Prediction of Placental Abruption of Pregnant Women Drivers with Various Collision Velocities, Seatbelt Positions and Placental Positions-Analysis with Novel Pregnant Occupant Model.

The aims of this study were as follows: the (a) creation of a pregnant occupant finite element model based on pregnant uterine data from sonography, (b) development of the evaluation method for placental abruption using this model and (c) analysis of the effects of three factors (collision speed, seatbelt position and placental position) on the severity of placental abruption in simulations of vehicle collisions. The 30-week pregnant occupant model was developed with the uterine model including the placenta, uterine-placental interface, fetus, amniotic fluid and surrounding ligaments. A method for evaluating the severity of placental abruption on this pregnant model was established, and the effects of these factors on the severity of the injury were analyzed. As a result, a higher risk of placental abruption was observed in high collision speeds, seatbelt position over the abdomen and anterior-fundal placenta. Lower collision speeds and seatbelt position on the iliac wings prevented severe placental abruption regardless of placental positions. These results suggested that safe driving and keeping seatbelt position on the iliac wings were essential to decrease the severity of this injury. From the analysis of the mechanism for placental abruption, the following hypothesis was proposed: a shear at adhesive sites between the uterus and placenta due to direct seatbelt loading to the uterus.

Risks of Placental Abruption and Preterm Delivery in Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproduction.

Importance: Patients using assisted reproductive technology (ART) may need additional counseling about the increased risks of placental abruption and preterm delivery. Further investigation into the potential additive risk of ART and placental abruption is needed. Objective: To ascertain the risk of placental abruption in patients who conceived with ART and to evaluate if placental abruption and ART conception are associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (<37 weeks' gestation) over and above the risks conferred by each factor alone. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used data from the National Inpatient Sample, which includes data from all-payer hospital inpatient discharges from 48 states across the US. Participants included women aged 15 to 54 years who delivered from 2000 through 2019. Data were analyzed from January 17 to April 18, 2024. Exposures: Pregnancies conceived with ART. Main Outcomes and Measures: Risks of placental abruption and preterm delivery in ART conception compared with spontaneous conceptions. Associations were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs derived from weighted logistic regression models before and after adjusting for confounders. The relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) of the risk of preterm delivery based on ART conception and placental abruption was also assessed. Results: Of 78 901 058 deliveries, the mean (SD) maternal age was 27.9 (6.0) years, and 9 212 117 patients (11.7%) were Black individuals, 14 878 539 (18.9%) were Hispanic individuals, 34 899 594 (44.2%) were White individuals, and 19 910 807 (25.2%) were individuals of other races and ethnicities. Of the total hospital deliveries, 98.2% were singleton pregnancies, 68.8% were vaginal deliveries, and 52.1% were covered by private insurance. The risks of placental abruption among spontaneous and ART conceptions were 11 and 17 per 1000 hospital discharges, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, the adjusted OR (AOR) of placental abruption was 1.42 (95% CI, 1.34-1.51) in ART pregnancies compared with spontaneous conceptions, with increased odds in White women (AOR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.31-1.53) compared with Black women (AOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.93-1.44). The odds of preterm delivery were significantly higher in pregnancies conceived by ART compared with spontaneous conceptions (AOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.42-1.51). The risk of preterm delivery increased when patients had both ART conception and placental abruption (RERI, 2.0; 95% CI, 0.5-3.5). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, patients who conceived using ART and developed placental abruption had a greater risk of preterm delivery compared with spontaneous conception without placental abruption. These findings have implications for counseling patients who seek infertility treatment and obstetrical management of ART pregnancies.

The influence of uterine fibroids on adverse outcomes in pregnant women: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the meta-analysis was to determine the influence of uterine fibroids on adverse outcomes, with specific emphasis on multiple or large (≥ 5 cm in diameter) fibroids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and SinoMed databases for eligible studies that investigated the influence of uterine fibroids on adverse outcomes in pregnancy. The pooled risk ratio (RR) of the variables was estimated with fixed effect or random effect models. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies with 237 509 participants were included. The pooled results showed that fibroids elevated the risk of adverse outcomes, including preterm birth, cesarean delivery, placenta previa, miscarriage, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), fetal distress, malposition, intrauterine fetal death, low birth weight, breech presentation, and preeclampsia. However, after adjusting for the potential factors, negative effects were only seen for preterm birth, cesarean delivery, placenta previa, placental abruption, PPH, intrauterine fetal death, breech presentation, and preeclampsia. Subgroup analysis showed an association between larger fibroids and significantly elevated risks of breech presentation, PPH, and placenta previa in comparison with small fibroids. Multiple fibroids did not increase the risk of breech presentation, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, PPH, placenta previa, PPROM, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. Meta-regression analyses indicated that maternal age only affected the relationship between uterine fibroids and preterm birth, and BMI influenced the relationship between uterine fibroids and intrauterine fetal death. Other potential confounding factors had no impact on malposition, fetal distress, PPROM, miscarriage, placenta previa, placental abruption, and PPH. CONCLUSION: The presence of uterine fibroids poses increased risks of adverse pregnancy and obstetric outcomes. Fibroid size influenced the risk of breech presentation, PPH, and placenta previa, while fibroid numbers had no impact on the risk of these outcomes.

