Birth after low-level +20 Aneuploid Mosaic Embryo Transfer: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, it has been discussed whether or not mosaic embryo transfers should be performed since they might result in viable pregnancies, although they often end up being discarded. We report a case of successful pregnancy, after a mosaic embryo transfer from an in vitro matured egg and frozen PESA sperm. CASE DESCRIPTION: Tests performed on a female aged 40 years and a male aged 37 years seeking fertility treatment found she had an adequate ovarian reserve and patent fallopian tubes. He had a history of cryptorchidism and inguinal hernia repair. The spermogram showed azoospermia, and testicular ultrasound showed an atrophic left testicle and a normal right testis. The vas deferens was palpated during physical examination. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection with percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) was indicated. Two cycles of IVF after controlled ovarian stimulation with follitropin delta was performed. In the first cycle, seven mature eggs were inseminated, two fertilized normally, resulting in one blastocyst biopsied and analyzed by NGS with complex aneuploid results. In the second cycle, frozen sperm from PESA was used. Three eggs were inseminated on the day of the procedure (resulting in 2 blastocysts), and three in vitro matured eggs were inseminated after 24 hours (resulting in 1 blastocyst). NGS analysis showed two complex aneuploid embryos and one 40% low-level trisomy 20 aneuploid mosaicism (+20) for the post 24-hour embryo. A mosaic embryo transfer was performed, resulting in clinical pregnancy and birth of a healthy baby girl with a normal blood karyotype. DISCUSSION: Mosaic embryo transfer is a topic for discussion. Certain levels of mosaicism do not seem to pose risks to the development of the fetus.

A sharing oocyte donation program: a 15-year cohort stud.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and laboratory outcomes of oocyte donation cycles and compare the results from donors and recipients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a reproductive medicine center. A 586 first fresh oocyte donation cycles, performed from 01/2002 to 12/2017 were included. The outcomes of 290 cycles from donors and 296 from recipients, resulting in 473 fresh embryo transfers, were analyzed. The oocyte division was equally made, whereas, at an odd amount, the donor always had a preference. The data were collected from an electronic database, and analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U-test or Student t-test depending on the data distribution, and multivariate logistic regression, considering p<0.05. RESULTS: The main results comparing donor and recipient, were, respectively: fertilization rate (72.0±21.4 vs. 74.6±24.2, p<0.001), implantation rate (46.2% vs. 48.5%, p=0.67); clinical pregnancy rate (41.9% vs. 37.7%, p=0.39), live birth rates by transfer (33.3 vs. 37.7, p=0.54). CONCLUSIONS: Oocyte donation is often the way donors can access in vitro fertilization, and for recipients seems to be a good option for pregnancy. Demographic and clinical characteristics have a secondary role in oocyte donors under 35 years and patient without comorbidities under 50 years and were not associated with pregnancy outcomes, emphasizing the power of oocyte quality on the success of intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. An oocyte-sharing program that offers good and comparable results is fair and worth being encouraged.

Fertility preservation: a case report of a newborn following 13 years of oocyte cryopreservation.

OBJECTIVE: Oocyte cryopreservation enables the storage of genetic material, especially in situations where the ovarian function is compromised, also for women desiring to postpone maternity. Before 2012, oocyte cryopreservation was still experimental, and the success of the procedure was uncertain; however, it was the only possibility that women had for fertility preservation. Thus, we aim to report a case of a birth after 13 years of elective oocyte cryopreservation. CASE DESCRIPTION: At 49 years of age, the patient returned to our reproductive center with the desire to get pregnant, using oocytes that had been frozen for 13 years. The endometrium was prepared, and the oocytes were thawed using the slow procedure method. Four of the six oocytes thawed survived (66%) and were inseminated; three fertilized and started their development. The transfer of two embryos on the third day of development was performed. Clinical pregnancy was confirmed via ultrasound and came to term with the birth of a healthy boy. DISCUSSION: Although the vitrification procedure has shown to be a better cryopreservation technique when compared to slow freezing, the latter represented an important role when patients wanted to cryopreserve oocytes in the early 2000s. Even many years later, this technique reveals its efficacy, preserving the viability and quality of oocytes stored in nitrogen tanks. After a literature review, this case seems to be the largest interval between oocyte cryopreservation and its use, with achieved pregnancy, in Brazil.

