Comparing Infection Profiles of Expectant Mothers with COVID-19 and Impacts on Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes between the First Two Waves of the Pandemic.

During 2020, Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) incidence fluctuated in two clear waves across the spring and autumn periods. This study was designed to compare the maternal and perinatal clinical outcomes in obstetrics patients with COVID-19 between the two waves of infection in Spain. We conducted an observational, analytical, ambispective cohort study with longitudinal follow-up of mothers with confirmed SARV-CoV-2 infection from different hospitals in our country between March-November 2020. We recruited 1295 pregnant women with SARS-CoV2 infection from 78 hospitals, 846 (65.3%) of whom were diagnosed during the first wave and 449 (34.7%) during the second wave. Our results show that patients developing COVID-19 during the first wave had more symptoms at triage, early in pregnancy with greater rates of COVID-19-related maternal morbidity; caesarean section and preterm birth in the first wave. We register two cases of maternal mortality and only during the first wave. Maternal morbidity events showed a strong link to perinatal mortality events in the first wave compared to the second wave, in which maternal morbidity was more associated with pneumonia. Likewise, maternal morbidity showed a strong correlation with perinatal morbidity events in both waves. We describe the differences between the patients' profiles and management between the two waves and related to maternal and perinatal outcomes. Differences were also observed in the management of pregnant women with COVID-19. Thus, there were fewer caesarean sections, and maternal and perinatal morbidity events were reduced in the second wave, while the impacts of respiratory symptoms and their severity, including a greater need for maternal treatment, were greater in this last period. Identifying the impact that changes in the profile as well as in the treatment have on maternal-perinatal morbidity and mortality will help improve the well-being of our patients and their newborns.

Association of ABO and Rh blood groups with obstetric outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnancies: A prospective study with a multivariate analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of ABO and Rh blood groups on morbidity among SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnancies. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: 78 centers of the Spanish Obstetric Emergency Group. POPULATION: Pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 tested with polymerase-chain-reaction between 26-February and 5-November 2020. A cohort of 1278 SARS-CoV-2(+) pregnant women was analyzed and a concurrent comparison group of 1453 SARS-COV-2(-) patients was established. METHODS: Data were collected from medical charts. SARS-COV-2(+) was compared with SARS-COV-2(-) for differences in distribution of blood groups. We performed multivariate analysis, controlling for maternal age and ethnicity, to evaluate association of ABO and Rh blood groups with maternal and perinatal outcomes in SARS-CoV-2(+) patients with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Medical morbidity: Symptomatic COVID-19 and medical complications. Obstetric outcomes: caesarean delivery, preterm deliveries, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), hemorrhagic events, pre-eclampsia, maternal and neonatal mortality, stillbirth. RESULTS: Differences were noted between blood types and Rh for age and ethnicity comparing SARS-CoV-2(+) and SARS-CoV-2(-) groups (p < 0.05). Among the SARS-CoV-2(+) cohort, the odds of symptomatic COVID-19 and obstetric hemorrhagic event were higher in Rh+ vs Rh- mothers (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.02-2.14, p = 0.037, and aOR 8.72, 95% CI 1.20-63.57, p = 0.033, respectively), and PPROM were higher among blood type A vs non-A mothers (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.01-4.18, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: In SARS-CoV-2(+) pregnant women, Rh- status was associated with a lower risk of symptomatic COVID-19, while Rh+ and blood group A were associated with obstetric hemorrhage and PPROM, respectively.

