Haim Arie Abenhaim

• McGill University

Objective An upward trend in maternal age has been observed in the United States (US) over the last twenty years. The study objective was to examine the association of maternal age with maternal mortality in the US and examine temporal trends in mortality by maternal age. Methods A retrospective population-based analysis in the US between 2000–201...

Purpose Vulvodynia and vaginismus are pain disorders associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The few published studies addressing this topic were limited in terms of the different outcomes studied; hence, the purpose of our study was to perform the first systematic review examining maternal, neonatal and obstetric outcomes in patients with vulv...

Objectives Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system. The purpose of our study was to evaluate maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes among pregnancies complicated by GBS. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project – National Inpatie...

(Abstracted from Lancet 2024;403:44–54) Women who have delivered a baby via cesarean section have a difficult choice when it comes to delivering a second child: delivery via a second cesarean or attempting vaginal delivery, both of which are associated with some risks to both mother and baby. Recent studies have shown evidence that provider support...

INTRODUCTION Endometriosis, a prevalent disorder affecting around 10% of reproductive-aged women, has been linked to obstetric complications during pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate endometriosis prevalence in pregnancy and its effect on maternal and newborn outcomes. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Heal...

Objective The incidence of Lyme disease (LD) infections has risen in recent decades. Gestational LD has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, the results have been contradictory. The study objective was to examine the effects of gestational LD on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes. Methods Using the Healthcare Cost & Utilization...

Public health interventions to reduce maternal mortality have largely focused on obstetric causes of death. However, previous studies have noted that non-obstetrics factors, such as motor vehicle accidents, substance overdoses, homicides, and suicides, may account for a large proportion of maternal deaths. The study objective was to examine trends...

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the most common cause of death for infants between 1 month and 1 year of age in the United States. The objective was to examine recent trends in SIDS in the United States, over time and by sex and race. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 710 348 live births using data from the Center...

( Can J Anesth / J Can Anesth. 2023;70:151–160) Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare obstetric complication with a mortality rate ranging 20% to 60%. The pathophysiology of AFE is not well-defined. This study aimed to define the echocardiography findings in patients who suffer from AFE.

Introduction: While the literature is replete of clinical studies reporting on the Robin sequence (RS), population-based analyses are scarce with significant variability within the literature in terms of reported incidence, demographic parameters, and outcomes. The authors have conducted a 20-year population-based analysis to guide clinical practi...

Purpose In the United States (US), deaths during pregnancy and childbirth have increased over the past 2 decades compared to other high-income countries, and there have been reports that racial disparities in maternal mortality have widened. The study objective was to examine recent trends in maternal mortality in the US by race. Methods Our popul...

Purpose Severe hypercalcemia resulting from hyperparathyroidism may result in adverse perinatal outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with hyperparathyroidism using a population database. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Healthcare Cost and Ut...

Background Cardiovascular conditions are the leading cause of maternal mortality in North America. Objective To examine the relationship between cardiovascular severe maternal morbidity (CSMM) and mortality during delivery hospitalization. Methods We performed a cohort study using the Health Care Cost and Utilization Project, Nationwide Inpatient...

Purpose: Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a leading cause of obstetrical cardiac arrest and maternal morbidity. The pathogenesis of hemodynamic collapse is thought to be from right ventricular (RV) failure; however, there is a paucity of data documenting echocardiography findings in this population. We undertook a systematic review of the literatu...

Objective: To evaluate whether the increased risk of breast cancer is dependent on the formulation of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) used. Methods: We performed a population-based case-control study of women aged 50 years or older using data from the U.K. Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Women with incident cases of breast cancer were age-m...

( Int J Gynecol Obstet . 2021;154:444–450) Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious and complex pregnancy-related disorder with negative effects on both the mother and fetus. Prevention is vital to reduce 18% of maternal mortality that results from PE in the United States each year. After years of study, its causes and mechanisms have not yet been fully unra...

First-trimester bleeding is associated with miscarriage and preterm birth, for which progesterone has been suggested to improve outcomes. Our study objective was to evaluate the effect of progesterone treatment throughout pregnancy on preventing miscarriage and preterm birth in pregnancies with first trimester bleeding. This was a multicenter, doub...

Tracheal intubation (TI) is associated with hypoxia and an increase in intracranial pressure, potentially leading to brain injury. We aimed to estimate trends, risk factors, and outcomes among term neonates undergoing TI, using a large population-based database. This is a retrospective cohort study of 2,122,245 births using the Healthcare Cost and...

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare microangiopathy. Little is known of its impact on pregnancy. The aim was to evaluate the association between maternal TTP and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the U.S. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project–Nationwide Inpatient Sample. A cohort of...

Induction of labor (IOL) at 39 weeks has been associated with decreased risk of cesarean delivery. The study objective was to evaluate the effect of IOL at 39 weeks on perinatal death in low-risk pregnancies. We used the National Center for Health Statistics Linked Birth/Infant Deaths data from 2013 to 2017 to carry out a propensity score matched c...

Purpose To identify risk factors associated with bladder injury during cesarean delivery, and to determine the frequency of associated morbidities. Methods Data obtained from the United States’ Health Care Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample were used to conduct a retrospective population-wide cohort study. ICD-9 codes were us...

Objectives Pregnancy outcomes in women with inflammatory myopathies (IM) are not well studied. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of IM on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project – Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) from 1999...

Purpose Psoriasis is a common auto-immune disease affecting the skin and joints for which the current literature remains limited and contradictory in the context of pregnancy. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the association between psoriasis in pregnancy and maternal and newborn outcomes. Methods A population based retrospective cohort st...

This study evaluated the association between placental pathology and gross morphology and the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We conducted a matched case–control study of children with confirmed ASD who were born between 2000 and 2017 at one of three university-affiliated hospitals in Montreal, Quebec. Cases, who were identified through th...

To assess the association between time of birth and mortality among preterm infants. Population-based study of infants born 22–36 weeks gestation (GA) in Canada from 2010 to 2015 (n = 173 789). Multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations between timing of birth and mortality. Among infants 22–27 weeks GA, evening birth was associ...

Excluding pregnant people from Covid-19 clinical trials may lead to unintended harmful consequences. For this study, an online questionnaire was sent to physicians belonging to Canadian professional medical associations in order to evaluate their perspectives on the participation of pregnant women in Covid-19 clinical trials. The majority of respon...

Background: The rate of cesarean delivery has increased in the United States over the last several decades. The rate of cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) however remains uncertain and recent data on CDMR are lacking. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence and temporal trends of CDMR in the United Stat...

Objectives Acute pancreatitis is a rare condition that can be associated with significant complications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the maternal and newborn outcomes associated with acute pancreatitis in pregnancy. Methods A retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project – National Inpatient Sample fro...

Objectives Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to many health comorbidities. We aimed to ascertain if OSA correlates with a rise in poor obstetrical outcomes. Methods Employing the United States’ Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project – National Inpatient Sample, we performed our retrospective cohort study including all women who delivered be...

Introduction: Cleft palate is amongst the most common birth defect across the world. Although its etiology is multifactorial, including genetic and environmental contributors, the investigators were interested in exploring whether its incidence was changing over time. Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, the largest publically avai...

Objectives: The effects of lipid metabolism disorders (LMD) on pregnancy outcomes is not well known. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of LMD on maternal and fetal outcomes. Methods: Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project - National Inpatient Sample from the United States, we carried out a retrospective cohort study...

Objectives Excluding pregnant persons from COVID-19 trials of intervention may lead to unintended harmful consequences. Beliefs and attitudes of clinicians have the potential to shape clinical research involving pregnant women. This study evaluates the current perspectives of Canadian physicians on the participation of pregnant women in COVID-19 cl...

Background Optimal obstetric management for women with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is not known. We describe the management of six pregnant women requiring in-hospital care for severe COVID-19. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify pregnant women who tested positive for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SAR...

We report on the perinatal outcomes of pregnant patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from 2 hospitals in Montréal, Québec. Outcomes of 45 patients with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy were compared with those of 225 patients without infection. Sixteen percent of patients with SARS-CoV-2 delivered preterm, compared...

Objective To examine the associations between risk of pre‐eclampsia and pregnancy levels of maternal 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and oxidative stress biomarkers. Methods A nested case–control study (n = 99; 34 cases; 65 controls) within a prospective pregnancy cohort. Maternal 25(OH)D and oxidative stress markers (six isomers of F2‐isoprostanes;...

Purpose Information on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in obstetric patients is scarce. The objective was to conduct a systematic review examining ECMO use in pregnant and postpartum patients in order to identify indications leading to ECMO use and to assess mortality rates. Materials and Methods PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Libr...

( BJOG . 2020;127:8–16) With the potency of recreational cannabis on the rise, there is a need for an updated review of recent studies on pregnancy outcomes. Thus far, only 2 review studies have assessed the use of cannabis on maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, these reviews provided conflicting results and included studies only from before 2...

Objective Early subchorionic hemorrhage may lead to a disruption in the placental–uterine matrix, which may result in an adherence of the placenta to the endometrium. We evaluated the effect of a first-trimester bleed on the need for a post–vaginal delivery dilatation and curettage (D&C) for removal of retained placenta. Methods We conducted a cas...

PurposeThere is little information on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in pregnant women. Our objectives are to estimate the use of ECMO in pregnant patients, identify clinical conditions associated with ECMO use, and assess survival rates by the associated condition.Methods Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project–Nat...

INTRODUCTION Studies have shown that a high body mass index (BMI), expressed in kg/m ² , is an independent risk factor for stillbirth. The purpose of this study was to determine an optimal time of delivery in obese women in order to decrease the risk of stillbirth in this population. METHODS We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort stu...

INTRODUCTION Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular junction marked by weakness and fatiguability of skeletal muscle. MG has an unpredictable course in pregnancy. Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of MG on maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide...

INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to determine if induction of labor (IOL) in obese women at 38 weeks decreases the risk of cesarean delivery (CD) compared to women who are expectantly managed. METHODS We conducted a retrospective propensity match study using the CDC's Period Linked Birth-Infant Death data. The study population included...

INTRODUCTION The rate of induction of labor (IOL) at term has been increasing over the years. Our objective was to evaluate the risk of third- and fourth-degree perineal tears associated with term induction of labor. METHODS We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study using the United States' Nationwide Inpatient Sample to evaluate...

INTRODUCTION The effects of lipoid metabolism disorders (LMD) are not well understood in pregnancy; thus, this study aims at understanding the different maternal and fetal outcomes that can be associated with this condition in pregnancy. METHODS Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project – National Inpatient Sample from the United States, a...

INTRODUCTION Acute pancreatitis is a rare condition that can be associated with significant complications. In pregnancy, pancreatitis can be linked with poor maternal and fetal outcomes. The objective of this study is to better understand the complications associated with acute pancreatitis (AP) in pregnancy. METHODS A retrospective cohort study u...

Objectives Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular junction marked by weakness and fatiguability of skeletal muscle. MG has an unpredictable course in pregnancy. Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of MG on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide In...

Objective: With the rising trend of postponing motherhood, there has been an increasing rate of infertility. Social fertility preservation offers the potential to overcome this age-related infertility, and many women are turning to the Internet to seek medical information. The aim of this study was to evaluate online information on social fertilit...

Purpose: Celiac disease (CD) is a permanent immune reaction to gluten that is likely related to genetic factors. Some studies have linked CD to adverse maternal and/or neonatal outcomes but the data has been contradictory. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of CD on pregnancy outcomes. Materials and methods: We used data from the...

Purpose: Leukemia is the most common cancer among children and young adults and an increasing number of affected patients can expect a full recovery and long-term survival. The study objective was to determine the prevalence of leukemia survivors among pregnant women and to examine the maternal and fetal outcomes of this population. Materials and m...

Purpose: Long-term corticosteroids are administered in pregnant patients with an array of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Our objective is to determine whether long-term corticosteroid use is associated with increased maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare...

Background Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers in women of reproductive age. Our purpose was to evaluate the association between thyroid cancer and maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancy. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) dat...

Background Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease affecting the body’s moisture-producing glands. Some studies have linked SS to adverse maternal/neonatal outcomes, but sample sizes have tended to be small, with few outcomes examined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of SS on pregnancy outcomes for mo...

Aim: To evaluate the effect of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) on the success rate of labor induction of preterm pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders. Methods: A retrospective cohort study conducted using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Linked Birth-Infant Death File in the United States from 2009 t...

Purpose: Given the altered physiology of pregnancy, gastroenterologists are often reluctant to perform endoscopic procedures in pregnant women. The purpose of our study was to compare management practices and outcomes among pregnant and nonpregnant women admitted to the hospital for peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Materials and Methods: A retrospective...

Introduction: To evaluate the proportion of endometrial cancers surgically managed in rural centers, and to compare the surgical management and perioperative morbidity of hysterectomies for endometrial cancer performed in rural settings with those performed in urban settings. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using...

INTRODUCTION Long-term corticosteroids is administered in pregnant patients with an array of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Our objective is to determine whether long-term corticosteroid use is associated with increased maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and U...

INTRODUCTION Given the altered physiology of pregnancy, gastroenterologists are often reluctant to perform endoscopic procedures in pregnant women. The purpose of our study was to compare management practices and outcomes among pregnant and non-pregnant women admitted to the hospital for peptic ulcer disease (PUD). METHODS A retrospective matched...

INTRODUCTION Cesarean sections are a common surgical procedure and are associated with post-operative pain. The objective of this study is to describe the variability in cesarean section incision length and its association with post-operative pain, scar satisfaction and analgesia use. METHODS After approval from the Institutional Review Board, we...

INTRODUCTION Rising trends to postpone motherhood, has coincided with increasing infertility rates. Social fertility preservation offers the potential to overcome this age-related infertility and many women are turning to the Internet to seek medical information. The aim of our study was to evaluate online information on social fertility preservati...

INTRODUCTION Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. With recent treatment advances, women with PH are electing to continue their pregnancy to term. Our study compared the demographics, comorbidities and clinical outcomes in parturients with PH and without PH. METHODS We conducted a po...

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the variation in Caesarean delivery rate (CDR) among hospitals across the United States, its effect on maternal and neonatal outcomes, and whether differences in pregnancy and hospital characteristics can explain the higher CDRs seen in certain hospitals. Methods This retrospective population-based cohort stu...

Purpose: Acute leukemias (ALs) are rare but aggressive malignancies. The goal of our study was to determine the incidence, obstetrical, and newborn outcomes of ALs in pregnancy. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective population-based cohort study on all births reported in the Health-Care Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatien...

Background Behcet’s disease (BD) is a rare, multi-systemic inflammatory disorder for which only limited and contradictory data exists in the context of pregnancy. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of BD in pregnancy and to evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes associated with pregnant women living with BD. Methods Using the 1999–2013 Hea...