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Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in the obstetric population.

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) has the potential to negatively affect obstetric outcomes of critically ill maternity patients. This pathophysiologic condition may often be indistinguishable from that which occurs during normal pregnancy. The normal adaptations of pregnancy, in their exaggerated form, may cause functional change to become dysfunctional in the maternal patient. Although pregnancy is considered a state of health, MODS is a grave condition with terminal outcomes. Regional perfusion deficits in oxygen and global defects of volume are two potential pathologic sequelae. Many general medical and obstetric causes may be identified. An exaggerated systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) precedes this patterned process of death. This article will apply current theories, assessment, and treatment practices of MODS to the obstetrical populace.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation↗

Use of misoprostol in obstetrics and gynecology.

UNLABELLED: Misoprostol is prostaglandin E1 analogous and marketed for prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer disease. However, it has been used widely in obstetrics and gynecology practice because of its effectiveness, low cost, stability in light and hot climate conditions, and ease of administration compared with its licensed counterparts--dinoprostone and gemeprost. A large number of studies have shown that misoprostol is effective in first and second trimester abortion, late pregnancy labor induction, and third stage of labor management (misoprostol has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for these indications). Because misoprostol is not registered for such use, it has not undergone the extensive testing for appropriate dosage and safety required for registration. Serious complications such as teratogenesis after failed abortions and uterine rupture during second trimester abortions and third trimester labor induction have been reported as the result of increasingly wide use of misoprostol in obstetric and gynecology practice. There is an urgent need to evaluate all the available data and organize a large randomized trial to determine the safety of its use in obstetric and gynecology practice. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader will be able to identify the various uses of misoprostol, to describe the potential complications of misoprostol use and its teratogenic effects, to compare the various routes of administration, and to define the appropriate dose.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Clostridium difficile infection in obstetric and gynecologic patients.

We reviewed hospital records of women on the obstetrics and gynecologic services with a diagnosis of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, or Clostridium difficile infection to better characterize the incidence and course of women with C difficile infection. Cases were included if there was identification of C difficile by culture or toxin or endoscopic verification of pseudomembranous colitis. Between January 1985 and June 1995, there were 74,120 admissions to the obstetrics and gynecology services at two tertiary level hospitals. Eighteen women were found to have documented C difficile infection (0.02%)--3 from the obstetric services, 10 from the benign gynecologic services, and 5 from the gynecologic/oncology services. Diarrhea developed from 2 days to 30 days after antibiotics had been given (mean, 10 days). Nine patients had fever, six had nausea and vomiting, and five had abdominal pain. Antimicrobial agents given before infection included cephalexin, cefoxitin, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, gentamicin, and clindamycin. All patients were treated successfully with inpatient antimicrobial agents-15 with metronidazole and 3 with vancomycin. There was one possible recurrence.

Abdominal Pain↗

Implications of antenatal depression and anxiety for obstetric outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the obstetric outcome and health care consumption during pregnancy, delivery, and the early postpartum period in an unselected population-based sample of pregnant women diagnosed with antenatal depressive and/or anxiety disorders, compared with healthy subjects. METHODS: Participants were 1,495 women attending 2 obstetric clinics in Northern Sweden. The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders was used to evaluate depressive and anxiety disorders in the second trimester of pregnancy. To assess demographic characteristics, obstetric outcome, and complications, the medical records of the included women were reviewed. RESULTS: Significant associations were found between depression and/or anxiety and increased nausea and vomiting, prolonged sick leave during pregnancy and increased number of visits to the obstetrician, specifically, visits related to fear of childbirth and those related to contractions. Planned cesarean delivery and epidural analgesia during labor were also significantly more common in women with antenatal depression and/or anxiety. CONCLUSION: There is an association between antenatal depressive and/or anxiety disorders and increased health care use (including cesarean deliveries) during pregnancy and delivery.

Adult↗

Obstetric outcomes after in vitro fertilization in obese and morbidly obese women.

OBJECTIVE: In addition to numerous health detriments caused by obesity, fertility and pregnancy success may also be compromised. The aims of this study were to compare the effects of obesity and morbid obesity on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. We also investigated the effects of obesity on obstetric outcomes after IVF treatment. METHODS: Retrospective study of women less than 38 years of age during their first fresh IVF cycle (January 1995 to April 2005). RESULTS: A total of 1,293 women were included in the study, with 236 obese women (body mass index [BMI] = 30-39.9) and 79 morbidly obese women (BMI > or = 40). The morbidly obese group had a 25.3% IVF cycle cancellation rate compared with 10.9% in normal-weight women (odds ratio 2.73, 95% confidence interval 1.49-5.0), P < .001). Morbidly obese women without polycystic ovarian syndrome had an even higher cancellation rate (33%). Women with higher BMI required significantly more days of gonadotropin stimulation but had lower peak estradiol levels (P < .001). There were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy or delivery rates between the four BMI groups. Of the women who delivered, there was a significant linear trend for risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery with increasing BMI (P < .03). CONCLUSION: We report a significantly higher risk for IVF cycle cancellation in morbidly obese patients with no effect of BMI on clinical pregnancy or delivery rate. However, obese and morbidly obese subjects had a significantly higher risk for obstetric complications. This target population should be aggressively counseled regarding their increased obstetric risk and offered treatment options for weight reduction before the initiation of fertility therapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Adult↗

