The challenge of adopting a collaborative information system for independent healthcare workers in France: a comprehensive study.

This study aimed to explore the perception of an underutilised collaborative information system through qualitative research, utilizing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with independent midwives and physician. PROSPERO, is a collaborative information system designed to bridge the communication gap between community-based healthcare workers and hospital-based care teams for parturients in Lyon, France. Through 27 semi-structured in-depth interviews with midwives, obstetricians, and general practitioners, we identified key themes related to the system's adoption: implementation challenges, utilisation barriers, interprofessional dynamics, and hidden variables affecting system use. Participants recognised the potential of PROSPERO to improve information sharing and care coordination but expressed concerns about the system's integration into existing workflows, time constraints, and the need for adequate training and technical support. Interprofessional dynamics revealed differing perspectives between hospital and independent practitioners, emphasising the importance of trust-building and professional recognition. Hidden variables, such as hierarchical influences and confidentiality concerns, further complicated the system's adoption. Despite the consensus on the benefits of a collaborative information system, its implementation was hindered by mistrust between healthcare workers (i.e. between independent practitioners and hospital staff). Our findings suggest that fostering trust and addressing the identified barriers are crucial steps towards successful system implementation. The study contributes to understanding the complex interplay of factors influencing the adoption of collaborative healthcare technologies and highlights the need for strategies that support effective interprofessional collaboration and communication.ClinicalTrials ID NCT02593292.

Minimum evidence-based care in intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses and neonatal prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Introduction: There is clear evidence that fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) do not receive the minimum evidence-based care during their antenatal management. OBJECTIVE: Considering that optimal management of IUGR may reduce neonatal morbi-mortality in IUGR, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of antenatal management of IUGR according to the recommendations of the French college of gynecologists and obstetricians (CNGOF) on the neonatal prognosis of IUGR fetuses. STUDY DESIGN: From a historical cohort of 31,052 children, born at the Femme Mère Enfant hospital (Lyon, France) between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2017, we selected the population of IUGR fetuses. The minimum evidence-based care (MEC) in the antenatal management of fetuses with IUGR was defined according to the CNGOF recommendations and neonatal prognosis of early and late IUGR fetuses were assessed based on the whether or not they received MEC. The neonatal prognosis was defined according to a composite criterion that included neonatal morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1020 fetuses with IUGR were studied. The application of MEC showed an improvement in the neonatal prognosis of early-onset IUGR (p = 0.003), and an improvement in the neonatal prognosis of IUGR born before 32 weeks (p = 0.030). Multivariate analysis confirmed the results showing an increase in neonatal morbi-mortality in early-onset IUGR in the absence of MEC with OR 1.79 (95% CI 1.01-3.19). CONCLUSION: Diagnosed IUGR with MEC had a better neonatal prognosis when born before 32 weeks. Regardless of the birth term, MEC improved the neonatal prognosis of fetuses with early IUGR. Improvement in the rate of MEC during antenatal management has a significant impact on neonatal prognosis.

Fetal growth restriction: underdiagnosed condition with non-optimal screening.

