Prediction of neonatal outcome in women with gestational hypertension or mild preeclampsia after 36 weeks of gestation.

BACKGROUND: There is little knowledge about neonatal complications in GH and PE and induction at term, we aim to assess whether they can be predicted from clinical data. METHODS: We used data of the HYPITAT trial and evaluated whether adverse neonatal outcome (Apgar score < 7, pH < 7.05, NICU admission) could be predicted from clinical data. Logistic regression, ROC analysis and calibration were used to identify predictors and evaluate the predictive capacity in an antepartum and intrapartum model. RESULTS: We included 1153 pregnancies, of whom 76 (6.6%) had adverse neonatal outcome. Parity (primipara OR 2.75), BMI (OR 1.06), proteinuria (dipstick +++ OR 2.5), uric acid (OR 1.4) and creatinine (OR 1.02) were independent antepartum predictors; In the intrapartum model, meconium stained amniotic fluid (OR 2.2), temperature (OR 1.8), duration of first stage of labour (OR 1.15), proteinuria (dipstick +++ OR 2.7), creatinine (OR 1.02) and uric acid (OR 1.5) were predictors of adverse neonatal outcome. Both models showed good discrimination (AUC 0.75 and 0.78), but calibration was limited (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.41, and p = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: In women with GH or PE at term, it is difficult to predict neonatal complications, possibly since they are rare in the term pregnancy. However, the identified individual predictors may guide physicians to anticipate requirements for neonatal care.

[Perineal infiltration anaesthesia for episiotomy: a needle which is bent manually may break off and migrate through the body]. / Perineale infiltratieanesthesie voor een episiotomie: een met de hand voorgebogen naald kan afbreken en gaan zwerven.

A 28-year-old pregnant woman was given local anaesthesia in the perineum with a Monoject disposable needle in preparation for an episiotomy. The needle was bent manually in order to facilitate infiltration. During infiltration the needle broke off and disappeared. The delivery was uneventful. Radio diagnostic examination located the needle deep in the patient's left buttock. It was removed a week later via a small incision. Breakage of the needle was probably caused by the bending in combination with a sudden movement by the patient at the moment of infiltration. In obstetrics episiotomy is a common surgical procedure. For infiltration anaesthesia of the perineum a long, flexible, reusable Unimed needle is recommended instead of a short, inflexible, disposable Monoject needle.

Different pharmacokinetics of tramadol in mothers treated for labour pain and in their neonates.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of tramadol hydrochloride in neonates, born from mothers who underwent analgesia with tramadol for the relief of labour pain. METHODS: Intramuscular tramadol (100--250 mg) was administered to 22 mothers giving birth who requested pain relief. At the time of birth (1.5--6.0 h after last tramadol dose), maternal and umbilical blood samples were taken. Another venous blood sample was drawn from each neonate, and at the same time from its mother, at 1, 2, 3, 6 or 12 h post-partum, providing the data for a population pharmacokinetic evaluation of tramadol and its metabolite M1. Routine APGAR scores and a standard neurological and adaptive capacity test were considered for evaluation of the effect of tramadol on the neonates. RESULTS: Serum tramadol concentrations at the time of birth (t(0)) were 243+/-102 ng/ml (mean+/-SD, umbilical vein), 258+/-103 ng/ml (umbilical artery) and 250+/-113 ng/ml (maternal vein). Serum M1 concentrations were 52+/-27 ng/ml (umbilical vein), 47+/-24 ng/ml (umbilical artery) and 56+/-21 ng/ml (maternal vein). The two-compartment type elimination profiles during the first 12 h post-partum for neonates (and mothers, respectively) were characterised by terminal t(1/2) (tramadol)=7.0 (7.2) h and t(1/2) (metabolite M1)=85.0 (5.5) h. CONCLUSION: The intramuscular application of tramadol in birth-giving mothers almost freely reaches the neonate, confirming a high degree of placental permeability. The neonates already possess the complete hepatic capacity for the metabolism of tramadol into its active metabolite. However, the renal elimination of the active tramadol metabolite M1 is delayed, in line with the slow maturation process of renal function in neonates. Despite this difference in pharmacokinetics between neonates and adults, the intramuscular application of tramadol at the recommended dosage range during delivery appears to effective in the relief of labour pain.

[Malacoplakia of the female genital tract in a woman with postmenopausal bleeding]. / Malacoplakie van de tractus genitalis bij een vrouw met postmenopauzaal bloedverlies.

A 74-year-old woman had vaginal bleeding for 6 months with no other complaints. A suspected tumour was visible on the cervix and the endometrium was slightly thickened. Histological examination revealed Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. Following antibiotic treatment, the tumour and the bleeding disappeared. Malacoplakia is a chronic inflammation which usually arises in the urinary tract of older women and, rarely, in the female genital tract. The abnormality often appears to be a malignancy, although histologically it is an inflammatory condition. Histological examination is necessary to establish the diagnosis. Treatment usually consists of antibiotics and surgical excision.