iPREFACE score: Integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring.

AIM: Cardiotocography is used worldwide to evaluate fetal well-being during pregnancy and labor. In past guidelines, the management plan was determined based on the assessment of the most severe waveform. There are no guidelines for evaluating the integrated recurrent decelerations; however, we believe their assessment to be essential for predicting the status of the fetus. The objective of this study was to propose an indicator for performing medical interventions during labor by creating a scoring system that reflects integrated recurrent decelerations. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we included data for only full-term single fetus births from vaginal deliveries. The score named the iPREFACE score (integrated score index to predict fetal acidemia by intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring) was calculated using cardiotocography findings from continuing 30 min before delivery. We examined the iPREFACE score and fetal acidemia association and calculated the cut-off iPREFACE scores for acidemia using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: The study included 469 delivery cases. Their iPREFACE scores exhibited a significant negative correlation with the umbilical artery blood pH (correlation coefficient; -0.43). The cut-off iPREFACE scores for the umbilical artery blood with pH <7.20, <7.10 and <7.0 were 44, 46 and 67, respectively (the areas under the curve were 0.776, 0.962 and 0.996, respectively). CONCLUSION: The iPREFACE score may predict fetal acidemia and could be used as an indicator for timely medical interventions during labor. Because assessments using a cardiotocography are quick and easy to perform, the iPREFACE score could be a valuable tool in clinical practice.

Heterotopic pregnancy with suspicion of superfetation after the intrauterine insemination cycle with ovulation induction using clomiphene citrate: A case report.

At 22 days after intrauterine insemination with ovulation induction using clomiphene citrate at a previous hospital, a 30-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital owing to right lower quadrant abdominal pain. We diagnosed threatened abortion because of a gestational sac in the uterus on transvaginal ultrasonography. The next day, she complained of increased abdominal pain. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a gestational sac-like structure in the echo free space. She was diagnosed with heterotopic pregnancy due to a ruptured right tubal pregnancy, underwent laparoscopic right salpingectomy. Rupture of a gestational age of 5 weeks is extremely rare. If this was a case of a heterotopic pregnancy due to superfetation, it could be explained as this clinical course. When a pregnant woman develops abdominal pain, heterotopic pregnancies should not be excluded from the differential diagnosis, and the possibility of superfetation should be taken into consideration.

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome: linear contrast enhancement of the surface of the liver on CT.

We present a case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (Chlamydia trachomatis perihepatitis). Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated enhancement along the surface of the liver, but it was remarkable on the anterior surface. No other abnormalities suspicious for peritonitis were found. Contrast enhancement of the anterior surface of the liver on CT may support the diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome.