Direct analysis of the lectin reactivity of alpha-fetoprotein in maternal serum by crossed affinity radio-immunoelectrophoresis.

Affinity experiments with the lentil (Lens culinaris) lectin have revealed the existence of two distinct molecular populations of alpha-fetoprotein: lectin reactive and lectin non-reactive. Using a combination of crossed lectin immunoelectrophoresis and radio-immunoelectrophoresis, it has been possible to obtain directly the lentil lectin affinity patterns of alpha-fetoprotein present in maternal sera. The lentil lectin reactivity of maternal alpha-fetoprotein decreases almost linearly with the gestational age from week 15 to 35.

[Exact determination of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid. Suggestion of a reference methods (author's transl)]. / Determination precise du rapport lecithine/sphingomyeline dans le liquide amniotique: Proposition d'une methode de reference.

Pulmonary maturity of the fetus can be evaluated by the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in amniotic fluid. To existing methods of lipid extraction, precipitation with acetone and chromatography, we add a simple and accurate estimation of sphingomyelins (S) and precipitated lecithins (Lp) without acid digestion. The method is reproducible (C.V. less than 9%) for the measurement of Lp/S ratio and gives with accuracy the concentrations of Lp, avoiding possible errors in interpretation of Lp/S. Our results show that at 35 weeks of normal gestation, Lp/S ratio is about 2 and Lp concentration, 10 mg/1.

Effects of inhaled nitric oxide on gas exchange and acute lung injury in premature lambs with moderate hyaline membrane disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) may change lung injury in moderate hyaline membrane disease (HMD). METHODS: Fifteen moderately premature lambs (128 days gestation, term=147 days) were randomly assigned to treatment with 20 ppm inhaled NO (n=7) from the onset of ventilation or control (n=8). Except for inhaled NO, treatments were intentionally similar to those applied in clinical situations. After porcine surfactant administration (Curosurf, 100 mg/kg), mechanical ventilator settings were modified during the course of the study to maintain PaCO(2) between 40 and 50 mmHg and post-ductal SpO(2) between 90 and 95%. The main studied parameters were gas exchanges parameters, respiratory mechanics (static compliance and functional residual capacity) and pulmonary vascular permeability and/or filtration rate indices. RESULTS: We found that 20 ppm of inhaled NO for 5 h significantly reduce ventilatory and oxygen requirements, but only during the first hour of mechanical ventilation. No increase in extravascular lung water content (5.41+/-0.96 vs. 5.46+/-1.09 ml/g bloodless dry lung in the control group and in the NO group, respectively) and no impairment of the respiratory mechanics could be found in the NO-treated group. However, inhaled NO increased the albumin lung leak index in this model (6.09+/-1.51 in the NO-treated group vs. 4.08+/-1.93 in the control group; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not therefore support a detrimental effect of short-term exposure to low doses of NO inhalation in moderate HMD. However, it may induce an increase in lung vascular protein leakage. The pathophysiological consequences of this finding remain to be elucidated.

Arterial ischemic strokes associated with pregnancy and puerperium.

Physiological changes occurring during pregnancy and puerperium may increase the risk of stroke. However, the incidence rate of ischemic stroke is of 3.8 to 5 in 100,000 pregnancies, i.e. quite similar to that of ischemic strokes occurring in non pregnant women of child bearing age. Whereas eclampsia, choriocarcinoma and amniotic emboli occur only during pregnancy or puerperium, peripartum cardiomyopathy and benign cerebral angiopathy are less specific. All other causes of cerebral ischemia may also occur during pregnancy and puerperium. The management of an ischemic stroke should not differ between pregnant and non pregnant women of child bearing age. Strokes associated with pregnancy require a complete diagnostic work-up including angiography if necessary. Low doses of aspirin (60-80 mg/d) can be used after 3 months of pregnancy. Heparin is the anticoagulant of choice during pregnancy, but warfarin may be used between 13 and 36 weeks of gestation; heparin and warfarin can be used during breast feeding. There is no neurological reason to recommend a systematic use of cesarean section. Subsequent prescription of oral contraceptive therapy is not recommended except in patients with a definite cause of ischemic stroke which is not influenced by hormones.

