Glucose Abnormalities and Inappropriate Weight Gain Predict Negative Pregnancy Outcomes After Gastric Bypass Surgery.

PURPOSE: Pregnancy after gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery remains at high risk for gestational diabetes mellitus, prematurity, and small for gestational age infants (SGA). Our objective was to describe the interstitial glucose (IG) profiles and weight changes during such pregnancies, and the association of these factors with adverse pregnancy outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred twenty two pregnancies were analyzed in a monocentric retrospective study. IG profiles were evaluated by continuous glucose monitoring for 4 days. Maternal (hypertension, hospitalizations, and caesarean section) and neonatal outcomes (prematurity, weight for gestational age, hospitalizations, and malformations) were recorded. A logistic stepwise regression model assessed the influence of weight gain and impaired IG on pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: Pregnancies occurred 33 (SD 21 months) after surgery. 73% of the women had IG abnormalities (55% with an increased % of time >140 mg/dl and 69% with an increased % of time <60 mg/dl). Five (4%) children were large for gestational age (LGA), 24 (20%) were SGA and 16 (13%) were born prematurely. There were 3 malformations but no stillbirth. LGA was associated with a high % of time >140 mg/dl and an excessive maternal weight gain. Prematurity was associated with a high % of time <60 mg/dl and an insufficient maternal weight gain. In the multivariate analysis, inappropriate weight gain explained LGA and prematurity independently. SGA was associated with a shorter % of time <60 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: The relationship between IG abnormalities and/or maternal weight gain and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies after RYGB, suggests a careful monitoring of these parameters.

[Delayed umbilical cord clamping in preterm infants born before 37 weeks of gestation: A prospective observational study]. / Clampage tardif du cordon ombilical chez les enfants prématurés nés avant 37 semaines d'aménorrhée : étude observationnelle prospective.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Many international studies have demonstrated that delayed umbilical cord clamping reduces neonatal morbidity. However, in France, delayed umbilical cord clamping is still not performed in many neonatal units. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of developing a protocol of delayed umbilical cord clamping in the maternity ward of the Toulouse university hospital and to evaluate the impact of this new protocol on neonatal mortality. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study including 123 preterm infants born before 37 weeks of gestation between June 2012 and June 2013 and hospitalized at birth. Delayed cord clamping was performed for at least 30s after birth; otherwise, it was evaluated as early cord clamping. We excluded twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, congenital abnormalities, alloimmunization, and perinatal asphyxia. We analyzed the reasons why delayed umbilical cord clamping was not performed and then neonatal morbidity in our population. RESULTS: Delayed umbilical cord clamping was performed on 79 infants and 44 infants had early umbilical cord clamping. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. Preterm infants in the delayed cord-clamping group had a higher level of hemoglobin during the first 24h of life (17.9g/dL versus 16.6g/dL, P=0.005), fewer of them required transfusion (14% versus 35%, P=0.03), and fewer presented late-onset sepsis (8% versus 26%, P=0.02) or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (9% versus 26%, P=0.03). There was no statistically significant increase of hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Implanting a new protocol of delayed umbilical cord clamping in our maternity ward proved to be possible without difficulty. The advantages of delayed umbilical cord clamping were observed in this prospective study. Today, delayed cord clamping has become a common practice in our maternity unit.

[Use of calcium channel blockers (CCB) for tocolysis in France and abroad]. / Utilisation des inhibiteurs des canaux calciques (ICC) en tocolyse en France et à l'étranger.

