than in those in the expectant management group (RR 1·14, 95% CI 1·01–1·29). Caesarean delivery and neonatal morbidity did not differ significantly between the groups. Induction of labour for suspected large-for-date fetuses is associated with a reduced risk of shoulder dystocia and associated morbidity compared with expectant management. Induction of labour does not increase the risk of caesarean delivery and improves the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal delivery. These benefits should be balanced with the effects of early-term induction of labour. Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris and the University of Geneva.

PurposeThere are few data on maternal and neonatal morbidities associated with shoulder dystocia (SD), depending on the use of fetal manipulation (FM). A prior 5-year study was conducted in our center in 2012 for this purpose. Our objective was to compare severe maternal and neonatal morbidities according to FM execution in a larger cohort.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study between 2007 and 2020. SD was considered when additional maneuvers were required to complete a delivery. Severe maternal morbidity was defined as the occurrence of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI). Severe neonatal morbidity was defined as Apgar < 7 at 5 min and/or cord arterial pH < 7.1 and/or or a permanent brachial plexus palsy. We studied these data in the FM group compared to the non- FM group.ResultsFM was associated with increased OASI rates (21.1% vs. 3.8%, OR = 6.72 [2.7–15.8]). We found no significant difference in severe neonatal morbidity. Maternal age > 35 and FM appear to be associated with the occurrence of OASI, with ORa = 13.3 [1.5–121.8] and ORa = 5.3 [2.2–12.8], respectively. FM was the only factor associated with the occurrence of severe neonatal morbidity (ORa = 2.3 [1.1–4.8]. The rate of episiotomy was significantly decreased (20% versus 5% p < 0.05) and there was an increase in the rate of SD managed with FM in our center.ConclusionFM is the only factor associated with an increased risk of OASI. In case of failure of non-FM maneuvers, the rapid implementation of FM maneuvers resulted in no difference regarding severe neonatal morbidity.

Obstructed labour (OL) is an important clinical and public health problem because of the associated maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for OL and its associated obstetric squeal are usually context specific. No epidemiological study has documented the risk factors for OL in Eastern Uganda. This study was conducted to identify the risk factors for OL in Mbale Hospital. To identify the risk factors for OL in Mbale Regional Referral and Teaching Hospital, Eastern Uganda. We conducted a case control study with 270 cases of women with OL and 270 controls of women without OL. We consecutively enrolled eligible cases between July 2018 and February 2019. For each case, we randomly selected one eligible control admitted in the same 24-hour period. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews and a review of patient notes. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for OL. The risk factors for OL were, being a referral from a lower health facility (AOR 6.80, 95% CI: 4.20-11.00), prime parity (AOR 2.15 95% CI: 1.26-3.66) and use of herbal medicines in active labour (AOR 2.72 95% CI: 1.49-4.96). Married participants (AOR 0.59 95% CI: 0.35-0.97) with a delivery plan (AOR 0.56 95% CI: 0.35-0.90) and educated partners (AOR 0.57 95% CI: 0.33-0.98) were less likely to have OL. In the adjusted analysis, there was no association between four or more ANC visits and OL, adjusted odds ratio [(AOR) 0.96 95% CI: 0.57-1.63)]. Prime parity, use of herbal medicines in labour and being a referral from a lower health facility were identified as risk factors. Being married with a delivery plan and an educated partner were protective of OL. Increased frequency of ANC attendance was not protective against obstructed labour.

Consensus is lacking as to whether routine screening and treatment for gestational diabetes mellitus is warranted. This large randomized trial of the treatment of gestational diabetes demonstrated that serious perinatal complications were significantly less common among the offspring of women who received dietary advice, blood glucose monitoring, and insulin therapy as needed to maintain glycemic control than among the offspring of women who received routine care. This trial demonstrated that serious perinatal complications were significantly less common among the offspring of women who received screening and treatment for gestational diabetes mellitus than among the offspring of women who received routine care. Gestational diabetes mellitus occurs in 2 to 9 percent of all pregnancies 1 , 2 and is associated with substantial rates of maternal and perinatal complications. The risk of perinatal mortality is not increased, 3 but the risk of macrosomia is. Other perinatal risks include shoulder dystocia, birth injuries such as bone fractures and nerve palsies, and hypoglycemia. Long-term adverse health outcomes reported among infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes include sustained impairment of glucose tolerance, 4 subsequent obesity 5 (although not when adjusted for size 6 ), and impaired intellectual achievement. 7 For women, gestational diabetes is a strong risk factor for diabetes. 8 Although the . . .

Because there have been changes in the management of macrosomic pregnancies and shoulder dystocia in the past decade, this study was conducted to compare the incidences of shoulder dystocia and perinatal outcomes between the periods of 2000-2009 and 2010-2019. This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary obstetric unit. All cases of shoulder dystocia were identified using the hospital's electronic database. The incidences, maternal and fetal characteristics, obstetric management methods, and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two study periods. The overall incidence of shoulder dystocia decreased from 0.23% (134/58 326) in 2000-2009 to 0.16% (108/65 683) in 2010-2019 (P=0.009), mainly because of the overall decline in the proportion of babies with macrosomia (from 3.3% to 2.3%; P<0.001). The improved success rates of the McRoberts' manoeuvre (from 31.3% to 47.2%; P=0.012) and posterior arm extraction (from 52.9% to 92.3%; P=0.042) allowed a greater proportion of affected babies to be delivered within 2 minutes (from 59.0% to 79.6%; P=0.003). These changes led to a significant reduction in the proportion of fetuses with low Apgar scores: <5 at 1 minute of life (from 13.4% to 5.6%; P=0.042) and <7 at 5 minutes of life (from 11.9% to 4.6%; P=0.045). More proactive management of macrosomic pregnancies and enhanced training in the acute management of shoulder dystocia led to significant improvements in shoulder dystocia incidence and perinatal outcomes from 2000-2009 to 2010-2019.

