New data on efficacy of valacyclovir in secondary prevention of maternal-fetal transmission of cytomegalovirus.

OBJECTIVE: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading cause of non-genetic hearing and neurological deficits. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of valacyclovir (VCV) treatment in preventing CMV transmission to the fetus after maternal primary infection. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicenter study evaluating the rate of maternal-fetal CMV transmission in pregnancies with maternal primary CMV infection treated with VCV at a dosage of 8 g per day (VCV group) compared with a control group of untreated women. Each case underwent virological testing to confirm maternal primary infection and to provide accurate dating of onset of infection. The primary outcome was the presence of congenital CMV infection at birth diagnosed based on polymerase chain reaction analysis of saliva, urine and/or blood samples. The efficacy of VCV treatment was assessed using logistic regression analysis adjusted for a propensity score. RESULTS: In total, 143 patients were included in the final analysis, of whom 59 were in the VCV group and 84 were in the untreated control group. On propensity-score-adjusted analysis, VCV treatment was significantly associated with an overall reduction in the rate of maternal-fetal CMV transmission (odds ratio, 0.40 (95% CI, 0.18-0.90); P = 0.029). The rate of maternal-fetal CMV transmission, determined at birth, in the VCV vs control group was 7% (1/14) vs 10% (1/10) after periconceptional maternal primary infection (P = 1.00), 22% (8/36) vs 41% (19/46) after first-trimester maternal primary infection (P = 0.068) and 25% (2/8) vs 52% (14/27) after second-trimester maternal primary infection (P = 0.244). When analyzing the efficacy of VCV treatment according to maternal viremia at treatment initiation, there was a trend towards greater efficacy when patients were viremia-positive (21% vs 43%; P = 0.072) compared with when they were viremia-negative (22% vs 17%; P = 0.659). Maternal side effects associated with VCV were mild and non-specific in most cases. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that VCV treatment of pregnant women with primary CMV infection reduces the risk of maternal-fetal transmission of CMV and may be effective in cases with primary infection in the first and second trimesters. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[Delivery of twins]. / Mode d'accouchement des grossesses gémellaires.

The assessment of optimal delivery for twin gestations is complex due to the relatively high frequency of obstetrical complications and to the heterogeneity of delivery management in these conditions. The extern validity of the Anglo-Saxon studies is limited in particular because delivery management of the second twin (approach of external cephalic version) differs from the French one (approach of internal version and/or total breech extraction) in cases of non-vertex second twin. Anglo-Saxon studies suggest that a planned vaginal delivery is associated to an increased risk of neonatal morbidity for second twin compared to first twin at term, in particular in cases of combined vaginal-cesarean birth. To reduce the interval twin-to-twin delivery interval and the number of combined vaginal-cesarean births, in our opinion, one must stop to perform external cephalic version and recommend a routinely active management for the second non-vertex twin delivery. With this active management, there is no evidence to support planned cesarean section for twins. Nevertheless, active management requires training as internal version might be difficult to perform, and therefore it is essential to pursue to teach junior obstetrician these obstetric maneuvers. There is limited role for trial of labor after cesarean delivery in twin gestation with a policy of active management.

[Linear insertion of atrioventricular valves (Livav): echocardiographic diagnosis, reliability and prevalence in the general population]. / Insertion linéaire des valves auriculoventriculaires (Ilvav): fiabilité du diagnostic échographique et prévalence dans une population sans trisomie 21.

OBJECTIVES: Assess the reliability of prenatal diagnosis of linear insertion of atrioventricular valves (Livav) by echocardiography as well as estimate Livav's prevalence in a population without Down syndrome. PATIENTS: One hundred and twenty-three fetuses of whom 113 were explored before and after birth and 631 consecutive out-patients explored in cardiopediatric unit. METHODS: Determination of the likehood ratio (LHR+ and LHR-) of Livav prenatal diagnosis. Evaluation of the consistency between pre- and postnatal diagnoses as well as between two observers after birth (Kappa index). Prevalence study according to the presence of Down syndrome, cardiac malformation or others abnormalities. RESULTS: LHR+ value was 6.17 and LHR- value was 0.30 for echographic Livav prenatal diagnosis. Consistency was low between pre- and postnatal diagnoses (Kappa = 0.57) and higher between two observers after birth (Kappa = 0.79). Livav prevalence was 2 to 5% in a population without Down syndrome but 15% when associated with a cardiac malformation. Seventy-eight percent Down syndromes had either Livav or AVSD. CONCLUSION: Livav echographic prenatal diagnosis is difficult, for it generates many false positives. Livav is not specific of Down syndrome and can be found relatively frequently in other subjects.

