Evaluating the accuracy and reliability of non-piezo portable ultrasound devices in postpartum care.

INTRODUCTION: The early diagnosis of hemorrhage via postpartum ultrasound is crucial to initiate therapy and, thus, prevent maternal death. In these critical situations rapid availability and simple transport of ultrasound devices is vital, paving the way for a  new generation of portable handheld ultrasound devices (PUD) consisting of transducers and tablets or smart phones. However, evidence to confirm the diagnostic accuracy of these new devices is still scarce. METHODS: The accuracy and reliability of these new devices in relation to established standard ultrasound devices is analyses in this pilot study by comparing diagnoses and by applying statistical analysis via Bland-Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC). One hundred patients of a university hospital were included in this study. RESULTS: In all cases, the same diagnosis was made regardless of the applied ultrasound device, confirming high accuracy. There was a high correlation (PCC 0.951) and excellent agreement (ICC 0.974) in the assessment of the cavum, while the assessment of the diameters of the uterus showed only a good correlation and a good agreement. Subgroup analysis for maternal weight, mode of delivery and day after delivery was performed  CONCLUSION: The same diagnosis independent of the used devices and excellent results of the cavum assessment promote the use of PUDs in a clinical setting. The slightly lower accuracy in the measurement of the uterus may be caused by the PUD's small acoustic window, reflecting one of its weaknesses. Therefore, the patient may benefit from the short time to diagnosis and the unbound location of examination, either in the delivery room, on the ward, or at home.

Ovarian vein thrombosis in a postpartum female: A case report.

Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT), while uncommon, is a serious complication that can arise from pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, oncological conditions, and pelvic surgeries. Here we discuss a case of a 37-year-old woman who, during her postpartum period, experienced lower abdominal pain and fever. Utilizing imaging findings, she was ultimately diagnosed with right ovarian vein thrombosis. The puerperium represents a hypercoagulable state, heightening the risk of OVT, particularly following a cesarean section. Despite its rarity, OVT should invariably be considered in the differential diagnosis when evaluating patients who present with postpartum abdominal pain and/or fever.

Sprint interval training in the postpartum period maintains the enhanced cardiac output of pregnancy: A case study.

During pregnancy an increased cardiac output ( Q ̇ $\dot{Q}$ ) and blood volume (BV) occur to support fetal growth. Increased Q ̇ $\dot{Q}$ and BV also occur during chronic endurance exercise training and benefit performance. We investigated if sprint interval training (SIT) undertaken early postpartum maintains the elevated Q ̇ $\dot{Q}$ and BV of pregnancy and benefits performance. The participant, a competitive field hockey player and former cyclist, visited our laboratory at 2 weeks of gestation (baseline) and postpartum pre-, mid- and post-intervention (PPpre, PPmid and PPpost). Delivery was uncomplicated and she felt ready to start the SIT programme 5 weeks postpartum. Inert gas rebreathing was used to measure peak exercise Q ̇ $\dot{Q}$ ( Q ̇ $\dot{Q}$ peak); V ̇ O 2 peak ${{\dot{V}}_{{{{\mathrm{O}}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{\mathrm{peak}}}}$ was measured with a metabolic cart; and postpartum haematological values were measured with carbon monoxide rebreathing. The 18 SIT sessions progressed from four to eight sprints at 130% of V ̇ O 2 peak ${{\dot{V}}_{{{{\mathrm{O}}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{\mathrm{peak}}}}$ peak power output. Q ̇ $\dot{Q}$ peak increased from baseline at all postpartum time points (baseline 16.2 vs. 17.5, 16.8 and 17.2 L/min at PPpre, PPmid and PPpost, respectively). Relative V ̇ O 2 peak ${{\dot{V}}_{{{{\mathrm{O}}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{\mathrm{peak}}}}$ remained below baseline values at all postpartum measurements (baseline 44.9 vs. 41.0, 42.3 and 42.5 mL/kg/min at PPpre, PPmid and PPpost, respectively) whereas absolute V ̇ O 2 peak ${{\dot{V}}_{{{{\mathrm{O}}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{\mathrm{peak}}}}$ rapidly reached baseline values postpartum (baseline 3.19 vs. 3.12, 3.23 and 3.18 L/min at PPpre, PPmid and PPpost, respectively). Postpartum BV (5257, 4271 and 5214 mL at PPpre, PPmid and PPpost, respectively) and Hbmass (654, 525 and 641 g at PPpre, PPmid and PPpost, respectively) were similar between PPpre and PPpost but decreased alongside Q ̇ $\dot{Q}$ peak at PPmid. Peak power was returned to pre-pregnancy values by intervention end (302 vs. 303 W, baseline vs. PPpost). These findings show that SIT undertaken early postpartum defends the elevated Q ̇ $\dot{Q}$ peak of pregnancy and rapidly returns absolute V ̇ O 2 peak ${{\dot{V}}_{{{{\mathrm{O}}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{\mathrm{peak}}}}$ and peak power to baseline levels.

