[Elective abortion. Legislation, epidemiology, complications].
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Abortion, Induced↗
Biomedical subjects
I Nisand
Publications and source records attributed to I Nisand.
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in pregnancy: nine cases and a review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE: To better understand the diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the lower extremities in pregnant women. SUBJECT: Disease analysis using a retrospective series of nine cases and a review of the literature (57 patients and 159 sites of reflex sympathetic dystrophy). RESULTS: This disorder should be considered in any painful pelvic girdle syndrome or lower extremity pain. The hip is involved in 88% of cases. Symptoms develop in the third trimester of pregnancy, between the 26th and the 34th weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides an early, accurate, and very specific diagnosis, although standard radiography continues to be the first-line diagnostic tool. Fracture occurs in 19% of patients. The etiology and pathophysiology remain unclear, although pregnancy itself appears to play a significant role in this disease. Although locoregional mechanical factors partly explain reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Hypertriglyceridemia appears to be a risk factor. This disorder develops independently, but the conclusion of pregnancy appears to be necessary for cure. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy does not appear to affect the course of the pregnancy. Indications for cesarean delivery remain obstetrical and should be discussed when a fracture is involved. Simple therapeutic management using gentle physical therapy provides rapid and complete recovery in 2-3 months. CONCLUSION: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy during pregnancy remains poorly understood and underestimated. Only joints of the inferior limbs are involved. MRI appears to be the best diagnostic tool. Pathogenesis remains unclear. Fractures are not rare. Treatment should be non-aggressive.
Adult↗
Pregnancy rates after in-vitro fertilization in cases of tubal infertility with and without hydrosalpinx: a meta-analysis of published comparative studies.
This meta-analysis was intended to evaluate differences in pregnancy rates after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in tubal fertility with and without hydrosalpinx. It examined nine published retrospective comparative series and five series published as abstracts for which additional information was obtained. In all, these studies involved 5592 patients (1004 with hydrosalpinx and 4588 with tubal infertility without hydrosalpinx). The main outcome measures were rates of pregnancy, implantation, live delivery, and early pregnancy loss. Pregnancy rates were significantly lower in the presence of hydrosalpinx: 31.2% for the tubal sterility group without hydrosalpinx and 19.7% for the group with hydrosalpinx (odds ratio: 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.56, 0.74). Similarly, the implantation rate and the delivery rate per transfer in the hydrosalpinx group were only slightly more than half those of the non-hydrosalpinx group (implantation: 8.5 and 13.7%, respectively; delivery: 13.4 and 23.4%). The incidence of early pregnancy loss was also higher in the hydrosalpinx group (43.7%) than in the control group (31.1%). This meta-analysis makes it clear that hydrosalpinx present during IVF-embryo transfer has negative consequences on the rates of pregnancy, implantation, live delivery, and early pregnancy loss. It would be premature, nonetheless, to conclude that routine salpingectomy should be performed on all patients with hydrosalpinx.
Body Fluids↗
Treating ectopic pregnancy with the combination of mifepristone and methotrexate: a phase II nonrandomized study.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to compare the use of a combination of methotrexate and mifepristone with methotrexate alone in the medical management of ectopic pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: This was a preliminary nonrandomized phase II study. All patients with progressing ectopic pregnancy meeting criteria for medical management were included. Treatment consisted of 50 mg/m2 of methotrexate injected intramuscularly and 600 mg of mifepristone, administered orally, compared with a previous group who received only 50 mg/m2 of methotrexate injected intramuscularly. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients treated with the combination, there was only 1 failure, whereas medical treatment had failed for 11 of 42 patients treated with methotrexate alone. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of mifepristone and methotrexate decreased the risk of failure in medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy.
Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal↗
[Limits of ambulatory medical treatment of ectopic pregnancies by intramuscular methotrexate: prospective study on 54 patients].
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the limits of ambulatory treatment of ectopic pregnancy with an intramuscular injection of 50 mg/m2 methotrexate. METHOD: Non randomised prospective study from october 1993 and april 1996 at Poissy Hospital. 100 ectopic pregnancies were diagnosed: 54 were treated medically and 46 had a surgical treatment. RESULTS: The mean hCG for the ectopic pregnancies treated medically was 7,273 Ul/ml +/- 12,548 (90-68,220), an ectopic mass was seen in 74% and to precise the diagnosis a currettage was done in 24 cases (44%) if the initial hCG was below 2,000 Ul/ml. The medical treatment was a success for 37 (68.5%) ectopic pregnancies with a mean time of resolution of hCG of 31.9 days +/- 18 (4-90) (with a positive correlation between initial hCG titer and time to resolution of 0.5, p = 0.001). For 15 (27%) patients a second dose of methotrexate was necessary with a 73% success rate and 17 (32%) patients were operated (8 salpingectomies). Sixteen of 20 (80%) demonstrated tubal patency at follow-up hysterosalpingogram and within 7.5 +/- 4 months 26 of 30 (87%) conceived and there was no recurrence of ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The medical treatment of ectopic pregnancies with methotrexate has its limits. In our series, if we treat ectopic pregnancies without cardiac activity, with a mass below 35 mm and a hCG below 10,000 Ul/ml the success rate is 81%.
Adult↗
[Therapeutic strategies in azoospermia: management].
ICSI allows use of epididymal or testicular sperm in case of azoospermia. The aim of this study is to propose an algorithm for the management of the different situations of azoospermia according to our personal experience and according to data of literature. The following points are discussed: epididymal or testicular origin of sperm, retrieval technique, contribution of freezing, interest of in vitro culture, side effects and need of a preliminary biopsy. So a therapeutic strategy adapted to both types of azoospermia obstructive and non obstructive can be proposed.
Biopsy↗
Evaluating the risk of preterm delivery: a comparison of fetal fibronectin and transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length.
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the predictive values for preterm delivery of fetal fibronectin and cervical length measured by transvaginal ultrasonography and to determine whether performing both tests improves their separate predictive values. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective blinded study performed both tests on 76 patients hospitalized with signs of premature labor between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. The outcome measure was delivery before 37 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: The rate of preterm bith was 26.3% (20/76). The predictive values of fetal fibronectin and of a cervical length of < or = 26 mm, considered separately, were approximately equal, and the negative predictive value of each was excellent (86.6% and 89.1%, respectively). This value improved slightly when positive fetal fibronectin, a cervical length < or = 26 mm, or both defined abnormality (negative predictive value 94.4%). The positive predictive values, although less helpful, were still useful (45.2% and 50.0%, respectively). Combining both indicators did not noticeably improve the positive predictive value (52.4%). The risk of preterm delivery for a patient with a positive fetal fibronectin level and a short cervix was high (odds ratio 13.9, 95% confidence interval 3.7 to 52.2). CONCLUSION: Fetal fibronectin and cervical length are approximately equivalent in their ability to distinguish between patients at high and low risk for preterm delivery. For physicians equipped to perform transvaginal ultrasonography, however, the additional information about the fibronectin level provides only slight benefits.
Adult↗
Predictive value of Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry in a low risk population with normal fetal biometry. A prospective study of 2016 women.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry in a low-risk population with normal fetal biometry. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter prospective study in 17 hospitals with prenatal clinics in France. Two thousand sixteen women who, before 28 weeks gestation were defined as at low risk after routine consultation and after ultrasound. Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry was performed between 28 and 34 weeks gestation. Confounding factors were used to perform multivariate regression. RESULTS: 1903 cases were analysed and 192 (10.1%) had an abnormal Doppler Resistance Index (RI). The abnormal Doppler group contained a significantly higher frequency of severe and moderate small for gestational age infants (SGA), both severe and moderate with a sensitivity of 25.5 and 18.8% respectively. There was no difference in hypertensive disorders or criteria of fetal distress. Mean birth weight was very significantly lower in the abnormal group (162 g). Birth weight was very significantly linked to RI after taking into account confounding variables in the multiple linear regression model (continuous relationship). After multiple logistic regression, the odds ratio associated with an abnormal Doppler result, adjusted for all the confounding factors, was 2.3 (95% CI 1.5-3.7) for moderate SGA and 3.5 (95% CI of 1.8-7.1) for severe SGA. CONCLUSION: Low umbilical Doppler RI is predictive with moderate or severe SGA in a low-risk population with normal fetal biometry, even when the information generally available in clinical practice and ultrasound parameters are taken into account. There is a continuous relationship between RI and birthweight. This predictive value cannot, however, lead to an improvement in neonatal health unless effective measures to prevent SGA exist and umbilical Doppler should not be used in low-risk population on a routine basis.
Birth Weight↗
Transvaginal surgery for uterine scar dehiscence.
Asymptomatic uterine rupture, usually discovered during routine uterine examination because of a pre-existing uterine scar, it treated by techniques that include suturing the dehiscence via abdominal access, total or subtotal hysterectomy or therapeutic non-intervention. The authors propose a transvaginal technique.
Adult↗
[Type of birth center and conditions of transfer of neonates under 1500 g or gestational age under 33 weeks].