[Important elevation of uric acid associated with vomiting at the third trimester of pregnancy: report of five cases with favorable outcome]. / Elévation majeure de l'uricémie associée à des vomissements au cours du troisième trimestre de la grossesse: cinq cas avec issue favorable.

We report five cases of vomiting associated with a very important increase of maternal plasma uric acid (> 595 mmol/l, 100 mg/l) at the third trimester of pregnancy. In all cases, elevation was transitory and regressive with rehydratation. Pregnancies proceeded normally to term and delivered healthy babies. An important rise of plasmatic uric acid during pregnancy can be found in severe hypertensive disorders (preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, acute fatty liver). Nevertheless, it can be related to transient renal insufficiency without any severe pathology. In our five observations, digestive disorders seem to be the reason for this phenomenon and spontaneous prognosis was excellent in all cases.

[Marfan syndrome and pregnancy. Apropos of 4 cases]. / Syndrome de Marfan et grossesse. A propos de quatre cas.

OBJECTIVES: To create a follow-up protocol for pregnant patients with Marfan syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who delivered in the Jeanne de Flandre University Hospital between June 1996 and June 1999. Four pregnant patients with Marfan syndrome were identified. RESULTS: Three of these patients had Bentall procedure. One of them had vaginal delivery and the two others underwent cesarean section. One of these two patients developed aortic valve thrombus at 14 weeks of amenorrhea. The fourth patient did not have surgery and had two vaginal deliveries. DISCUSSION: According to our results and after reviewing literature pregnant patients with Marfan syndrome were divided into two groups. The 1st group was comprised of patients who underwent Bentall procedure. The 2nd one was comprised of patients who did not undergo any surgical procedure. The possibility of vaginal delivery for patients who underwent Bentall procedure (one case) and the interest of Propanolol and anticoagulant treatment are emphasized. CONCLUSION: The multivariant approach of pregnant patients with Marfan syndrome is stressed out with special reference to the potential complications of this syndrome such as aortic dissection and to the problems related to the anticoagulant treatment.

[Value of a consultation center and crisis intervention in addressing psychiatric disorders in the perinatal period]. / Place d'un centre d'accueil et de crise dans l'abord des troubles psychiques de la périnatalité.