OBJECTIVES: Calcium channel blockers (CCB) are routinely off-label used for tocolysis. The purpose of this study is to establish an inventory of the use of CCB for tocolysis in France and abroad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four complementary approaches were performed: (i) a literature review of clinical practice and guidelines of scientific societies; (ii) a national declarative practice survey among French tertiary care centers; (iii) a regional declarative practice survey among all maternities of the Midi-Pyrénées Perinatal Network (MATERMIP); (iv) an evaluation of outpatient tocolysis prescription, analyzing the departmental database EFEMERIS in order to examine drug prescribing during pregnancy. RESULTS: CCB appear to be currently used as first-line, initial tocolysis, in the majority of French maternity hospitals (82.5% of tertiary care centers). Oral Nifedipine is the predominant regimen (86%). CCB utilization rates appear higher than those reported in 2005 in the EVAPRIMA study. Beta-agonists appear rarely prescribed in 1st line (poor maternal tolerance) and even abandoned by many institutions (75% of tertiary care centers). Using a maintenance tocolysis (usually by long-acting CCB) seems to vary depending on the hospitals. It would be prescribed in more than 50% of cases (and probably more in type 1 or 2 hospitals), despite the lack of demonstrated benefit. Furthermore, we can estimate that about 1.5 to 2% of outpatient pregnant women receive a prescription of Nifedipine LP in France. CONCLUSION: CCB (especially Nifedipine) are widely used in the treatment of threatened preterm labor in France, regardless of the type of hospital. The terms of off-label prescribing are not met.

[Analysis of the evitability of intrapartum asphyxia with a peers review]. / Analyse de l'évitabilité de l'asphyxie per-partum par une revue de pairs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of intrapartum care in birth asphyxia cases. METHODS: Prospective analysis of all cases of birth asphyxia in nine maternity units during one year (2010). Birth asphyxia was defined as the combination of at least one clinical factor (Apgar≤7 at 5 minutes, signs of encephalopathy at birth) and at least one biological factor in cord (pH≤7, BD≥12 mmol/L, lactates>10 mmol/L). These cases were analyzed with a peer review from French guidelines 2007. RESULTS: Fifty cases of birth asphyxia were identified. After peer-review, they were defined as 46% non preventable, 27% possibly preventable, 24% definitely preventable and 3% not established. The main causes have been described as (i) misinterpretation of CTG during the first and second stages of labour, (ii) delayed response time to CTG anomalies and (iii) prolonged second stage. CONCLUSION: In half of the cases of birth asphyxia, this dreaded event was considered as preventable by a group of peers.

[Obstetrical care in gestational diabetes and management of preterm labor]. / Surveillance obstétricale en cas de diabète gestationnel et particularité de la prise en charge de la menace d'accouchement prématuré.

OBJECTIVES: Search for data necessary to elaborate recommendations for obstetrical care in gestational diabetes and management of preterm labor. METHODS: Systematic review of the literature and levels of evidence. RESULTS: In case of gestational diabetes and in the absence of disease or other risk factor associated, there is no evidence to support a systematic rate of clinical follow up different from other pregnancy. The relevance of ultrasound estimates of fetal weight is limited. No formula is superior to others or to the simple measurement of abdominal circumference for the prediction of macrosomia (EL3). The usefulness of the research septal hypertrophy is not demonstrated (EL4). The systematic application of umbilical Doppler has no proven benefits in the absence of growth restriction or hypertension associated (EL4). Monthly ultrasound monitoring of the fetus can be proposed for diabetics on insulin or poorly controlled. In cases of gestational diabetes controlled by diet, cardiotocography of fetal heart rate has not proven useful. In poorly controlled diabetes and/or on insulin, the registration may be discussed taking into account other risk factors associated (EL4). A weekly recording of fetal heart rate is often recommended in case of type 2 diabetes discovered during pregnancy. In case of preterm labor, calcium channel blockers and oxytocin antagonists can be used without specific precautions. The risk of using beta-adrenergic outweighs the benefit. Administration of corticosteroid can be done under glycemic control, with insulin therapy if necessary. Screening test for gestational diabetes should not be performed within few days after last steroid injection.

Obstetrical care in gestational diabetes and management of preterm labour.

