Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on health-care systems and potentially on pregnancy outcomes, but no systematic synthesis of evidence of this effect has been undertaken. We aimed to assess the collective evidence on the effects on maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes of the pandemic. Methods We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the effects of the pandemic on maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. We searched MEDLINE and Embase in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, from Jan 1, 2020, to Jan 8, 2021, for case-control studies, cohort studies, and brief reports comparing maternal and perinatal mortality, maternal morbidity, pregnancy complications, and intrapartum and neonatal outcomes before and during the pandemic. We also planned to record any additional maternal and offspring outcomes identified. Studies of solely SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant individuals, as well as case reports, studies without comparison groups, narrative or systematic literature reviews, preprints, and studies reporting on overlapping populations were excluded. Quantitative meta-analysis was done for an outcome when more than one study presented relevant data. Random-effects estimate of the pooled odds ratio (OR) of each outcome were generated with use of the Mantel-Haenszel method. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020211753). Findings The search identified 3592 citations, of which 40 studies were included. We identified significant increases in stillbirth (pooled OR 1·28 [95% CI 1·07–1·54]; I 2 =63%; 12 studies, 168 295 pregnancies during and 198 993 before the pandemic) and maternal death (1·37 [1·22–1·53; I 2 =0%, two studies [both from low-income and middle-income countries], 1 237 018 and 2 224 859 pregnancies) during versus before the pandemic. Preterm births before 37 weeks' gestation were not significantly changed overall (0·94 [0·87–1·02]; I 2 =75%; 15 studies, 170 640 and 656 423 pregnancies) but were decreased in high-income countries (0·91 [0·84–0·99]; I 2 =63%; 12 studies, 159 987 and 635 118 pregnancies), where spontaneous preterm birth was also decreased (0·81 [0·67–0·97]; two studies, 4204 and 6818 pregnancies). Mean Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores were higher, indicating poorer mental health, during versus before the pandemic (pooled mean difference 0·42 [95% CI 0·02–0·81; three studies, 2330 and 6517 pregnancies). Surgically managed ectopic pregnancies were increased during the pandemic (OR 5·81 [2·16–15·6]; I 2 =26%; three studies, 37 and 272 pregnancies). No overall significant effects were identified for other outcomes included in the quantitative analysis: maternal gestational diabetes; hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; preterm birth before 34 weeks', 32 weeks',...

Objective Placental insufficiency contributes to the risk of stillbirth. Cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) is an emerging marker of placental insufficiency. The aim of this

Type I sFGR is characterized by good perinatal outcome with expectant management, which represents the most reasonable management strategy for the large majority of affected cases. Pregnancies complicated by Type II and III sFGR treated with fetoscopic laser ablation had higher mortality but lower morbidity compared to those managed expectantly, supporting the use of fetal therapy at gestations remote from neonatal viability - with scarce data on outcome following selective reduction. However, in view of the lack of evidence from randomized controlled trials, prenatal management of sFGR should be individualized according to gestational age at diagnosis, severity of growth discordance and magnitude of Doppler anomalies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Interpretation: Reduced maternity healthcare-seeking and healthcare provision during the COVID-19 pandemic has been global, and must be considered as potentially contributing to worsening of pregnancy outcomes observed during the pandemic.

