American journal of perinatology
Audio Summaries

The Influence of Maternal Diabetes on Placental Function and Fetal Brain Development: A Review of Advanced Imaging Methods

Aug 6, 2026

This review aims to explore how maternal diabetes mellitus affects placental function and fetal brain development, highlighting the importance of the placenta in mediating maternal health impacts on the fetus. The authors discuss advancements in imaging techniques that enhance our understanding of these relationships and suggest that improved insights could lead to interventions that reduce adverse outcomes in pregnancies complicated by diabetes.

Implementation of an Order Set Prior to Delivery Discharge for Postpartum Glucose Testing in Gestational Diabetes: Gaps in Follow-up and Opportunities for Improvement

Aug 6, 2026

The authors aimed to identify factors contributing to the noncompletion of postpartum glucose testing in patients with gestational diabetes after implementing an automatic order set in the electronic medical record. They found that while the completion rate improved to 57%, patient-related factors, such as age, race, and BMI, were significant barriers to testing. Additionally, communication of results was effective for abnormal outcomes but inadequate for normal results, indicating missed opportunities for patient counseling on long-term follow-up.

Inequalities in Late Stillbirths: A Population-Based Study in Northern Italy

Aug 6, 2026

This study aims to investigate the disparities in late stillbirth (L-SB) risk and its underlying causes between Italian and migrant women in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The findings reveal that migrant women experience a significantly higher incidence of L-SB, with distinct etiological factors such as placental pathologies and infections more prevalent among this group. The authors emphasize the need for targeted prevention strategies, including enhanced antenatal care and culturally sensitive counseling, to address these inequalities.

Early Respiratory Response to Bovine Lipid Extract Surfactant Can Predict Failure of Minimally Invasive Surfactant Therapy

Aug 5, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate short-term respiratory outcomes and identify predictors of failure in minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) using high-volume bovine lipid extract surfactant (BLES) in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. They found that 19.2% of neonates experienced MIST failure, with lower gestational age and birth weight, as well as higher oxygen needs prior to the procedure, being associated with failure. Notably, oxygen requirements at 1 and 6 hours post-MIST emerged as independent predictors of MIST failure, suggesting that early respiratory response can inform treatment decisions.

Effect of a novel gastric tube insertion method using a light-emitting diode source and fiber in neonates: a multicenter study

Jul 28, 2026

This multicenter study investigates the efficacy of a novel light-emitting diode source and fiber (LED-SF) method for accurately confirming the tip placement of nasogastric (NGT) and orogastric tubes (OGT) in neonates. The results show that the LED-SF method successfully confirmed that all tube tips were in the stomach, demonstrating its effectiveness and safety, with a strong correlation to X-ray measurements for insertion length. The authors suggest that LED-SF could serve as a reliable bedside verification standard for tube placement in neonates.

Adverse Maternal Outcome Disparities in a Clinically Low-risk Cohort

Jul 27, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate racial and ethnic disparities in adverse maternal outcomes (AMO) among clinically low-risk patients in the United States, as well as the relationship between area-level social vulnerability and AMO prevalence. Their findings revealed that AMO rates varied significantly by race/ethnicity, with non-Hispanic Asian patients experiencing the highest rates, while social vulnerability indicators did not correlate with AMO prevalence. This highlights the need for disaggregated reporting to better identify and address health inequities.

Patient-Reported Burdens of Undergoing Antenatal Fetal Surveillance

Jul 24, 2026

The authors aimed to assess the patient-reported burdens associated with attending antenatal fetal surveillance (AFS) in high-risk pregnancies, particularly examining how visit frequency and demographic factors influenced these burdens. Their findings revealed that a significant proportion of patients reported experiencing various burdens, with those attending twice-weekly visits facing greater challenges related to work, finances, and childcare. The study highlights the need for more patient-centered approaches in AFS to enhance care and minimize negative impacts on patients' lives.

The association of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes during pregnancy with offspring adiposity and dysmetabolism: the Intergenerational Transmission of Obesity (ITO) study

Jul 24, 2026

The study aimed to investigate how maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy influence offspring adiposity and metabolic health. By analyzing data from a cohort of pregnant individuals, the authors found that maternal GDM and obesity were linked to increased neonatal size and specific metabolic markers, with maternal triglycerides emerging as a significant predictor of adverse outcomes. The results highlight the need for metabolic optimization prior to conception to reduce the risk of obesity and metabolic diseases in future generations.

Comparison of the 2025 Third-Generation and 2013 Fenton Growth Charts in Preterm Infants Born before 35 Weeks: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Jul 24, 2026

The study aimed to compare the classification of birth size in preterm infants using the Fenton 2025 growth charts against the Fenton 2013 charts. The findings revealed that while there was high overall agreement between the two chart versions, the Fenton 2025 charts identified a significantly higher proportion of infants as small for gestational age (SGA), particularly affecting birth weight classifications. This shift has important clinical implications, especially for the management of preterm infants.

Factors Influencing Umbilical Cord Separation Time in Term and Preterm Newborns: A Prospective Cohort Study from a Tertiary Center in Turkey

Jul 22, 2026

The study aimed to determine the umbilical cord separation time (UCST) in term and preterm newborns and identify associated influencing factors. The findings revealed that UCST was longer in preterm infants and after cesarean deliveries, while higher lactate and hemoglobin levels, as well as summer births, were linked to shorter UCST. Despite these associations, the overall explanatory power of the model was limited, indicating a need for further research to explore the underlying mechanisms.