Body stalk anomaly: adverse maternal outcomes in a series of 21 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the demographic characteristics of cases with body stalk anomaly (BSA) and describe the obstetric outcome. METHOD: Retrospective review of a case series of BSA diagnosed from 2000 to 2010. RESULTS: Among the 21 cases, mean gestational age at diagnosis was 22 weeks (range 11-35 weeks). Ten cases elected termination of pregnancy, which was performed at a median gestational age of 24 weeks. One termination of pregnancy at 33 weeks' gestation in a woman with late diagnosis of BSA and a previous uterine scar, required cesarean section during labor because of clinical signs of uterine rupture. Of the remaining 11 cases, four were lost to follow-up, three delivered vaginally, three underwent elective cesarean sections, and one underwent cesarean section because of obstructed labor. Six of seven cases were growth restricted and six of seven were small for gestational age. There were no abnormal karyotypes among the nine cases which underwent cytogenetic studies. CONCLUSION: Continuation of pregnancy in the presence of BSA is associated with greater maternal risks, in the form of labor complications requiring cesarean section. This information should be discussed with couples at the time of diagnosis.

Association of anticardiolipin antibody and C677T in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions: a new path to thrombophilia?

CONTEXT: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) has been associated with venous thrombosis in the mother. Acquired and inherited thrombophilia factors are possible causes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between thrombogenic factors and recurrent spontaneous abortion. TYPE OF STUDY: Case-control study. SETTING: Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher, Universidade Estadual de Campinas. METHODS: 40 ml of blood was collected from 88 women attending an RSA clinic and 88 fertile women attending a family planning clinic, to evaluate the presence of acquired and inherited thrombophilia factors. Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA), lupus anticoagulant and deficiencies of proteins C and S and antithrombin III were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), dilute Russell Viper Venom time (dRVVT), coagulometric and chromogenic methods. DNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to study factor V Leiden and G20210A mutations in the prothrombin gene and C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Data were analyzed using odds ratios and a regression model for age adjustment. Fishers exact test was used to evaluate statistical relationships between associated factors and RSA. RESULTS: ACA was detected in 11 women with RSA and one fertile woman. Heterozygous C677T was detected in 59 women with RSA and 35 fertile women. Concomitant presence of ACA and C677T was found in eight women with RSA and no fertile women (p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: The meaning of the association between C677T mutation in the MTHFR gene and ACA is still not clear. It is possible that an inherited factor that alone would not strongly predispose a woman to thrombosis could, when associated with an acquired factor, start the process and increase the likelihood of thrombosis expression. CONCLUSIONS: ACA and C677T in the MTHFR gene are statistically associated with RSA. The association of these two conditions is a new finding in thrombogenic factors and RSA.

Quality of life, depression and anxiety among pregnant women with previous adverse pregnancy outcomes.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Previous adverse pregnancy outcomes (recurrent spontaneous abortion, fetal death, preterm birth or early neonatal death) can affect the quality of life of pregnant women. The objective of this study was to compare the quality of life and the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant women with and without these antecedents. DESIGN AND SETTING: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed in four settings (two high-risk and two low-risk prenatal clinics) in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 240 women were interviewed by a single investigator between the 18th and 24th weeks of gestation: 120 women with prior adverse pregnancy outcomes (group 1) and 120 women with no such history (group 2), matched according to their numbers of living children. Sociodemographic variables were collected and two questionnaires were used: the Short Form-36 quality-of-life questionnaire and the Depression and Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: The women in group 1 had lower scores in all the items on the quality-of-life questionnaire. Depression and anxiety were more frequent in group 1 (P < 0.0001). An inverse correlation was found between the Short Form-36 domains and anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Women with histories of recurrent spontaneous abortion, fetal death, preterm birth or early neonatal death seem to have poorer quality of life and more symptoms of anxiety and depression during their subsequent pregnancy, compared with those without such antecedents.

Quality of life, depression and anxiety among pregnant women with previous adverse pregnancy outcomes / Qualidade de vida, depressão e ansiedade em gestantes com má história gestacional