Open-legs axial plane: A standardized methodology and reference values for fetal genital biometry in mid-trimester ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the external genitalia is an important part of prenatal ultrasound. However, there is no standardized methodology that includes biometric measurements and normative data to be able to carry out this evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To develop a standardized methodology for fetal genital biometry and obtain reference values for use in mid-trimester ultrasound. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional study was used. 273 male and 253 female fetuses of normal, singleton pregnancies at 18 to 22 weeks were included. Measurements of fetal penis length, penile width and transverse scrotal diameter in male fetuses and bilabial diameter in female fetuses were performed by transabdominal ultrasound. Reference values were calculated for each gestational week. RESULTS: Realization of the open-legs axial plane is described as a working methodology. Normative data for penile length, penile width, transverse scrotal diameter and bilabial diameter are defined, including mean, minimum and maximum values, range, and 5th, 10th, 90th and 95th percentiles. CONCLUSIONS: We have provided a standardized methodology using the open-legs axial plane, which would integrate the main measurements. In addition with the normative data constructed from their use, we hope to be able to improve the external genitalia assessment and diagnosis of genital anomalies in mid-trimester ultrasound.

Pregnancy Outcomes and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: The Spanish Obstetric Emergency Group Study.

Pregnant women who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. With this study, we aimed to better understand the relationship between maternal infection and perinatal outcomes, especially preterm births, and the underlying medical and interventionist factors. This was a prospective observational study carried out in 78 centers (Spanish Obstetric Emergency Group) with a cohort of 1347 SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive pregnant women registered consecutively between 26 February and 5 November 2020, and a concurrent sample of PCR-negative mothers. The patients' information was collected from their medical records, and the association of SARS-CoV-2 and perinatal outcomes was evaluated by univariable and multivariate analyses. The data from 1347 SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnancies were compared with those from 1607 SARS-CoV-2-negative pregnancies. Differences were observed between both groups in premature rupture of membranes (15.5% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.001); venous thrombotic events (1.5% vs. 0.2%, p < 0.001); and severe pre-eclampsia incidence (40.6 vs. 15.6%, p = 0.001), which could have been overestimated in the infected cohort due to the shared analytical signs between this hypertensive disorder and COVID-19. In addition, more preterm deliveries were observed in infected patients (11.1% vs. 5.8%, p < 0.001) mainly due to an increase in iatrogenic preterm births. The prematurity in SARS-CoV-2-affected pregnancies results from a predisposition to end the pregnancy because of maternal disease (pneumonia and pre-eclampsia, with or without COVID-19 symptoms).

Third trimester ultrasound. A long-standing debate.

Third trimester ultrasound has long been in obstetrics a topic of debate. This issue is framed in a historical debate on the effectiveness of routine obstetrical ultrasound and two opposing trends originated in America and Europe, respectively. Primary function of this ultrasound has been to detect fetal growth restriction, but no study has shown evidence of improving perinatal outcomes. Other secondary functions are detection of fetal abnormalities or evaluation of fetal presentation, and they have also shown no evidence. Despite the continuous appearance of works in this regard, health policies of both american and european trends have not been modified. Future seems to show a prolongation of the stalemate. Those health systems with a universal third trimester policy should propose an optimization of the test, in order to improve the benefits and obtain data for future studies that could resolve this longstanding debate.

Sonographic measure techniques of fetal penile length.

Postnatal penile length is a reliable, standardized, and widely used marker for the diagnosis of genitourinary pathology, as well as genetic and hormonal disorders. In contrast, prenatal diagnosis has not been developed equally and there is a lack of relevant literature. Our objective is to review the studies on fetal penile length, and apply findings to clinical practice. Although the most used technique is the outer penile length, there is no consensus regarding the appropriate technique for prenatal measurement. Several reports have provided reference data with high correlation. However, important issues like poor correlation with post-natal measures or presence of confounding variables are still present. Diagnosis of both a micropenis and macropenis can indicate related pathologies, and this information may benefit parental counseling and facilitate fetal management. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out prospective studies that provide reliable normative data.

Prediction model of success for external cephalic version. Complications and perinatal outcomes after a successful version.

