Middle cerebral artery Doppler in prediction degree of fetal anemia and the best timing for the second intrauterine intravascular transfusion in red cell alloimmune disease.

AIM: To determine the role of fetal multiples of the median of middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MoM MCA-PSV), predicts the rate of decline in fetal hematocrit (Hct) for determination of the best timing for the second intrauterine intravascular transfusion (IUIVT) in fetuses with Rh alloimmunisation. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Retrospective study of 59-monofetal alloimmunized pregnancies from 2005 to 2012 that underwent first and second IUIVT were assessed in Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Belgrade, Serbia. RESULT: There was an inverse statistically significant correlation between measurements MCA MoM-1 and fetal Hct-1 before the first IUIVT r = -0.622; p = 0.001 and MCA-MoM-3 and Hct-3 before the second IUIVT r = -0.381; p = 0.001, also as the significant correlation between the interval between both procedures (expressed in day) and measurement MCA-MoM-3, before the second IUIVT r = -0.284; p = 0.029. CONCLUSION: The measurements MoM-MCA before every IUIVT can be useful for prediction of the best timing for the next IUIVT.

Vasa previa and postpartum hysterectomy in maternal Rh alloimmunization.

Velamentous insertion of the cord, or vasa previa, is a malady where fetal vessels tranverse membranes ahead of the fetal part. The incidence of vasa previa is 1: 2000-3000 deliveries. Fetal mortality is over 50-75%. Early diagnosis is needed because these deliveries require emergency cesarean section; it is especially more common with placenta percreta, uterine atony and hemorrhage. Intravascular infusion of red blood cells (RBCs) into the fetus is one of the most successful means of in utero therapy for severe fetal anemia caused by RBC alloimmunization. We performed four fetal intrauterine intravascular transfusions (IVT) as therapy for severe fetal anemia. The patient underwent elective cesarean section. After delivery, profound uterine atony and vaginal hemorrhage were noted and the patient underwent hysterectomy. Pathological examination of the placenta and umbilical cord documented velamentous insertion of the cord. Before intrauterine IVT a detailed US examination is necessary to exclude vasa previa or placenta previa. Uterine atony may be result after a diagnosis of placenta previa or vasa previa. Intrauterine IVT is an irreplaceable diagnostic procedure in the treatment of severe fetal anemia.

New technique for artificial lung maturation. Direct intramuscular fetal corticosteroid therapy.

The aim of this study was to present a new technique of administration of antenatal corticosteroid therapy in order to cause fetal lung maturation. A single dexamethasone dose of 4 mg was applied directly to the fetal gluteal musculature by ultrasound-guided intramuscular injection 48 h before delivery. This technique of fetal corticosteroid therapy was applied in six cases. Our patients had high risk pregnancies (preeclampsia diabetes mellitus, intracranial hemorrhage, epilepsy, hyperthyreosis). The pregnancies were terminated in the mother's vital interest. The lecithin/sphyngomyelin (US) ratio was < 1.5:1. There were no procedure-related complications. The fetuses were delivered by cesarean, 48 hours later except for the vaginal delivery in the patient in which fetal death occurred in utero. In five cases an uneventful outcome of fetuses indicated that direct fetal corticosteroid treatment improved postnatal lung function in preterm fetuses. A new technique of corticosteroid application successfully prevents respiratory distress in preterm infants decreasing the risk of maternal complications. To our knowledge, this is the first report of fetal intramuscular corticosteroid therapy in the human population.

Ceftriaxone in prevention of complications after cesarean section and its influence on the newborn.

The study included 303 patients subjected to elective cesarean section. Thirty two (11%) patients were classified in group A (with prophylactic ceftriaxone administration), 28 (87.5%) of whom had uneventful postoperative courses and 4 (12.5%) who had complications. Group B (with therapeutical application of ceftriaxone) was composed of 135 (45%) patents, 127 (94.1%) with uneventful postoperative courses and 8 (5.9%) with complications. Group C (in whom other antibiotics were used) consisted of 95 (31%) patients, 72 (75.8%) with uneventful postoperative courses and 23 (24.2%) with complications. Group D (no antibiotics used) was composed of 41 (13%) patients, 31 (75.6%) with uneventful postoperative courses and 10 (24.4%) with complications. Statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences in distribution of complications according to whether any, and which one of the antibiotics was used (X2 = 17.81, p < 0.005). This difference mainly resulted from lower incidence of complications associated with ceftriaxone use than in patients with no antibiotic therapy (X2 = 11.66; p < 0.005) as well as in patients using other antibiotics (X2 = 15.95; p < 0.005). Significant difference was also noted when patients given antibiotics other than ceftriaxone were compared with patients receiving no antibiotics other than ceftriaxone were compared with patients receiving no antibiotic therapy (X2 = 4.45; p < 0.05). Group A of newborns included 17 (89.5%) with high Apgar score, while 2 children (10.5%) had the score below 8. Group B had 2 children (11.7%) with Apgar score below 8, while 15 (88.3%) children had higher scores.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)