The Psychiatry department of the University Hospital Centre of Lille has developed, over the last 10 years, a treatment network for psychiatric disorders during pregnancy or in the post-partum period. There are liaison consultations in the maternity department, screening and management of psychopathological disorders in the perinatal period, training of midwives, support of patients seeking genetic counselling, collaboration with teams providing "medically-assisted procreation", etc. For severe disorders of the post-partum period (severe depression, serious alteration of mother-child interaction, puerperal psychosis), the Psychiatry department has a specialized unit where 3 "mother-child" groups can be admitted. This unit is particularly effective if the patients and their family understand this healthcare system and stick to it to a certain extent. Even if improvements are always possible, cases in which situations occur as an emergency, are when dysfunctions are most frequently seen. On 7th December 1998, a Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) was created with 15 short-term beds, for stays up to 72 hours. The CIU was opened in the Psychiatry department, close to the main Accident and Emergency department, with 2 aims: firstly to provide a setting and resources for a number of emergency psychiatric situations, and secondly to provide a place and time for crisis situations which we admit to the unit, with a view to facilitating interaction and to propose in certain cases a process of crisis intervention, which later continues on an outpatient basis. After being open for a year, the CIU has proved to be an improvement to all of the healthcare services which are available. It should be noted that the situations which need highly specialized resources in such a short time, are those which cause the most acute problems. This is at times when the emergency services network, with its internal logic, require another network based on a different logic, that the interface problems are at their most acute. The situations reported here, which require a fluid interface between the emergency services and the "mother-child" networks, are examples. We report 3 clinical situations, which illustrate 3 possibilities of action: the first, in which 2 successive stays in the CIU allowed an admission to the "mother-child" unit in satisfactory conditions, the second, in which overall management was based on hospitalization in the Obstetrics department and several visits to our Unit, and the last one, in which the whole medico-psycho-social approach was set up after a single stay of 3 days. Since the opening of Crisis Intervention Unit, around 1,000 patients have been treated there; 37 were women with difficulties with their pregnancy, 17 of whom required direct intervention by the "mother-child" team. The contexts were: 5 prenatal depressions, 4 post-partum depressions, 3 cases of hyperemesis gravidarum, 5 rejections of pregnancy and/or situations at risk of infanticide. The almost constant suicidal risk should be noted, or even attempted suicide, at the time of admission to the CIU. The other 20 women had psychopathological disorders linked to sterility, medically-assisted pregnancy, termination of pregnancy or pregnancy in women suffering from long-term somatic illnesses (insulin-dependent diabetes, lupus, etc.). When a psychopathological episode occurs during pregnancy, it is essential to preserve the developing relationship with the child in an intermediate place, in a healthcare perspective and to prevent any future impairment of the quality of the mother-child relationship by the psychiatric disorder. The Crisis Intervention Unit is not an emergency "mother-child" unit. Other French experiences have been reported, an example being mother-baby hospitalization in a crisis centre. The aim of our interventions is not the same, and our local context, together with the availability of a healthcare network on different floors, which is specific and close-by, allows this approach. Also, the contribution of Liaison Psychiatry in emergency situations should not be minimized. It is necessary to work in collaboration with the obstetricians. In fact, the chance to work with us was given by asking for a hospitalization in the Obstetric unit, during the prepartum period of pregnancies with a psychiatric risk. This way of proceeding allows somatic monitoring in hospital to be performed, whenever the risk run by the mother and/or the child requires it. This "analogue" procedure, however preventative it may be, does not always allow specific treatment of the psychiatric disorders to be given, despite liaison psychiatry interventions. Our interventions are not a specialized "mother-child" unit, or a substitute for Liaison Psychiatry, but they are specifically aimed at the context of the crisis. Obviously, it is precisely this dimension of the crisis which makes the other types of management temporarily unsuitable. This new working framework, with the simple possibility of admitting women and interacting with them in a crisis situation, with the aid of the competence of "mother-child" teams, most often seems to allow an alternative to hospitalization in the Psychiatry department, at the same time keeping up quality management of problems linked to the pregnancy or post-partum period. The specificity of the CIU, with its project of taking the special psychiatric vulnerability of pregnancy into account, makes sure that the psychopathological aspects of the crisis situation and the physiological aspects of adaptation reactions to the perinatal period are not neglected, but that are respected by this type of interaction/intervention.

[Premature discontinuation of breastfeeding]. / Les arrêts prématurés d'allaitement maternel.

UNLABELLED: This study was performed to describe the factors associated with a premature cessation of breastfeeding. BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Three hundred and forty nine women with a plan for prolonged breastfeeding over two months were interviewed during their hospital stay to define sociological and medical variables. One month after discharge, mothers were contacted by a physician for making out evolution of the breastfeeding. RESULTS: Eighty-eight (28%) women were no more breastfeeding their infant and were compared to the other 224 (64%) mothers. The main sociological factors influencing the cessation of breastfeeding were low education level (odds ratio 4.2 [95% CI 2.2-8.3]), and primiparity (odds ratio 2.1 [95% CI 1.1-3.9]). Pacifier use was associated with a lower duration of breastfeeding (odds ratio 2.5 [95% CI 1.4-4.5]). Medical predictive factors were infant weight loss (odds ratio 4.3 [95% CI 1.7-10.6]), respect of intervals between feeding times (odds ratio 2.1 [95% CI 1.1-4.4]), delay before the first feeding (odds ratio 1.9 [95% CI 1.0-3.6]). On the other hand formula supplementation was not related with cessation of breastfeeding. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As the success of breastfeeding depends on maternal motivation, it seems essential to take into account mothers' plan to study breastfeeding duration. The knowledge of predictive factors of the cessation of breastfeeding should allow to identify mothers who need particularly the attention of healthcare professionals.

[Loco-regional analgesia by electronic stimulation during labor]. / Analgésie loco-régionale au cours du travail par stimulation électronique

This is a preliminary report on an original method of local regional electronic analgesia. From it the first results can be deduced. The threshold for pain which was appreciated at 25 mmHg without electronic stimulation was raised to 48 mm Hg under electronic stimulation. Fetal ill-effects are nil.

[Ultrasonic size of fetal crump-rump length in first trimester of pregnancy. Accuracy of gestational age assessment (author's transl)]. / La mesure échographique de l'embryon. Une détermination précise de l'âge gestationnel.