BACKGROUND: Fetal Growth restriction (FGR) is the pathological failure of a fetus to reach its biologically determined growth potential. Detection of FGR fetuses is a universally agreed key objective of antenatal care. Antenatal detection of FGR has undeniable benefits, juggling between intensive fetal surveillance and optimized timing of delivery; it reduces adverse perinatal outcomes by up to four-fold. However, FGR is still widely underdiagnosed. We aimed to identify the prevalence of FGR diagnosis in our wards and study the impact of the 2013 published French guidelines on the detection rate of FGR. The secondary objective aimed to highlight the factors of suboptimal screening in the population of non-diagnosed FGR fetuses and emphasize the screening method that led to antenatal diagnosis of FGR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at a single tertiary maternity center in Lyon-France, the Femme Mère Enfant Hospital, including the exhaustive population of FGR born after 24 + 0 weeks of gestation from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2017. FGR was defined combining the neonatal and antenatal consensus-based definitions for early and late FGR in absence of congenital anomalies, excluding small for gestational age fetuses. For all FGR fetuses, we compared the antenatal detection rate of FGR during 2011-2013 to 2015-2017, since the French guidelines were published in December 2013. When FGR fetuses underwent an antenatal diagnosis of FGR, we retrospectively collected the characteristics that led to the diagnosis. When fetuses were not diagnosed as FGR, we retrospectively reviewed the implementation of the recommended screening method, enabling to evaluate whether screening was optimal or not. Statistical analysis was performed in July 2018, and statistical significance was regarded as a p-value <.05. RESULTS: Over the seven-year period, and among 31,052 newborns, 1020 (3.3%) infants were identified as FGR and met the inclusion criteria. The detection rate of FGR was similar before and after publication of the French Guidelines related to FGR in 2013. Indeed, 50.8% (201/395) FGR were diagnosed between 2011 and 2013 versus 52.6% (245/465) between 2015 and 2017 (p = .59). In the population of non-diagnosed FGR infants, screening was suboptimal in 80%. Symphysis-fundal height (SFH) was not measured in 10.7%, with no difference before and after 2014 (7.3 versus 11.8% p = .11). Ultrasound examination for fetal biometry had not been prescribed in spite of abnormal SFH in 47.7% of undiagnosed FGR infants. Diagnosis has been missed in 11.5% of infants because of misinterpretation of the estimated fetal weight's centile. CONCLUSION: FGR is widely underdiagnosed. However, the limited performances can partially be explained by the regular misuse of screening method in clinical practice. Despite the systematic third trimester ultrasound screening, the detection rate of FGR was similar to the one reported in the medical literature. The timing of routine third trimester ultrasound in low-risk women may be rethought.

Women's dissatisfaction with inappropriate behavior by health care workers during childbirth care in France: A survey study.

BACKGROUND: Quality care during childbirth requires that health care providers have not only excellent skills but also appropriate and considerate attitudes and behavior. Few studies have examined the proportion of women in Western countries expressing dissatisfaction with such inappropriate or inconsiderate behavior. This study evaluated this proportion in a sample presumably representative of French maternity units. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study, using data from a selfadministered questionnaire, took place in 25 French maternity units during one week in September 2018. The primary outcome measure was mothers' self-reported dissatisfaction with blatantly inappropriate behavior (ie, inappropriate attitude, inadequate respect for privacy, insufficient gentleness of care, and/or inappropriate language) by health care workers in the delivery room. The secondary outcome was their self-reported dissatisfaction with these workers' inconsiderate behavior (ie, unclear and inappropriate information, insufficient participation in decision-making, or deficient consideration of pain). RESULTS: Of 803 potentially eligible women, 627 completed the questionnaire after childbirth; 5.62% (35/623, 95% CI: 3.94-7.73) reported dissatisfaction with blatantly inappropriate behaviors and 9.79% (61/623, 95% CI: 7.57-12.40) with inconsiderate behaviors. The main causes of dissatisfaction reported by women in this survey were the inadequate consideration of their pain and the failure to share decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the women were satisfied with how health care workers behaved towards them in the delivery room. Nonetheless, health care staff must be aware of women's demands for greater consideration of their expressions of pain and of their voice in decisions.

Standardized healthcare pathway in intrauterine growth restriction and minimum evidence-based care.

