Managing a Pregnancy With Maternal Amelia.

INTRODUCTION: Amelia, the complete absence of a limb, presents various management issues in pregnancy and delivery. CASE: A woman with amelia of both lower limbs and flipper-like upper limb buds (phocomelia) presented in her first pregnancy at 19 weeks of gestation. Challenging issues encountered in the care of the patient included venous access, reliable blood pressure measurement, recommendations regarding mode of delivery, and preparation for caring for the child. The patient had abnormalities of the pelvis but an adequate midpelvis, so she was able to deliver vaginally without complication. CONCLUSION: Careful planning to allow necessary modification of intrapartum management can allow for normal vaginal birth for a patient with severe limb reduction abnormalities such as amelia and phocomelia.

Inherited thrombophilia profile in patients with recurrent miscarriages: Experience from a tertiary care center in north India.

The cause of recurrent miscarriage (RM) remains unexplained in approximately 30% to 50% cases. The association of inherited thrombotic factors and RM patients has not been documented from the northern part of India. A total of 40 patients had been investigated for inherited thrombophilia workup (protein C, protein S [PS], antithrombin III, and factor V Leiden [FVL] mutation) over a period of 10 years (2005 to 2014). RM patients were divided in to three groups. Group I (only 1st trimester loss), group II (only 2nd and 3rd trimester), and group III (mixed). Each group comprised of the following numbers of patients respectively: I, 24; II, 2; III, 14. Heterozygous FVL mutation was found in 10% (4/40) cases. PS deficiency was detected in 2.7% (1/37) cases. In the present study FVL and PS were seems to be associated with a subset of patients however further studies with larger numbers of patients are recommended for better evaluation.

Pseudoaneurysm of uterine artery: a rare cause of secondary postpartum hemorrhage, managed with uterine artery embolisation.

Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare cause of secondary postpartum hemorrhage but is potentially life-threatening and can occur after caesarean section (c-section) or a hysterectomy. A 28-year-old woman who developed secondary postpartum hemorrhage after c-section was diagnosed to have pseudoaneurysm from the left uterine artery on ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) scan. She was treated with coiling of the pseudoaneurysm with stainless steel coil via selective catheterization of the uterine artery. The procedure was uneventful and the pseudoaneurysm was successfully obliterated. Angiographic embolization is a safe and effective method for treating postpartum hemorrhage due to pseudoaneurysm in hemodynamically stable patients. Therefore, it should be considered as a treatment option before resorting to surgery, in appropriately selected cases.

Ebstein's anomaly in pregnancy: maternal and neonatal outcomes.

AIM: Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital cardiac abnormality, associated with cyanosis and arrhythmia. Patients often reach childbearing age and pregnant women pose a challenge to the treating physician. We describe the course and outcome of pregnancy in women with Ebstein's anomaly and discuss the related management issues. METHODS: Analysis of pregnancies in four women with Ebstein's anomaly was carried out in a referral institute in northern India. Data of two women were analyzed retrospectively and the other two women were prospectively followed in their pregnancies during the study period. The course of the pregnancy, disease and perinatal outcome in each woman were analyzed. RESULTS: Four women had eight pregnancies all resulting in vaginal deliveries. There were two premature deliveries. The mean birth weight was 2.54 + or - 0.88 kg. Of the eight babies, six did not have any cardiac anomalies; one was an unexplained neonatal death and for another, no data was available. Pregnancy was well tolerated in two patients, while one had right heart failure during early pregnancy, and one had arrhythmia during labor, which was managed medically; one patient had arrhythmia in the postpartum period, which was managed medically. CONCLUSION: When a woman with Ebstein's anomaly reaches childbearing age, fertility is not affected, even in cyanotic women. Under close supervision by the woman's obstetrician and cardiologist, the pregnancy outcome is usually favorable.

Complete ectopia cordis with anencephaly: a case report.

We report a case of pentalogy of Cantrell with anencephaly diagnosed in utero on 2-dimensional sonography at 17 weeks of gestation. Due to associated anencephaly, termination of pregnancy was carried out. Histopathological examination confirmed the sonographic findings.

