Maternal short-term exposure to NO2 during pregnancy and its relationship with Doppler markers of placental function.

BACKGROUND: Maternal exposure to air pollution has been associated with poor obstetric outcomes. However, the available evidence on the impact of maternal exposure to air pollution on placental function is still scarce and is based on estimated ambient levels of air pollutants. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between short-term maternal exposure to NO2 based on the objective personal measure of NO2 exposure and Doppler markers of placental function. METHODS: This study was based on a prospective cohort of 101 pregnant women, recruited at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona (Spain), between January 2017 and April 2018. NO2 diffusion tubes were worn by pregnant women to measure personal exposure to NO2 between weeks 28 and 32 of their pregnancy. Placental function was evaluated at the 32nd week of gestation by Doppler evaluation of mean uterine arteries pulsatility index (PI), umbilical artery PI, middle cerebral artery PI, cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and ductus venosus PI. Linear regression models were applied to estimate the association of personal NO2 exposure and Doppler markers of placental function (one at a time), controlled for relevant covariates. RESULTS: Higher personal exposure to NO2 was significantly associated with lower mean uterine artery PI. Each one-interquartile range (IQR) increase in the exposure to NO 2 was associated with -0.07 (95% confidence intervals (CIs): -0.12, -0.02) decrease in uterine arteries PI. We also observed some suggestions for an inverse association between this exposure and CPR. A one-IQR increase in NO2 was associated with -0.18 (95% CIs: -0.37, 0.01) decrease in CPR. The findings for the rest of Doppler markers were not conclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal exposure to NO2 could interfere with Doppler markers of placental function, potentially indicating a certain degree of cerebral vasodilatation with a decrease of mean uterine arteries PI.

Desgarro rectovaginal con esfínter anal íntegro: una complicación obstétrica infrecuente / Rectovaginal tear with intact anal sphincter: an uncommon obstetric complication

El desgarro rectovaginal aislado es una complicación de baja incidencia en el ámbito de la obstetricia. Existen pocas publicaciones al respecto, factor que contribuye a la ausencia de consenso en cuanto a su manejo. En el presente artículo, describimos la ocurrencia de dos lesiones de este tipo en nuestro hospital (1.800 partos/año) en el curso de 10 años. Mediante revisión bibliográfica exponemos factores de riesgo y principios de tratamiento. Resulta fundamental la detección precoz de la lesión, así como su reparación quirúrgica minuciosa. En cuanto a la prevención, el fórceps parece ser el principal factor asociado, por lo que resulta conveniente optar por instrumentos menos lesivos, especialmente en pacientes añosas, primíparas o fetos macrosómicos (AU)

The incidence of isolated rectovaginal tear is low in obstetrics and the scarcity of publications on the subject contributes to the lack of consensus on its management. The present article describes the occurrence of two such injuries in our hospital (1800 births / year) over the course of 10 years. Through a literature review, we discuss the risk factors and principles of treatment. Early detection of the injury is essential, as well as meticulous surgical repair. Forceps seems to be the main causative factor and therefore choice of less harmful instruments is advisable, especially in the elderly, primiparous patients, and macrosomic fetuses (AU)