Infección por listeria monocytogenes en el embarazo, asociado a desprendimiento de placenta y complicaciones perinatales: reporte de un caso / Listeria monocytogenes infection in pregnancy, associated with placental abruption and perinatal complications: case report

INTRODUCCIÓN la listeriosis, aunque es una infección infrecuente, debe ser considerada en pacientes inmunocomprometidos y gestantes, especialmente en aquellos que consumen alimentos crudos o productos lácteos no pasteurizados, lo que pone en riesgo a un gran número de mujeres embarazadas en países de habla hispana. Es importante que el médico considere su inclusión en los posibles diagnósticos diferenciales cuando la sospecha clínica lo amerite, lo que permitirá hacer un diagnóstico temprano y por lo tanto un tratamiento oportuno, evitando así las posibles complicaciones en el binomio madre-hijo. CASO CLÍNICO clínico multigestante, con embarazo de 33 + 5 semanas, que ingresó a una institución de alto nivel de complejidad en la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia, por síndrome febril asociado a sepsis obstétrica debido a infección intraamniótica por Listeria monocytogenes, que requirió cesárea de urgencia, en donde se evidenció un desprendimiento placentario del 100 % secundario al proceso infeccioso y asociado a complicaciones neonatales. CONCLUSIONES: el diagnóstico de listeriosis gestacional supone un reto clínico por su presentación inespecífica y baja incidencia. Sin embargo, las consecuencias obstétricas arrastran una gran morbilidad de la madre y morbi-mortalidad neonatal, lo que hace de suma importancia que el clínico lo tenga presente en su arsenal diagnóstico, ya que una vez diagnosticado, el tratamiento oportuno tiene desenlaces clínicos favorables.

INTRODUCTION: although listeriosis is a rare infection, it should be considered in immunocompromised patients and pregnancy, especially in those who consume raw food or unpasteurized dairy, which puts a large number of pregnant women in Hispanic countries at risk. It is of special importance for physicians to include listeriosis among possible diagnoses when clinical suspicion arises in order to timely treat it and thus avoid the complications that may occur in the mother-child binomial. CLINICAL CASE: a pregnant woman (33 + 5 weeks) with multiple gestations, was admitted to a high level of complexity institution in the city of Medellín, Colombia, presenting a febrile syndrome associated with obstetric sepsis due to intra-amniotic infection by Listeria monocytogenes, which required emergency cesarean section where a 100 % placental abruption was evidenced secondary to the infectious process and associated with neonatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of gestational listeriosis is a clinical challenge due to its nonspecific presentation and low incidence. However, the obstetric consequences drag a great maternal morbidity and neonatal morbidity and mortality, which is why it is important for physicians to consider this in the diagnostic arsenal because once diagnosed, the appropriate treatment has favorable clinical outcomes.

Advanced maternal age and its association with placenta praevia and placental abruption: a meta-analysis / Idade materna avançada e sua associação com placenta prévia e descolamento placentário: uma metanálise / Edad materna avanzada y su asociación con placenta previa y desprendimiento de la placenta: un metanálisis

This study aimed to investigate the existence and magnitude of the association between advanced maternal age (AMA) and occurrence of placenta praevia (PP) and placental abruption (PA) among nulliparous and multiparous women, by a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched articles published between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015, in any language, in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS. Women were grouped into two age categories: up to 34 years old and 35 years or older. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted for the PP and PA outcomes, using a meta-regression model to find possible covariates associated with heterogeneity among the studies and Egger's test to assess publication bias. The protocol of this systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) system (CRD42016045594). Twenty-three studies met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. For both outcomes, an increase in age increased the magnitude of association strength, and PP (OR = 3.16, 95%CI: 2.79-3.57) was more strongly associated with AMA than PA (OR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.35-1.54). For parity, there was no difference between nulliparous and multiparous women considered older for the PP and PA outcomes. Our review provided very low-quality evidence for both outcomes, since it encompasses observational studies with high statistical heterogeneity, diversity of populations, no control of confounding factors in several cases, and publication bias. However, the confidence intervals were small and there is a dose-response gradient, as well as a large magnitude of effect for PP.

Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a existência e magnitude da associação entre idade materna avançada (AMA) e ocorrência de placenta prévia (PP) e descolamento placentário (DP) entre mulheres nulíparas e multíparas, por meio de uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise. Nós pesquisamos artigos publicados entre 1º de janeiro de 2005 e 31 de dezembro de 2015, em qualquer idioma, nos seguintes bancos de dados: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science e LILACS. As mulheres foram agrupadas em duas categorias de idade: até 34 anos e 35 anos ou mais. A Escala Newcastle-Ottawa foi utilizada para avaliar a qualidade metodológica dos estudos. Uma meta-análise foi realizada para os desfechos PP e DP, usando um modelo de meta-regressão para encontrar possíveis covariáveis associadas à heterogeneidade entre os estudos e o teste de Egger para avaliar o viés de publicação. O protocolo desta revisão sistemática foi registrado no sistema PROSPERO (CRD42016045594). Vinte e três estudos preencheram os critérios e foram incluídos na meta-análise. Para ambos os resultados, um idade mais avançada aumentou a magnitude da associação, e PP (OR = 3,16, IC95%: 2,79-3,57) foi mais fortemente associado com AMA do que DP (OR = 1,44, IC95%: 1,35-1,54). Ao estratificar por paridade, não houve diferença entre nulíparas e multíparas de idade materna avançada para os desfechos de PP e DP. Nossa revisão forneceu evidências de baixa qualidade para ambos os resultados, uma vez que abrange estudos observacionais com alta heterogeneidade estatística, diversidade de populações, sem controle de fatores de confundimento em vários casos e viés de publicação. No entanto, os intervalos de confiança eram pequenos e há um gradiente dose-resposta, bem como uma grande amplitude de efeito para o PP.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la existencia y la magnitud de la asociación entre la edad materna avanzada (AMA) y la aparición de placenta previa (PP) y desprendimiento de la placenta (DP) entre mujeres nulíparas y multíparas, mediante una revisión sistemática y un metanálisis. Se realizaron búsquedas en los artículos publicados entre el 1º de enero de 2005 y el 31 de diciembre de 2015, en cualquier idioma, en las siguientes bases de datos: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science y LILACS. Las mujeres se agruparon en dos categorías de edad: hasta 34 años y 35 años o más. La Escala Newcastle-Ottawa se utilizó para evaluar la calidad metodológica de los estudios. Se realizó un metanálisis para los resultados de PP y DP, utilizando un modelo de metarregresión para encontrar posibles covariables asociadas con la heterogeneidad entre los estudios y la prueba de Egger para evaluar el sesgo de publicación. El protocolo de esta revisión sistemática se registró en el Sistema PROSPERO (CRD42016045594). Veintitrés estudios cumplieron los criterios y se incluyeron en el metanálisis. Para ambos resultados, una edad más avanzada aumentó la magnitud de la fuerza de asociación, y PP (OR = 3,16, IC95%: 2,79-3,57) se asoció más fuertemente con AMA que DP (OR = 1,44, IC95%: 1,35-1,54). Cuando se estratificó por paridad, no hubo diferencia entre las mujeres nulíparas y las multíparas consideradas mayores para los resultados de PP y DP. Nuestra revisión proporcionó pruebas de muy baja calidad para ambos resultados, ya que abarca estudios observacionales con alta heterogeneidad estadística, diversidad de poblaciones, ausencia de control de los factores de confusión en varios casos y sesgo de publicación. Sin embargo, los intervalos de confianza fueron pequeños y existe un gradiente de dosis-respuesta, así como una gran magnitud de efecto para PP.

Trombofilias: a prevenção direcionada a uma gravidez bem-sucedida / Thrombophilia: prevention targeted to a successful pregnancy

Vários efeitos adversos na gravidez, como pré-eclampsia, deslocamento de placenta, prematuridade e até mesmo perdas fetais recorrentes vêm sendo amplamente associados a estados trombofílicos. Uma vez que o número de trombofilias herdadas tem crescido rapidamente nos últimos anos com a identificação de vários fatores genéticos predispondo ao desenvolvimento de trombose venosa ou arterial, cada vez mais se torna de grande interesse a identificação de mulheres de risco, na tentativa de minimizar os problemas na gravidez e, principalmente, instituir regimes terapêuticos para a prevenção de perdas fetais. Esta revisão aborda os riscos associados à presença de alterações genéticas predispondo à trombose e a importância de um monitoramento adequado.