The impact of body mass index on laboratory, clinical outcomes and treatment costs in assisted reproduction: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the body mass index (BMI) on laboratory, clinical outcomes and treatment costs of assisted reproduction, as there are still controversial and inconclusive studies on this subject. METHODS: This research was retrospective cohort study, including women undergoing assisted reproduction in a Reproductive Medicine Center between 2013 and 2020. The participants were divided into groups according to BMI (kg/m2): Group 1 < 25; Group 2, 25-29.9 and Group 3, ≥ 30. A total of 1753 in vitro fertilization (IVF) fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles were included for assisted reproduction outcomes analysis and 1869 IVF-ET plus frozen embryo transfer (FET) for cumulative pregnancy analysis. RESULTS: As higher the BMI, higher was the proportion of canceled IVF cycles (G1 (6.9%) vs. G2 (7.8%) vs. G3 (10.4%), p = 0.002) and gonadotropin's total dose (IU) and treatment costs (G1 (1685 ± 595, U$ 683,02) vs. G2 (1779 ± 610, U$ 721,13) vs. G3 (1805 ± 563, U$ 764,09), p = 0.001). A greater number of mature oocytes was observed in G1 and G2 (6 [6.4-7.0] vs. 6 [5.6-6.6] vs. 4 [4.6-6.7], p = 0.011), which was not found in oocyte maturity rate (p = 0.877). A significant linear tendency (p = 0.042) was found in cumulative pregnancy rates, pointing to worse clinical outcomes in overweight and obese patients. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of considering the higher treatment costs for these patients, beyond all the well-known risks regarding weight excess, fertility, and pregnancy, before starting IVF treatments.

Effects of ultra-low dose hormone therapy on biochemical bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of ultra-low-dose hormone therapy (Ultra-LD HT) with 17ß-estradiol 0.5 mg and norethisterone acetate 0.1 mg (E2 0.5/NETA 0.1) versus placebo on bone turnover markers (BTM) in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed with 107 participants who received one tablet daily of E2 0.5/NETA 0.1 or placebo for 24-weeks. Bone formation markers-N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) and Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), and bone resorption markers-C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) and N-telopeptide crosslinked of type I collagen (NTX) were assessed before and at 12 and 24-weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Women treated with E2 0.5/NETA 0.1 had a significant reduction in the PINP marker from baseline (58.49 ± 21.12 µg/L) to week 12 (48.31 ± 20.99 µg/L) and week 24 (39.16 ± 16.50 µg/L). Placebo group, the PINP marker did not differ significantly. The analysis of the BSAP indicated a significant increase in the placebo group (13.8 ± 5.09 µg/L and 16.29 ± 4.3 µg/L, at baseline and week 24, respectively), whereas in the treatment group the values did not change. The analysis of the NTX marker showed a significant reduction only in the treatment group (43.21 ± 15.26 nM/mM and 33.89 ± 14.9 nM/mM, at baseline and week 24, respectively). CTX-I had a significant decrease in the treatment group from baseline (0.3 ± 0.16 ng/L) to week 12 (0.21 ± 0.14 ng/L) and week 24 (0.21 ± 0.12 ng/L). CONCLUSION: Women receiving E2 0.5/NETA 0.1 experienced reductions in bone resorption and formation markers, an expected effect during the anti-resorptive therapy, suggesting a protective bone effect with the Ultra-LD HT.

