Outcomes of Selective Reduction of DCDA Twins Complicated by PV-PROM Compared with Expectant Management: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcomes of selective reduction (SR) in dichorionic twins complicated by pre-viable, premature rupture of membranes (PV-PROM). METHODS: Retrospective case series. Ultrasound database was searched for cases of dichorionic twin pregnancy with PV-PROM, either managed conservatively or with SR. Chart reviews were done for these cases. Simple descriptive statistics were used where appropriate. RESULTS: Twenty-two cases of expectantly managed dichorionic twins complicated by PV-PROM with delivery information were available for analysis. Mean GA at PV-PROM was 20.6 weeks, mean GA of delivery was 27.6 weeks, and the mean latency was 39.6 days. There were five cases of SR following PV-PROM in dichorionic twin pregnancies. Mean GA of PV-PROM was 17.0 weeks. Average time from PV-PROM to procedure was 2.5 weeks. Mean GA of delivery of the surviving fetus was 32.6 weeks (P = 0.20) with mean latency of 108 days (P = 0.06). Twelve additional cases have been published and are summarized along with our five cases. CONCLUSION: There was a trend towards an increase in latency interval between cases of PV-PROM managed by SR and expectant management in our institution. When combined with the existing literature data, there may be an improvement in latency.

In Utero diagnosis and management of a fetus with homozygous α-Thalassemia in the second trimester: a case report and literature review.

Alpha thalassemia with the absence of 4 α-globin genes leads to fetal hydrops and fetal death from anemia. Historically considered a lethal condition, optimal in utero management of homozygous α-thalassemia is unclear. A fetus of Filipino descent at 26 weeks gestation presented with ultrasound evidence of anemia. Cordocentesis confirmed anemia and homozygous α-thalassemia (--/--). Intrauterine transfusion corrected anemia but fetal growth restriction and oligohydramnios persisted. Intrauterine exchange transfusion improved hemoglobin parameters, fetal growth, and oligohydramnios. The late preterm infant was delivered with classic limb reduction defects. Hemoglobin Bart's is nonfunctional for oxygen transport, and intrauterine exchange transfusion may be effective first-line therapy and further investigation is warranted.

Accuracy of reported family history and effectiveness of medical record requests in genetic counseling for Alzheimer disease.

The University of British Columbia Hospital Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders (UBCH-CARD) invests significant effort to obtain medical records for the confirmation of patient-reported family histories of dementia. The effectiveness of requesting these records was assessed through a review of the 275 requests made by UBCH-CARD genetic counselors during the 24-month period of January 1, 2005-December 31, 2006. The results were categorized according to outcome. Useful medical records were obtained from 92 (33.5%) requests: 77 (28%) records supported, and 15 (5.5%) records did not support, the patient-reported information. An additional 20 (7.5%) requests yielded only vague information. When verification was possible, patient-reported family histories of Alzheimer disease, dementia, or memory loss were accurate in 84% of cases. During the study period, almost 500 h of genetic counselor work time was spent obtaining, reviewing, and following-up on records received. Changes made to UBCH-CARD procedure in response to these findings are discussed.

A randomized trial of oral misoprostol in premenopausal women before hysteroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the use of oral misoprostol in premenopausal women undergoing diagnostic hysteroscopy produces a clinically important difference in pre-procedural cervical dilatation. METHODS: At a tertiary care hospital, premenopausal women undergoing diagnostic hysteroscopy were randomized to receive either 400 microg of misoprostol or a vitamin B6 placebo orally 12 hours before the procedure. Patients were stratified on the basis of parity. The primary outcome was the pre-procedural dilatation of the cervix. Secondary outcomes included the need to further dilate the cervix, the time required to further dilate the cervix, and side effects. RESULTS: Sixty-four women (11 nulliparous and 53 parous) undergoing diagnostic hysteroscopy consented to participate in the study. Thirty-three women received misoprostol and 31 received placebo. Baseline demographics showed no difference in age and parity between the two groups. There were no significant differences in pre-procedural dilatation (5.0 mm vs. 4.7 mm, P = 0.52), need to further dilate the cervix (56.7% vs. 63.0%, P = 0.63), and time required to further dilate the cervix (12.7 seconds vs. 25.7 seconds, P = 0.27). Significantly more women in the misoprostol group experienced menstrual-like cramping (24.2% vs. 3.3%, P = 0.03) and vaginal spotting (21.2% vs. 3.3%, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: In premenopausal women, there is no improvement in pre-procedural cervical dilatation with administration of oral misoprostol 12 hours before diagnostic hysteroscopy. Further research is required in both nulliparous and parous premenopausal women to determine whether oral misoprostol improves cervical dilatation and, if so, the ideal dose, route and timing.