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: insights on obstetric aspects.

UNLABELLED: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperelasticity, tissue fragility, easy bruising, and poor healing of wounds. The clinical manifestations vary depending on the type of disease. The syndrome may be associated with a number of pregnancy and peripartum complications. Because of the multiorgan involvement and varied presentation of this disease, no uniform or routine obstetric and anesthetic recommendations can be made for the perinatal care of these patients. We present a review of the literature on EDS with emphasis on the obstetric, anesthetic, and perinatal consequences. We also report our experience with this syndrome: an uneventful term vaginal delivery in a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with hypermobility type of EDS. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall the potentially severe nature of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) in both pregnant and nonpregnant patients, summarize the wide range of signs and symptoms and its genetic inheritance, and explain the difficulty in recommending obstetric and anesthesia procedures to avoid complications.

Adult↗

Surgical strategy for infant obstetrical brachial plexus palsy: experiences at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Strategies for management of infant obstetrical brachial plexus palsy remain controversial, including timing of surgery and treatment modalities. METHODS: The senior author (Chuang) performed surgical explorations on 78 infant obstetrical brachial plexus palsy patients from 1992 to 1999. Sixty-eight patients underwent brachial plexus operation during the infant period (2 to 11 months), and 10 patients underwent surgery beyond the infant period. RESULTS: For the ruptured upper and/or middle trunk injury (Erb's palsy), better shoulder and elbow function was observed in those who received numerous short grafts from C5 to the suprascapular and posterior division and from the C6 spinal nerve to the anterior division of the upper trunk. For the rupture injury associated with root avulsion (total palsy), nerve graft and transfer (intraplexus and extraplexus) provided a one-stage reconstruction for shoulder, elbow, and especially hand functions. The contralateral C7 or ipsilateral part of the ulnar nerve transfer was rarely used in infant obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, compared with adult brachial plexus injury. CONCLUSIONS: The operative results proved that earlier timing of nerve surgery (within 3 months) is strongly indicated in patients who have total palsy, and only relatively indicated in patients with isolated rupture of the upper plexus.

Birth Injuries↗

Socio-economic versus obstetric risk factors for drug addiction in offspring.

Two possible risk factors for drug addiction were weighed against each other: (1) perinatal factors associated with obstetric medication at time of birth; and (2) factors associated with familial socio-economic conditions at time of birth. The subjects comprised 200 amphetamine addicts and 200 opiate addicts born in Stockholm 1945-1966. In a matched case control study, addicts were compared to their siblings with regard to possible obstetric risk factors by means of conditional logistic regression controlling for socio-economic level and civil status. Administration of opiates, barbiturates and nitrous oxide to mothers during labour was associated with drug addiction in offspring, hence confirming results from earlier studies. In a cohort study the risk associated with birth at a given hospital and familial socio-economic level was analysed by means of log-linear analysis using 7100 controls from the general population. For amphetamine addicts, a low socio-economic level at time of birth might be of importance for the infant subsequently becoming an addict. This could not be demonstrated for the opiate addicts. An uneven distribution of births among the hospitals, most pronounced for the amphetamine addicts, is in agreement with the hypothesis that obstetric practices may be risk factors for adult drug addiction.

Adolescent↗

Obstetric and perinatal factors as predictors of child behaviour at 5 years.

OBJECTIVE: To identify whether obstetric and perinatal factors are independent predictors of child behaviour at 5 years. METHODOLOGY: The Mater University Study of Pregnancy (MUSP) is a prospective cohort study of 8556 mothers enrolled in early pregnancy. The relationship of obstetric and perinatal factors, maternal lifestyle, age and gender of the child, and social disadvantage were examined as predictors of child behaviour in 5005 children completing a modified child behaviour checklist at 5 years. This checklist contained three independent groups of behaviour: externalizng, internalizing and SAT (social, attentional and thought problems). RESULTS: In the initial analysis a limited number of associations were present. After adjusting for measures of social disadvantage, only number of antenatal admissions was associated with child behaviour in all three scales, while maternal cigarette smoking in pregnancy and male gender were associated with externalising and SAT behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Most common epidemiologic obstetric and perinatal risk factors were not independent predictors of behaviour problems in children at 5 years.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Obstetric acute renal failure 1956-1987.