AIM: External cephalic version (ECV) is an effective and safe technique for avoiding breech presentation at birth. However, it continues rejected by many women. The aim of this study is to develop a predictive model of success of external cephalic version, determine the safety of the technique and perinatal outcomes after successful version. METHODS: Data from 317 versions performed over a 6-year period were collected. Different clinical and ultrasound variables, complications, vaginal delivery after successful version and perinatal outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 72% (229 of 317 versions). The variables most related to success were parity, placental location, amniotic fluid volume, fetal sex, fetal head palpation and descent of the presenting part. A model for calculating the probability of success was developed in which to input parity, placentation and amniotic fluid data. The model correctly classified 98.8% of successful technique and 74% of all women. Complications were very few and mostly mild. Of women who had success, 77% (163 of 212) had a vaginal birth. No differences between neonatal outcomes were found. CONCLUSION: External cephalic version is a successful, safe technique with a high rate of subsequent vaginal delivery. A success prediction model based on some very easily obtained variables can personalize the probability of success.

Perinatal and obstetric outcomes in older pregnant women / Gestantes de edad avanzada y resultados obstétricos y perinatales

Introduction: Maternity is being postponed to a more advanced age for sociocultural, occupational, and economic reasons. This phenomenon, which has become more common in the last 2 decades, means that the typical pregnant woman has changed. Pregnancy at the extremes of reproductive life is considered a risk factor owing to the greater likelihood of perinatal conditions. However, literature data on maternal and perinatal adverse events in pregnant women are contradictory. The objective of our study was to determine whether older pregnant women present a higher rate of obstetric and perinatal adverse outcomes than younger pregnant women. Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study. The study population consisted of patients from Health Area II of the Region of Murcia whose pregnancy and delivery were monitored in 2016 at University Hospital Santa Lucía. We divided patients into 2 groups: a group comprising pregnant women aged 40 to 45 years and a control group comprising pregnant women aged 30 to 35 years, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria. We collected data from the predictive variables of the clinical history and data from the variables also resulting from the clinical history and the partograph. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: We obtained a sample of 468 patients, with 234 patients in each group. The mean (SD) age of the cases was 41.59 (1.37), and that of the control group 32.81 (1.33). The risk of presenting adverse effects in the older group with respect to the control group was as follows: uterine bleeding (OR, 13.70), gestational diabetes (OR, 2.56), preterm birth (OR, 2.22), and admission to the neonatal ICU, 2.02). The risk of cesarean delivery and intrauterine growth retardation was higher in the older patients, although this association was not statistically significant. One woman died in the older group. No cases of neonatal mortality were recorded in either group. Conclusions: Advanced maternal age is a risk factor for major medical and obstetrical complications such as preterm birth, gestational diabetes, admission of newborn infants to the neonatal ICU, and uterine bleeding during childbirth

Introducción: actualmente la maternidad se está posponiendo a edades más avanzadas debido a motivos socioculturales, laborales y económicos. Este fenómeno, que se aprecia de forma más acentuada en las últimas dos décadas, hace que el prototipo de gestante actual haya variado. El embarazo en los extremos de la vida reproductiva es considerado como factor de riesgo por el aumento de la patología perinatal que se presenta, pero en la bibliografía hay resultados contradictorios sobre los eventos adversos maternos y perinatales en las gestantes de edad avanzada. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es comparar si este grupo de gestantes presenta mayor tasa de resultados adversos obstétricos y perinatales que la población gestante de menor edad. Material y métodos: hemos llevado a cabo un estudio de cohortes retrospectivo. La población de estudio la forman las pacientes del Área II de Salud de la Región de Murcia, que acudieron para control de gestación y parto en el año 2016 en el Hospital Universitario Santa Lucía. Hemos realizado dos grupos: grupo de casos con gestantes de 40 a 45 años, y grupo control con gestantes de 30 a 35 años, que cumplían criterios de inclusión y no de exclusión. Hemos recogido los datos de las variables predictoras de la historia clínica y los datos de las variables resultado también de la historia clínica y del partograma. El análisis estadístico se realizó mediante SPSS. Resultados: se obtuvo una muestra de 468 pacientes, 234 por cada grupo. La edad media de los casos fue 41,59 ± 1,37 y la del grupo control 32,81 ± 1,33. El riesgo de presentar efectos adversos del grupo de gestantes de edad materna avanzada con respecto al control fue de: hemorragias uterinas (OR: 13,70), diabetes gestacional (OR: 2,56), prematuridad (OR: 2,22), ingreso en UCI neonatal (OR: 2,02). Se observó que el riesgo de cesárea y de retraso de crecimiento intrauterino fue mayor en el grupo de las gestantes de edad avanzada, pero esta asociación no resultó estadísticamente significativa. Tuvimos un caso de mortalidad materna en el grupo de edad materna avanzada y ningún caso de mortalidad neonatal en los grupos de estudio. Conclusiones: la edad materna avanzada representa un factor de riesgo para algunas complicaciones médicas y obstétricas importantes como son la prematuridad, la diabetes gestacional, la necesidad de ingreso del recién nacido en UCI neonatal, así como para la aparición de hemorragias uterinas durante el parto

