Pregnancy outcome following recurrent spontaneous abortions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between spontaneous consecutive recurrent abortions and pregnancy complications such as hypertensive disorders, abruptio placenta, intrauterine growth restriction and cesarean section (CS) in the subsequent pregnancy. METHODS: A population-based study comparing all singleton pregnancies in women with and without two or more consecutive recurrent abortions was conducted. Deliveries occurred during the years 1988-2002. Stratified analysis, using a multiple logistic regression model was performed to control for confounders. RESULTS: During the study period 154,294 singleton deliveries occurred, with 4.9% in patients with history of recurrent consecutive abortions. Using a multivariate analysis, with backward elimination, the following complications were significantly associated with recurrent abortions-advanced maternal age, cervical incompetence, previous CS, diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders, placenta previa and abruptio placenta, mal-presentations and PROM. A higher rate of CS was found among patients with previous spontaneous consecutive recurrent abortions (15.9% versus 10.9%; OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.5-1.7; P < 0.001). Another multivariate analysis was performed, with CS as the outcome variable, controlling for confounders such as placenta previa, abruptio placenta, diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders, previous CS, mal-presentations, fertility treatments and PROM. A history of recurrent abortion was found as an independent risk factor for CS (OR = 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.3; P < 0.001). About 58 cases of inherited thrombophilia were found between the years 2000-2002. These cases were significantly more common in the recurrent abortion as compared to the comparison group (1.2% versus 0.1%; OR = 11.1; 95% CI, 6.5-18.9; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A significant association exists between consecutive recurrent abortions and pregnancy complications such as placental abruption, hypertensive disorders and CS. This association persists after controlling for variables considered to coexist with recurrent abortions. Careful surveillance is required in pregnancies following recurrent abortions, for early detection of possible complications.

Diagnosis of an unsuspected maternal hemorrhage via fetal heart rate tracing.

Early detection of placental abruption often relies on the observation of vaginal bleeding; however, overt bleeding does not always occur. We report the case of an unsuspected placental abruption diagnosis that was prompted by an internal fetal scalp electrode tracing. The presence of a "normal" fetal heart rate (FHR) of approximately 150 beats per minute with poor variability, which matched the maternal heart rate (MHR), suggested that the tracing was not of fetal origin. An urgent ultrasound examination revealed a fetal demise with a possible concealed abruption, proving that the scalp electrode tracing was actually maternal in origin. Though reports of transmission of MHR via a deceased fetus are not new, it is uncommon for MHR to mimic a normal, reassuring FHR. This report reinforces the need for anesthesiologists to be adept at interpreting and integrating FHR monitors with maternal monitors prior to initiation of epidural analgesia.

[Diagnostic image (213). A pregnant woman with premature contractions and vaginal blood loss]. / Diagnose in beeld (213). Een zwangere met premature contracties en vaginaal bloedverlies.

Emergency caesarean section was performed in a 40-year-old woman with solutio placentae. A Couvelaire uterus was diagnosed, showing typical blue-purple discolorations of the uterine wall, which are in fact haemorrhages caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Risk factors in term children for visual impairment without a known prenatal or postnatal cause.

Risk factors were studied for visual impairment in children without known pre- or postnatal cause, for a decrease of visual acuity. Children born at term 1979-98 and with a visual impairment were identified from the Swedish Register of Visually Impaired Children and data were linked with the Swedish Medical Birth Registry. Maternal characteristics such as maternal age, parity, maternal smoking habits in early pregnancy, maternal education, nationality, and subfertility were studied as well as maternal diagnoses such as pre-eclampsia, prolonged second stage of labour, abruptio placentae, and placenta praevia. Mode of delivery was analysed as well as birthweight, and birthweight in relation to gestational age. Abruptio placentae turned out to be the strongest risk factor (OR = 8.24 [95% CI 5.01, 13.51]). Smoking did not give a statistically significant increased risk. There is an increased risk with breech delivery (OR = 2.01 [95% CI 1.28, 3.17]). Pre-eclampsia was associated with an increased risk (OR = 2.22 [95% CI 1.46, 3.38]). There is also an increase in risk at low birthweight and small-for-gestational-age as well as birthweight > 4 kg and large-for-gestational-age. In this study we found that risk factors particularly worth noticing in term children with a presumed perinatal cause of visual impairment are abruptio placentae, pre-eclampsia, excessively low as well as excessively high birthweight, and breech delivery, a fact worth noticing in current discussion on risks, advantages or excessive exploitation of caesarean section.

First pregnancy characteristics and subsequent breast cancer risk among young women.

