This randomized clinical trial examines whether sildenafil reduces the risk of perinatal mortality or morbidity vs placebo in children of pregnant women with severe early onset fetal growth... Show moreThis randomized clinical trial examines whether sildenafil reduces the risk of perinatal mortality or morbidity vs placebo in children of pregnant women with severe early onset fetal growth restriction.Question Does sildenafil reduce the risk of perinatal mortality or morbidity in children of pregnant women with severe early onset fetal growth restriction? Findings In this randomized clinical trial including 216 pregnant women, perinatal mortality or major morbidity was not statistically different and occurred in the offspring of 60.2% of participants allocated to sildenafil vs 54.2% of those allocated to placebo. Pulmonary hypertension occurred in 18.8% of neonates in the sildenafil group compared with 5.1% of neonates in the placebo group, which was statistically significantly different. Meaning These findings suggest that treatment of severe early onset fetal growth restriction by maternal sildenafil did not reduce the risk of perinatal mortality or major neonatal morbidity, but increased neonatal pulmonary hypertension was observed.Importance Severe early onset fetal growth restriction caused by placental dysfunction leads to high rates of perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity. The phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, sildenafil, inhibits cyclic guanosine monophosphate hydrolysis, thereby activating the effects of nitric oxide, and might improve uteroplacental function and subsequent perinatal outcomes. Objective To determine whether sildenafil reduces perinatal mortality or major morbidity. Design, Setting, and Participants This placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted at 10 tertiary referral centers and 1 general hospital in the Netherlands from January 20, 2015, to July 16, 2018. Participants included pregnant women between 20 and 30 weeks of gestation with severe fetal growth restriction, defined as fetal abdominal circumference below the third percentile or estimated fetal weight below the fifth percentile combined with Dopplers measurements outside reference ranges or a maternal hypertensive disorder. The trial was stopped early owing to safety concerns on July 19, 2018, whereas benefit on the primary outcome was unlikely. Data were analyzed from January 20, 2015, to January 18, 2019. The prespecified primary analysis was an intention-to-treat analysis including all randomized participants. Interventions Participants were randomized to sildenafil, 25 mg, 3 times a day vs placebo. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was a composite of perinatal mortality or major neonatal morbidity until hospital discharge. Results Out of 360 planned participants, a total of 216 pregnant women were included, with 108 women randomized to sildenafil (median gestational age at randomization, 24 weeks 5 days [interquartile range, 23 weeks 3 days to 25 weeks 5 days]; mean [SD] estimated fetal weight, 458 [160] g) and 108 women randomized to placebo (median gestational age, 25 weeks 0 days [interquartile range, 22 weeks 5 days to 26 weeks 3 days]; mean [SD] estimated fetal weight, 464 [186] g). In July 2018, the trial was halted owing to concerns that sildenafil may cause neonatal pulmonary hypertension, whereas benefit on the primary outcome was unlikely. The primary outcome, perinatal mortality or major neonatal morbidity, occurred in the offspring of 65 participants (60.2%) allocated to sildenafil vs 58 participants (54.2%) allocated to placebo (relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.88-1.40; P = .38). Pulmonary hypertension, a predefined outcome important for monitoring safety, occurred in 16 neonates (18.8%) in the sildenafil group vs 4 neonates (5.1%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.28-10.51; P = .008). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that antenatal maternal sildenafil administration for severe early onset fetal growth restriction did not reduce the risk of perinatal mortality or major neonatal morbidity. The results suggest that sildenafil may increase the risk of neonatal pulmonary hypertension. Show less
Objective To assess the effect of transabdominal amnioinfusion or no intervention on long-term outcomes in children born after second-trimester prelabour rupture of the membranes (PROM between 16(... Show moreObjective To assess the effect of transabdominal amnioinfusion or no intervention on long-term outcomes in children born after second-trimester prelabour rupture of the membranes (PROM between 16(+0/7)-24(+0/7) weeks) and oligohydramnios.Population Follow up of infants of women who participated in the randomised controlled trial: PPROMEXIL-III (NTR3492).Methods Surviving infants were invited for neurodevelopmental assessment up to 5 years of corrected age using a Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development or a Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. Parents were asked to complete several questionnaires.Main outcome measures Neurodevelopmental outcomes were measured. Mild delay was defined as -1 standard deviation (SD), severe delay as -2 SD. Healthy long-term survival was defined as survival without neurodevelopmental delay or respiratory problems.Results In the amnioinfusion group, 18/28 children (64%) died versus 21/28 (75%) in the no intervention group (relative risk 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60-1.22). Follow-up data were obtained from 14/17 (82%) children (10 amnioinfusion, 4 no intervention). In both groups, 2/28 (7.1%) had a mild neurodevelopmental delay. No severe delay was seen. Healthy long-term survival occurred in 5/28 children (17.9%) after amnioinfusion versus 2/28 (7.1%) after no intervention (odds ratio 2.50; 95% CI 0.53-11.83). When analysing data for all assessed survivors, 10/14 (71.4%) survived without mild neurodevelopmental delay and 7/14 (50%) were classified healthy long-term survivor.Conclusions In this small sample of women suffering second-trimester PROM and oligohydramnios, amnioinfusion did not improve long-term outcomes. Overall, 71% of survivors had no neurodevelopmental delay.Tweetable abstract Healthy long-term survival was comparable for children born after second-trimester PROM and treatment with amnioinfusion or no intervention. Show less