Asociación de nivel bajo de PAPP-A en primer trimestre con resultados obstétricos adversos / Association of low PAPP-A level in the first trimester with adverse obstetric outcomes

ANTECEDENTES: La PAPP-A es una proteína utilizada en obstetricia de forma rutinaria para el cribado de aneuploidías de primer trimestre. En los últimos años se está conociendo más acerca de su papel en la función placentaria. Diversos estudios están mostrando una asociación entre un nivel bajo de PAPP-A y distintos eventos obstétricos. OBJETIVO: Establecer una asociación entre PAPP-A baja y eventos obstétricos adversos. MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte. Se han recogido las gestaciones únicas con PAPP-A inferior a percentil 5 en primer trimestre durante 2 años. Se ha recogido de la misma cohorte un grupo control, en proporción 2:1. Se compara mediante análisis estadístico la incidencia de eventos obstétricos adversos de cada grupo. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó un total de 285 pacientes en el grupo de casos y 570 pacientes en el grupo control. Se observó un aumento significativo en el grupo de casos de la incidencia de prematuridad, restricción del crecimiento, hipertensión gestacional y diabetes gestacional. Se ha correlacionado la PAPP-A baja con varios eventos obstétricos adversos, incluyendo prematuridad (OR 4,27), diabetes gestacional (OR 2,40), restricción del crecimiento (OR 2,36) e hipertensión gestacional (OR 2,22). No se observó relación con el resto de eventos obstétricos adversos. CONCLUSIÓN: Un nivel de PAPP-A bajo se asocia con aumentos significativos de prematuridad, diabetes gestacional, restricción del crecimiento e hipertensión gestacional.

BACKGROUND: PAPP-A is a placental protein used in obstetrics as a first trimester marker in aneuploidy screening. In the last few years we are knowing more about its placental function. Some studies are showing a association between low PAPP-A and obstetrical adverse events. AIM: Establish an association between low PAPP-A an obstetrical adverse events. METHOD: This is a retrospective nested case-control study. We identified each singleton pregnancy with a normal phenotype and a low PAPP-A (under percentile 5) in the last 2 years, and match it with a control group of the same population in a 2:1 proportion. It was compared the incidence of each obstetrical adverse outcomes with statistical analysis. RESULTS: We found 285 patients in the case group and match it with 570 patients from control group. It was observed a significative increase in the incidence of prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes. A low PAPP-A level was correlated with some obstetrical adverse events, like prematurity (OR 4.27), gestational diabetes (OR 2.40), intrauterine growth restriction (OR 2.36) and gestational hypertension (OR 2.22). We observe no correlation with the rest of outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A low PAPP-A level is related with significative increases of prematurity, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction and gestational hypertension.