The fetal crown rump length was measureed by means of pulsed ultrasound. The normal values between 49 and 94 days from the onset of the last menstrual period were determined in 72 patients. Statistical analysis showed a good correlation between gestationnal age and fetal crown rump length. The usefulness of this measure is so demonstrated: assessment of gestational age, within few days.

[Fetal cells in the maternal blood: a step towards non-invasive prenatal diagnosis? Review of the literature]. / Cellules foetales dans le sang maternel: vers un diagnostic anténatal non invasif? Revue de la littérature.

Prenatal diagnosis of genetic abnormalities requires nucleated fetal cells which are currently obtained by invasive techniques such as amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling and percutaneous umbilical blood sampling. Each of these entails a risk to the foetus and sometimes to the mother. Nucleated fetal cells have been reported to be present in maternal blood. Recovery of fetal cells from maternal blood would allow a noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. Their rarity (1 fetal cell for 10(6) to 10(8) maternal cells) presents a technical challenge. Due to the small number of fetal cells, sensitive analysis techniques such as PCR and FISH are necessary. Some degree of fetal cells enrichment in the maternal blood sample often precedes the analysis. Different techniques are used for the enrichment: discontinuous density gradient, magnetic activated cell sorting, fluorescence activated cell sorting, micromanipulator.... Several prenatal diagnosis have already been performed from maternal venous blood samples: diagnosis of gender, RhD blood genotype, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and hemoglobinopathy by PCR, diagnosis of gender and chromosome aneuploidy by FISH. Many teams are working on this subject. It is difficult to compare the studies because the techniques of enrichment and analysis vary. We review the different strategies chosen for prenatal diagnosis from maternal blood and discuss the results.

[Panorama of uropathies discovered during the prenatal period. 147 cases]. / Panorama des uropathies dépistées en période anténatale. A propos de 147 observations.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish the panorama of uropathies discovered during the antenatal period and to analyze the explorations performed. Pregnancy outcome and infant prognosis was also recorded. METHOD: Ultrasonographic imaging revealed dilatation in 62.5% of the cases, parenchymal anomalies in 26.3% and unilateral or bilateral agenesia in 11.2%. The percentage of abnormal karyotypes was 4.76% for all urorenal symptomatologies. These abnormal karyotypes corresponded to 10% of those performed in 17 fetuses, urine puncture was used in order to assess in utero renal function. There were 113 live births, 31 medically termined pregnancies and 3 spontaneous abortions. Among the 113 live infants, 12 died during the post-natal period. Thirty-two infants were considered to be normal and 69 had an urorenal malformation, including 2 infants with pre-end-stage renal failure at 4 and 3 years. CONCLUSION: It is uncommon to discover an urorenal malformation at prenatal ultrasonography. The main problem is antenatal management and evaluation of prognosis. Urine puncture and in utero derivation are discussed. When no other reliable factors affecting fetal prognosis are available, puncture of fetal urine provides useful information for management although the technique remains under debate.

[Twenty practical questions about prenatal corticosteroid therapy]. / Vingt questions pratiques concernant la corticothérapie anténatale.

Since Liggins and Howie first published their work, numerous studies have shown that corticosteroids significantly decrease perinatal mortality and morbidity, without complication for the mothers and child. Corticosteroids should be prescribed in case of threatening premature birth. Imminent delivery premature rupture of the membranes and gestationnal age over 34 weeks are not contraindications to prescription, as corticosteroids can be safely given all in these circumstances. Theoretically, more than half of premature neonates should have been treated with corticosteroids. Actually, only 20% or less are currently treated. The cost-effectiveness ratio of an antenatal corticosteroid policy would be extremely positive: more than 1,500 prenatal deaths could theoretically be avoided in France annually and the overall cost of neonatal care would decrease by 10%.

[Hydrocephalus with cerebrospinal fluid shunts and pregnancy: 2 cases]. / Hydrocéphalie appareillée et grossesse: 2 cas.

During pregnancy 50% of all cases with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt malfunction. This is because of anatomo-physiological changes associated with the pregnant state, and shows itself as a rise in intracranial tension. There were no acute neurological complications at term; with the malfunction of the shunt distally, vaginal delivery is preferable. It is not necessary routinely to carry out instrumental delivery.

