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Biomedical subjects

L Mandelbrot

Publications and source records attributed to L Mandelbrot.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The decrease of fibrinogen is an early predictor of the severity of postpartum hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major source of maternal morbidity. OBJECTIVES: This study's objective was to determine whether changes in hemostasis markers during the course of PPH are predictive of its severity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 128 women with PPH requiring uterotonic prostaglandin E2 (sulprostone) infusion. Two groups were defined (severe and non-severe PPH) according to the outcome during the first 24 hours. According to our criteria, 50 of the 128 women had severe PPH. Serial coagulation tests were performed at enrollment (H0), and 1, 2, 4 and 24 hours thereafter. RESULTS: At H0, and through H4, women with severe PPH had significantly lower fibrinogen, factor V, antithrombin activity, protein C antigen, prolonged prothrombin time, and higher D-dimer and TAT complexes than women with non-severe PPH. In multivariate analysis, from H0 to H4, fibrinogen was the only marker associated with the occurrence of severe PPH. At H0, the risk for severe PPH was 2.63-fold higher for each 1 gL(-1) decrease of fibrinogen. The negative predictive value of a fibrinogen concentration >4 gL(-1) was 79% and the positive predictive value of a concentration <or=2 gL(-1) was 100%. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that a simple fibrinogen measurement can anticipate the risk of severe bleeding in PPH.

Adult↗

[Pheochromocytoma and pregnancy. Case report].

The management of a pheochromocytoma during pregnancy is uncommon and is at high risk for both mother and foetus. We report a case of a patient whose first pregnancy was complicated by foetal demise in a context suggestive of preeclampsia. She was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma as she was beginning a second pregnancy. A laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed in the first trimester of pregnancy, and maternal and neonatal outcome were favourable. This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing pheochromocytoma in pregnancy, and the benefits of laparoscopic treatment in the first trimester.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

[Emergency thoraco amniotic shunting in cases with compressive pleural effusion with hydrops: A retrospective study of 60 cases].

OBJECTIVES: To study perinatal outcome following thoraco-amniotic shunting for fetal pleural effusions with hydrops. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study (1984-2004) to evaluate a policy of emergency thracoamniotic shunting in hydropic fetuses with suspected chylothorax, on the basis of the rationale that mediastinal compression could lead to acute fetal distress. RESULTS: Shunting was performed immediately following diagnosis, and was successful in all 60 cases attempted. There were 7 pregnancy terminations, 10 in utero deaths, and 43 live births, of which 7 children died in the neonatal period and 36 survived (33 without sequels). Among the liveborn, 26 were delivered preterm (72%), of which 7 (19%) had preterm premature rupture of membranes and 4 (11%) had chorioamnionitis. Perinatal death (24/60, 40%) was related to underlying anomalies (7 cases), pulmonary hypoplasia (5 cases), chorioamnionitis (2 cases), or treatment failure for unknown reasons (10 cases). All 36 survivors had chylothorax, 33 of which were primary, and 3 were secondary to right congenital diaphragmatic hernia, pulmonary sequestration, or Noonan syndrome. CONCLUSION: Following shunting, pleural effusion with hydrops has survival rate >50%, but still have a high rate of morbidity and mortality.

Amniotic Fluid↗

First-trimester ultrasound diagnosis in a recurrent case of Walker-Warburg syndrome.

We report on two siblings with Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS) born to a consanguineous couple. In the index case, the second-trimester scan showed ventricular dilatation and we diagnosed WWS after observing retinal detachment at 26 weeks' gestation and lissencephaly by 32 weeks' gestation in addition to hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis. The second case was first suspected at 12 weeks' gestation, when we observed a 2.8-mm nuchal translucency and an unusually large hindbrain vesicle. By 14 weeks' gestation, the lateral ventricles were clearly enlarged (12-13 mm), at 16 weeks' gestation the vitreous chamber appeared to be hyperechogenic, and by 17 weeks' gestation hydrocephalus was evident. The couple chose to continue the pregnancy, and during the third trimester lissencephaly, major hydrocephalus and polyhydramnios developed. Serial ultrasound examination should be offered to a family with a history of WWS and therefore a 1 in 4 risk of recurrence. In some cases, recurrence can be suspected as early as the first trimester, however the diagnosis cannot be excluded on the basis of normal ultrasound appearance until later in pregnancy.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

[Intravascular leiomyomatosis of the uterus. Two cases and review of the literature].