Many adverse effects during pregnancy, like preeclampsia, placental abruptions, prematurity and recurrent fetal loss have been widely associated with thrombophilic states. The number of inherited thrombophilias has grown rapidly in recent years with the identification of many predisponent genetic factors to the development of venous and/or arterial thrombosis. Therefore, the identification of women of risk becomes of great interest in the attempt to minimize the problems during pregnancy and mainly to institute therapeutical regimens for fetal loss prevention. This review approaches the risk associated to the presence of genetic alterations predisposing to thrombosis, and the importance of an adequate follow up.

Urgencias en obstetricia / Emergencies in obstetrics

Tradicionalmente, el embarazo es considerado un evento fisiológico. Sin embargo, cerca de un 20 por ciento de las embarazadas desarrolla patologías obstétricas que se asocian a mortalidad materna y perinatal. A nivel mundial, cada año medio millón de mujeres fallece durante el embarazo y parto debido a estas complicaciones. Desafortunadamente, un número significativo de las urgencias obstétricas ocurre en pacientes sin factores de riesgo, por lo que la prevención, identificación precoz e intervención a tiempo de estos eventos juegan un rol fundamental para contrarrestar un resultado perinatal adverso. En el presente capítulo hemos seleccionado las emergencias que concentran la mayor morbimortalidad de nuestra especialidad. Si bien algunas han quedado fuera, creemos que los temas aquí presentados representan las urgencias obstétricas más importantes que enfrentamos a diario, para las cuales debemos estar preparados con el fin de realizar un manejo óptimo del embarazo y parto para la obtención de un resultado perinatal favorable.

Traditionally, pregnancy is considered a physiologic condition. However, close to 20 percent of pregnant women develop obstetrical diseases that are associated to maternal and perinatal mortality. World wide, every year half a million of women die during pregnancy, labor and delivery due to these complications. Unfortunately, a significant number of obstetrical emergencies occur among patients without risk factors, so that prevention, early identification and timely intervention play a key role to overcome an adverse pregnancy outcome. In the present chapter, we have selected the emergencies that concentrate most of the morbidity and mortality of our field. Although some have not been included, we believe that the obstetrical emergencies presented here in represent the most important ones that we face daily, and for which we should be prepared in order to execute the best possible obstetrical care either during pregnancy or at the time of delivery to obtain a favourable perinatal outcome.

Muerte fetal: evento actual / Fetal death: current event

El objetivo fue estudiar la mortalidad fetal, conocer su frecuencia, determinar características maternas, condiciones obstetricas y factores relacionados. Es un estudio observacional, descriptivo de 347 muertes fetales sucedidas entre 2005-2009. Para el mismo lapso se registraron 17406 nacimientos en el Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología. Hospital "Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara". Puerto Cabello-Estado Carabobo. La mortalidad fetal para el período fue 19,94 por mil nacidos o 1 por cada 50 nacimientos. Hubo predominio de pacientes de 24 años y menos (40,35%), en antecedentes familiares destacó la hipertensión arterial (18,44%) y diabetes e hipertensión arterial crónica (9,8%), en los personales la hipertensión arterial (17,58%). El diagnóstico de ingreso fue feto muerto 47,26%, rotura prematura de membrana 14,7% y patología hipertensiva 14,12%. No realizaron control prenatal 48,7%; eran multigestas 43,24%, con edad de embarazo menor igual 36 semanas 70,03%, y resuelto en parto vaginal 77,52%. Predominaron los fetos masculinos (57,06%), con peso menor igual 2500 g (75,5%) y talla menor igual 49 cm (65,13%). El factor de muerte directo conocido prevaleciente en 178 casos fue la insuficiencia placentaria (36,52%), desencadenada principalmente por patología hipertensiva; seguida de patología hemorrágica placentaria (25,28%), liderizada por desprendimiento normoplacentario. La tasa de mortalidad fetal se encuentra elevada, por lo cual se recomienda una estrategia de atención precoz del embarazo, enfatizar control de las patologías relacionadas: hipertensivas, diabetes, prematurez y hemorragias placentarias. La vigilancia intra-parto debe ser rutinaria, en especial en estas patologías