A total of 142 women with severe acute renal failure (ARF) resulting from obstetric causes was treated by dialysis at a single centre from 1956 to 1987. One-year survival was 78.6%, which compares favourably with other causes of ARF. Abortion, haemorrhage and preclampsia comprised 95% of cases, with survival being best (82.9%) with abortion. Survival was adversely affected by increasing age. Acute cortical necrosis (12.7% of patients) carried 100% mortality after 6 years. Follow-up of survivors showed normal renal function up to 31 years following ARF; 25-year patient survival was 71.6%. Improvements in obstetric care and the disappearance of illegal abortions have resulted in a dramatic decline in the incidence of obstetric ARF.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Routine screening of gynaecological and obstetric patients for Chlamydia trachomatis.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the cervix uteri was diagnosed in 9% of 221 gynaecological and obstetric patients. Infection occurred more commonly among obstetric (12.6%) than gynaecological patients (5.5%). In obstetric patients chlamydial infection was commoner in those complaining of excessive vaginal discharge or spontaneous premature rupture of the membranes. Chlamydial infection in gynaecological patients occurred in those with previous pelvic infection, menstrual disorders or excessive vaginal discharge. No cases of chlamydial infection were detected among intrauterine device users. The enzyme immunoassay we used is an easy and relatively quick method of diagnosis for genital chlamydial infection.

Cervix Uteri↗

Shared obstetric care: the general practitioner's perspective.

Shared obstetric care between hospital and general practitioner (GP) is being developed in several States in Australia as an alternative model of care for pregnant women in the public hospital system. The aim of this study was to determine the attitudes of participating GPs to the shared obstetric care programme at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. Fifty GPs were randomly selected, and face to face individual interviews were conducted using qualitative methods. GPs feel that the continuity of care they can provide during pregnancy and the postpartum is a very important and valuable aspect of their role as shared care providers. They are generally satisfied with the programme at the Royal Women's Hospital but some suggest that communication between the hospital and the GP should be improved. There was significant interest in being involved in deliveries in shared care programmes in the future and GPs question the appropriateness of the diploma of obstetrics as the only acceptable qualification for shared care.

Adult↗

Obstetric profiles and pregnancy outcomes of immigrant women in New South Wales, 1990-1992.

This study examined the obstetric profiles and pregnancy outcomes of immigrant women in New South Wales (NSW). The source of data was the NSW Midwives Data Collection. The characteristics of 64,922 immigrant women were compared with 189,357 Australian-born non-Aboriginal women who delivered babies between 1990-1992 in NSW. The study demonstrated that immigrant women were older, generally had less private health insurance coverage and fewer teenage pregnancies. Immigrant women showed lower rates of essential hypertension, but higher rates of hepatitis B and gestational diabetes. While induced labour was conducted less frequently among immigrant women, episiotomy, instrumental delivery and Caesarean section were performed more frequently among this group. The incidence of postpartum complications was higher among immigrant women. Differences were assessed among women from European, Asian, Middle Eastern, American, New Zealand/Oceania and African backgrounds. For example, the higher rates of hepatitis B, gestational diabetes, episiotomy, instrumental delivery, Caesarean section, postpartum haemorrhage, third degree tear and puerperal infection among Asian-born women were of concern. By contrast, pregnancies among Middle Eastern-born women were associated with fewer complications in spite of their high parity and high percentage of teenage pregnancies. Infants of immigrant mothers were more likely to be resuscitated and/or admitted to special care nursery/neonatal intensive care unit. These findings in immigrant women in NSW suggested the need for culturally appropriate obstetric services, clinical practice reviews, and the greater involvement of general practitioners in obstetric care.

Emigration and Immigration↗

Obstetric care in diabetic pregnancy.

In diabetic pregnancy near-normalization of maternal blood glucose levels improves the perinatal outcome. Strict metabolic control can be achieved by self-monitoring of blood glucose in ambulant praxis. The obstetric supervision may now therefore be organized on an out-patient basis aiming at early recognition of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and deviation in fetal growth. For uncomplicated and well-controlled diabetes without vascular complications the obstetric care should be individualized and routine programmes for obstetric surveillance, such as fetal heart rate monitoring and determination of fetal maturity, are usually not necessary. Special attention should, however, be paid to patients with poor metabolic control or vascular complications, particularly in the presence of disturbances of intra-uterine growth.

Ambulatory Care↗

Biased assessment of gestational age at birth when obstetric gestation is known.