Influence of overweight and obesity on perinatal outcomes in assisted reproduction: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In spontaneous pregnancies, maternal weight and gestational diabetes are independent risk factors for macrosomia and large-for-gestational-age newborns. Furthermore, maternal body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 kg/m2 is associated with worse neonatal vitality, classified as an Apgar score of < 7 at the fifth minute of life. However, few studies have evaluated the influence of BMI on perinatal outcomes in pregnancies resulting from assisted reproduction. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze whether the perinatal outcomes of assisted reproduction are influenced by BMI. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study performed at a reproductive medicine center. Patients undergoing assisted reproduction (2013-2020) were divided into three groups according to their BMI (kg/m2): group 1, < 25; group 2, 25-29.9, and group 3, ≥30. In total, 1753 in vitro fertilization embryo transfer cycles were analyzed. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or frequency (%). The analysis of variance and chi-square test were performed for comparison. To determine the participants and number of cycles for these analyses, generalized estimating equations were used, considering p < 0.05. RESULTS: In groups 1, 2, and 3, the rates of live birth were 33.5, 32.3, and 29.9% (p = 0.668); preeclampsia were 2.9, 6.1, and 6.3% (p = 0.268); small-for-gestational-age newborns were 23, 23.2, and 21.7% (p = 0.965); macrosomia were 1.9, 0.9, and 2.7% (p = 0.708); Apgar score > 7 at the fifth minute were 97.6, 98.2, and 100% (p = 0.616); and preterm birth were 29.6, 30.1, and 35.1% (p = 0.970), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, although the three groups had similar perinatal outcomes in this study, the study population was too small for conclusive results. The higher the BMI, the lower the chances of clinically relevant LBR and the higher the chances of premature labor and preeclampsia.

Tubal factor, cleavage stage and more than one embryo transferred were risk factors associated with ectopic pregnancy after assisted reproductive treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Ectopic pregnancy is a well-known complication following in vitro fertilization with embryo transfer; studies have questioned, however, whether there are risk factors that could be identified before the procedure. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible risk factors involved in ectopic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study performed at an assisted reproduction clinic in Brazil. To select the control group, we used a 1:4 ratio. The study included 499 patients submitted to in vitro fertilization with clinical pregnancy. We collected the data from electronic records, between 2000-2019 and divided into: Group 1, ectopic pregnancy (n=90) and Group 2, intrauterine pregnancies (n=409). RESULTS: When comparing groups, the results observed were: Tubal factor infertility (35.6% vs. 21.1%, p=.005) (OR 2.0 [1.2-3.4], p=.004); Previous miscarriage history (15.1% vs. 7.1%, p<.05) (OR 2.0 [1.02-4.29], p=.044); Number of cleavage-stage embryo transfers (69.2% vs. 54.0 p=.028) (OR 1.9 [1.08-3.33], p=.025); Two or more embryos transferred (OR 2.5 [1.12-5.70], p=.025), all associated with greater ectopic pregnancy risk. Oocyte recipient patients were excluded from this analysis, but when included a difference was found when comparing the groups (9.4% (10/106) vs. 3.0% (13/434), p=.007), (OR 3.3 [1.41-7.98] p=.005); this result should be interpreted with caution because of the sample size. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk patients, a single blastocyst transfer seems to be a reasonable approach to decrease the ectopic pregnancy risk.

Patients undergoing elective and oncofertility preservation respond similarly to controlled ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation.

OBJECTIVE: Outcome data for oocyte vitrification for fertility preservation are still scarce despite the scientific and technological advances. Studies suggest that patients with cancer have worse outcomes regarding mature vitrified oocytes when compared to healthy patients. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the oocyte vitrification response in patients undergoing elective and oncofertility preservation. METHODS: The ovarian stimulation response was verified by a cross-sectional and observational study, analyzing data from 367 patients between 2009 and 2018, which were divided into elective group (EG; n=327) and oncofertility group (OFG; n=40). The number of follicles, oocytes, mature oocytes, and duration of the cycle was evaluated, which were compared with clinical and ovarian stimulus data between groups. RESULTS: A significant difference in women's age (31.3±5.8 vs. 37.0±2.9 years; p<0.01) and basal values of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), (4.0 [3.3 - 6.2] vs. 9.0 [5.4 - 9.9] mIU/mL; p<0.01) were observed. When adjusting data for age, FSH and Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone protocols, no significant difference in the number of vitrified mature oocytes between the two groups were observed (6.0 [3.0-11.0] vs. 7.0 [3.0-12.0]; p=0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, patients undergoing elective and oncofertility preservation seem to respond similarly to controlled ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation. Breast cancer was the most frequent in the OFG (67%).

Is there a better evolutionary outcome in a 4-cell tetrahedron embryo?