The objetive wasto study fetal mortality, to know its impact, to determine the maternal characteristics, obstetric conditions and related factors. It is an observational descriptive study of 347 fetal death accurred between 2005-2009. For the same period there were 17406 birth in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital "Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara". Puerto Cabello, Estado Carabobo. Fetal mortality for the period was 1994 per thousand births or 1 per 50 births. Most of them were patients of 24 years or less (40.35%), with family history of hypertension (18.44%) and diabetes and cronic arterial hypertension (9.8%); and personal history of hypertension (17.58%). The admission diagnosis was stillbirth 47.26%, premature rupture of membranes 14.7%, and hypertension disease 14.12%. No prenatal care 48.7%, were multiparous 43.24%. with gestational age < igual 36 weeks 70.03%. and vaginal delivery 77.52%. A predominance of male fetuses (57.06%), weight < igual 36 weeks 70.03, and vaginal delivery 77.52%. A predominance of male fetuses (57.06%), weightv< igual 2.500 g (75.5%) and heidht < igual 49 cm (63.13%). The known factor of prevalent direct death in 178 cases was placental insufficiency (36.52%), mosthy triggered by hipertensive pathology, , followed by placental hemorrhage (25.28%), lead by placental abruption. The fetal mortality rate is high, so it is recommended a strategy of early attention of pregnancy, and stress control of related conditions: hypertensive disorders, diabetes, pematurity and placental bleeding, Intrapartum monitoring should be routine, especially in these conditions

Óbito fetal no descolamento prematuro da placenta: comparação entre dois períodos / Fetal death in placental abruption: comparison of two different time periods

OBJETIVOS: Comparar a incidência de descolamento prematuro da placenta (DPP), de óbito fetal e o perfil dos fatores maternos associados ao óbito fetal em casos acometidos por DPP em dois períodos, num mesmo serviço médico terciário. MÉTODOS: Avaliação retrospectiva dos casos de DPP ocorridos entre 1º de janeiro de 1994 a 31 de dezembro de 1997 (período 94-97) e 1º de abril de 2001 a 31 de março de 2005 (período 01-05), em gestações únicas com peso do recém-nascido superior a 500g e idade gestacional acima da 20ª semana. Foram analisados os fatores: idade materna, cor, antecedentes obstétricos, ocorrência de hipertensão arterial ou ruptura prematura de membranas ovulares, presença de sangramento genital, hemoâmnio, características do tônus uterino, ocorrência de CIVD, insuficiência renal, anemia puerperal, bem como a idade gestacional e peso do RN no parto. RESULTADOS: No período 94-97, foram realizados 7.692 partos e o DPP ocorreu em 0,78 por cento (60 casos), e no período 01-05 foram 8.644 partos com 0,59 por cento (51 casos) de DPP, sem diferença significativa. No período 94-97, a proporção de casos sem sangramento genital foi significativamente maior no grupo que evoluiu com óbito fetal quando comparado aos casos cujo feto nasceu vivo (57,9 por cento vs 22,0 por cento; p=0,01). No período 01-05, a proporção de casos com hipertonia uterina foi significativamente maior no grupo que evoluiu com óbito fetal quando comparado aos casos com recém-nascido nativivo (66,7 por cento vs 29,3 por cento; p=0,04). As complicações maternas no pós-parto foram mais freqüentes nos casos de óbito fetal, em ambos os períodos 94-97 e 01-05 (31,6 por cento vs 4,9 por cento, p=0,009, e, 50,0 por cento vs 5,1 por cento, p=0,001, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: O DPP permanece grave problema obstétrico com conseqüências potencialmente fatais, principalmente nos casos com maior área de descolamento da placenta. Maior gravidade do quadro clínico materno é observada...

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of placental abruption (PA), fetal death and the profile of maternal factors associated with fetal death in pregnancies affected by placental abruption during two different time periods in the same hospital. METHODS: retrospective study between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1997 and April 1, 2001 and March 31, 2005, including singleton pregnancies with a birth weight higher than 500g and gestational age of more than 20 weeks. Factors analyzed were maternal age, race, obstetric history, presence of arterial hypertension or premature rupture of membranes, presence of genital bleeding, presence of amniotic fluid contaminated with blood, characteristics of uterine tonus, occurrence of renal insufficiency, postpartum coagulopathy, puerperal anemia, gestational age and weight at birth. RESULTS: there were7692 births in the 1994-1997 period, placental abruption incidence of 0.78 percent (60 cases); 8644 births occurred in the 2001-2005 period, placental abruption incidence of 0.59 percent (51 cases), with no statistical difference. During the 1994-1997 period, proportion of cases without genital bleeding was significantly higher in the group whose fetuses died compared to cases of live born fetuses (57.9 percent vs 22.0 percent; p=0.01). During the 2001-2005 period, proportion of cases with uterine hypertonia was significantly higher in the group whose fetuses died compared to cases of live born fetuses (66.7 percent vs 29.3 percent; p=0.04). Postpartum maternal complications were more frequent in cases of fetal death during both periods (31.6 percent vs 4.9 percent; p=0.009; and 50 percent vs 5.1 percent; p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Placental abruption continues to be a serious obstetric problem, with fatal consequences, especially when the placental abruption area is large. Maternal clinical symptoms are more severe in cases of fetal death.