We report two cases of intravenous leiomyomatosis, a rarely described benign tumor, which illustrate potential complications resulting from metastatic dissemination. Both cases were fortuitously discoveries. We discuss the diagnostic problems, etiological factors, therapeutic management and prognosis. Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and regular follow-up with cardiac and pulmonary monitoring were performed. Pelvic pain disappeared and the patients are recurrence-free. The main difficulties concerned early diagnosis, complete resection and prognosis. These cases illustrate the importance of careful pathology examination of all uterine myoma resection specimens.

Female↗

Screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for the mother and foetus. The risks increase proportionally to the maternal blood sugar concentration along a glycaemic continuum. However, there is ongoing controversy about the objectives of active screening and diabetic and obstetrical management for GDM. Various screening and diagnostic tests are used. None of them offers the combination of qualities to be expected from a test: simplicity of use, reproducibility, specificity and sensitivity, but each of them provides a basis on which recommendations can be established. The need to screen GDM as a risk factor in the whole population of pregnant women has led us to propose the use of simple, universally applied test, such as the "practical" test constituted by the assay of fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels. In addition to screening, a classification which will take into account the results of subsequent as well as initial blood glucose levels could be preferable to evaluate the management and results.

Blood Glucose↗

[HIV and pregnancy].

HIV infection is a complex model of mother-to-child transmission. Antiretroviral therapy can induce a dramatic reduction of the risk of transmission, actually the rate of transmission is about 1 to 2 % in France. The actual most important stake concerns the diagnosis and the follow up of infected women living in countries of high endemy where the programs are inappropriate at the moment. The knowledge of the mechanisms and the timing of HIV mother-to-child transmission need to be more developed in order to design adapted antiretroviral posology and to try to reduce infant's exposure to drug toxicity.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Semen alterations in HIV-1 infected men.

BACKGROUND: Couples in whom the man is infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increasingly request assisted reproductive technology (ART) to allow safe procreation. Semen quality is critical in such situations. METHODS: Semen characteristics were evaluated in 189 HIV-infected men requesting ART. At the time of semen analysis all men were healthy and 177 were receiving anti-retroviral therapy. Comparisons were made with HIV-seronegative men, partners of women requiring IVF because of tubal infertility, after matching for age and sexual abstinence delay. RESULTS: The most significant semen alterations found in the HIV-infected men were reduced percentages of rapidly progressive sperm [median (range), 10% (0-30%) compared with 15% (5-30%) in the controls, P < 0.001], and increased concentrations of non-spermatic cells [3 x 10(6)/ml (0.2-16 x 10(6)/ml) compared with 1.1 x 10(6)/ml (0.1-14 x 10(6)/ml) in the controls, P < 0.001]. HIV-infected men also showed lower ejaculate volumes [2.8 ml (0.6-9.3 ml) compared with 3.6 ml (1.1-11 ml), P < 0.05] and total sperm counts [262.5 x 10(6) (0-1003 x 10(6)) compared with 310.5 x 10(6) (48.3-1679 x 10(6)), P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Semen evaluation in a large population of HIV-infected men requesting ART evidenced several alterations. Some of these anomalies might be related to anti-retroviral treatments.

Adult↗

15 Month follow up of African children following vaginal cleansing with benzalkonium chloride of their HIV infected mothers during late pregnancy and delivery.

OBJECTIVES: To study mother to child HIV-1 transmission (MTCT) and infant mortality following benzalkonium chloride (BC) disinfection. METHODS: A randomised, double blind phase II placebo controlled trial. Women testing positive for HIV-1 infection in prenatal care units in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, from November 1996 to April 1997 were eligible, with their informed consent. Women self administered daily a vaginal suppository of 1% BC (53) or matched placebo (54) from 36 weeks of pregnancy, plus a single dose during labour. The neonate was bathed with 1% BC solution or placebo within 30 minutes after birth. MTCT rate was assessed based on repeated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serology results. For the present analysis, children were followed up to 15 months. RESULTS: A total of 107 women were enrolled. Of 103 eligible liveborn children, 23 were HIV infected, 75 uninfected, and five of indeterminate status. MTCT transmission rate was 24.2% overall (95% confidence interval (CI): 14.3% to 30.4%). On an intent to treat basis, the transmission rate did not differ between the two groups (23.5%, CI 13.8 to 38.5, in the BC group and 24.8%, CI 15.0 to 39.6, in the placebo group at 15 months). Similarly, there was no difference in mortality at 15 months (22.9%, CI 13.7 to 36.9, in the BC group and 16.5%, CI 9.0 to 29.4, in the placebo group). CONCLUSION: This analysis failed to suggest any benefit of BC disinfection on mother to child HIV transmission or perinatal and infant mortality.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