Necesidad de reanimación en prematuros menores de 32 semanas expuestos a sulfato de magnesio para neuroprotección fetal / Need for resuscitation in preterm neonates less than 32 weeks treated with antenatal magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection

Introducción: El empleo de sulfato de magnesio para neuroprotección fetal es un tratamiento cada vez más frecuente. Objetivo: Estudiar la asociación entre sulfato de magnesio administrado a la gestante y la necesidad de reanimación neonatal. Pacientes y método: Estudio prospectivo de un grupo de prematuros menores de 32 semanas expuestos al sulfato de magnesio como neuroprotector y otro grupo retrospectivo inmediatamente anterior al inicio de este tratamiento. En ambos grupos se descartaron los casos que no habían recibido maduración pulmonar con corticoides. Se analizaron y compararon el porcentaje de reanimación y diferentes comorbilidades. Resultados: Se incluyó a 107 prematuros, 56 expuestos al sulfato de magnesio. El porcentaje de reanimación avanzada fue similar en ambos grupos. No se encontraron diferencias en mortalidad, ventilación mecánica invasiva, tiempo de la primera deposición y otras comorbilidades. Conclusiones: El sulfato de magnesio para neuroprotección no aumenta de forma significativa la necesidad de reanimación de los prematuros menores de 32 semanas.

Introduction: Magnesium sulphate administration is recommended for foetal neuroprotection in pregnant women at imminent risk of early preterm birth. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between intrapartum magnesium sulphate for foetal neuroprotection and delivery room resuscitation of preterm infants less 32 weeks. Patients and method: A prospective observational study was conducted on preterm infants less 32 weeks exposed to magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection, and a comparison made with another historic group immediately before starting this treatment. Cases in both groups that had not reached lung maturity with corticosteroids were rejected. The rates of resuscitation, morbidity and mortality for each of the groups were analysed and compared. Results: There was a total of 107 preterm, with 56 exposed to magnesium sulphate. Rate of advanced resuscitation were similar between the two groups. There were no other differences in mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, time to first stool, and other comorbidities. Conclusions: Intrapartum magnesium sulphate for foetal neuroprotection was not associated with an increased need for intensive delivery room resuscitation and other morbidities in these cohorts of less than 32 weeks preterm infants.

[Need for resuscitation in preterm neonates less than 32 weeks treated with antenatal magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection]. / Necesidad de reanimación en prematuros menores de 32 semanas expuestos a sulfato de magnesio para neuroprotección fetal.

INTRODUCTION: Magnesium sulphate administration is recommended for foetal neuroprotection in pregnant women at imminent risk of early preterm birth. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between intrapartum magnesium sulphate for foetal neuroprotection and delivery room resuscitation of preterm infants less 32 weeks. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective observational study was conducted on preterm infants less 32 weeks exposed to magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection, and a comparison made with another historic group immediately before starting this treatment. Cases in both groups that had not reached lung maturity with corticosteroids were rejected. The rates of resuscitation, morbidity and mortality for each of the groups were analysed and compared. RESULTS: There was a total of 107 preterm, with 56 exposed to magnesium sulphate. Rate of advanced resuscitation were similar between the two groups. There were no other differences in mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, time to first stool, and other comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Intrapartum magnesium sulphate for foetal neuroprotection was not associated with an increased need for intensive delivery room resuscitation and other morbidities in these cohorts of less than 32 weeks preterm infants.

Twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence in a triple monochorionic pregnancy with two direct pump fetuses results in significant cyclic Doppler waveform.

We report a case of a twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence complication in monochorionic triplets, in which both normal fetuses were directly connected to the umbilical cord of the acardiac fetus, thus both acting as a pump twin. Doppler ultrasound showed a significant waveform pattern with two superposed systolic waveforms in the same vessel. After birth, placental findings confirmed the existence of two direct pump twins. The Doppler pattern described here may be of help to distinguish the existence of two pump twins in a triplet monochorionic pregnancy with TRAP.