Desprendimiento prematuro de la placenta: revisión bibliográfica / Premature loosening of the placenta: bibliographical overhaul

Trata de una revisión bibliográfica sobre desprendimiento prematuro de placenta, en la mayoría de los casos la separación de placenta ocurre sin ningún factor previo asociado, se han descrito casos de recidivas en embarazos posteriores. Es crucial la evaluación de todos los casos de hemorragia vaginal para determinar la causa. Actualmente el tratamiento rápido son las únicas medidas disponibles para eliminar los efectos de este trastorno.

Snakebite in pregnancy: a preliminary study

Worldwide occurrence of envenomation by snakebite in pregnancy is rare according to the medical literature. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of snakebite envenomation cases as well as their obstetrical consequences. Thus, we conducted this study based on the medical records of 157 patients, aged from 13 to 54 years old who had been attended at the "Joao de Barros Barreto" University Hospital from January 1989 to May 1994. These patients presented epidemiological and clinical diagnosis of snakebite envenomation. Of the 157 patients, 8 (5 per cent) were pregnant, 6 of them (75 per cent) were in the first trimester of pregnancy and 2 (25 per cent) in the 2nd trimester. Most of the victims were usually over 18 years old (7 cases, 87.5 per cent). Concerning the severity of the envenomation cases, 5 of them were considered mild accidents. Obstetrical consequences occurred in 3 (37.5 per cent) patients, 2 patients (25 per cent) with moderate manifestations, while 1 (12.5 per cent) presented severe manifestations. Patients developed vaginal bleeding in 3 cases (100 per cent), and uterine contraction, threatened abortion, decreased fetal movements, absence of fetal heartbeat and fetal death in one case (33.35 per cent). Snakebite is not common among pregnant women, since in most cases, these women are homebound. However, the obstetrical consequences are severe and related to severity of the envenomation.

Evaluación del Desprendimiento Prematuro de Placenta en la Altura / Evaluation of Abruptio Placentae in high altitude

De 4467 partos ocurridos en el lapso de 15 años en el Hospital II IPSS de la Oroya (3750 mts. sobre el nivel del mar),fueron seleccionados para el presente estudio, 75 casos con diagnóstico de desprendimiento prematuro de placenta normo inserta, con una incidencia de 1.6 por ciento.En esta patología la incidencia se se elevó 3.3 veces en gestantes mayores de 35 años, dos veces cuando tenían más de 4 hijos y 4.3 veces cuando el feto se encontraba en presentación transvera. Sangrado oculto o exterior leve con gran desprendimiento placentario fue hallado en 45.33 por ciento de los casos. En 82.7 por ciento de los caso se practicó cesárea de emergencia, y de ellas, en 70.97 por ciento se utilizó anestesia general. La incidencia de neonatos con apgar menor de 4 por DPP llegó al 18.02 por ciento (63.64 por ciento de los casos). 14.40 por ciento de los recién nacidos de bajo peso en estos 15 años, corresponden a DPP, así como 12.50 por ciento de los neonatos con menos de 35 semanas; siendo DPP la principal causa de muerte neonatal temprana intrahospitalaria. En 50.67 por ciento del total de casos de DPP, lo valores de hemoglobina materna fueron menores de 10 gr por ciento lo que correspomde a anemia aguda severa y hasta pre shock en nuestro medio. El comportamiento de la DPP en altura es más aparatosa que a nivel del mar. Su incidencia y morbimortalidad es superior a la reportada por la literatura y su etiología se deberá a que la hipoxia condiciona fragilidad capilar a nivel velloso, y al mayor volumen y viscosidad sanguínea que aumenta la resistencia vascular del lecho placentario. También influyen patrones culturales aún no desterrados que preconizan la versión externa para "acomodar" una mala presentación fetal.