Sexual and reproductive life of women informed of their HIV seropositivity: a prospective cohort study in Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: In the context of the DITRAME-ANRS 049 research program that evaluated interventions aimed at reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso), Voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) services were established for pregnant women. HIV-infected women were advised to disclose their HIV serostatus to their male partners who were also offered VCT, to use condoms to reduce sexual transmission, and to choose an effective contraception method to avoid unwanted pregnancies. This study aimed at assessing how HIV test results were shared with male sexual partners, the level of use of modern contraceptive methods, and the pregnancy incidence among these women informed of the risks surrounding sexual and reproductive health during HIV infection. METHODS: From 1995 to 1999, a quarterly prospective follow-up of a cohort of HIV-positive women. RESULTS: Overall, 306 HIV-positive women were monitored over an average period of 13.5 months following childbirth, accounting for a total of 389 person-years. The mean age at enrollment in the cohort was 25.1 (standard deviation, 5.2 years). In all, 18% of women informed their partners, 8% used condoms at each instance of sexual intercourse to avoid HIV transmission, and 39% started using hormonal contraception. A total of 48 pregnancies occurred after HIV infection was diagnosed, an incidence of 12.3 pregnancies per 100 person-years. Pregnancy incidence was 4 per 100 person-years in the first year of monitoring and this rose significantly to 18 per 100 person-years in the third year. The only predictor of the occurrence of a pregnancy after HIV diagnosis was the poor outcome of the previous pregnancy (stillbirth, infant death). Severe immunodeficiency and change in marital status were the only factors that prevented the occurrence of a pregnancy after HIV diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a poor rate of HIV test sharing and a poor use of contraceptive methods despite regular advice and counseling. Pregnancy incidence remained comparable with the pregnancy rate in the general population. To improve this situation, approaches for involving husbands or partners in VCT and prevention of MTCT interventions should be developed, evaluated, and implemented.

Burkina Faso↗

Lamivudine-zidovudine combination for prevention of maternal-infant transmission of HIV-1.

CONTEXT: Zidovudine reduces maternal-infant transmission of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection by two thirds. Combination antiretroviral therapies are potentially more effective prevention. OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety of perinatal lamivudine-zidovudine therapy, especially in children, and its effects on viral load, acquisition of drug resistance, and maternal-infant transmission of HIV-1 in a nonbreastfeeding population. DESIGN AND SETTING: The Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le SIDA (ANRS) 075 Study, an open-label, nonrandomized intervention trial conducted in the context of an ongoing observational cohort study in 48 sites in France. PATIENTS: A total of 445 HIV-1-infected pregnant women were enrolled as the study cohort from February 1997 to September 1998; controls consisted of 899 pregnant women who had received zidovudine monotherapy in May 1994 to February 1997 as standard care. INTERVENTION: The study cohort received lamivudine in addition to the standard Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial Group 076 Study zidovudine prophylaxis regimen. Lamivudine was initiated in women at 32 weeks' gestation through delivery at 150 mg twice per day orally; children received lamivudine, 2 mg/kg twice per day for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HIV-1 infection status and tolerance of therapy in children through age 18 months; maternal plasma HIV-1 RNA levels through 6 weeks after delivery. RESULTS: The transmission rate in the study group was 1.6% (7/437; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7%-3.3%). In a multivariable analysis, transmission in the study group was 5-fold lower than in controls. In the study group, maternal plasma HIV-1 RNA level was less than 500 copies/mL at delivery in 74%; the median decrease was 1.24 (range, -1.63 to 3.40) log(10) copies/mL. The M184V lamivudine resistance mutation was detected at 6 weeks after delivery in specimens from 52 of 132 women. The most frequent serious adverse events in children were neutropenia and anemia, requiring blood transfusion in 9 children and premature treatment discontinuation in 19. Two uninfected children died at age 1 year from neurologic complications related to mitochondrial dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Lamivudine-zidovudine may be effective in preventing maternal-infant HIV transmission. However, severe adverse effects and emergence of resistance to lamivudine occurred. Thus, the role of this combination therapy in this setting is as yet unclear, and further research involving a variety of strategies is needed to definitively ascertain its utility for preventing maternal-infant HIV transmission.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Maternal-fetal transfer and amniotic fluid accumulation of lamivudine in human immunodeficiency virus-infected pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate placental transfer and amniotic fluid concentrations of lamivudine in human immunodeficiency virus-infected women who received the agent during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Mothers in the study were receiving antiretroviral therapy that included lamivudine in a clinical setting. Maternal blood, cord blood, and amniotic fluid samples were obtained simultaneously at the time of delivery from 57 mother-infant pairs. RESULTS: At a median of 8.5 hours after the last maternal oral 150-mg dose of lamivudine, median maternal and fetal plasma concentrations were 302 and 240 ng/mL, respectively. Individual maternal and fetal concentrations were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.36; P < 10(-4)), and their median ratio was about 1. The median concentration in the amniotic fluid was 5 times higher than that in maternal plasma (upper range of ratio, 133). CONCLUSION: Lamivudine appeared to cross the placenta by simple diffusion and is concentrated in the amniotic fluid. High amniotic fluid levels of lamivudine may carry both benefits and risks for the child.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Maternal-fetal transfer of saquinavir studied in the ex vivo placental perfusion model.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the placental transfer of the human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor saquinavir. STUDY DESIGN: An ex vivo perfused human placental cotyledon model was used. Ten placental perfusion studies were performed, with concentrations of saquinavir in the maternal compartment ranging from 322 to 2197 ng/mL (within reference therapeutic ranges). Drug concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) fetal transfer rate of saquinavir was 1.8% +/- 1.6%, and the mean (+/- SD) clearance index was 0.05 +/- 0.05. A mean (+/- SD) of 1.6% +/- 3.1% of the perfused saquinavir was retained by the cotyledon. The small amount of saquinavir that crossed the placenta corresponded to the fraction not bound to human serum albumin. CONCLUSION: The low rate of placental transfer of saquinavir suggests that use of this antiretroviral drug by pregnant women may not lead to significant exposure of the fetus.