The impact of manual rotation of the occiput posterior position on spontaneous vaginal delivery rate: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial (RMOS).

BACKGROUND: The frequency of posterior presentations (occiput of the fetus towards the sacrum of the mother) in labor is approximately 20% and, of this, 5% remain posterior until the end of labor. These posterior presentations are associated with higher rates of cesarean section and instrumental delivery. Manual rotation of a posterior position in order to rotate the fetus to an anterior position has been proposed in order to reduce the rate of instrumental fetal delivery. No randomized study has compared the efficacy of this procedure to expectant management. We therefore propose a monocentric, interventional, randomized, prospective study to show the superiority of vaginal delivery rates using the manual rotation of the posterior position at full dilation over expectant management. METHODS: Ultrasound imaging of the presentation will be performed at full dilation on all the singleton pregnancies for which a clinical suspicion of a posterior position was raised at more than 37 weeks' gestation (WG). In the event of an ultrasound confirming a posterior position, the patient will be randomized into an experimental group (manual rotation) or a control group (expectative management with no rotation). For a power of 90% and the hypothesis that vaginal deliveries will increase by 20%, (10% of patients lost to follow-up) 238 patients will need to be included in the study. The primary endpoint will be the rate of spontaneous vaginal deliveries (expected rate without rotation: 60%). The secondary endpoints will be the rate of fetal extractions (cesarean or instrumental) and the maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality rates. The intent-to-treat study will be conducted over 24 months. Recruitment started in February 2017. To achieve the primary objective, we will perform a test comparing the number of spontaneous vaginal deliveries in the two groups using Pearson's chi-squared test (provided that the conditions for using this test are satisfactory in terms of numbers). In the event that this test cannot be performed, we will use Fisher's exact test. DISCUSSION: Given that the efficacy of manual rotation has not been proven with a high level of evidence, the practice of this technique is not systematically recommended by scholarly societies and is, therefore, rarely performed by obstetric gynecologists. If our hypothesis regarding the superiority of manual rotation is confirmed, our study will help change delivery practices in cases of posterior fetal position. An increase in the rates of vaginal delivery will help decrease the short- and long-term rates of morbidity and mortality following cesarean section. Manual rotation is a simple and effective method with a success rate of almost 90%. Several preliminary studies have shown that manual rotation is associated with reduced rates for fetal extraction and maternal complications: Shaffer has shown that the cesarean section rate is lower in patients for whom a manual rotation is performed successfully (2%) with a 9% rate of cesarean sections when manual rotation is performed versus 41% when it is not performed. Le Ray has shown that manual rotation significantly reduces vaginal delivery rates via fetal extraction (23.2% vs 38.7%, p < 0.01). However, manual rotation is not systematically performed due to the absence of proof of its efficacy in retrospective studies and quasi-experimental before/after studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03009435 . Registered on 30 December 2016.

[Isthmic pregnancy located in a previous caesarean section scar treated with methotrexate. A case report]. / Grossesse isthmique localisée au niveau d'une cicatrice d'hystérotomie traitée par méthotrexate. A propos d'un cas.

We report a case of a patient who presented an isthmic pregnancy successfully treated with an intramuscular injection of methotrexate. The diagnosis of isthmic pregnancy was made clinically (cervical colour was normal, inferior segment soft and enlarged) and echographically (long cervix, foetal sack situated in the isthmus and the uterine body was empty). An isthmic full term pregnancy is possible but would carry major haemorrhagic risk. There are several therapeutic options if the pregnancy is interrupted: medical treatment of methotrexate, curettage, curettage with embolisation of the uterine arteries and as a last resort, hysterectomy. The success of conservative treatment seems to be related to the criteria known for the cervical pregnancy, which are cardiac activity, the level of HCG, gestational age and cranial-caudal length.