Normal Pregnancy Care and Physiology and Select Pregnancy Complications: A Flipped Classroom Case for the OB/GYN Clerkship.

Introduction: This module teaches core knowledge and skills for undergraduate medical education in reproductive health, providing instruction in the management of normal and abnormal pregnancy and labor utilizing interactive small-group flipped classroom methods and case-based instruction. Methods: Advance preparation materials were provided before the education session. The 2-hour session was facilitated by clinical educators using a faculty guide. Using voluntary surveys, we collected data to measure satisfaction among obstetrics and gynecology clerkship students and facilitators following each education session. Results: Capturing six clerkships spanning 9 months, 116 students participated, and 64 students completed the satisfaction survey, with 97% agreeing that the session was helpful in applying knowledge and principles to common clinical scenarios. Most students (96%) self-reported that they achieved the session's learning objectives utilizing prework and interactive small-group teaching. Nine clinical instructors completed the survey; all agreed the provided materials allowed them to facilitate active learning, and the majority (89%) agreed they spent less time preparing to teach this curriculum compared to traditional didactics. Discussion: This interactive flipped classroom session meets clerkship learning objectives related to the management of pregnancy and labor using standardized materials. The curriculum reduced preparation time for clinical educators as well.

Evaluation of the effect of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy and puerperium in a suburban medical college in West Bengal, India.

Background: The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 was a novel situation, there was no conclusive knowledge, particularly concerning its effect on pregnant women and infants. Eminent obstetric organizations have introduced an array of guidelines to assist clinicians in countering this prior unknown outbreak. The primary objective of this study was to summarize the clinical characteristics, complications, and maternal and neonatal outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy and puerperium. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in the Outpatient/Emergency/Inpatient or COVID ward in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, of a tertiary hospital in Nadia district, West Bengal, India, from 1.7.2020 to 30.6.2021 including 104 pregnant or puerperal mothers with laboratory-confirmed, i.e., RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Test positive reports after informed consent. The obstetric outcome, modes of delivery, and neonatal status including any complications or SNCU admission within six weeks postpartum were recorded. Results: The majority were in the ≥ 20-24 years age group, primigravida, residents of Nadia with no significant travel or contact history. 73.08% were affected in the third trimester and the comorbidities detected were chiefly anemia (15.38%), hypertensive or chronic liver diseases, and hypothyroidism. 45.19% of the mothers were asymptomatic while the other complaints were fever (18.27%), cough (11.55%), anosmia and/or ageusia (10.58%), sore throat (9.61%), respiratory distress, loose stools, and chest pain. The medical complications were predominantly low SpO2, convulsions, pneumonitis, and two maternal deaths. The obstetric complications were preterm birth (26.9%), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (17.3%), antepartum (3.9%) and postpartum hemorrhage (4.4%), and sepsis (5.8%). Fourteen mothers had first-trimester termination, 63 had vaginal deliveries, and the rest had cesarean section. Out of 90 neonates, most were in the range of ≥ 2-2.5 kg birth weight and normal 1-min APGAR score. None tested positive for COVID-19 RTPCR and no detectable congenital anomaly or neonatal death was recorded.

Determination of the impacts of supplemental dietary curcumin on post-partum uterine involution using pulsed-wave doppler ultrasonography in Zaraibi goat.