With the growing understanding of in vitro fertilization and reproductive technology, the magnitude of studies related to embryonic evolution has also increased. The optimization of embryo selection is crucial to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancies and to guarantee successful implantation and pregnancy. On the second day of culture, the four-cell embryo can be shaped into different arrangements, such as tetrahedral and planar. Previous studies have shown that mammalian embryos have a tetrahedral shape and that any deviation from this ideal configuration can negatively affect blastocyst development. A few studies have also found that planar embryos would be linked to negative predictors of success for reaching the blastocyst stage and its good quality. Therefore, it seems that tetrahedral should be preferred over planar-shaped embryos for embryonic transfers, but there is still little understanding and evidence about this subject. Thus, the objective of the present paper was to review the available literature on study tendencies to compare tetrahedral and planar-shaped embryos considering their effect on implantation and pregnancy results.

Gonadoblastoma bilateral em paciente com mosaicismo de síndrome de Turner: relato de caso e revisão de literatura / Bilateral gonadoblastoma in patient with Turner syndrome mosaicism: case report and literature review

A síndrome de Turner decorre de uma anomalia dos cromossomos sexuais, afetando cerca de 1:2.500 nascidos vivos. A síndrome caracteriza-se principalmente por atraso do e denvolvimento dos caracteres sexuais e/ou amenorreia e baixa estatura. Entretanto, uma diversidade de estigmas também pode estar presente. O diagnóstico pode ser realizado com base nos estigmas da síndrome associados a um quadro de hipogonadismo hipergonadotrófico e confirmado por meio do cariótipo ­ sendo esse classicamente 45,X (monossomia do cromossomo X). Entretanto, os mosaicos (45,X/46,XY ou 45,X/46,XX) podem representar 34% a 75% dos casos, dependendo do método de análise utilizado. Trata-se de uma condição rara correspondendo a 5% das disgenesia gonadais e apresenta um amplo espectro fenotípico. A importância da identificação de mosaicos, especialmente a presença do cromossomo Y, reside no manejo adequado da gônada disgenética para a prevenção da ocorrência de tumor gonadal, principalmente o gonadoblastoma, com considerável potencial maligno.(AU)

Turner's syndrome results from a sex chromosomes anomaly, affecting about 1:2,500 live births. The syndrome is characterized mainly by delayed development of sexual characteristics and/or amenorrhea and short stature. However, a variety of stigmas may also be presented. The diagnosis can be made based on the stigmas of the syndrome associated with a hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism and confirmed by the karyotype ­ this being classically 45, X (monosomy of the X chromosome). However, mosaics (45,X/46,XY or 45,X/46, XX) may represent 34% to 75% of cases depending on the method of analysis used. It is a rare condition, corresponding to 5% of gonadal dysgenesis and presents a broad phenotypic spectrum. The importance of mosaic identification, especially the presence of the Y chromosome, lies in the proper management of the dysgenetic gonad for the prevention of the occurrence of gonadal tumor, especially gonadoblastoma, with considerable malignant potential.(AU)

Evaluation of miR-135a/b expression in endometriosis lesions.

The pathogenesis of endometriosis is not clear; however, microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are involved in the pathogenesis. miRNAs are short noncoding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by silencing the expression of target genes. The expression of miR-135a/b is associated with endometrial receptivity and implantation; the expression is also associated with the expression of certain genes, including homeobox protein Hox-A10 (HOXA-10). The present study investigated the expression of miR-135a/b in eutopic and ectopic endometrium tissues throughout the different phases of the menstrual cycle. Samples of ectopic endometriosis lesions and eutopic endometrium tissue from 23 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery were obtained and analyzed. miRNA was extracted and the expression levels of miR-135a/b were determined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays using U6 as a housekeeping control. The expression levels of miR-135a and miR-135b in endometriosis lesions were decreased compared with the levels in endometrium tissue. However, miR-135a/b expression levels were increased in the secretory phase compared with the proliferative phase in endometriosis lesions. The increased expression of miR-135a/b during the secretory phase compared with the proliferative phase suggested that these genes serve a determinant role in the homeostasis of reproductive tissue. Therefore, the expression of genes may affect endometrial functioning, impairing embryo implantation.

Ectopic pregnancy in left ovary and contralateral uterine tube diagnosed one week apart in In Vitro Fertilization with donor eggs: Case report.