[Ultrasound monitoring]. / Le suivi échographique.

Ultrasound investigation is peculiar when pregnancy is complicated by gestational diabetes. One have to study interventricular septal thickness and to predict macrosomia. Before delivery septal thickness should be under 6 mm. Estimated fetal weight (EFW) and abdominal circumference (AC) are accurate to detect macrosomia. Quite all formulas of EFW are not significantly different. An EFW of 4,000 gm have a sensitivity of 45% and positive predictive value of 81% to predict macrosomia. AC >=35 cm have a negative predictive value of 99% and AC >=37 cm have a positive predictive value of 91% to predict an EFW of 4,000 gm. Soft-tissue measurements are used to evaluate the increase of fetal fat body mass. Cheek to cheek diameter, upper arm subcutaneous tissue, shoulder subcutaneous tissue can be used. Three-dimensional ultrasonography may offer volume assess of the thigh or upper arm.

[Induce or not induce labor in gestational diabetes]. / Les indications obstétricales dans le diabète gestationnel: déclencher ou ne pas déclencher.

The most serious hazard of gestational diabetes is shoulder dystocia, which sometimes is complicated by Erb's palsy and maternal lacerations. This risk is linked to fetal weight, and is more frequent in cases of diabetes. So, a caesarean section performed when macrosomia is present is required and an induction of labor before severe macrosomia is proposed. Unfortunately, estimation of fetal weight is imprecise in spite of formulas from fetal parameters. Abdomen circumference (AC) alone is as effective as complex formulas. So, it is proposed to perform an elective section when AC is equal or above 38 cm, and to induce labor, after 38 weeks of gestation, for limiting the risk of macrosomia when AC is between 35 and 38 cm. Induction is also proposed when pregnancy is complicated by hypertension or when fetal heart septal hypertrophy occurs. The management of gestational diabetes means a strict control of glycemia, which can reduce macrosomia and the need for cesarean section or induction of labor.

[Is ultrasound screening for ovarian cancer possible in 1998?]. / Le dépistage échographique du cancer de l'ovaire est-il possible en 1998?

Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of gynecologic cancer death, as most patients present with advanced disease, in which the prognosis is poor. Five year-survival is only 35% for all stages, while it exceeds 90% in stage I. Consequently, there has been heightened interest in the development of screening modalities that can detect ovarian cancer at an early stage to reduce the mortality of this disease. Unfortunately, transvaginal sonography and color Doppler imaging still have a high false positive rate and low specificity increasing the number of surgical procedures, even among women with a strong family history of ovarian cancer. Psychological impact and economical cost has also to be discussed when considering such programs.

[Management of premature rupture of the membranes at term: how long to delay? Results of a prospective multicentric study in 713 cases]. / Rupture prématurée des membranes à terme: quel délai d'expectative? Résults d'une étude prospective multicentrique, à propos de 713 cas.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to define he best delay for management of spontaneous rupture of the membranes at term. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicentric study in western France defining 3 groups of expectancy (6, 12 and 24 hours) to assess obstetrical, neonatal and maternal outcomes. RESULTS: We included 713 patients. There was no significant difference in neonatal and maternal morbidity between the 3 groups. The rate of cesarean section was statistically higher in the 6-hour group (12%). There was no statistical difference between 12 and 24 hours but the rate was lower in the 12-hour group (5.5 versus 7.9%). CONCLUSION: Based on our findings and a review of the literature, we have decided that in cased of premature rupture of the membranes at term, a 12 hour delay is best. At most two prostaglandin maturations can be performed in unfavorable cervixes.

[Assessment of the benefit-harm balance depending on gestationnal age to induce delivery for post-term pregnancies]. / Évaluation de la balance bénéfice/risque selon l'âge gestationnel pour induire la naissance en cas de grossesse prolongée.

