Kypros H Nicolaides1, Argyro Syngelaki2, Liona C Poon2, Catalina de Paco Matallana3, Walter Plasencia4, Francisca S Molina5, Gemma Picciarelli6, Natasa Tul7, Ebru Celik2, Tze Kin Lau8, Roberto Conturso9. 1. Harris Birthright Research Center for Fetal Medicine, King's College, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: kypros@fetalmedicine.com. 2. Harris Birthright Research Center for Fetal Medicine, King's College, London, United Kingdom. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de La Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain. 4. Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitario Materno Infantil de Canarias, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. 5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Granada, Granada, Spain. 6. Department of Fetal Medicine, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, United Kingdom. 7. Department of Perinatology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia. 8. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. 9. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ospedale Valduce, Como, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death and handicap in survivors. Although twins are found in 1.5% of pregnancies they account for about 25% of preterm births. Randomized controlled trials in singleton pregnancies reported that the prophylactic use of progestogens, cervical cerclage and cervical pessary reduce significantly the rate of early preterm birth. In twin pregnancies, progestogens and cervical cerclage have been shown to be ineffective in reducing preterm birth. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the insertion of a cervical pessary in twin pregnancies would reduce the rate of spontaneous early preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial in unselected twin pregnancies of cervical pessary placement from 20(+0)-24(+6) weeks' gestation until elective removal or delivery vs. expectant management. Primary outcome was spontaneous birth <34 weeks. Secondary outcomes included perinatal death and a composite of adverse neonatal outcomes (intraventricular haemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome, retinopathy of prematurity or necrotizing enterocolitis) or need for neonatal therapy (ventilation, phototherapy, treatment for proven or suspected sepsis, or blood transfusion). Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered in the ISRCTN registry, number 01096902. RESULTS:A total of 1,180 (56.0%) of the 2,107 eligible women agreed to take part in the trial; 590 received cervical pessary and 590 had expectant management. Two of the former and one of the latter were lost to follow up. There were no significant differences between the pessary and control groups in rates of spontaneous birth <34 weeks (13.6% vs. 12.9%; relative risk 1.054, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.787-1.413; p=0.722), perinatal death (2.5% vs. 2.7%; relative risk 0.908, 95% CI 0.553-1.491; p=0.702), adverse neonatal outcome (10.0 vs. 9.2%; relative risk 1.094, 95% CI 0.851-1.407; p=0.524) or neonatal therapy (17.9% vs. 17.2%; relative risk 1.040, 95% CI 0.871-1.242; p=0.701). A post hoc subgroup analysis of 214 women with short cervix (≤25 mm) showed no benefit from the insertion of a cervical pessary. CONCLUSION: In women with twin pregnancy, routine treatment with cervical pessary does not reduce the rate of spontaneous early preterm birth.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death and handicap in survivors. Although twins are found in 1.5% of pregnancies they account for about 25% of preterm births. Randomized controlled trials in singleton pregnancies reported that the prophylactic use of progestogens, cervical cerclage and cervical pessary reduce significantly the rate of early preterm birth. In twin pregnancies, progestogens and cervical cerclage have been shown to be ineffective in reducing preterm birth. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the insertion of a cervical pessary in twin pregnancies would reduce the rate of spontaneous early preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial in unselected twin pregnancies of cervical pessary placement from 20(+0)-24(+6) weeks' gestation until elective removal or delivery vs. expectant management. Primary outcome was spontaneous birth <34 weeks. Secondary outcomes included perinatal death and a composite of adverse neonatal outcomes (intraventricular haemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome, retinopathy of prematurity or necrotizing enterocolitis) or need for neonatal therapy (ventilation, phototherapy, treatment for proven or suspected sepsis, or blood transfusion). Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered in the ISRCTN registry, number 01096902. RESULTS: A total of 1,180 (56.0%) of the 2,107 eligible women agreed to take part in the trial; 590 received cervical pessary and 590 had expectant management. Two of the former and one of the latter were lost to follow up. There were no significant differences between the pessary and control groups in rates of spontaneous birth <34 weeks (13.6% vs. 12.9%; relative risk 1.054, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.787-1.413; p=0.722), perinatal death (2.5% vs. 2.7%; relative risk 0.908, 95% CI 0.553-1.491; p=0.702), adverse neonatal outcome (10.0 vs. 9.2%; relative risk 1.094, 95% CI 0.851-1.407; p=0.524) or neonatal therapy (17.9% vs. 17.2%; relative risk 1.040, 95% CI 0.871-1.242; p=0.701). A post hoc subgroup analysis of 214 women with short cervix (≤25 mm) showed no benefit from the insertion of a cervical pessary. CONCLUSION: In women with twin pregnancy, routine treatment with cervical pessary does not reduce the rate of spontaneous early preterm birth.
Authors: Andrea R Westervelt; Michael Fernandez; Michael House; Joy Vink; Chia-Ling Nhan-Chang; Ronald Wapner; Kristin M Myers Journal: J Biomech Eng Date: 2017-05-01 Impact factor: 2.097
Authors: Maud D van Zijl; Bouchra Koullali; Christiana A Naaktgeboren; Ewoud Schuit; Dick J Bekedam; Etelka Moll; Martijn A Oudijk; Wilhelmina M van Baal; Marjon A de Boer; Henricus Visser; Joris van Drongelen; Flip W van de Made; Karlijn C Vollebregt; Moira A Muller; Mireille N Bekker; Jozien T J Brons; Marieke Sueters; Josje Langenveld; Maureen T Franssen; Nico W Schuitemaker; Erik van Beek; Hubertina C J Scheepers; Karin de Boer; Eveline M Tepe; Anjoke J M Huisjes; Angelo B Hooker; Evelyn C J Verheijen; Dimitri N Papatsonis; Ben Willem J Mol; Brenda M Kazemier; Eva Pajkrt Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2017-09-04 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Jane E Norman; John Norrie; Graeme MacLennan; David Cooper; Sonia Whyte; Sushila Chowdhry; Sarah Cunningham-Burley; Aileen R Neilson; Xue W Mei; Joel Be Smith; Andrew Shennan; Stephen C Robson; Steven Thornton; Mark D Kilby; Neil Marlow; Sarah J Stock; Philip R Bennett; Jane Denton Journal: Health Technol Assess Date: 2021-07 Impact factor: 4.014