Objective: Prostaglandins (PGs) use for cervical ripening with small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses is controversial since it remains uncertain if use increases the chance of cesarean delivery (CD). We aimed to assess the association between PG use for cervical ripening and mode of delivery between SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates.
Study design: Secondary analysis of the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be (nuMoM2b), a prospective observational cohort study of 10,038 nulliparas. We included women undergoing induction with nonanomalous fetuses in the cephalic presentation. Women with >2 cm cervical dilation or prior uterine scar were excluded. We assessed the association of PG use with CD among women with SGA and AGA neonates. SGA was defined as birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age and sex. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders and test for interaction. Secondary outcomes included adverse neonatal outcomes, indication for CD, maternal hemorrhage, and chorioamnionitis.
Results: Among 2,353 women eligible, PGs were used in 54.8%, SGA occurred in 15.1%, and 35.0% had CD. The association between PG use and CD differed significantly (interaction p = 0.018) for SGA versus AGA neonates; CD occurred more often in SGA neonates exposed to PGs than not (35 vs. 22%, p = 0.009). PG use was not associated with CD among AGA neonates (36 vs. 36%, p = 0.8). This effect remained significant when adjusting for body mass index, race/ethnicity, and cervical dilation. Among SGA neonates, CD for "nonreassuring fetal status" was similar between PG groups. Among SGA neonates, PG use was not associated with adverse neonatal outcomes or postpartum hemorrhage but had a higher rate of chorioamnionitis (7.0 vs. 2.1%, p = 0.048).
Conclusion: PG use was associated with a higher rate of CD in SGA but not AGA neonates; however, further studies are needed before PG use is discouraged with SGA neonates.
Key points: · PGs are commonly used for cervical ripening.. · PG use was associated with increased risk of cesarean delivery in SGA neonates.. · PG use was not associated with adverse neonatal outcomes..
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