[Cord prolapse. Review of the literature. A series of 50 cases]. / Procidence du cordon. Revue de la littérature, à propos de 50 observations.

OBJECTIVES: Identify the role of cord prolapse in modern obstetrics by estimating the frequency of this obstetrical accident, its conditions, prognosis and treatment and by analyzing factors favoring development of cord prolapse. METHOD: From a retrospective study of 50 observations of cord prolapse occurring in the department of obstetrics from January 1985 to June 1994. Results were compared with those reported in the literature. RESULTS: The frequency of cord prolapse was 0.21% over the 10-year period. Cesarean section was required in 72% of the cases, and obstetrical manoeuvers were used in some of the vaginal deliveries (28%). Neonatal mortality was 20/1000. Predisposing factors were breech presentation, prematurity, twin pregnancy and multiparity. CONCLUSION: Despite much progress in obstetrics, the frequency of cord prolapse has not changed over time. The consequences are not as lethal as in the past, because of progress in diagnosis and neonatal resuscitation. Fetal prognosis remains however severe.

[Pregnancy in women with a mechanical heart valve. Review of the literature]. / Grossesse chez les femmes porteuses d'une valve cardiaque mécanique, Revue de la littérature.

AIM: To define therapeutic ways to manage obstetrics at an optimal level for a patient carrying a mechanical prosthetic heart valve. METHOD: From a review of literature and documented cases, we propose an obstetrical and cardiological management scheme for pregnant patients carrying a mechanical prosthetic heart valve. We deal successively with the preventive (anticoagulation) and curative treatment (surgery and thrombolytic therapy) of valvular thrombosis, in fact, a severe -but unfortunately frequent- complication of these pregnancies. RESULTS: Pregnancy concerning patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves is a high-risk pregnancy. In fact, the risk of thrombo-embolic accidents even with a closely followed anticoagulant treatment seems to come from the existence of the prothese, the state of physiological hypercoagulation and peri-partum hemorrhages. Naturally, multidisciplinary follow-up is indispensable. The prescription of anticoagulant treatments must respect the main principals and the normal counter-indications in order to minimise maternal and fetal complications. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy amongst patients carrying mechanical prosthetic heart valves should be considered rare and highly exceptional cases, from a cardio-vascular surgeon's point of view. For obstetricians, it is sometimes difficult to forbid pregnancy to a nullipara. The discussion whether to authorize a pregnancy will be treated case-by-case, holding into account the socio-cultural environment of the patient, as the principles of an anticoagulant treatment and the underlying risks must be well understood.

[Willebrand's disease and pregnancy. Fifteen cases]. / Maladie de Willebrand et grossesse. A propos de 15 cas.

Willebrand's disease, the most frequent inborn coagulopathy, is defined as a deficiency in Willebrand's factor required for normal hemostasis as a mediator in platelet adhesion to the subendothelium and which also contributes to plasma coagulation pathway (by preserving the coagulating activity of factor VIII). Classically, Willebrand's disease improves somewhat during pregnancy. We followed 15 pregnancies in 12 patients with Willebrand's disease in an attempt to determine the best management strategy to reduce the risk of bleeding during delivery. This risk can be assessed on the basis of prior history of bleeding and the laboratory tests and reduced by administration of concentrated Willebrand's factor at 8 months gestation. In patients with type I disease, desmopressin is proposed as curative treatment during the post partum period. Antenatal diagnosis is possible in the most severe forms. Programmed delivery is recommended. Spinal analgesia is contraindicated.

[Meadows syndrome. A case history (author's transl)]. / Le syndrome de Meadows. A propos d'une observation.

The authors, having studied a case of Meadows syndrome, confirm that this cardiomyopathy is a specific entity in pregnancy and the puerperium. They point out the difficulties in diagnosis, as Meadows syndrome seems to be diagnosis of elimination. They point out that a paraclinical balance has to be drawn up very fully on the biological and haemodynamic planes to confirm this condition. Finally, after a short discussion about the therapy, they tackle the problem of the prognosis for life and for future childbearing in these patients, which is determined by the persistence or absence of cardiac enlargement.