Dystocia affects on average 3–8% of all pregnancies in purebred cats. Nonpedigree cats are also affected, but the incidence is unknown. The causes of dystocia and the optimal treatment are largely unexplored in cats. The aims of the present retrospective study were to describe feline dystocia cases and to evaluate kitten mortality in relation to factors associated with dystocia in cats. Medical records of 111 cases (107 queens) treated for dystocia from 2017 to 2024 were retrieved from client files at the University Animal Hospital in Uppsala, Sweden. At the initiation of treatment, 276 kittens remained in utero or in the birth canal. The total kitten mortality rate, including that of kittens born before treatment but excluding four kittens that were euthanized at the owner’s request, was 40.9%. The mortality of kittens born after treatment was 44.1%, excluding four kittens euthanized at the owner’s request. Two queens died, one of which was euthanized at the owner’s request. Among all the cases, 91 (82.0%) were surgically treated, with caesarean section, or en bloc resection in two patients. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in 47.2% of the queens that were surgically treated. Medical treatment was initiated in 30 patients, and was successful in 11 of them, and 19 were further surgically treated after only partial or no success. The success rate of medical treatment was thus 36.7%. Eight queens were hypocalcaemic. Maternal hyperglycaemia was present in 65.5% of the cases and significantly increased the risk of kitten mortality. The estimated duration of second-stage labour before admission did not affect kitten mortality. Disturbed labour (total or partial uterine inertia) was the most common cause of dystocia. Feline dystocia was associated with high kitten mortality but low mortality in queens. Most queens with dystocia were treated surgically, but medical treatment with calcium and/or oxytocin was efficient in cases with non-obstructive dystocia, and ≤ 3 foetuses remaining. Hypocalcaemia may contribute to dystocia in a minority of cases. Maternal hyperglycaemia increased the risk of mortality before discharge. Diagnosing dystocia may be challenging in cats, as there is no clear association between the length of the parturition process and mortality.

Shoulder dystocia is defined as vaginal cephalic delivery that requires additional obstetric maneuvers to deliver the fetus after the head has been delivered and gentle traction has failed. A bigger difference between the transverse abdominal diameter (TAD) (abdominal circumference [AC]/π) and biparietal diameter (BPD) (TAD-BPD) has been reported as a risk factor for shoulder dystocia in different countries; however, it remains unclear if this relationship is relevant in Japan. This study aimed to clarify the association between TAD-BPD and shoulder dystocia after adjusting for potential confounding factors in a Japanese cohort. We retrospectively examined 1,866 Japanese women who delivered vaginally between 37+0 and 41+6 weeks of gestation at the University of Yamanashi Hospital between June 2012 and November 2018. The cutoff value of TAD-BPD associated with shoulder dystocia and the association between TAD-BPD and shoulder dystocia were evaluated. The mean maternal age was 32.5±5.3 years; the patients included 1,053 nulliparous women (57.5%), 915 male infants (49.0%), 154 women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (8.3%), and 5 infants with macrosomia (0.3%). The mean TAD-BPD was 9.03±4.7 mm. The overall incidence of shoulder dystocia was 2.4% (44/1866). The cutoff value to predict shoulder dystocia was 12.0 mm (sensitivity, 61.4%; specificity, 73.8%; likelihood ratio, 2.34; positive predictive value, 5.4%; negative predictive value, 98.8%). We then used a multivariable logistic regression analysis to examine the association between TAD-BPD and shoulder dystocia while controlling for the potential confounding factors. In multivariate analyses, TAD-BPD ≥12.0 mm (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.35–8.18) and GDM (adjusted OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 1.71–7.52) were associated with shoulder dystocia. Although TAD-BPD appears to be a relevant risk factor for shoulder dystocia, sonographic fetal anthropometric measures do not appear to be useful in screening for shoulder dystocia due to a low positive predictive value.

For more than 50 years, the methylation of mammalian actin at histidine 73 has been known to occur 1 . Despite the pervasiveness of His73 methylation, which we find is conserved in several model animals and plants, its function remains unclear and the enzyme that generates this modification is unknown. Here we identify SET domain protein 3 (SETD3) as the physiological actin His73 methyltransferase. Structural studies reveal that an extensive network of interactions clamps the actin peptide onto the surface of SETD3 to orient His73 correctly within the catalytic pocket and to facilitate methyl transfer. His73 methylation reduces the nucleotide-exchange rate on actin monomers and modestly accelerates the assembly of actin filaments. Mice that lack SETD3 show complete loss of actin His73 methylation in several tissues, and quantitative proteomics analysis shows that actin His73 methylation is the only detectable physiological substrate of SETD3. SETD3-deficient female mice have severely decreased litter sizes owing to primary maternal dystocia that is refractory to ecbolic induction agents. Furthermore, depletion of SETD3 impairs signal-induced contraction in primary human uterine smooth muscle cells. Together, our results identify a mammalian histidine methyltransferase and uncover a pivotal role for SETD3 and actin His73 methylation in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility. Our data also support the broader hypothesis that protein histidine methylation acts as a common regulatory mechanism. SETD3 methylates mammalian actin at His73, and SETD3 deficiency impairs stimulus-induced contraction in primary human uterine smooth muscle cells and leads to maternal dystocia in mice.