INTRODUCTION: Fetal growth restricted fetuses are less likely to receive evidence-based care; a previous work demonstrated an improvement in neonatal prognosis when fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) received minimum evidence based-care. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of a standardized healthcare pathway on the implementation of the recommended clinical practice in the antenatal management of IUGR fetuses, in comparison to a traditional pathway. The quality of the implementation of practice has been defined whether or not minimum evidence-based care (MEC), defined according to the recommendations of the French college of gynecologists and obstetricians (CNGOF), has been implemented. STUDY DESIGN: From a historical cohort of 31,052 children, born at the Femme Mère Enfant Hospital (Lyon, France) between January 1st, 2011 and December 31st, 2017, we selected the population of IUGR fetuses. We compared the rate of MEC between the IUGR fetuses followed-up in the traditional healthcare pathway versus the IUGR fetuses followed-up in a standardized healthcare pathway between 2015 and 2017. RESULTS: A total of 245 IUGR were tracked between 2015 and 2017. Over this period, 120 fetuses were followed within the traditional pathway and 125 within the IUGR pathway. The standardized pathway resulted in a higher rate of MEC (86,4%) when compared to IUGR fetuses followed-up in the traditional pathway (27,5% (OR* 20 (95 % CI 10.0-39.7). Among early-onset IUGR: 31 % received MEC in the traditional pathway versus 83 % in the standardized pathway (p<0.001). Among late-onset IUGR: 22 % received MEC in the traditional pathway versus 92 % in the standardized pathway (p<0.001). The provided care in the standardized pathway resulted in an increase of complete antenatal corticosteroid therapy (92,8 %) when compared to the traditional pathway (50.0 %; p<0.001) and a reduction of the rate of caesarean sections before labor for non-reassuring fetal heart rate (15 %) when compared to the traditional pathway (41.3 % p=0.007). CONCLUSION: The standardized pathway improves the implementation of the local recommendations in the management of early- and late-onset IUGR. This study is the first to suggest a standardized care pathway in prenatal medicine. A medico-economic study could estimate the health care savings that such a pathway would provide by allowing a medical management in accordance with the recommendations.

A population pharmacokinetic model for escitalopram and its major metabolite in depressive patients during the perinatal period: Prediction of infant drug exposure through breast milk.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Escitalopram (SCIT) is frequently prescribed to breastfeeding women. Available information on SCIT excretion into breast milk is based on heterogeneous and incomplete data. A population pharmacokinetic model that aimed to better characterize maternal and infant exposure to SCIT and its metabolite was developed. METHODS: The study population was composed of women treated by SCIT or racemic citalopram and enrolled in the multicenter prospective cohort study SSRI-Breast Milk study (ClinicalTrial.gov NCT01796132). A joint structural model was first built for SCIT and S-desmethylcitalopram (SDCIT) in plasma using NONMEM and the milk-to-plasma ratio (MPR) was estimated by adding the drug breast milk concentrations. The effect of different influential covariates was tested and the average drug exposure with variability through breastfeeding was predicted under various conditions by simulation. RESULTS: The study enrolled 33 patients treated with SCIT or racemic citalopram who provided 80 blood and 104 milk samples. Mean MPR for both parent drug and metabolite was 1.9. Increased milk fat content was significantly associated with an increased drug transfer into breast milk (+28% for SCIT and +18% for SDCIT when fat amount doubles from 3.1 to 6.2 g/100 mL). Simulations suggested that an exclusively breastfed infant would ingest daily through breast milk 3.3% of the weight-adjusted maternal SCIT dose on average. CONCLUSION: The moderate between-subject variability in milk concentration of SCIT and the limited exposure to escitalopram through breast milk observed provide reassurance for treated mothers of breastfed healthy infants.