BACKGROUND: Perinatal care's organization has been widely discussed in France during this last decade. Until now, transfer of high-risk neonates from their birth maternity to a pediatric unit using mobile vehicles led by specialized teams is encouraged in this country. POPULATION AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the type of maternities of birth for a population of 717 newborns, weighing less than 1,500 g and/or of gestational age under 33 weeks, extracted from a sample of 84,279 births in 1991. RESULTS: Only 15.6% of studied births took place in a maternity including a special intensive care pediatric unit (international level 3); 58.7% of those newborns where transferred outborn. There was a significant difference between the immediate access of newborns to a level 3 pediatric unit according to the location-of birth: significantly fewer newborns were directly transferred to a level 3 unit when born in a facility that included a level 2 pediatric unit, compared with those born in facilities that included a level 1 or 3 pediatric unit. CONCLUSION: Strong efforts should be made to identify mothers at high risk of giving birth to extremely prematured babies or babies with a very low birthweight so that births could take place in maternities properly equipped for their care. Perinatal care's organization should be built on a hierarchical network of maternities and pediatric services related to the risk of the population. Accreditation of maternities and pediatric services could help moving towards this kind of organization.
Bias↗
Legal aspects of human embryo research and preimplantation genetic diagnosis in France.
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Embryo, Mammalian↗
Umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in unselected and low risk pregnancies: a review of randomised controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE: Meta-analysis of data from controlled trials performed in populations at high risk have shown that umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry (umbilical Doppler) can reduce perinatal mortality. The individual published trials among unselected or low risk populations have found no beneficial effect. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of routine use of the umbilical Doppler in unselected or low risk pregnancies by reviewing all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials. STUDY DESIGN: Systematically reviewing published and unpublished trials, we selected trials for the overview only if they were completed randomised trials of umbilical Doppler in unselected or low risk pregnancies. Of the seven trials examined, three were not included in the meta-analysis because of methodological problems or because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. We therefore included four trials: two in unselected and two in low risk populations. These four groups were comparable in their degree of maternal and perinatal risk. Using the Mantel-Haenzel statistical method and pooling the data, we considered 11,375 women in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Systematic use of the Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry had no statistically significant effect on perinatal deaths in unselected populations (odds ratio [OR] 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-2.67), low risk populations (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.20-1.29) or overall for the four trials (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.50-1.60); nor was there any significant effect on stillbirths (global OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.42-1.98). However, the number of participants remain insufficient and further information is required to arrive at a definite conclusion on the absence of effect. The meta-analysis showed no significant difference between the Doppler groups and the control groups for antenatal hospitalisation, obstetric outcome or perinatal morbidity. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the published trials, routine use of the umbilical Doppler cannot be recommended.
Blood Flow Velocity↗
[Clinical value of umbilical Doppler. Results of controlled trials in high risk and low risk populations].
OBJECTIVE: In order to assess the clinical utility of the use of arterial umbilical Doppler velocimetry, we performed meta-analysis in high and low-risk pregnancies with randomized controlled trials. We included in the low-risk meta-analysis the data of the french multicentric study submit to publication. STUDY DESIGN: Exhaustive review of published and non published trials was performed; quality of trials was assessed before inclusion in meta-analysis. Mantel-Haenzel statistic method was used. We used odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) to present results. RESULTS: Meta-analysis in the high-risk population performed with 13 trials (n = 9162) shows a 36% significant reduction in perinatal-deaths in the Doppler group. The reduction in deaths was also observed in perinatal deaths after exclusion of lethal malformation (OR = 0.62, CI:[0.45; 0.86]) and in stillbirths (OR = 0.54, CI:[0.29; 0.91]). There is no difference in maternal, obstetrical and other perinatal outcomes. Meta-analysis in the low-risk population performed with 4 trials (n = 11451) does not show any benefit in the Doppler group, in particular in perinatal deaths (OR = 0.90, Cl:[0.50; 1.60]). CONCLUSION: Use of umbilical Doppler velocimetry in high-risk pregnancies involve a one third reduction in perinatal mortality. This proved effect should induce obstetricians to performed systematically an umbilical Doppler in pregnancies "at fetal risk". On the other hand, there is no indication to perform an umbilical Doppler in an unselected or a low-risk population.
Female↗
Prenatal diagnosis in France.
Prenatal diagnosis (PND) is very developed in France, especially in the area of ultrasound (US) screening. The activity is regulated by law, and laboratories have to be authorized to perform any type of prenatal biological test if the purpose is to diagnose fetal defects. There are 70 cytogenetics laboratories and 50 biochemistry laboratories performing serum marker screening, about half of them being private. PND of chromosomal anomalies is offered to women over 37 years of age, to women who already had a child with a chromosomal anomaly, in case of abnormal US findings, if one of the parents has a balanced chromosomal anomaly and if the risk of chromosomal anomaly is higher than 1:250 according to the serum markers. Half of the trisomy 21 cases are now detected prenatally and pregnancies terminated. Fetal cell sampling is performed by amniocentesis in 70% of cases, by chorionic villus sampling in 7% of cases and by fetal blood sampling in 23% of cases. There are no professional guidelines and no quality assessment networks for any of the techniques in use. PND is regulated by two major laws: the Law on Abortion (1975) and the Law on Bioethics (1994).