There is growing evidence that perinatal factors associated with altered gestational hormones may influence subsequent breast cancer risk in the mother. Events occurring during the first pregnancy may be particularly important. In this matched case-control study, we investigated the relation between characteristics of a woman's first pregnancy and her later breast cancer risk using linked records from the New York State birth and tumor registries. Cases were 2,522 women aged 22 to 55 diagnosed with breast cancer between 1978 and 1995 and who had also completed a first pregnancy in New York State (NY) at least 1 year prior to diagnosis. Controls were 10,052 primiparous women not diagnosed with breast or endometrial cancer in NY and matched to cases on county of residence and date of delivery. Information on factors characterizing the woman's first pregnancy was obtained from the pregnancy record of each subject. The association of these factors to breast cancer risk was assessed using conditional logistic regression. Extreme prematurity (< 32 weeks gestational age) was associated with elevated maternal breast cancer risk [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2,3.9], as were abruptio placentae (OR = 1.8, CI 1.1,3.0) and multifetal gestation (OR=1.8, CI 1.1,3.0). Preeclampsia was associated with a marked reduction in breast cancer risk among women who bore their first child after age 30 (OR=0.3, CI 0.2,0.7) and in the first 3 years after delivery (OR=0.2 (0.1-0.9). These findings suggest that certain perinatal factors influence maternal breast cancer risk and offer indirect support for a role of gestational hormones, and particularly gestational estrogens, in the etiology of breast cancer.

A life-threatening second trimester disseminated intravascular coagulopathy with protein s deficiency.

Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) is an uncommon but serious complication of pregnancy. Placental abruption is the most common associated condition among the causes of acute obstetrical DIC. We present a case of life-threatening DIC complicating placental abruption in the second trimester of pregnancy with protein S deficiency as a triggering factor, which necessitated urgent termination of pregnancy.

Large volume polymerized haemoglobin solution in a Jehovah's Witness following abruptio placentae.

Severe anaemia, with haemoglobin (Hb) levels < or =3 g dL(-1), is associated with mortality rates of 50-95%. Although accepted transfusion targets have been debated in the literature (Carson et al., 2002; Practice guidelines for blood component therapy. 1996; Consensus Conference. 1988; Hebert et al., 1999), few would argue the risks associated with Hb levels less than 5 g dL(-1) in critically ill patients. In patients who are unable to receive red blood cell transfusions, the utility of Hb solutions is an attractive solution. We describe a Jehovah's Witness patient who exemplifies the marked physiologic derangements of severe anaemia and subsequent clinical resolution with large volume polymerized human Hb transfusion. The Hb-based oxygen carrier, PolyHeme, provided adequate oxygen transport, acting as a bridge until endogenous production could compensate for red cell loss. Practicing physicians need to be aware of current therapeutic options for use in these complicated patients.

Successful outcome following preterm abruption complicated by pancytopenia secondary to folate deficiency: important learning points.

Pancytopenia in pregnancy secondary to folate deficiency is rare, but can still occur in the UK despite improved socioeconomic status, food fortification and modern obstetric surveillance. Currently, there is considerable interest in the role of folate-homocysteine metabolism in the etiology of pregnancy disorders, and this case adds to this debate.

Maternal mortality in Italy, 1980-1996.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the extent of maternal mortality in Italy in between 1980 and 1996 in order to compare it with the international data. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective study on maternal deaths in Italy from 1980 to 1996. Data have been collected by Italian Statistic Institute (ISTAT). We calculated both the maternal mortality rates and the percentages of causes of death in the whole period, according to WHO definitions. RESULTS: The data confirmed the trends of the previous decade: maternal mortality rates have decreased from 13.25 (1980) to 3.78 (1996) for 100000 live births. Haemorrhage and hypertension have been the main causes of maternal death, while pulmonary embolism has had a minor affect on maternal mortality rates compared to other countries, particularly in Europe. CONCLUSION: Italian data appear reassuring and encourage further investigations on detailed welfare problems.

The effect of placental abruption on the short-term outcome of premature infants.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of abruption on the outcome of preterm infants. Live-born infants of 23 to 32 weeks gestation born at Beaumont Hospital between 1995 and 1999 who suffered abruption constitute the study group. Controls were matched to cases by sex, gestational age, and birth weight. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for confirmation of abruption, determination of abruption grade, and subsequent neonatal outcome. Univariate analysis of the grade 2 abruption group revealed statistically significant differences in time from diagnosis to delivery (p = 0.04), Apgar scores at 5 minutes (p = 0.04), and acidotic cord blood (p = 0.04) between cases and controls. However, no differences in short-term outcome were appreciated. In addition, no differences in mortality or morbidity were noted between grade 1 abruption case and control infants. We conclude that abruption is not an independent risk factor for poor outcome among infants born between 23 and 32 weeks gestation, but instead induces the preterm delivery that is the main determinant of outcome.

Cardiac failure caused by severe pre-eclampsia with placental abruption, and its treatment with anti-hypertensive drugs.

Pre-eclampsia is the abnormality of blood circulation in late pregnancy, often caused by renal failure, hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, low platelet syndrome, and eclampsia. We present a case of severe pre-eclampsia with placental abruption in a 24-year-old woman, pregnant for the first time. The patient was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, which came as a result of pre-eclampsia. Anti-hypertensive drugs were used for its treatment.