Preeclampsia is a potentially serious complication of pregnancy with increasing significance worldwide. Preeclampsia is the cause of 9%–26% of global maternal mortality and a significant proportion of preterm delivery, and maternal and neonatal morbidity. Incidence is increasing in keeping with the increase in obesity, maternal age, and women with medical comorbidities entering pregnancy. Recent developments in the understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia have opened new avenues for prevention, screening, and management of this condition. In addition it is known that preeclampsia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in both the mother and the child and presents an opportunity for early preventative measures. New tools for early detection, prevention, and management of preeclampsia have the potential to revolutionize practice in the coming years. This review presents the current best practice in diagnosis and management of preeclampsia and the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Objective Primary studies and systematic reviews provide estimates of varying accuracy for different factors in the prediction of pre‐eclampsia. The aim of this study was to review published systematic reviews to collate evidence on the ability of available tests to predict pre‐eclampsia, to identify high‐value avenues for future research and to minimize future research waste in this field. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library including DARE (Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects) databases, from database inception to March 2017, and bibliographies of relevant articles were searched, without language restrictions, for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses on the prediction of pre‐eclampsia. The quality of the included reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR tool and a modified version of the QUIPS tool. We evaluated the comprehensiveness of search, sample size, tests and outcomes evaluated, data synthesis methods, predictive ability estimates, risk of bias related to the population studied, measurement of predictors and outcomes, study attrition and adjustment for confounding. Results From 2444 citations identified, 126 reviews were included, reporting on over 90 predictors and 52 prediction models for pre‐eclampsia. Around a third (n = 37 (29.4%)) of all reviews investigated solely biochemical markers for predicting pre‐eclampsia, 31 (24.6%) investigated genetic associations with pre‐eclampsia, 46 (36.5%) reported on clinical characteristics, four (3.2%) evaluated only ultrasound markers and six (4.8%) studied a combination of tests; two (1.6%) additional reviews evaluated primary studies investigating any screening test for pre‐eclampsia. Reviews included between two and 265 primary studies, including up to 25 356 688 women in the largest review. Only approximately half (n = 67 (53.2%)) of the reviews assessed the quality of the included studies. There was a high risk of bias in many of the included reviews, particularly in relation to population representativeness and study attrition. Over 80% (n = 106 (84.1%)) summarized the findings using meta‐analysis. Thirty‐two (25.4%) studies lacked a formal statement on funding. The predictors with the best test performance were body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m2, with a specificity of 92% (95% CI, 89–95%) and a sensitivity of 21% (95% CI, 12–31%); BMI > 25 kg/m2, with a specificity of 73% (95% CI, 64–83%) and a sensitivity of 47% (95% CI, 33–61%); first‐trimester uterine artery pulsatility index or resistance index > 90th centile (specificity 93% (95% CI, 90–96%) and sensitivity 26% (95% CI, 23–31%)); placental growth factor (specificity 89% (95% CI, 89–89%) and sensitivity 65% (95% CI, 63–67%)); and placental protein 13 (specificity 88% (95% CI, 87–89%) and sensitivity 37% (95% CI, 33–41%)). No single marker had a test performance suitable for routine clinical use. Models combining markers showed promise, but none had undergone external validation. Conclusions This review of reviews calls into question the need for further aggregate meta‐analy...

A retrospective review of sonograms performed on 75 twin gestations was performed to evaluate the ability of sonography to distinguish monochorionic from dichorionic gestations based on the thickness of the membrane separating the fetuses. Clinical or pathologic evidence of chorionicity and amnionicity was available in all cases. A thick membrane had a predictive value of 83% for dichorionicity and was seen in 89% of the first sonograms obtained on dichorionic gestations. Of third trimester dichorionic pregnancies, a thick membrane was seen in only 52%. A thin membrane on the initial study had a predictive value for monochorionic diamniotic pregnancy of 83%, but was seen in only 54% of cases. There was 100% intraobserver and 91% interobserver concordance in interpretation of membrane thickness. Technical factors important in interpretation of membrane thickness are discussed. The appearance of the membrane can be useful in sonographic evaluation of chorionicity and amnionicity in twin gestations, but should be used in conjunction with all other information available.

Fetal interventions have been shown to be feasible and of potential benefit in early-onset sIUGR in a monochorionic twin pregnancy. Cord occlusion or selective laser photocoagulation of connecting vessels may be offered as an alternative to expectant management or preterm delivery in early-onset severe cases after careful discussion with the parents. Randomized controlled trial evidence is required to make a definitive judgment and to determine the impact of fetal intervention on the neurological outcomes.