Risk factors for hyperemesis gravidarum requiring hospital admission during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for hyperemesis requiring hospital admission during pregnancy. METHODS: Data from a population-based cohort of all deliveries in Nova Scotia, Canada between 1988 and 2002 were obtained from the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database. Women with 1 or more antepartum admissions for hyperemesis were compared with women with no admissions for hyperemesis. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression and used to determine a set of independent risk factors for hyperemesis. RESULTS: The overall rate of admission for hyperemesis was 0.8% (n = 1,301) among 157,922 deliveries. In the adjusted analysis, hyperthyroid disorders (RR 4.5, 95% CI 1.8-11.1), psychiatric illness (RR 4.1, 95% CI 3.0-5.7), previous molar pregnancy (RR 3.3, 95% CI 1.6-6.8), preexisting diabetes (RR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.7), gastrointestinal disorders (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.8-3.6), and asthma (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9) were all statistically significant risk factors for hyperemesis, whereas maternal smoking and maternal age older than 30 were associated with decreased risk. Compared with singleton male pregnancies, singleton female pregnancies, pregnancies with multiple male fetuses, and male and female combinations were associated with statistically significant increased risk of hyperemesis. CONCLUSION: Although hospitalization for hyperemesis occurs in less than 1% of pregnant women, this translates to a large number of hospital admissions. The factors associated with hyperemesis are primarily medical and fetal factors that are not easily modifiable, but identification of these factors may be useful in determining those women at high risk for developing hyperemesis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Outcomes of pregnancies complicated by hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes among women with hyperemesis during pregnancy. METHODS: A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among women with singleton deliveries between 1988 and 2002. Hyperemetic pregnancies were defined as those requiring one or more antepartum admissions for hyperemesis before 24 weeks of gestation. Severity of hyperemesis was evaluated according to the number of antenatal hospital admissions (1 or 2 versus 3 or more) and according to weight gain during pregnancy (< 7 kg [15.4 lb] versus > or = 7 kg). Maternal outcomes evaluated included weight gain during pregnancy, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, labor induction, and cesarean delivery. Neonatal outcomes included 5-minute Apgar score of less than 7, low birth weight, small for gestational age, preterm delivery, and perinatal death. Logistic regression was used to generate adjusted odds ratios for all outcomes, and the odds ratios were converted to relative risks. RESULTS: Of the 156,091 singleton pregnancies, 1,270 had an admission for hyperemesis. Compared to women without hyperemesis, infants born to women with hyperemesis and with low pregnancy weight gain (< 7 kg [15.4 lb]) were more likely to be low birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA), born before 37 weeks of gestation, and have a 5-minute Apgar score of less than 7. Compared with infants born to women without hyperemesis, rates of low birth weight and preterm delivery were substantially higher among infants born to women with hyperemesis and low pregnancy weight gain (4.2% versus 12.5% and 4.9% versus 13.9%, respectively). The outcomes among infants born to women with hyperemesis with pregnancy weight gain of 7 kg (15.4 lb) or more were not different from the outcomes among women without hyperemesis. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the adverse infant outcomes associated with hyperemesis are a consequence of, and mostly limited to, women with poor maternal weight gain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.