AIM: To investigate data enabling the development of guidelines for obstetrical monitoring and management of the threat of preterm labour in gestational diabetes. METHODOLOGY: Systematic literature review. RESULTS: With gestational diabetes and the absence of other disorders or associated risk factors, there is no argument justifying a systematic clinical monitoring schedule different from other pregnancies. The relevance of ultrasound weight estimations is limited. No formula has emerged as being superior to the others or to the simple measurement of abdominal circumference for the prediction of macrosomia (EL3). The usefulness of testing for asymmetric septal hypertrophy has not been demonstrated (EL4). The routine performance of umbilical artery Doppler has no demonstrated utility in the absence of growth restriction or associated hypertension (EL4). Monthly ultrasound monitoring can be proposed for poorly-controlled diabetes or that requiring insulin. With gestational diabetes that is well-controlled with diet, foetal heart rate recording has no demonstrated use. The recording is debatable for poorly-controlled diabetes or that requiring insulin, while taking associated risk factors into consideration. Weekly recording of the foetal heart rate is often advised for type 2 diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy. If there is a threat of preterm labour, calcium channel blockers and oxytocin receptor antagonists may be used without special precautions. The risk-benefit ratio does not appear favourable for the ß2-adrenergic agonists. Lung maturation with corticosteroids may be done in parallel with glycaemic testing and insulin therapy if necessary. Diabetic screening tests should be done several days after the last injection of corticosteroid.

Maternal exposure to prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals or drugs of abuse and risk of craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND: The pre- and peri-natal drug exposures reported by women participating in a case-control study of children in Colorado were examined for association with infant craniosynostosis. METHODS: Mothers of case and control children underwent a standardized telephone interview and obstetric and newborn medical record review. The interview included questions on the use of prescription and non-prescription drugs, nutritional supplements, recreational and drugs of abuse. The mother's obstetric record was abstracted for information about pharmacologic agents taken before and during the antepartum period. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant risk ratios associating craniosynostosis with prenatal exposure to hydantoin, valproic acid, or cocaine. Mothers of four case children and one control child reported specific exposure to retinoic acid. There were no statistically significant increases in the odds ratio (OR) for any suture type among children exposed to hypoxigenic agents, sympathomimetic or parasympatholytic agents, or metal-containing agents. The OR was 1.87 (lower bound of the two-sided 95% test-based confidence interval (CI): 1.08) among children with sagittal/lambdoid suture synostosis who were exposed to nitrosatable drugs chlorpheniramine, chlordiazepoxide, and nitrofurantoin compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Certain nitrosatable drugs may be associated with increased risk of infant sagittal/lambdoid craniosynostosis. A possible mechanism related to ischaemia/reperfusion injury is suggested.

[Postpartum infections]. / Les infections apres l'accouchement.

PIP: The unexpected occurrence of a fever higher than 38 degrees Celsius at least twice in 48 hours after childbirth is a common problem. A well-executed clinical examination of a patient with a high fever is necessary to determine the origin of the infection. It is necessary to remain vigilant because it could be a sign of severe infection threatening a mother's life. The fever can sometimes remain moderate while the infection progresses at lightning speed. This is especially the case in weak patients (e.g., those with tuberculosis, AIDS, or malnutrition); thus it will be necessary to keep an attentive eye on them. Major causes to be familiar with and to recognize include malaria (always to be considered), uterine infection (the most common postpartum infection), kidney infection, tender breasts, pneumonia, meningitis, or appendicitis. Things health workers should consider if they suspect uterine infection are birth history, endometritis, and the fact that, in the absence of treatment, the infection can spread to the Fallopian tubes and eventually to the general circulation (septicemia). Special cases include uterine infections accompanied by retention of placental debris or membranes, fever after abortion, and fever after cesarean section. Health workers must consider all cases of retention, even those without a fever, as a potential infection. They must administer antibiotic treatment within 5 days after emptying the uterus. The treatment of choice for fever following an abortion is 3 g ampicillin for 7 days. In cases of infection after an abortion, health workers should consider uterine perforation and retention. Fever usually occurs 4-5 days after a cesarean section. Antibiotic treatment is usually necessary.^ieng