This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of supplemental dietary curcumin on post-partum uterine involution using pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography in postpartum goats. Ten pluriparous Zaraibi goats were used and divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 5; control) received only a base diet. Group 2 (n = 5; treated) received a base diet supplemented with curcumin (200 mg/kg diet) daily for 28 days, starting from day 1 postpartum (PP) till day 28 PP. Uterine morphometrical changes (uterine horn diameter; UHD and caruncle diameter; CD), uterine hemodynamics (resistance and pulsatility indices (RI and PI), systolic/ diastolic ratio (S/D), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), blood flow volume (BFV), and blood flow rate (BFR)), and progesterone level were evaluated. Results revealed that the diameter of the uterine horn decreased rapidly from day 1 to day 10 PP (> 50%) but more steadily from day 14 to day 28 PP in both groups. After day 21 PP, there was nearly no reduction in UHD and CD in both groups. The treated group had lower values of the RI and PI (P < 0.05) than the control group. Regarding the BFR and BFV in the treated group, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) on day 17 PP, then started to decrease till day 28 PP. While in the control group, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in BFR and BFV from day 1 PP till day 28 PP. In conclusion, the incorporation of curcumin in the diet of PP Zaraibi goats improved reproductive performance via improvements in uterine morphometric changes as well as blood perfusion.

Adverse cardiovascular, obstetric and perinatal events during pregnancy and puerperium in patients with heart disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: cardiovascular changes during pregnancy carry greater risk in heart disease. We analyze cardiovascular, obstetric and perinatal adverse effects associated with congenital and acquired heart disease during pregnancy and postpartum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and retrospective study, which included the 2017-2023 registry of pregnant or postpartum patients hospitalised with diagnosis of congenital or acquired heart disease. Adverse events (heart failure, stroke, acute pulmonary edema, maternal death, obstetric haemorrhage, prematurity and perinatal death) were compared with the clinical variables and the implemented treatment. RESULTS: 112 patients with a median age of 28 years (range 15-44) were included. Short circuits predominated 28 (25%). Thirty-six patients (32%) were classified in class IV of the modified WHO scale for maternal cardiovascular risk. Heart failure occurred in 39 (34.8%), acute lung edema 12 (10.7%), stroke 2 (1.8%), maternal death 5 (4.5%), obstetric haemorrhage 4 (3.6%), prematurity 50 (44.5%) and perinatal death 6 (5.4%). Shunts were associated with prematurity (adjusted odds ratio 4; 95% CI: 1.5-10, p = 0.006). Peripartum cardiomyopathy represented higher risk of pulmonary edema (adjusted OR 34; 95% CI: 6-194, p = 0.001) and heart failure (adjusted OR 16; 95% CI: 3-84, p = 0.001). An increased risk of obstetric haemorrhage was observed in patients with prosthetic valves (adjusted OR 30; 95% CI: 1.5-616, p = 0.025) and with the use of acetylsalicylic acid (adjusted OR 14; 95% CI: 1.2-16, p = 0.030). Furthermore, the latter was associated with perinatal death (adjusted OR 9; 95% CI: 1.4-68, p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: severe complications were found during pregnancy and postpartum in patients with heart disease, which is why preconception evaluation and close surveillance are vital.

Post-partum cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare and life-threatening condition that may be encountered during pregnancy and puerperium. The diagnosis of CVST is a challenge because of its varied presentation. CASE REPORT: A 28-year-old woman presented with headache, projectile vomiting, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures 10 days after delivery by cesarean section. She had an uneventful antenatal period of 38 weeks of gestation. High clinical suspicion and the availability of magnetic resonance venography helped in making a diagnosis of CVST. She was successfully managed with a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and anti-epileptic therapy with no residual complications. DISCUSSION: Pregnancy induces several prothrombotic changes in the coagulation system that predispose to CVST. These changes persist for six to eight weeks after birth. Infection and cesarean section are the additional risk factors for CVST during puerperium. The symptoms of CVST depend on the sinuses and veins involved, raised intracranial pressure, and the extent of brain parenchymal injury. CONCLUSION: Greater awareness of the disease and the availability of imaging modalities have contributed to the early diagnosis and favorable outcomes in these cases. LMWH is the main stay of treatment in this disease.