Adult↗
[Should fetal reduction be used in triplet pregnancies?].
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Choice Behavior↗
[Cesarean sections in France: impact of organizational factors on different utilization rates].
In this study, we analysed the potential impact of organizational factors to explain the variation of cesarean sections' rates. We used a retrospective sample of 84,372 deliveries and two subsamples of low risk deliveries for cesarean sections. We determined different organisational factors that included: juridical and financial status of maternities, their architecture, the type of on-call for obstetricians, pediatrists and anesthetists, the annual number of deliveries and the level of pediatric staff and equipments of the maternities. We used multiple regression techniques to study the specific effect of each parameter, while controlling effects of age and parity of the mothers. We have found that even on the low risk samples, variation of rates were important. The type of on-call, the level of pediatric services and the architecture of maternities exerted a strong and significant effect on the rate of cesarean sections compared to the absence of impact of the number of deliveries. We discuss the reasons why, explaining the occurrence of those factors and then, stress the need to take into account the relevant factors for organizational audits. It appears that, in the context of the new regulation of the health system, these results should give obstetricians reasons to enhance their efforts to correct inefficient practices and to respect consensual guidelines and joint accreditation of obstetric and pediatric units.
Adult↗
[Echographic measurement of the inferior uterine segment for assessing the risk of uterine rupture].
BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography has been used to examine the scarred uterus in women who have had previous cesarean sections in an attempt to assess the risk of rupture of the scar during subsequent labor. The predictive value of such measurements has not been adequately assessed, however. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of sonographic measurement of the lower uterine segment before labor in predicting the risk of intrapartum uterine rupture. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, the obstetricians were not told the ultrasonographic findings and did not use them to make decisions about type of delivery. Eligible patients were those with previous cesarean sections booked for delivery at our hospital. 642 patients underwent ultrasound examination at 36-38 weeks' gestation, and were allocated to four groups according to the thickness of the lower uterine segment. Ultrasonographic findings were compared with those of physical examination at delivery. FINDINGS: The overall frequency of defective scars was 4.0% (15 uterine ruptures and 10 dehiscences). The frequency of defects rose as the thickness of the lower uterine segment decreased: there were no defects among 278 women with measurements greater than 4.5 mm, three (2%) among 177 patients with values of 3.6-4.5 mm, 14 (10%) among 136 patients with values of 2.6-3.5 mm, and eight (16%) among 51 women with values of 1.6-2.5 mm. With a cut-off value of 3.5 mm, the sensitivity of ultrasonographic measurement was 88.0%, the specificity 73.2%, positive predictive value 11.8%, and negative predictive value 99.3%. INTERPRETATION: Our results show that the risk of a defective scar is directly correlated to the degree of thinning of the lower uterine segment at around 37 weeks of pregnancy. The high negative predictive value of the method may encourage obstetricians in hospitals where routine repeat elective cesarean is the standard procedure to offer a trial of labor to patients with a thickness value of 3.5 mm or greater.
Adult↗
[The value of intravaginal ultrasonography of the cervix uteri for evaluation of the risk of premature labor].
OBJECTIVE: To determinate the predictive value of cervical length, measured by transvaginal ultrasound, for preterm delivery among patients with signs of preterm labor. PLACE: Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Poissy Hospital Center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study that measured cervical length by transvaginal ultrasound was performed among 108 patients with a singleton pregnancy hospitalized with signs of premature labor between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation or within 21 days of inclusion. RESULTS: The rate of preterm birth was 22.2% (24/108). When cervical length was < or = 26 mm, the gestational age at delivery was significantly lower that when it exceeded 26 mm (36.3 +/- 3.0 weeks compared with 38.5 +/- 2.1 weeks; p < 0.0001). 40.4% (19/47) of patients whose cervical length was < or = 26 mm gave birth prematurely, compared with only 8.2% (5/61) of those with a cervix > 26 mm The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of transvaginal ultrasonography were, respectively, 79.2, 66.6, 40.4, and 91.8% for delivery before 37 weeks' gestation, and 75.0, 62.0, 25.5, and 93.4% for delivery within 21 days of the ultra-sound measurement. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal ultrasound of the cervix provides an objective method for evaluating the risk of preterm delivery. Its predictive values are impressive and allow better discrimination between women at high risk of preterm delivery and those in false preterm labor.
Adult↗