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Previous adverse pregnancy outcomes (recurrent spontaneous abortion, fetal death, preterm birth or early neonatal death) can affect the quality of life of pregnant women. The objective of this study was to compare the quality of life and the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant women with and without these antecedents. DESIGN AND SETTING: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed in four settings (two high-risk and two low-risk prenatal clinics) in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 240 women were interviewed by a single investigator between the 18th and 24th weeks of gestation: 120 women with prior adverse pregnancy outcomes (group 1) and 120 women with no such history (group 2), matched according to their numbers of living children. Sociodemographic variables were collected and two questionnaires were used: the Short Form-36 quality-of-life questionnaire and the Depression and Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: The women in group 1 had lower scores in all the items on the quality-of-life questionnaire. Depression and anxiety were more frequent in group 1 (P < 0.0001). An inverse correlation was found between the Short Form-36 domains and anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Women with histories of recurrent spontaneous abortion, fetal death, preterm birth or early neonatal death seem to have poorer quality of life and more symptoms of anxiety and depression during their subsequent pregnancy, compared with those without such antecedents.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O antecedente de resultados gestacionais adversos (aborto espontâneo recorrente, óbito fetal, prematuridade ou óbito neonatal precoce) pode afetar a qualidade de vida das gestantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a qualidade de vida e a prevalência de sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em gestantes com e sem estes antecedentes. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Um estudo transversal analítico foi realizado em quatro locais (duas clínicas de pré-natal de alto risco e duas de pré-natal de baixo risco), na cidade de Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Duzentas e quarenta mulheres foram entrevistadas por um único investigador entre 18 e 24 semanas de gestação: 120 tinham antecedentes gestacionais adversos (grupo 1) e 120 não tinham tal história (grupo 2), pareadas por número de filhos vivos. Variáveis sócio-demográficas foram coletadas e dois questionários foram usados: o de qualidade de vida (Questionário Short Form-36) e a Escala de Depressão e Ansiedade. RESULTADOS: As mulheres do grupo 1 obtiveram escores mais baixos em todos os itens do questionário de qualidade de vida. Depressão e ansiedade foram mais frequentes no grupo 1 (P < 0,0001). Foi encontrada uma correlação inversa entre os domínios do Short Form-36 e ansiedade e depressão. CONCLUSÕES: Mulheres com antecedente de aborto espontâneo recorrente, óbito fetal, prematuridade ou óbito neonatal precoce parecem ter pior qualidade de vida e mais sintomas de ansiedade e depressão durante a gestação subsequente quando comparadas com mulheres sem esses antecedentes.

Association of anticardiolipin antibody and C677T in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions: a new path to thrombophilia?

CONTEXTO: O aborto espontâneo recorrente já foi associado a vários fatores etiológicos e à trombose materna. Fatores de trombofilia adquiridos e hereditários podem ser causas destes eventos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre fatores de trombofilia e aborto espontâneo recorrente. IPO DE ESTUDO: Caso-controle. LOCAL: Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram retirados 40 ml de sangue de 88 mulheres com aborto espontâneo recorrente do Ambulatório de Aborto Recorrente e 88 mulheres férteis do Ambulatório de Planejamento Familiar, pareadas por idade e raça, para pesquisar fatores de trombofilia adquiridos e hereditários. O anticorpo anticardiolipina (ACA), anticoagulante lúpico (LA) e a deficiência das proteínas C, S e antitrombina III foram pesquisados por ELISA (enzyme-linkek immunosorbent assay), dRVVT (dilute Russel Viper Venom Time, dRVVT) e métodos coagulométrico e cromogênico. O ácido desoxirribonucléico (DNA) foi amplificado pela técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) para o estudo das mutações fator V de Leiden, G20210A no gene da protrombina e C677T no gene da enzima metilenotetrahidrofolato redutase (MTHFR). RESULTADOS: O ACA foi encontrado em 11 mulheres com RSA e em uma mulher fértil [OR 12.4 (IC 95% 1.5 a 98.5)]. A mutação C677T heterozigota foi encontrada em 59 mulheres com RSA e em 35 mulheres férteis [OR 3.1 (IC 95% 1.7 a 5.7)]. A presença concomitante do ACA e da mutação C677T heterozigota foi encontrada em oito mulheres com aborto espontâneo recorrente e em nenhuma mulher fértil (p < 0,01). DISCUSSÃO: O significado da associação entre a mutação heterozigota C677T no gene da MTHFR e o anticorpo anticardiolipina não está claro. Pode-se supor que um fator hereditário que, isolado, não predisporia fortemente um indivíduo à trombose poderia, em associação com um fator adquirido, deflagrar o processo e intensificar a expressão da trombose. CONCLUSÕES: O ACA e a mutação C677T heterozigota no gene da MTHFR apresentaram associação estatística com RSA. A concomitância destas duas alterações é um novo achado no estudo de fatores trombogênicos em aborto espontâneo recorrente.

Revisão sobre as diferentes etiologias no aborto espontâneo recorrente / The Importance of several etiologies in recurrent spontaneous abortion

O aborto espontâneo recorrente atinge de 1 a 3 porcento dos casais em idade fértil. Em quase metade dos casos, não é possível definir a etiologia. Já foram citados como responsáveis pelo aborto recorrente fatores anatômicos, hormonais, genéticos, infecciosos e ambientais. Os fatores imunológicos, tanto auto quanto alo-imunes têm aparecido com importância crescente na gênese das perdas de repetição. Além disso, a trombofilia adquirida e hereditária também surge na literatura como possível etiologia tratável para o aborto recorrente, embora o mecanismo de ação não seja completamente esclarecido. Discorreremos, neste texto, sobre estes possíveis fatores etiológicos para o aborto espontâneo recorrente.