Acute recanalization therapy for ischemic stroke during pregnancy and puerperium.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular thrombectomy for an ischemic stroke (IS) during pregnancy and puerperium are poorly studied. We evaluated the complications and outcome of recanalization therapy in maternal ISs. METHODS: A nationwide cohort of maternal ISs in Finland during 1987-2016 was collected by linking national healthcare registers: Medical Birth Register, Hospital Discharge Register, and Cause-Of-Death Register. The diagnoses were verified retrospectively from patient records. IVT-treated patients were compared to controls, who were young females with non-pregnancy-related IS from the Helsinki Stroke Thrombolysis Registry. RESULTS: Totally, 12 of 97 (12.4%) maternal ISs were treated with recanalization therapy. Compared to controls, IVT-treated maternal IS patients had more frequently early (age-adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 7.63, 95% CI 1.49-39.04) and major (aOR = 8.59, 95% CI 2.09-35.31) neurological improvements, measured using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. Good functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) at three months were equally common in maternal ISs and controls. No other complications were observed in IVT-treated maternal ISs than 1 (9.1%) symptomatic nonfatal intracranial hemorrhage. Among maternal IS patients treated with recanalization or conventional therapy, good functional outcome at the end of the follow-up was less common in recanalization-treated patients (66.7% vs 89.4%, aOR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.052-0.90), but otherwise outcomes were similar. CONCLUSIONS: In this small nationwide cohort of maternal ISs, the complications of recanalization therapy were rare, and the outcomes were similar in IVT-treated maternal IS patients and controls. Maternal ISs should not be excluded from recanalization therapy in otherwise eligible situations.

Midwives' lived experiences of caring for women with mobility disabilities during pregnancy, labour and puerperium in Eswatini: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Midwives encounter various difficulties while aiming to achieve excellence in providing maternity care to women with mobility disabilities. The study aimed to explore and describe midwives' experiences of caring for women with mobility disabilities during pregnancy, labour and puerperium in Eswatini. METHODS: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual research design with a phenomenological approach was followed. Twelve midwives working in maternal health facilities in the Hhohho and Manzini regions in Eswatini were interviewed. Purposive sampling was used to select midwives to participate in the research. In-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted, and Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the data analysis: midwives experienced physical and emotional strain in providing maternity care to women with mobility disabilities, they experienced frustration due to the lack of equipment to meet the needs of women with mobility disabilities, and they faced challenges in providing support and holistic care to women with mobility disabilities during pregnancy, labour and puerperium. CONCLUSIONS: Midwives experienced challenges caring for women with mobility disabilities during pregnancy, labour and the puerperium in Eswatini. There is a need to develop and empower midwives with the knowledge and skill to implement guidelines and enact protocols. Moreover, equipment and infrastructure are required to facilitate support and holistic maternity care for women with mobility disabilities.

Evaluation of stroke in pregnant and non-pregnant women of reproductive years: A multicenter ambispective cohort study in a low- to middle-income country.