Decision-delivery intervals: Impact of a colour code protocol for emergency caesareans.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the impact of implementation by simple distribution of a "colour code" protocol for emergency caesareans on the course over time of the "decision-delivery interval" (DDI) and neonatal outcome. DESIGN: Observational study in 26 maternity units of the AURORE perinatal network, conducted between October 1, 2017, and April 30, 2018. Each maternity ward́ was supposed to prospectively include 20 consecutive cases of caesareans performed either as an emergency, that is, as a code orange, or an extreme emergency, that is, code red. We compared the DDIs observed in 2017 to those in 2007 according to the degree of emergency, the maternity unit level of care, and their adherence to the protocol. Neonatal outcome in 2007 and 2017, assessed from laboratory and clinical indicators, was also compared, overall and according to the degree of emergency. RESULTS: The DDI was significantly lower in 2017 (n = 478) than in 2007 (n = 447), regardless of the degree of emergency and the level of care (p < 0.0001). In 2017, all code red caesareans were performed in less than 15 min in level 3 maternity units compared with 73 % (p = 0.039) in 2007. Fewer than 20 % of the caesareans in the 2007 study period were performed in less than 15 min in level 1 and 2 maternity units. Today, this is the case for 83 % of these caesareans in level 2 units (p < 0.001) and 36 % in level 1 (p = 0.01). In 2017, code orange caesareans were performed in less than 30 min in 96 % of cases in level 3 units, 67 % in level 2, and 33 % in level 1, compared respectively with 67 % (p = 0.015), 25 % (p < 0.0001) and 16 % (p = 0.0003) in 2007. We did not observe any difference in the neonatal outcome between 2007 and 2017 or as a function of the DDI expected based on the caesarean colour code. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the colour code protocols was associated with an improved DDI and better adherence to the recommendations in all 26 maternity units in this perinatal network.

Fortuitous diagnosis of Trichomoniasis by PCR using panfungal primers.

We report the unusual diagnosis of trichomoniasis in an 18year old patient suffering from salpingitis. Chlamydiae, Mycoplasma and Gardnerella vaginalis were diagnosed using classic laboratory procedures. However, T. vaginalis infection was assessed fortuitously by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing using panfungal primers (NL1/NL4) on a vaginal swab. This cross-reactivity of panfungal primers was further confirmed using a specific T. vaginalis PCR as well as a reference strain of T. vaginalis isolated in culture. Such cross-reactivity of panfungal primers has been previously reported with non-fungal eukaryotes (Taenia solium, Strongyloides stercoralis or Toxoplasma gondii DNA). This case highlights the usefulness of broad range molecular tools that can take advantage of this cross-reactivity in order to diagnose unsuspected pathogens. In particular settings (e.g. immunosuppression, infection without etiology) it should be used to detect pathogens across kingdoms. Thus, such tools would help direct care providers toward appropriate treatment regimens and better management of unsuspected infection etiologies.

Impact of Pregnancy on Intra-Host Genetic Diversity of Influenza A Viruses in Hospitalised Women: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...].

Impact of Pregnancy on Intra-Host Genetic Diversity of Influenza A Viruses in Hospitalised Women: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Characterising dynamics of Influenza A Viruses (IAV) within-host evolution is an active field of research which may lead to a better understanding of viral pathogenesis. Using a pregnant mouse model, a study has recently suggested that immune modulation during pregnancy could promote the emergence of IAV quasispecies with increased virulence. Herein, we assess the clinical relevance of these findings in humans. We studied IAV intra-host diversity (ihD) in pregnant (n = 36) and non-pregnant (n = 23) women hospitalized in Lyon for IAV infection (01/2015-05/2018). Whole IAV genomes present in nasopharyngeal samples were sequenced in duplicate to analyze reproducible intra-host single nucleotide variants (ihSNV). Counts, relative frequencies and locations of ihSNV were used as indicators of ihD. The median ihSNV/kb counts per segment were between 0 and 1.3. There was >81% ihSNV at relative frequencies between 1-5% for H1N1 and >51% for H3N2 IAV. No significant difference was noted between pregnant and non-pregnant women when considering all or only non-synonymous ihSNV. Seven convergent non-synonymous ihSNV were found; none were significantly associated with pregnancy. These results suggest that modulation of the immune system during pregnancy in humans does not impact IAV ihD, in contrast to mice.

Decontamination of Intravaginal Probes Infected by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Using UV-C Decontamination System.