Síndrome de varicela congénita / Congenital varicella syndrome

Se estima que la transmisión vertical del virus de la varicela ocurre entre un 8 y un 25% de los casos. De estos, solo en un 1-2% de las ocasiones se producirá el síndrome de varicela congénita (SVC), sobre todo si la infección ocurre entre las semanas 12-20 de gestación. La detección del DNA del virus en líquido amniótico, junto con la presencia de marcadores ecográficos de afectación fetal, hacen el diagnóstico altamente probable. Presentamos el caso de una tercigesta que en la semana 14.ª de gestación contrajo varicela, ocurriendo afectación fetal (calcificaciones hepáticas y miocárdicas en ecografía) y muerte del neonato al mes de vida. Actualmente, la inmunización pasiva representa la única estrategia activa para prevenir las graves consecuencias del SVC si una gestante no inmune se expone al VVZ antes de la semana 20 de gestación, ya que, tanto el uso de antivirales como profilaxis o como tratamiento como el uso de inmunoglobulina anti VVZ tras un contacto, no han mostrado resultados concluyentes. Por todo esto, consideramos capital la correcta información a los padres y el adecuado control de este tipo de gestaciones (AU)

Vertical transmission of the varicella virus is estimated to occur in 8% to 25% of cases. Among these, congenital varicella syndrome develops in only 1% or 2% of transmissions, especially if the infection occurs between weeks 12 and 20 of pregnancy. The detection of DNA from the virus in the amniotic fluid, combined with the presence of ultrasonographic markers of fetal involvement, leads to a highly likely diagnosis. We present the case of a gravida 3 who contracted varicella at week 14 of gestation, with fetal involvement (hepatic and myocardial calcifications detected on ultrasonography) and newborn death at 1 month of life. Currently, passive immunization is the only active strategy to prevent the serious consequences of congenital varicella syndrome if a non-immune pregnant woman is exposed to the varicella zoster virus before week 20 of pregnancy, since neither the use of antiviral prophylaxis or treatment, nor the use of anti-varicella zoster virus immunoglobulin have been proved to give significant results. Thus, it is of the utmost importance to provide information to parents and adequate management of this type of pregnancy (AU)

Pre- and postnatal findings in a patient with a novel rec(8)dup(8q)inv(8)(p23.2q22.3) associated with San Luis Valley syndrome.

San Luis Valley syndrome, which is due to a recombinant chromosome 8 (SLV Rec8) found in Hispanic individuals from Southwestern United States, is a well-established syndrome associated with intellectual disabilities and, frequently, severe cardiac anomalies. We report for the first time on a Moroccan girl with a recombinant chromosome 8 prenatally diagnosed as SLV Rec8 by conventional cytogenetic studies. At birth, an oligo array-CGH (105 K) defined the breakpoints and the size of the imbalanced segments, with a deletion of ≈ 2.27 Mb (8p23.2-pter) and a duplication of ≈ 41.93 Mb (8q22.3-qter); thus this recombinant chromosome 8 differed from that previously reported in SLV Rec8 syndrome. The phenotypic characteristics associated with this SLV Rec8 genotype overlap those commonly found in patients with 8q duplication reported in the literature. We review SLV Rec8 and other chromosome 8 aberrations and suggest that the overexpression of cardiogenic genes located at 8q may be the cause of the cardiac defects in this patient.

Evaluación del índice proteína-creatinina en orina aislada para la predicción de proteinuria significativa durante la gestación / Evaluation of spot urine protein-creatinine ratio to predict significant proteinuria during pregnancy