Bilateral ectopic pregnancy is a rare clinical condition with an estimated prevalence of 1/200 000 in spontaneous pregnancies. Studies have found that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is related to ectopic pregnancy independently, but the incidence of tubal disease in the donor egg recipient population is thought to be significantly lower than in the standard IVF population. We report the case of a patient participating in the egg-sharing program, who was diagnosed with ovarian ectopic pregnancy, treated with surgery. After one week, she was diagnosed with tubal ectopic pregnancy in the contralateral tube. The clinician should be aware that the treatment of one ectopic pregnancy does not preclude the occurrence of a second ectopic pregnancy in the same patient and should pay attention to the intra-operatory inspection of both side fallopian tubes in any ectopic pregnancy case. Routine ultrasound after ectopic pregnancy treatment may be reasonable, especially in high risk patients.

Male fertility preservation in oncology: patients' profile and clinical guidance importance / Preservação de fertilidade masculina em oncologia: perfil dos pacientes e importância da orientação clínica

AIMS: To evaluate the profile of men with cancer who performed semen cryopreservation prior/during treatment and address the importance of this method for reproductive health. METHODS: This was a transversal and retrospective study which used a database from a Reproductive Medicine Center located in Brazil. A total of 150 male patients who performed semen cryopreservation due to cancer diagnosis, from January 2014 to December 2017, were included. RESULTS: The profile of men seeking fertility preservation prior/during treatment for cancer was young adults, single, childless, with higher education. Oncologists were the ones who reported more patients for semen cryopreservation followed by urologists and hematologists. With regards to tumor diagnosis frequency, testicular was the most diagnosed, followed by Hodgkin's/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, prostate and rectal tumor, along with retroperitoneal tumor. CONCLUSION: Data brought the reflection on the cultural and financial barriers involved for the accomplishment of cryopreservation. Health professionals attending cancer patients should consider the importance of educational and incentive activities to prevent male fertility. Future research on the subject should carried out.

OBJETIVO: Conhecer o perfil dos homens portadores de neoplasias malignas que preservaram sua fertilidade através da técnica de criopreservação de sêmen. METODOLOGIA: A amostra foi composta por 150 pessoas do sexo masculino que realizaram a criopreservação de sêmen no período de janeiro de 2014 a dezembro de 2017. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo, transversal onde foram utilizados dados secundários de um banco de dados de um Centro de Medicina Reprodutiva situado em Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demostraram que o perfil dos homens com câncer que realizaram a criopreservação de sêmen é, em sua maioria, de jovens adultos, solteiros, sem filhos, que estão preocupados em manter sua capacidade reprodutiva após a terapêutica oncológica. CONCLUSÃO: O conhecimento do perfil de pacientes que buscam a preservação dos gametas em casos de doenças oncológicas pode contribuir para o entendimento e possível sugestão de indicação pelos profissionais envolvidos neste tipo de abordagem.

Abortamento de repetição: diagnóstico, investigação e manejo inicial / Recurrent pregnancy loss: diagnosis, investigation and initial conduct

Objetivos: O aborto de repetição acomete 1% a 2% dos casais. Tendo em vista a relevância do assunto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo abordar o seu melhor manejo clínico. Para isso, critérios diagnósticos, métodos de investigação e tratamentos, além de uma visão geral sobre suas principais causas foram abordados. Métodos: Os artigos foram pesquisados na base de dados PubMed, em maio de 2018, utilizando os termos descritores miscarriage, recurrent; recurrent miscarriage; recurrent miscarriages; abortion, recurrent; recurrent abortion; recurrent abortions; recurrent pregnancy loss. Como critérios de inclusão, foram considerados artigos publicados nos últimos 5 anos, no período de maio de 2014 a maio de 2018, artigos que abordassem pesquisas apenas com humanos, guidelines e aqueles publicados em língua portuguesa, inglesa ou espanhola. Artigos de revisão foram excluídos da seleção. Resultados: Na pesquisa inicial, utilizando os termos descritores, foram encontrados 4492 artigos; restringindo aos últimos 5 anos, restaram 1429 artigos; desses, foram selecionados apenas aqueles com pesquisas em seres humanos, restaram 1004 artigos e desses selecionamos 962 que estão nos idiomas escolhidos. Os artigos de revisão foram excluídos da seleção. Vinte artigos foram incluídos para a elaboração desta revisão da literatura. Conclusões: Através deste artigo foi possível revisar evidências atuais referentes a diagnóstico e a manejo clínico nos casos de abortamento de repetição. Além de proporcionar conhecimento e orientação a estudantes e profissionais, o artigo levanta questões que ainda não estão bem estabelecidas na prática clínica e que ainda necessitam de maiores estudos.