BACKGROUND: This three-step study evaluated ultraviolet-C (UV-C) efficacy against human papillomavirus (HPV) found on vaginal ultrasound probes. METHODS: The first two steps evaluated UV-C disinfection of vaginal ultrasound probes in routine condition. During the first phase, the probe (n = 100) was sampled after a complete cleaning and disinfection protocol, i.e., cleaning with chemically impregnated wipes, followed by UV-C. During the second phase, the probe (n = 47) was sampled after cleaning and UV-C. The final step consisted of applying mixes of HPV on a dedicated, covered probe (n = 15) then sampling the cover, the probe after removal of the cover, after cleaning, and after UV-C. HPV detection was performed using CLART® HPV2 PCR (Genomica, Madrid, Spain). RESULTS: In the first phase, no probes were found to be positive for both DNA after UV-C. In the second phase, eight probes were found to be positive after cleaning (seven with human DNA and one with HPV) and negative after UV-C. In the final phase, one probe was found to be positive for HPV for each sample except after UV-C. CONCLUSIONS: Covers followed by a chemically impregnated wipe are not sufficient to ensure patient safety during vaginal ultrasound examinations. UV-C is effective in routine conditions against contaminations found on vaginal ultrasound probes, especially HPV.

Optimized nested PCR enhances biological diagnosis and phylogenetic analysis of human parvovirus B19 infections.

Diagnosis and epidemiological analysis of human parvovirus B19 (hB19V) infections are essential for disease management in severely ill patients. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an optimized NS1-VP1u nested PCR for detection and sequencing of viruses in clinical samples using 224 clinical and five reference samples. PCR sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were perfect (100%). While phylogenetic analysis of a 615 bp-long fragment demonstrated that the viruses in all of the samples belonged to genotype 1, this study confirmed that this optimized PCR could detect all known hB19V with high performance.

Non-clinical interventions to prevent postpartum haemorrhage and improve its management: A systematic review.

Postpartum haemorrhages (PPHs) account for around 200 deaths per year in the developed regions of the world. However, the efficacy of pharmacological and clinical interventions to prevent or manage PPHs is well established. Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of non-clinical interventions targeting healthcare professionals, organisations or facilities in preventing PPH or improving its management. We conducted a systematic review using the PRISMA four-step model. The MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched up to March 2019. Inclusion criteria were interventional studies, published in English of French language, aiming to reduce PPH outcomes for women in hospitals, regardless of study design. The studies' methodological quality was assessed according to the Cochrane EPOC criteria. We found 32 studies that met the inclusion criteria. None met all the methodological quality criteria. Six types of non-clinical interventions were identified: guideline dissemination, audit with feedback, simulation, training, clinical pathway and multifaceted interventions. Eleven studies reported a significant reduction in PPH rates and/or its complications, five studies reported a significant increase and 16 studies no significant results. The heterogeneity of the studies prevents us from identifying an effective non-clinical intervention in reducing PPH rates.

Fetal and perinatal outcome associated with small cerebellar diameter based on second- or third-trimester ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the outcome of pregnancy with fetal transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD) below the fifth percentile based on routine second- or third-trimester ultrasonography. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 12 344 women according to TCD Z scores based on systematic second- or third-trimester ultrasound examination between 2007 and 2015. Information on major malformations, chromosomal anomalies, intrauterine or neonatal demise, and other abnormal findings were collected. RESULTS: In total, 408 fetuses with small prenatal TCD underwent clinical investigation; 160 major malformations were noted, consisting mainly of neurological or cardiac anomalies (39,2%%). Chromosomal anomalies were reported in 39 (9.5%) and intrauterine or neonatal demise in 41 cases (10%). Major malformations and chromosomal anomalies were found in 46.4% and 10% of fetuses with extremely small TCD (Z score < -2.5), respectively, 31.3% and 12.7% of fetuses with small TCD (Z score between -2.0 and -1.645), and 39.6 % and 7.7% of fetuses with subnormal TCD (Z score between -2.0 and -1.645). Intrauterine or neonatal demise was noted in 22%, 8.8%, and 4.8% of fetuses with extremely small, small, and subnormal TCD, respectively (P < .05). Among intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses, fetal demise or neonatal adverse outcome was reported in 75%, 81.8%, and 18.5%, respectively. Of all the fetuses, 2.2% were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: A small cerebellar diameter below the fifth percentile is a relevant marker to detect associated anomalies during routine ultrasound examination in the second or third trimester. This is related to a high rate of fetal malformations, chromosomal anomalies, and genetic disorders, regardless of the severity of the cerebellar small size. Small TCD seems to be a prognostic factor for fetal growth restriction. Therefore, when facing a TCD below the fifth percentile, patients should be referred for further sonography and fetal karyotyping.