Objective: Early recognition of stroke symptoms and risk factors is important for timely intervention to improve outcomes. This study aimed to investigate differences in stroke frequency, risk factors, and presentation in pregnant and non-pregnant women of reproductive years. Methods: This multicenter ambispective cohort study, conducted from 4th August 2021 to 4th March 2023, examined strokes in women of reproductive years at the neurology outpatient/emergency department of five busiest/referred neuro-medical facilities in Karachi, Pakistan, where patients from across the nation are assessed. In all, 1210 patients were enrolled via consecutive or convenient sampling retrospectively from January 2017 to August 2021 and prospectively from August 2021 to March 2023. Pregnancy-related and non-pregnancy-related stroke occurrence and characteristics were compared using the chi-square/Fischer's exact test. Results: 56% were non-pregnancy-related strokes and 44% were pregnancy-related strokes with non-pregnancy-related strokes approximately equal throughout the reproductive years (15-24 years = 34%, 25-34 years = 25%, 35-45 years = 41%) and pregnancy-related stroke between 15 and 35 years (82%). In the non-pregnancy-related stroke, arterial stroke dominated (96.4%); while in pregnancy-related stroke, arterial stroke accounted for 61.4% and venous stroke for 38.6% of cases. Middle cerebral artery was a typical stroke site (66%). Infarction was the most significant CT/MRI finding (PRS = 89%, NPRS = 66%), with pregnancy-related stroke hemorrhagic stroke occurring in only 11% of cases and non-pregnancy-related stroke comprising one-third (34%). The most prevalent etiologies were eclampsia in pregnancy-related stroke (32%), hypertension in non-pregnancy-related stroke (40%), and cardiac problems among both groups (25%:33%). Weakness and headache were the common clinical manifestations among both groups. In the pregnancy-related and non-pregnancy-related stroke groups, the initial presentation of stroke resulted in severe disability for 91% and 75%, respectively. With timely treatment, the outcome improved significantly. The mortality rate was 7% for the pregnancy-related stroke group and 4% for the non-pregnancy-related stroke group. Conclusions: Our findings show that stroke is prevalent among reproductive-year women, posing a significant mortality risk if not adequately recognized and treated. Awareness, research, and screening of stroke risk factors and their often-overlooked early presentation (i.e., headache and weakness) in reproductive years are essential to reducing stroke occurrence among reproductive-year women.

Fulminant Celiac Disease Presenting in the Postpartum Period.

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated disorder of the small intestine triggered by dietary exposure to gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Adult CD usually has an insidious onset with gastrointestinal symptoms, most often diarrhea and weight loss. The association between CD and reproductive abnormalities has been well described in the literature, but it is uncommon for CD to initially manifest during pregnancy or the postpartum period. We report a case of adult CD in a previously healthy woman with a life-threatening presentation during the postpartum period.

Thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy and the puerperium: a systematic review and economic evaluation to estimate the value of future research.

Background: Pharmacological prophylaxis to prevent venous thromboembolism is currently recommended for women assessed as being at high risk of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy or in the 6 weeks after delivery (the puerperium). The decision to provide thromboprophylaxis involves weighing the benefits, harms and costs, which vary according to the individual's venous thromboembolism risk. It is unclear whether the United Kingdom's current risk stratification approach could be improved by further research. Objectives: To quantify the current decision uncertainty associated with selecting women who are pregnant or in the puerperium for thromboprophylaxis and to estimate the value of one or more potential future studies that would reduce that uncertainty, while being feasible and acceptable to patients and clinicians. Methods: A decision-analytic model was developed which was informed by a systematic review of risk assessment models to predict venous thromboembolism in women who are pregnant or in the puerperium. Expected value of perfect information analysis was used to determine which factors are associated with high decision uncertainty and should be the target of future research. To find out whether future studies would be acceptable and feasible, we held workshops with women who have experienced a blood clot or have been offered blood-thinning drugs and surveyed healthcare professionals. Expected value of sample information analysis was used to estimate the value of potential future research studies. Results: The systematic review included 17 studies, comprising 19 unique externally validated risk assessment models and 1 internally validated model. Estimates of sensitivity and specificity were highly variable ranging from 0% to 100% and 5% to 100%, respectively. Most studies had unclear or high risk of bias and applicability concerns. The decision analysis found that there is substantial decision uncertainty regarding the use of risk assessment models to select high-risk women for antepartum prophylaxis and obese postpartum women for postpartum prophylaxis. The main source of decision uncertainty was uncertainty around the effectiveness of thromboprophylaxis for preventing venous thromboembolism in women who are pregnant or in the puerperium. We found that a randomised controlled trial of thromboprophylaxis in obese postpartum women is likely to have substantial value and is more likely to be acceptable and feasible than a trial recruiting women who have had a previous venous thromboembolism. In unselected postpartum women and women following caesarean section, the poor performance of risk assessment models meant that offering prophylaxis based on these models had less favourable cost effectiveness with lower decision uncertainty. Limitations: The performance of the risk assessment model for obese postpartum women has not been externally validated. Conclusions: Future research should focus on estimating the efficacy of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in pregnancy and the puerperium, and clinical trials would be more acceptable in women who have not had a previous venous thromboembolism. Study registration: This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42020221094. Funding: This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: NIHR131021) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 28, No. 9. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Women who are pregnant or who have given birth in the previous 6 weeks are at increased risk of developing blood clots that can cause serious illness or death. Small doses of blood thinners given by injection are safe in pregnancy and can reduce the risk of blood clots, but they can slightly increase the risk of bleeding. Healthcare professionals use risk assessment tools to decide if a woman is at high risk of blood clots and should be offered blood thinners. We wanted to find out what research would be useful to help them make better decisions. We reviewed previous research to establish which risk assessment tools are best at predicting who will have a blood clot. We then created a mathematical model to predict what would happen when using different risk assessment tools to decide who should be offered blood thinners, both during pregnancy and after giving birth. We found that there was a lot of uncertainty about which women should be offered blood thinners. This was mainly because there have only been a few small studies comparing blood thinners to no treatment in pregnant women or women who have recently given birth. We estimated the value of future studies comparing blood thinners to no treatment, in groups of women with different risk factors, by predicting what information we would gain and how this would be used to improve decisions about using blood thinners. To find out whether these studies would be acceptable and feasible, we held workshops with women who have experienced a blood clot or have been offered blood thinners and surveyed healthcare professionals. We found that a study in obese women who have recently given birth would have substantial value and may be more acceptable than a study in pregnant women with a previous blood clot.