Objective: The recurrent pregnancy loss affects approximately 1% to 2% of couples. Due to its importance, the present revision aims to approach the best clinical management. To do that, diagnosis criteria, research and treatments methods, as well as the general vision of the main causes, were discussed. Methods: The articles were searched in the PUBmed database, in May 2018, using keywords: miscarriage, recurrent; recurrent miscarriage; recurrent miscarriages; abortion, recurrent; recurrent abortion; recurrent abortions; recurrent pregnancy loss. As inclusion criteria, articles published in the past 5 years were chosen, from May 2014 to May 2018, articles that deal with researches in humans, guidelines and publications in portuguese, spanish or english. Revision articles were excluded. Results: In the initial search, using the terms descriptors, we found 4492 articles; restricting to the last 5 years, 1429 papers were found; selecting only those in humans, there were 1004 articles remaining and of those 962 selected in the chosen languages. Review articles were excluded from the selection. Twenty articles were selected for this review. Conclusions: Through this article it was possible to review current evidence regarding diagnosis and clinical management in recurrent pregnancy loss. In addition to provide knowledge and guidance to students and professionals, the article raises questions that are not well established in clinical practice yet and that still require further study.

Recomendações para a proteção da privacidade do paciente / Recommendations for the protection of patient privacy / Recomendaciones para la protección de la privacidad del paciente

Resumo A preocupação sobre aspectos bioéticos da privacidade do indivíduo e da privacidade dos dados de seus atendimentos é crescente no meio médico. Processos propedêuticos e terapêuticos atuais requerem envolvimento multidisciplinar de uma série de indivíduos, especialmente em se tratando de internações hospitalares. A transmissão e o armazenamento das informações clínicas e laboratoriais dos pacientes envolvem diferentes mídias, com problemas inerentes de acessibilidade e proteção da informação. Os autores sugerem situações hipotéticas que exemplificam problemas comumente abordados na atuação de comitê de bioética clínica, contextualizando-os no Brasil e no mundo, e sugerindo passos para minimizar potenciais problemas de quebra de privacidade e confidencialidade.

Abstract Concerns regarding the bioethical aspects of the privacy of the individual and the confidentiality of their medical treatment data is increasing in the medical community. The current preliminary clinical and therapeutic processes require the multidisciplinary involvement of a number of individuals, especially in the case of hospitalization. The transmission and storage of clinical and laboratory patient information involves different media, with inherent problems of accessibility and protection of information. The authors describe hypothetical situations that exemplify issues commonly addressed in the work of a clinical bioethics committee, contextualizing these problems in Brazil and globally, and suggest steps to minimize potential problems of the breaching of privacy and confidentiality.

Resumen La preocupación sobre los aspectos bioéticos de la privacidad del individuo y de la confidencialidad de los datos de su asistencia está aumentando en la comunidad médica. Los actuales procesos clínicos y terapéuticos requieren la participación multidisciplinar de una serie de personas, especialmente en el caso de las internaciones hospitalarias. La transmisión y el almacenamiento de informaciones clínicas y de laboratorio de los pacientes implican diferentes canales de comunicación, con los problemas inherentes de accesibilidad y protección de la información. Los autores aluden a situaciones hipotéticas que ejemplifican problemas comúnmente tratados en el desempeño de un comité de bioética clínica, contextualizándolos en Brasil y en el mundo, y sugiriendo medidas para minimizar los posibles problemas de violación de la privacidad y de la confidencialidad.