Female↗

Stabilization of HIV infection rates in urban Burkina Faso, 1995-1999.

The objectives of this study were to monitor the trends of the HIV epidemic between 1995 and 1999 among pregnant women in Bobo-Dioulasso, the second largest town of Burkina Faso, and to discuss the possible effect of preventive interventions (condom availability) on sexual transmission of HIV in this context. Age-specific trends in HIV prevalence obtained from sentinel surveillance programme were analysed. Among antenatal clinic attendees, HIV prevalence was 7.5% (n=401) in 1995, 10% (n=200) in 1996, 7.6% (n=448) in 1997, 8.4% (n=642) in 1998 and 5.3% (n=716) in 1999 without demonstrated temporal trend (P=0.12). The average number of condoms available per person (aged 15-49 years) per year increased from 0.6 in 1992 to 5.7 in 1995 and 6.0 in 1999. Anonymous surveys are less subject to selection bias and suggest a stabilization of the HIV prevalence around 7.3% in Bobo-Dioulasso. Distribution of condoms could explain at least, partly, this stabilization of the HIV epidemic.

Adolescent↗

[Impaired fertility in women infected with HIV-1. Implications for sentinel serosurveillance].

BACKGROUND: Given the relationship between HIV infection and fertility, antenatal clinic-based HIV prevalence may not provide a good estimate of the community HIV prevalence. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of HIV infection on fertility among women attending antenatal clinics in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso), and to discuss possible implications on HIV sentinel surveillance. METHODS: In the context of a phase II/III clinical trial of a short course of Zidovudine during pregnancy (DITRAME - ANRS 049 trial) we consecutively proposed voluntary counselling and HIV testing (VCT) to 1349 women aged at least 18 years, carrying a pregnancy of 7 months or less and living in Bobo-Dioulasso. During pre-test counselling session, a standardised questionnaire was administered to collect detailed information regarding socio-demographic characteristics and obstetrical history. Blood samples were then taken and tested for HIV after written informed consent. RESULTS: Mean age (+/- standard deviation) at first sexual intercourse was similar among HIV-infected (HIV+) (16.7+/- 2; n=83) and HIV-negative (HIV-) women (16.9+/- 2; n=1336). However, HIV+ women aged 25 years and above had, on the average fewer pregnancies (3.8+/- 1.5; n=37) than HIV- women (5.0+/- 2.3; n=567), p<0.01. Similarly, these HIV+ women had, on average, less live births (2.8+/- 1.3; n=35) than HIV- ones (3.7+/- 2.1; n=555), p=0.02. Other sexual and obstetrical characteristics such as maternal age, proportion of primigravidae, stillbirths or spontaneous abortions were comparable between HIV+ and HIV- women. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the level of fertility of HIV+ women aged 25 years and above is significantly lower than for HIV- women. Therefore, HIV+ women in this age group are likely to be under-represented among antenatal clinic attendees. These findings suggest adjusting antenatal clinic-based HIV sentinel surveillance data for age and fertility in order to derive a good estimate of the community HIV prevalence.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