OBJECTIVES: To attempt to determine for post-term pregnancies the optimal gestational age when the benefit-harm balance is in favor of induction labor in comparison with an expectative management including close monitoring. METHODS: Articles were searched using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library. RESULTS: Current literature data are insufficient to demonstrate that routine labor induction is superior, inferior or equivalent to an expectant management to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity (EL2). Although it is impossible to determine certainly a gestational age for which the benefit-harm balance is in favor of induction labor, epidemiological data regarding the perinatal mortality suggest that an expectant management is an unreasonable option after 42 completed weeks (EL3). Current data are insufficient to state positively or negatively that routine labor induction is associated significantly to a lower rate of cesarean delivery in comparison with an expectant management (EL2). There is no evidence of a statistically significant difference in the risk of cesarean section between the two policies for women with favorable cervices (Bishop score ≥ 5) (EL2). CONCLUSIONS: Induction of labor at 41(+0) to 42(+6)weeks should be proposed to women with uncomplicated post-term pregnancies (EL2). The optimal age gestionnal for induction will depend mainly on maternal characteristics (EL4), but also on women's preferences and organization of maternity cares, after having delivered information regarding the benefits and harms of both labor induction and expectant management (expert opinion). After 42(+0)weeks, expectant management is a possible option (expert opinion). Nevertheless, it may be associated with an increase of risks for the fetus, that must be explained to the patient and be weighed against the possible disadvantages of an induction of labor (expert opinion).

[Prevention of spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic twin pregnancies]. / Prévention de la prématurité spontanée chez les grossesses gémellaires asymptomatiques.

OBJECTIVES: To determine prenatal methods to predict and prevent spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic twin pregnancies. METHODS: Articles were searched using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library. RESULTS: Uterine activity monitoring and bacterial vaginosis screening are not useful to predict preterm birth (EL2 and EL3 respectively). Current literature data are contradictory and insufficient to determine whether fetal fibronectin and digital cervical assessment are predictors of preterm birth. History of preterm birth (EL4), and cervical length measurement by transvaginal ultrasonography (EL2) predict preterm birth. Nevertheless, there are no intervention studies that have evaluated cervical length measurement in the prevention of preterm birth. Hospital bedrest, prophylactic tocolytic and progesterone therapy, and prophylactic cervical cerclage in patients with or without short cervix have not been shown to be effective in preventing preterm birth. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal methods to prevent spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic twin pregnancies are currently very limited.

Influence of ultrasonographers training on prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart diseases: a 12-year population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Since 1998, French multidisciplinary prenatal diagnosis centers (CPDPN) offer a training opportunity to first-level screening sonographers. This study measures the impact of this training on prenatal detection rates of congenital heart diseases (CHDs). METHODS: We analyzed the sensitivity of screening sonographers by comparing CHD prenatal diagnoses and CHDs observed after birth in the area of Angers from 1994 to 2006. Two groups of sonographers were compared, those who attended the training (n=19) and those who did not (control group. n=21). The evolution of CHD detection rate was compared between two successive periods of 6 years each. RESULTS: Of 947 CHDs, 438 (46%) were detected prenatally. The control group sensitivity was 16 versus 37% for the sonographers who had attended the training course (p<0.001).Between the two study periods, detection rates for all CHDs and significant CHDs remained unchanged in the control group, whereas they improved significantly in the other group (respectively 54% vs 33% and 75% vs 38%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study supports the hypothesis of a beneficial effect of CPDPN on prenatal diagnosis of CHDs. These centers not only fulfill their primary purpose but also operate as learning centers in which screening sonographers may improve their practice.

Prenatal diagnosis of absence of the septum pellucidum associated with septo-optic dysplasia.

Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD; De Morsier syndrome) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by the absence of the septum pellucidum (SP), hypoplasia of the optic chiasma and nerves, and various types of hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. We report on two fetuses with absence of the SP diagnosed by ultrasound examination at 29 and 30 gestational weeks. In the first case the diagnosis of SOD was suspected in utero and confirmed postnatally; to the best of our knowledge this is the first report of the prenatal diagnosis of SOD. In the second case absence of the SP appeared to be isolated and no visual or endocrine impairment were detected after birth.