Effects of an extended flexible regimen of an oral contraceptive pill containing 20 µg ethinylestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone on menstrual-related symptoms: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy for menstrual-related symptoms of an extended flexible regimen of an oral contraceptive pill containing 20 µg ethinylestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone in comparison with a 24/4 d cyclical regimen of the same formulation. METHODS: This randomised, non-inferiority, open-label, multicentre study was conducted in women aged 18-39 years. Their menstrual-related symptoms were assessed using the Penn Daily Symptom Rating (DSR17). Participants were randomised to use an extended flexible regimen of 20 µg ethinylestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone (EE/DRSPe.flex), comprising 168 consecutive days with a 4-d hormone-free interval (HFI, allowing for management of unexpected bleeding) or a conventional 24/4 cyclical regimen of the same pill (EE/DRSP24/4). The primary measure of efficacy was the percentage change in DSR17 total score from baseline to cycle 6. The secondary measures of efficacy were the percentage changes in DSR17 total score from baseline after each 28-d interval throughout the entire study and in the scores for individual DSR17 symptoms. RESULTS: The primary analysis demonstrated that EE/DRSPe.flex was not inferior to EE/DRSP24/4 (Mean DSR17 score 9.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) - 2.5, 20.6; p = 0.123). Analysis at intervals throughout the entire evaluation period showed greater reduction in DSR17 total score for EE/DRSPe.flex than for the 24/4 regimen (p < 0.001). The decreases in individual scores for the symptoms 'poor coordination' and 'depression/feeling sad/down or blue' were greater for the extended flexible regimen than for the cyclical regimen (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The extended flexible regimen was not inferior to the 24/4 cyclical regimen in terms of the primary endpoint. It significantly improved symptoms in the interval analysis, and the effects on specific DSR17 symptoms, compared with the cyclical regimen.

Amenorreia secundária: abordagem diagnóstica inicial / Secondary amenorrhea: initial investigation

A amenorreia secundária é uma das causas frequentes de consulta médica feminina. Diante desse desafio diagnóstico, o médico deve realizar a investigação de forma sistematizada, seguindo ordem adequada de raciocínio lógico. O objetivo é definir corretamente a causa etiológica, evitando procedimentos desnecessários, a fim de tratar a patologia de base.

Secondary amenorrhea represents a frequent cause of female consultation. Considering the possible multifactorial etiology an objective as well as rational approach should be taking into consideration. The main purpose of this particular study is accurate diagnosis achievement, avoiding superfluous and unnecessary procedures.

Puberdade precoce na menina: investigação e manejo / Precocious puberty in girls: assessment and management

A puberdade é um processo complexo de desenvolvimento da maturidade sexual. Desordens nesse desenvolvimento podem ocorrer em qualquer etapa e as causas são muito variáveis. O objetivo deste artigo de revisão é abordar, de forma sintetizada, a classificação, a investigação e o manejo inicial da puberdade precoce feminina.

Puberty is a complex process of development of sexual maturity. Disorders can occur at any step and the causes are very variable. The objective of this review is briefly to address classification, investigation and preliminary management of female precocious puberty.

Amenorréia primária: fluxograma de investigação / Primary amenorrhea: diagnostic flowchart

Amenorreia primária é caracterizada pela ausência de menstruação após os 14 anos sem desenvolvimento de caracteres sexuais secundários ou após os 16 anos com o desenvolvimento destes. A investigação inicia com anamnese e exame físico. Conforme a suspeita clínica, exames complementares são solicitados para realizar diagnóstico. A conduta e o tratamento baseiam-se na abordagem da etiologia.

Primary amenorrhea is characterized by the absence of menstruation after 14 years of age, when secondary sexual characteristics are not present, or after 16 years of age in the presence of these sexual characteristics. The investigation starts with the anamnesis and physical examination. According to the clinical suspicion, complementary exams are required to make the diagnosis. Management and treatment are defined in accordance with the etiology.

Criopreservação de óvulos: uma alternativa para preservação da fertilidade / Ovules criopreservation: an alternative for preservation of fertility

O presente artigo consiste em uma revisão atualizada sobre a preservação da fertilidade em mulheres, com foco na técnica de criopreservação de ovócitos. O objetivo principal é o esclarecimento a respeito da técnica, bem como suas vantagens e desvantagens.

This article is an up-to-date revision about fertility preservation in women, focus in the oocytes cryopreservation technique. The main objective is to elucidate about the method, and show, to the reader, it's advantages and disadvantages.