Psychiatric emergencies during pregnancy and puerperium in low - And middle-income countries.

Pregnancy and puerperium are critical points in women's health, and various psychiatric emergencies may worsen or manifest (for the first time) during this period. In the presence of a psychiatric emergency, the pregnancy and puerperium outcomes may be compromised. In addition to the mother being at risk, the health of the fetus and the newborn may also be compromised if the psychiatric emergency is not managed appropriately. Early detection and collaborative approaches between mental health practitioners and obstetricians are of utmost importance in women who are at risk and those living with psychiatric illnesses during pregnancy and puerperium. Practitioners should also ensure that women with impaired capacity due to psychiatric disease are treated in a non-judgmental and respectful manner, even if their autonomies have been overridden.

Intraluminal carotid thrombus leading to postpartum stroke: a case study.

BACKGROUND: Intraluminal non-occlusive thrombus (ILT) is a rare cause of ischemic stroke. Although in most cases ILT is associated with arterial wall disorders, it has also been documented in patients with thrombophilic conditions. CASE REPORT: We present a case of carotid ILT in a 38-year-old puerperal woman with pregnancy-induced hypercoagulability. Following in vitro fertilization pregnancy, she experienced acute left-sided weakness 9 days after delivery. CT angiography revealed an intraluminal filling defect in the right carotid bulb, suggestive of a thrombus, along with ipsilateral MCA sub-occlusion. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed, achieving complete vessel recanalization without any endovascular intervention on the carotid ILT. Comprehensive evaluation excluded any underlying carotid vessel wall disease (such as atherosclerosis, inflammatory diseases, arterial dissection, focal dysplasia), inherited or acquired thrombophilia, and the sole prothrombotic risk factor identified was the puerperium. Histological thrombus analysis showed fibrin/platelet-rich material with significant macrophage infiltration (consistent with an intermediate/organized thrombus, suggesting potential embolization from a pre-existing carotid ILT). Anti-thrombotic treatment (acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg and enoxaparin 6000 UI) resulted in complete thrombus resolution at follow-up. CONCLUSION: ILT should be considered a potential case of embolic stroke in pregnancy or puerperium. Vessel imaging is essential for diagnosis. Histological thrombus analysis can provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke.

The role of stress in perinatal depression and anxiety - A systematic review.