Successful term pregnancy after bilateral uterine artery embolization for postpartum hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Selective bilateral uterine artery embolization has been used since the 1970s for the conservative treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. The fertility rate after the embolization procedure is yet to be determined. CASE: A 30-year-old woman presented with placental abruption and subsequently delivered preterm at 29 weeks' gestation. Her delivery was complicated by postpartum hemorrhage, for which selective bilateral uterine artery embolization was performed with successful cessation of the hemorrhage. Three months later, the patient presented with a spontaneous pregnancy. Her pregnancy resulted in an appropriately grown fetus delivered at 39 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSION: This is one of the earliest reported successful pregnancies after a bilateral uterine artery embolization procedure performed for postpartum hemorrhage. This case adds to a growing literature demonstrating that pregnancy after embolization is possible, and can occur soon after the procedure.

Pregnancy outcome in severe placental abruption.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between decision to delivery interval and perinatal outcome in severe placental abruption. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: Large inner city teaching hospital. METHODS: Retrospective case note review of pregnancies terminated following severe placental aburption and fetal bradycardia. One year paediatric follow up by case note review or postal questionnaire. The differences in outcome (death or cerebral palsy) were examined using non-parametric and univariate analysis for the following time periods--times from onset of symptoms to delivery, onset of symptoms to admission, admission to delivery, onset bradycardia to delivery and decision to delivery interval. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prenatal death or survival with cerebral palsy. RESULTS: Thirty-three women with singleton pregnancies over 28 weeks of gestation, admitted with clinically overt placental abruption, where delivery was effected for fetal bradycardia. Eleven of the pregnancies had a poor outcome (cases), eight infants died and three surviving infants have cerebral palsy. Twenty-two pregnancies had a good outcome (controls): survival with no developmental delay. No statistically significant relationship was found between maternal age, parity, gestation, or birthweight and a poor outcome. A statistically significant relationship between time from decision to delivery was identified (P = 0.02, Mann-Whitney U test). The results of a univariate logistic regression for this variable suggest that the odds ratio of a poor outcome for delivery at 20 minutes compared with 30 minutes is 0.44 (95% CI 0.22-0.86). Fifty-five percent of infants were delivered within 20 minutes of the decision to deliver. Serious maternal morbidity was rare. CONCLUSION: In this small study of severe placental abruption complicated by fetal bradycardia, a decision to delivery interval of 20 minutes or less was associated with substantially reduced neonatal morbidity and mortality.

The HELLP-syndrome; maternal-fetal outcome and follow up of infants.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate maternal-fetal outcome of infants born after pregnancies complicated by (H)ELLP syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with the HELLP or ELLP syndrome. Maternal and perinatal complications were recorded. The follow-up period of the infants was at least 18 months. A multivariate regression analysis was done to define the variables mostly contributing to adverse outcome. RESULTS: No maternal deaths occurred. Eighteen infants of the HELLP group and six infants of the ELLP group died; total perinatal mortality was 17.6%. After 18 months four infants had major handicaps, making a total adverse outcome of 22.8%. Statistical analysis shows early gestational age, prolongation of pregnancy and administration of antihypertensive medication as the factors influencing outcome of the infants most. CONCLUSIONS: Prolongation of pregnancy contributed to better perinatal outcome, while administration of antihypertensive medication and early gestational age were related to a more unfavorable outcome.

Pulmonary embolization by chorionic villi causing maternal death after a car crash.

Throughout the last century, there has been a marked decline in obstetric maternal deaths, resulting in an increase in the proportion of nonobstetric deaths among pregnant women. Trauma, in particular, has become a leading cause of maternal death. We report the case of a 20-year-old primigravid woman who was involved in a motor vehicle crash at 36 weeks gestation. The woman developed abruptio placentae, followed by disseminated intravascular coagulation, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and shock, and died the day after the crash. Widespread pulmonary embolization by chorionic villi was identified at autopsy. This report discusses traumatic maternal deaths, with emphasis on the differences in injury pattern observed in pregnant trauma victims in comparison with other adults. It is important that the pathologist be aware of these problems so that an accurate cause of death can be identified in cases of maternal death after trauma. Also discussed is the relationship between trauma and placental abruption and the mechanism of death in the patient. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of extensive embolism of chorionic villi to the lungs after trauma.

Management of obstetric hemorrhage.

A reluctance to proceed with hysterectomy for obstetric hemorrhage may be a more likely cause of preventable death in obstetrics than a lack of surgical or medical skills. Every obstetric unit should have protocols available to deal with hemorrhage and, in addition, have specific guidelines for patients who object to blood transfusions for various reasons. Risk factors for hemorrhage should be identified antenatally, using all possible imaging modalities available, and utilizing multidisciplinary resources whenever possible. Novel strategies for prenatal diagnosis of abnormal placentation include advanced sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Placement and utilization of arterial catheters for uterine artery embolization is becoming more widespread and new surgical technology such as the argon beam coagulator seems promising. When intra or postpartum hemorrhage is encountered, a familiar protocol for dealing with blood loss should be triggered. Timely hysterectomy should be performed for signs of refractory bleeding. Application of medical and surgical principles combined with recent technologic advances will help the obstetrician avoid disastrous outcomes for both mother and fetus.