[Oxidative stress and preeclampsia: A review]. / Implication du stress oxydant dans la physiopathologie de la pré-éclampsie: mise au point.

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of pregnancy complications and affects 3-7% of pregnant women. Pathophysiology of preeclampsia is still unclear. According to the two-stage model of preeclampsia, the abnormal and hypoperfused placenta (stage 1) releases factors to the bloodstream, which are responsible for the maternal symptoms (stage 2), characterised by a systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of the preeclampsia and could be the common denominator between the two. This review summarizes the current knowledge of a new potential etiology of the disease, with a special focus on oxidative stress. We also review the different factors that have been proposed to cause endothelial cell dysfunction in preeclampsia, and trials investigating the role of antioxidant supplementation in preeclampsia.

[Use of calcium channel blockers (CCB) for tocolysis in France and abroad]. / Utilisation des inhibiteurs des canaux calciques (ICC) en tocolyse en France et à l'étranger.

OBJECTIVES: Calcium channel blockers (CCB) are routinely off-label used for tocolysis. The purpose of this study is to establish an inventory of the use of CCB for tocolysis in France and abroad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four complementary approaches were performed: (i) a literature review of clinical practice and guidelines of scientific societies; (ii) a national declarative practice survey among French tertiary care centers; (iii) a regional declarative practice survey among all maternities of the Midi-Pyrénées Perinatal Network (MATERMIP); (iv) an evaluation of outpatient tocolysis prescription, analyzing the departmental database EFEMERIS in order to examine drug prescribing during pregnancy. RESULTS: CCB appear to be currently used as first-line, initial tocolysis, in the majority of French maternity hospitals (82.5% of tertiary care centers). Oral Nifedipine is the predominant regimen (86%). CCB utilization rates appear higher than those reported in 2005 in the EVAPRIMA study. Beta-agonists appear rarely prescribed in 1st line (poor maternal tolerance) and even abandoned by many institutions (75% of tertiary care centers). Using a maintenance tocolysis (usually by long-acting CCB) seems to vary depending on the hospitals. It would be prescribed in more than 50% of cases (and probably more in type 1 or 2 hospitals), despite the lack of demonstrated benefit. Furthermore, we can estimate that about 1.5 to 2% of outpatient pregnant women receive a prescription of Nifedipine LP in France. CONCLUSION: CCB (especially Nifedipine) are widely used in the treatment of threatened preterm labor in France, regardless of the type of hospital. The terms of off-label prescribing are not met.

[Hypokaliemic periodic paralysis and pregnancy: perinatal management. A case report]. / Paralysie périodique hypokaliémique et grossesse: prise en charge périnatale à propos d'un cas.

Familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis (FHPP) is a rare inherited disease characterized by a dysfunction of the membrane ion channels. Clinical manifestations are attacks of hypokaliemia with flaccid muscle paralysis. Paralysis is sometimes severe but always reversible with symptomatic treatment. Pregnancy and delivery have been reported to exacerbate FHPP. Authors report a case of FHPP during pregnancy with a favourable outcome. Vaginal delivery is usually possible with monitoring and epidural analgesia, avoiding active maternal expulsive efforts (passive descent of the fetus and elective outlet forceps) and other stimulating factors (carbohydrate loads, maternal stress, betamimetics, epinephrine...). Administration of IV potassium supplementation is often necessary.

[Treatment of pain due to unwanted lactation with a homeopathic preparation given in the immediate post-partum period]. / Traitement de la douleur de la montée laiteuse non souhaitée par homéopathie dans le post-partum immédiat.

Dopaminergic agonists, such as Parlodel((R)), are now widely used to inhibit lactation. However, some countries, such as the United States, no longer use these drugs in this indication because of their sometimes serious adverse effects. In this context, the authors tested a homeopathic treatment designed for parturients unable or not wanting to breastfeed. The APIS MELLIFICA 9 CH and BRYONIA 9 CH combination was chosen for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. 71 patients were included in this double-blind placebo-controlled study. All received basic treatment comprising naproxen and fluid restriction. A significant improvement of lactation pain (main criterion of the study) was observed in parturients treated with homeopathy (p<0.02 on D2 and p<0.01 on D4). A similar effect (p<0.05 on D4) was observed for breast tension and spontaneous milk flow. No significant difference was observed for the other criteria of the study. The homeopathic combination studied was therefore effective on the pain of lactation and should be integrated into the therapeutic armamentarium.