[Aspirin and preeclampsia]. / Aspirine et prééclampsie.

Indications for aspirin during pregnancy are a matter of debate and there is a recent trend to an extended prescription and an overuse of aspirin in pregnancy. Aspirin is efficient in secondary prevention of preeclampsia essentially in patients with a personal history of preeclampsia. The effect of aspirin on platelet aggregation and on the TXA2/PGI2 balance is dose-dependent. The optimum dosage, from 75mg/day to 150mg/day, needs to be determined. Fetal safety data at 150mg/day are still limited. The efficacy of aspirin seems to be subject to a chronobiological effect. It is recommended to prescribe an evening or bedtime intake. Aspirin, in primary prevention of preeclampsia, given to high-risk patients identified in the first trimester by screening tests, seems to reduce the occurrence of early-onset preeclampsia. Nevertheless, there are insufficient data for the implementation of such screening procedures in practice.

Prenatal imaging features suggestive of liver gestational allo immune disease.

We report prenatal imaging features of four cases of neonatal hemochromatosis due to an alloimmune disease. All cases exhibited intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR) without arguments for a vascular etiology, associated with oligohydramnios. Placental hydrops was present in 75% of cases. Splenomegaly was identified in one case. Other causes of NH have been ruled out during diagnostic workup including karyotype, detection of IGFBP-1 to evaluate a premature rupture of membranes, maternal serologic tests. MRI was performed in two cases and showed an atrophic liver associated with a low signal intensity on T2-sequence in one case. Prenatal NH was suspected in this later case and the fetus was successfully treated with two IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulins) perfusions performed during pregnancy followed by exchange transfusion and IVIG after birth. The child is doing well with normal liver function tests after 17 months of follow up. Our aim was to highlight the importance of suggesting NH-GALD when facing IUGR with oligohydramnios, ascites, placental hydrops, splenomegaly on prenatal ultrasound with negative work up for placental vascular pathologies and infectious fetopathies. MRI might be of a good help, showing an atrophic liver but enhancing iron overload in hepatic and extrahepatic tissue is helpful but not constant.

Pregnancy and thrombosis: Adrenal vein thrombosis. A retrospective descriptive study of 14 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Adrenal vein thrombosis during pregnancy is a rare thromboembolic event but is not exceptional. The objective of this study was to described the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with this condition. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective descriptive study of 14 cases (13 patients, one recurrence) that occurred in the three university maternity hospitals in Lyon (France) from 2008 to 2016. RESULTS: Adrenal vein thrombosis occurred exclusively in the third trimester (gestational age > 28 weeks), with most patients presenting unilateral lumbar pain (13/14 cases, 93%) and vomiting (8 cases, 57%), mimicking renal colic. To establish the diagnosis, all patients were examined by abdominal CT and all but three (79%) by abdominal ultrasonography. Ten patients (71%) were treated by low molecular weight heparin and the remaining four (29%) by unfractionated heparin. The delay between presentation and diagnosis, and thus before treatment was initiated, was greater than 24 h in 50% of cases. Thrombosis occurred predominantly (11 vs 3 cases) on the right adrenal vein. Labor inducing or cervical ripening agents were used after temporarily interrupting treatment for 9/14 patients (64%). Epidural anesthesia was possible for 11 patients (79%) and 2 (14%) had postpartum hemorrhage. Eleven patients received hemostatic function investigations with anomalies detected in four cases (36%). One of the six patients (16%) who had a second full-term pregnancy during the study period had a contralateral recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenal vein thromboses are rare events requiring curative anticoagulant therapy and labor management to minimize the risk of hemorrhage. Patients should receive thromboprophylaxis for subsequent pregnancies and a full thrombophilia investigation.

How to manage chickenpox during pregnancy: case reports.

Chickenpox is a human infection that occurs mainly during childhood. Infection during pregnancy is therefore rare but may cause a congenital infection with malformation in less than 1% of cases. A specific management should be proposed at diagnosis in order to reduce materno-fetal transmission and morbimortality. Three cases were herein presented focusing on the main at-risk situations for pregnant women, whom immunological status against varicella was unknown. The first case focused on a varicella eruption during early pregnancy that leads to a lethal outcome. The second one described the management of varicella contact during early pregnancy. This woman was treated by specific immunoglobulins, leading to a positive outcome. The third case focused on another varicella contact, at the end of pregnancy. The woman was treated by acyclovir, before and after delivery, to limit materno-fetal consequences. In conclusion, after a suspicious contact, a serology assay has to be performed to know the immune status of the pregnant woman against varicella. In case of seronegativity, prevention against varicella infection should be carried out using specific immunoglobulins or valacyclovir. Clinical varicella does not require virology confirmation but requires immediate treatment with valacyclovir especially when it occurs during the first trimester.

The many faces of prenatal imaging diagnosis of primitive aqueduct obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the different prenatal imaging patterns related to primary aqueduct obstruction throughout pregnancy and their impact on prenatal counseling. METHOD: Retrospective review of consecutive prenatal cases of isolated aqueduct obstruction diagnosed over a seven-year period (2010-2016). Prenatal imaging findings, postnatal imaging, pathological data and postnatal outcome, were analyzed. RESULTS: Twelve cases were included. In four cases, termination of pregnancy was performed, due to early severe ventriculomegaly in three cases suggestive of complete aqueduct obstruction. In eight cases in which pregnancy was continued, three different evolving imaging patterns were demonstrated. In three cases the ventriculomegaly evolved rapidly during third trimester and were subsequently associated with abnormal white matter changes on fetal MRI. Theses cases led to premature delivery in two cases and early surgical care in all, with focal cystic parenchymal damage shown on follow-up MRI in two cases. Slowly evolving ventriculomegaly in three cases diagnosed in the second and the third trimester which required delayed surgery during the first year of life. Stable ventriculomegaly in two cases which did not require any surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of primary aqueduct obstruction may be based on different prenatal imaging patterns that include either severe early ventriculomegaly, stable, slowly or rapidly evolving ventriculomegaly.

Benefit of Risk Score-Guided Prophylaxis in Pregnant Women at Risk of Thrombotic Events: A Controlled Before-and-After Implementation Study.

BACKGROUND: Management of pregnant women at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and placental vascular complications (PVCs) remains complex. Guidelines do not definitively specify optimal strategies. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the impact of employing risk score-driven prophylaxis strategies on VTE and PVC rates in at-risk pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study, conducted in 21 French maternity units, compared VTE and PVC rates before and after implementation of a risk scoring system to determine prophylactic strategies. RESULTS: A total of 2,085 pregnant women at risk of VTE or PVC were enrolled. Vascular events occurred in 190 (19.2%) patients before and 140 (13.0%) after implementation of risk score-driven prophylaxis (relative risk [RR] = 0.68 [0.55; 0.83]). The incidence of deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy was reduced (RR = 0.30 [0.14; 0.67]). PVC comprised mainly pre-eclampsia, occurring in 79 patients before and 42 patients after risk score implementation (RR = 0.52 [0.36; 0.75]). Post-partum haemorrhage occurred in 32 patients (3.2%) before and 48 patients (4.5%) after risk score implementation (RR = 1.38 [0.89; 2.13], p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: Use of a simple risk scoring system, developed by experts in VTE and PVC research to guide prophylaxis, reduced the risk of thrombotic events during pregnancy without any significant increase in bleeding risk.