Perinatal depression (PND) and anxiety affect around 20% of women, but available pharmacotherapy is not sufficiently effective in 20-60% of them, indicating a need for better understanding of these diseases. Since stress is a significant risk factor for PND, the aim was to examine the role of biological, environmental and psychological stress in PND and anxiety through a systematic literature search. Overall 210 studies were included, among which numerous rodent studies showed that perinatal stress induced depressive-like and anxious behavior, which was associated with HPA-axis alterations and morphological brain changes. Human studies indicated that the relationship between cortisol and perinatal depression/anxiety was not as clear and with many contradictions, although social and psychological stress were clearly positively associated with PND. Finally, oxytocin, synthetic neuroactive steroid and n-3 PUFA diet have been identified as potentially beneficial in the therapy of PND and anxiety, worth to be investigated in the future.

Values of Caprini Risk Assessment Scale and D-Dimer for Predicting Venous Thromboembolism During Puerperium.

Purpose: To evaluate the predictive value of the combination of the Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) and D-dimer for venous thromboembolism (VTE) during puerperium. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study. Thirty-one puerperium patients with VTE were included as cases, and 279 puerperium women without VTE were matched to cases according to age, number of fetuses, birth day and delivery mode at the ratio of 9:1. Demographic data, clinical data and laboratory parameters within postpartum 24 h were collected. Multivariate analysis, employing the forward stepwise model, was conducted to identify independent factors associated with VTE during puerperium. The predictive values of Caprini RAM, D-dimer and their combination were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under curve (AUC) was compared using Z test. Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated that there were significant differences in D-dimer levels, Caprini score, scarred uterus, adherent placenta, postpartum hemorrhage and intrauterine infection between cases and controls (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that D-dimer levels (OR: 1.754, 95% CI: 1.237-3.182), Caprini score (OR: 1.209, 95% CI: 1.058-2.280), scarred uterus (OR: 1.978, 95% CI: 1.258-3.794), postpartum hemorrhage (OR: 2.276, 95% CI: 1.334-4.347) and intrauterine infection (OR: 2.575, 95% CI: 1.463-4.618) were independently associated with VTE during puerperium with adjustment for adherent placenta and fetal birth weight. The AUCs of D-dimer levels, Caprini score and their combination were 0.748 (SE: 0.030, 95% CI: 0.688-0.807), 0.647 (SE: 0.035, 95% CI: 0.578-0.716) and 0.840 (SE: 0.025, 95% CI: 0.791-0.888). Combination prediction had a higher AUC compared with that of independent prediction (0.840 vs 0.748, Z=2.356, P=0.009; 0.840 vs 0.647, Z=4.487, P<0.001) with a sensitivity of 83.9% and specificity of 80.3%. Conclusion: The combination of the Caprini RAM and D-dimer could significantly elevate the predictive value for VTE during puerperium, and this new tool had the potential in the prediction of VTE during puerperium.

Etiology of intracerebral hemorrhage during pregnancy or puerperium: A nationwide study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracerebral hemorrhage during pregnancy or puerperium (pICH) is one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. However, limited epidemiological data exist on the etiology and outcomes of pICH, which is required to guide prevention and treatment. METHODS: A retrospective nationwide cohort study and a nested case-control study was performed in Finland 1987-2016. We identified women with incident pICH by linking the Medical Birth Register (MBR) and the Hospital Discharge Register (HDR). The clinical details were collected from patient records. Three matched controls with a pregnancy without ICH were selected for each case from the MBR. RESULTS: In total, 49 pICH cases were identified. Half of these cases occurred during pregnancy, and the other half during peripartum and puerperium. Based on the SMASH-U (structural vascular lesion, medication, amyloid angiopathy, systemic disease, hypertension, undetermined) classification, 35.4% of the patients had a systemic disease, most commonly preeclampsia, eclampsia, or HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome; 31.3% had a structural vascular lesion; 31.3% had an undetermined etiology; and one patient (2.1%) had hypertension. The most important risk factor was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP; odds ratio = 3.83, 95% confidence interval = 1.60-9.15), occurring in 31% of the cases. Maternal mortality was 12.5%, and 20.9% of the surviving women had significant disability (modified Rankin Scale = 3-5) 3 months after the pICH. Women with systemic disease had the worst outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Even in a country with a comprehensive pregnancy surveillance system, the maternal mortality rate for pICH is high, and the sequelae are severe. Early recognition and treatment of the key risk factor, HDP, is crucial to help prevent this serious pregnancy complication.