Introducción: El diagnóstico y seguimiento de la preeclampsia requiere de la determinación de proteinuria y la técnica de referencia para esta evaluación es la excreción en orina de 24 h. Sin embargo, su recolección es engorrosa para la gestante e implica un retraso en el diagnóstico, por el tiempo que requiere. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el rendimiento diagnóstico del índice proteína/creatinina (IPC), calculado en un espécimen aislado, para descartar y predecir una proteinuria significativa (≥ 300 mg/24 h) en gestantes ambulatorias con sospecha o diagnóstico previo de preeclampsia. Material y métodos: El IPC fue calculado en 106 especímenes de orina aislada, obtenidas tras la recolección del espécimen de 24 h, de 66 gestantes que acudieron de forma ambulatoria a la Unidad de Medicina Materno Fetal de nuestro hospital por hipertensión gestacional. La correlación entre el IPC y la excreción de proteína durante 24 h fue calculada. El análisis de curvas ROC fue utilizado para evaluar el rendimiento diagnóstico y establecer el punto de corte adecuado para predecir la ausencia o presencia de proteinuria significativa. Resultados: Se detectó una proteinuria significativa en 31 orinas de 22 gestantes. La correlación entre el IPC y la excreción en orina de 24 h fue significativa (rSpearman = 0,658 [p = 0,01]). El área bajo la curva ROC para el índice proteína/creatinina fue de 0,838, superior al de la tira reactiva (0,629 [IC del 95%, 0,551-62-0,707]). Ningún punto de corte fue adecuado para excluir y predecir simultáneamente una proteinuria significativa; sin embargo, el uso de la tira reactiva y del IPC, con dos puntos de corte, 120 mg/g para descartar proteinuria significativa y 240 mg/g para confirmarla, clasificó inicialmente de forma correcta el 44,3% de las orinas e hizo innecesaria la recolección de orina de 24 h en el 51% de los casos. Conclusiones: ElIPC, usado conjuntamente con la determinación de proteína urinaria mediante la tira reactiva, es una herramienta útil en la evaluación inicial de gestantes ambulatorias con hipertensión gestacional o preeclampsia para descartar o predecir una proteinuria significativa, pero no debería ser utilizada como alternativa a la excreción de 24 h en el rango intermedio de IPC, requiriendo la recolección de un espécimen de 24 h para garantizar resultados seguros (AU)

Introduction: Diagnosis and follow-up of preeclampsia requires measurement of proteinuria and the gold standard for this evaluation is the 24-hour collection. However, this collection is cumbersome, time consuming and delays clinical diagnosis. The purpose of this study is assess the diagnostic performance of the spot urine protein/creatinine (P/C) ratio to predict the absence or presence of significant proteinuria (≥ 300 mg per 24 hours) among outpatient pregnant women with suspected or previous diagnosis of preeclampsia. Material and methods: The P/C ratio was calculated in 106 single voided urine samples, obtained after the completion of the 24-hour collection, from 66 outpatient pregnant women admitted to the Maternal Fetal Care Unit at our Hospital to follow-up of hypertension gestational. Correlation between the spot urine P/C ratio with the 24-hour urine protein excretion was calculated. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance and to determinate the best cutoff to predict the absence or presence of significant proteinuria. Results: Significant proteinuria on 24 hour collection urine was identified in 31 urines from 22 pregnant women. There was a significant correlation between the spot urine P/C and 24-hour urine protein excretion (rSpearman = 0,658, p = 0,01). ROC curves analysis revealed an area under the curve for spot P/C ratio of 0,838, greater than urine dipstick (0,629). No single P/C ratio cutoff was appropriate to rule-out or predict significant proteinuria; however, use of dipstick and spot urine P/C ratio, with two cutoffs, 120 mg/g to predict the absence of significant proteinuria and 240 mg/g to confirm it, clasiffied correctly 44,3% of urines and avoided the collection of 24 hours urine in 51% of the cases. Conclusions: Spoturine P / Cratio, in conjunction with dipstick urianalysis, is a useful test in the initial screen for rule-out and predict significant proteinuria in outpatient pregnant women with hypertensive pregnancy or preeclampsia, but it should not be used as an alternative to 24-hour total protein evaluation in midrange P/C ratio, requiring a full 24-hour urine for accurate results (AU)