The gestational age of 302 neonates whose obstetric gestational age was known was assessed at birth using the Dubowitz method; it was obtained from Dubowitz score both graphically from a nomogram and by calculation from the corresponding equation. The values obtained graphically differed to a lesser extent from the obstetric gestational age than did the gestation derived algebraically. With infants small for gestational age (SGA) the difference between the methods was smaller and not significant. It is concluded that the concurrent knowledge of obstetric gestational age introduced a bias in the graphic step; this did not happen in SGA infants probably because in these cases the available information is sometimes less certain. These data demonstrate that even simple procedures are influenced by concurrent information; as a philosophical point about the interpretation of data in general, this study provides an empirical example of the 'theory-ladenness of facts' in medicine.

Bias↗

Influence of obstetric management on outcome of extremely preterm growth retarded infants.

AIM: To describe the long term outcome of extremely preterm growth retarded infants in relation to obstetric management and various perinatal events. METHODS: A cohort study was undertaken in two tertiary care centres with different obstetric management. All infants with fetal growth retardation due to placental insufficiency and resulting in fetal distress at 26 to 32 weeks of gestation, were included for the years 1984-89. Main outcome measures were impairment, disability, or handicap at 2 years corrected age and at school age (4 1/2 to 10 1/2 years). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty five (98%) were followed up until 2 years corrected age in the outpatient department; 114 (90%) were assessed at school age. Impairments were found in 37% and disabilities or handicaps in 9% of the assessed infants, with no difference between centres. All disabled or handicapped children had already been identified by 2 years corrected age. CONCLUSIONS: Disability or handicap were related to neonatal complications (intracerebral haemorrhage or bronchopulmonary dysplasia) and not to obstetric variables, thus making antenatal prediction impossible. The incidence of disability or handicap in these growth retarded infants was comparable with that of other preterm infants.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease in the northern region of England: benefits of a training programme for obstetric ultrasonographers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the results of fetal cardiac scanning and audit the changes in performance resulting from the introduction of a training programme for obstetric ultrasonographers. METHODS: Using the database of the Northern Regional Congenital Abnormality Survey (NORCAS), fetuses with complex or significant congenital heart disease (CCHD) diagnosed prenatally in 1994 were identified. A simple programme of centralised and local training was instituted in 1995 by the department of paediatric cardiology to teach obstetric ultrasonographers in district general hospital maternity departments to identify congenital heart malformations. The results of the training programme were assessed by comparing the 1994 identification rate of CCHD with the rates for 1996 and 1997. RESULTS: Birth rate fell during the study from 35,026 in 1994 to 32,874 in 1997. Registration of CCHD also fell, from 115 in 1994 to 87 in 1997. Prenatal recognition of CCHD rose from 17% in 1994 to 30% in 1995 and 36% in 1996. In 1997 it fell slightly to 26.9%. The total number of scans did not change much year on year, but the number of parents choosing termination increased significantly (from 22.7% to 57%). CONCLUSIONS: A simple training programme for obstetric ultrasonographers increased their ability to detect serious congenital heart disease at a routine 18-20 week anomaly scan. With a termination rate of more than 50%, the incidence of CCHD in the population fell from 3.3/1000 to 2.6/1000 live births. This audit, conducted within a stable population using ascertainment by a well established fetal malformation registry, suggests that prenatal diagnosis may have a significant effect on the incidence of complex or serious congenital cardiac malformations.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

Clinical characteristics of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in a general outpatient department of obstetrics and gynaecology in the Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of prevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in an outpatient obstetric and gynaecological population. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was performed at an inner city hospital in The Hague, Netherlands. 1368 women attending the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynaecology participated in the study. For detection of C trachomatis infections we used amplification of CT rRNA in urine samples (Gen Probe/AMPLIFIED-CT) and DNA probe for detection of CT rRNA from a urethral, endocervical and anal swab (Gen Probe/PACE 2). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of C trachomatis infections in our general obstetric and gynaecological population was 4.5%. The prevalence in women under 30 years of age was 8. 1%. We found age and postcoital bleeding to be significant risk factors. We did not find significant differences between women from different ethnic origin or between women using different kinds of contraceptives. 12 (19.4%) patients with C trachomatis infections were found positive by urine test only, and 15 (24.2%) only by DNA probe. CONCLUSIONS: Age is the most important risk factor in our population (overall prevalence 4.5%, prevalence in women under 20 years of age 15.8%). Analyses of urine and of endocervical specimens are complementary for the determination of the prevalence of C trachomatis infections in women. Cost effectiveness analysis is needed to determine to what extent age based screening and/or antibiotic prophylaxis before intrauterine manipulations is indicated.

Adult↗