Evaluation of long-COVID symptoms in women infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the symptoms of Long COVID (LC), frequency of symptoms, and possible risk factors in women diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancy. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective study in 99 pregnant women who were polymerase chain reaction-positive (PCR+) for COVID-19 between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2022. The control group consisted of 99 women who gave birth between these dates and did not have COVID-19. We evaluated the clinical manifestations, symptom prevalence, and symptom characteristics of acute COVID-19 and the LC in the PCR+ group as well as questioned the control group for LC symptoms. RESULTS: Of the women in the PCR+ group, 74 (74.7%) had at least one LC symptom, and the most common symptoms were fatigue (54; 72.9%), myalgia/arthralgia (49; 66.2%), and anosmia/ageusia (31; 41.9%). The rate of LC symptoms in the control group was 14 (14.1%). The prevalence of LC symptoms was higher in severely/critically symptomatic patients (23; 100%) in the acute period of disease than in asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic (51; 67.1%) (P = 0.005). Hospitalization during acute infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 13.30), having one or more symptoms (aOR = 4.75), and having symptoms such as cough (aOR = 6.27) and myalgia/arthralgia (aOR = 12.93) increased the likelihood of LC. CONCLUSION: Many women experienced LC after suffering acute COVID-19 in pregnancy, but LC prevalence was similar to the general population. LC correlates with severity, type, and number of symptoms of acute COVID-19.

Vivências de mulheres que experienciaram o nascimento de um filho durante a pandemia da Covid-19 / Experiences of women who experienced the birth of a child during the Covid-19 pandemic / Experiencias de mujeres que vivieron el nacimiento de un hijo durante la pandemia del Covid-19

Objetivo: Aprender como foi experienciar o nascimento de um filho durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Método: estudo qualitativo cujos dados foram coletados em setembro de 2021, mediante entrevistas semi-estruturadas, audiogravadas, com 11 mães e submetidos à análise de conteúdo, modalidade temática. Resultados: emergiram duas categorias, as quais mostram que o nascimento do filho durante a pandemia foi vivenciado de forma restritiva o que suscitou sentimentos como medo, ansiedade, preocupação, frustração, mas também de alívio, felicidade e superação. A possibilidade de usar recursos das mídias sociais para contatos com amigos e familiares constituiu fonte de apoio informacional e emocional. Considerações finais: O apoio da rede social, ainda que de forma virtual, foi fundamental para o enfrentamento das adversidades do período. Entre as estratégias adotadas estão o apoio da família e as redes sociais, de modo a minimizar o isolamento.

Objective: to understand what it was like to experience the birth of a child during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: qualitative study whose data were collected in September 2021, through semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews with 11 mothers and submitted to content analysis, thematic modality. Results: two categories emerged, which show that the birth of the child during the pandemic was experienced in a restrictive way, which aroused feelings such as fear, anxiety, worry, frustration, but also relief, happiness and overcoming. The possibility of using social media resources to contact friends and family was a source of informational and emotional support. Final considerations: The support of the social network, even if it was virtual, was fundamental to face the adversities of the period, some strategies were adopted, such as family support and social networks as a way to minimize isolation.

Objetivo: comprender cómo fue vivir el nacimiento de un niño durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Método: estudio cualitativo cuyos datos fueron recolectados en septiembre de 2021, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, grabadas en audio con 11 madres y sometidas a análisis de contenido, modalidad temática. Resultados: surgieron dos categorías, que muestran que el nacimiento del niño durante la pandemia fue vivido de forma restrictiva, lo que despertó sentimientos como miedo, ansiedad, preocupación, frustración, pero también alivio, felicidad y superación. La posibilidad de utilizar los recursos de las redes sociales para contactar a amigos y familiares fue una fuente de apoyo informativo y emocional. Consideraciones finales: El apoyo de la red social, aunque sea virtual, fue fundamental para enfrentar las adversidades del período, se adoptaron algunas estrategias, como el apoyo familiar y las redes sociales como forma de minimizar el aislamiento.