Maternal complete heart block in pregnancy: analysis of four cases and review of management.

AIM: Maternal complete heart block (CHB), which manifests for the first time during pregnancy and peurperium, poses a challenge to treating physicians. We present here four cases that were diagnosed during pregnancy and peurperium, and we discuss their management issues. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a 3-year period was carried out in a referral hospital in northern India. The course of pregnancy, disease and perinatal outcome in women with CHB diagnosed during pregnancy was studied. RESULTS: Of the four patients who presented with CHB, only one had a structural cardiac lesion (corrected transposition of great arteries). All of the women had an uneventful delivery. Two women were given prophylactic temporary pacing before labor and three women required subsequent permanent pacing. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was present in two babies and preterm labor occurred in one patient. None of the neonates had any rhythm disturbances. CONCLUSION: When a multidisciplinary approach is used, both maternal and neonatal outcomes are good. The incidence of IUGR and preterm birth may be on the increase; hence, clinical vigilance for these conditions is warranted.

Obstetric morbidity and the diagnostic dilemma in pregnancy in rudimentary horn: retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy in rudimentary horn of uterus, a form of ectopic gestation, is associated with significant rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite the recent advances in the ultrasonography, diagnosis of cornual pregnancy still remains elusive; with confirmatory diagnosis usually made during laparotomy. The aim of the present study is to analyze the obstetric implications and the diagnostic dilemma of rudimentary horn pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of women diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy in the rudimentary horn, during the years 2004 to 2008, managed in a referral hospital in northern India; were reviewed for their diagnostic difficulties and the associated morbidity. RESULTS: During the four year study period, rudimentary horn pregnancies accounted for 12 pregnancies. Non communicating horn accounted for 75% of the cases. The mean age of women at presentation was 26 +/- 5.11 years and the period of gestation at diagnosis varied between 10 and 34 weeks. Preruputure diagnosis was possible only in two cases and sensitivity of ultrasonographic diagnosis was 33.3%. Laprotomy with excision of rudimentary horn and salpingectomy was done in all cases. Multiple blood transfusions were required in 83.3% of women. CONCLUSION: Management of pregnancy in a rudimentary uterine horn continues to be a challenge to this day. Maintaining a higher degree of alertness, especially in high risk groups by emergency staff is required to prevent the morbidity, as they may present with acute uterine rupture in pregnancy.

Pregnancy in chronic renal insufficiency: single centre experience from North India.

BACKGROUND: Renal disease during pregnancy is relatively uncommon. The diagnosis of renal disease before or during pregnancy was only 0.03% in a population-based study of pregnant women with kidney disease. However, there is a paucity of scientific data regarding the general topic of renal disease in pregnancy on which to base clinical management and counselling recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 14 year period was carried out in a referral hospital in northern India. Pregnant women were analyzed with respect to degree of renal impairment for the effect of renal disease on course of pregnancy, complications during pregnancy and perinatal outcome. RESULTS: Outcome of 30 pregnancies (29 women) was available during the study period of 14 years. Pregnancy outcome was comparable in all types of glomerulonephritis. Progression of the disease during pregnancy was observed in total six patients. Proteinuria was in the range of 800 mg/day to 6.2 g/day (2.802 +/- 1.519 g/day). Anemia was identified in 12(46.1%) and 3(7.7%) required multiple blood transfusions. Twenty-four (90%) women developed hypertension during pregnancy. Mild hypertension was seen in 40% patients and, 43.3% had severe hypertension requiring drug therapy. Obstetrical complications included a high frequency of preterm delivery (85%) and caesarean section (30%). Overall fetal survival rate was 77%. CONCLUSIONS: Most women with chronic renal disease will have a successful outcome if they receive proper prenatal care. Pregnant women with moderate or severe renal insufficiency have increased rates of complications due to worsening renal function, hypertension, and other obstetrical complications, but fetal survival is high.