Fetal aortic isthmus Doppler assessment to predict the adverse perinatal outcomes associated with fetal growth restriction: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) management and delivery planning is based on a multimodal approach. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic accuracies of the aortic isthmus Doppler to predict adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies with FGR. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google scholar were searched from inception to May 2021, for studies on the prognostic accuracy of anterograde aortic isthmus flow compared with retrograde aortic isthmus flow in singleton pregnancy with FGR. The meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO and was assessed according to PRISMA and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. DerSimonian and Laird's random-effect model was used for relative risks, Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine for pooled estimates and exact method to stabilize variances and CIs. Heterogeneity was quantified using I2 statistics. RESULTS: A total of 2933 articles were identified through the electronic search, of which 6 studies (involving 240 women) were included. The quality evaluation of studies revealed an overall acceptable score for study group selection and comparability and substantial heterogeneity. The risk of perinatal death was significantly greater in fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow, with a RR of 5.17 (p value 0.00001). Similarly, the stillbirth rate was found to have a RR of 5.39 (p value 0.00001). Respiratory distress syndrome had a RR of 2.64 (p value = 0.03) in the group of fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow. CONCLUSION: Aortic Isthmus Doppler study may add information for FGR management. However, additional clinical trial are required to assess its applicability in clinical practice.

[Post-cesarean parietal scar characteristics are predictive of pelvic adhesions. A prospective cohort study]. / Les caractéristiques de la cicatrice pariétale de césarienne sont des facteurs prédictifs des adhérences pelviennes. Étude de cohorte prospective.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether abdominal scar characteristics could predict the incidence and severity of intra-abdominal adhesions found at repeat cesarean delivery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study including 151pregnant women with at least one previous cesarean delivery and who delivered abdominally in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology of Farhat Hached teaching hospital-Sousse-Tunisia, during 6 months. Abdominal scar characteristics were studied. The main outcome measure(s) were the incidence and severity of intra-abdominal adhesions. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: Of 151 women enrolled into this trial, 111 (73.5%) had adhesions, 57 (37.8%) had dense adhesions. Of all the abdominal scar characteristics studied, a depressed scar was associated with an increased incidence of both dense and filmy intra-abdominal adhesions and frozen pelvis if compared of women who did not have a depressed scar (P<10(-4) ; RR=7.6; IC=2.98-19.45). A number of previous cesarean section equal or more than 2 was also correlated with an increased incidence of severe intra-abdominal adhesions and frozen pelvis if compared with women who had only one previous cesarean section (P=0.002; RR=2.53; IC=1.16-5.56). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A depressed abdominal scar of a previous cesarean delivery and a number of previous cesarean sections are significantly correlated with the incidence and severity of intra-abdominal adhesions.

[Interest of laparoscopy in infertile couple with normal hysterosalpingography]. / Faut-il cœlioscoper les femmes infertiles ayant une hystérosalpingographie normale.

OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic laparoscopy has long been the key consideration in the export of female infertility. This place is being reconsidered, especially in the case of normal hysterosalpingogrophy (HSG), because of the advent of assisted reproductive technologies which are more efficient, and because of the improvement of medical imaging techniques which are more sensitive and specific. We wanted to clarify the place of the diagnostic laparoscopy in the balance of female infertility in normal HSG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective study on a series of 100 observations of infertile patients with a normal HSG and having a diagnostic laparoscopy in the department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Farhat Hached hospital in Sousse (Tunisia) from 1st January 1993 to 1st March 2003. RESULTS: The mean age was 32.3years; the mean duration of infertility was 70.47months. Laparoscopy revealed pelvic abnormalities in 45% of cases, dominated by disease tubo-adhesions (23%), endometriosis was found in 6% of cases. These anomalies are considered major in 23% of cases and minor in 22% of cases. Conducting a surgical procedure in the same operating time (adhesiolysis, tubal plastic surgery, electrocoagulation of endometriosis implants) could improve the prognosis of fertility. Only 20 patients were followed among the 45 with pelvic abnormalities, seven pregnancies have been completed (35% of cases). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy has improved the prognosis for the fertility of our patients by treating abnormalities involved in infertility. It is estimated that the prognosis can be improved by selecting patients with risk factors for pelvic abnormalities.

[Holoprosencephaly: pathogenesis, phenotypic characteristics. About four cases]. / L'holoprosencéphalie : étiopathogénies et caractéristiques phénotypiques. À propos de quatre observations.

Holoprosencephaly is a rare brain abnormality resulting from an incomplete cleavage of the primitive prosencephalon of forebrain during early embryogenesis. It includes a series of rare complex and heterogenosis disorders. Alobar form is associated with an extremely poor fetal prognosis. Here we report three cases of alobar holoprosencephaly and one case of semilobar holoprosencephaly diagnosed at the third trimester. Causes, diagnosis and management of holoprosencephaly are discussed referring to literature.

[Seroprevalence of rubella virus, varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus and parvovirus B19 among pregnant women in the Sousse region, Tunisia]. / Séroépidémiologie de la rubéole, de la varicelle et des infections par le cytomégalovirus et le parvovirus B19 chez les femmes enceintes dans la région de Sousse, Tunisie.

The aim of the study is to evaluate seroprevalence of rubella virus (RV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and parvovirus B19 (PB19) in 404 Tunisian pregnant women, and to determine reliability of maternal past history of eruption. Sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, and past history of eruption were collected through a questionnaire. Serologic tests were performed using enzyme immunoassays. Risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Seroprevalences were 79.7% for rubella, 96.3% for CMV, 80.9% for VZV, and 76.2% for PB19. In multivariate analysis, the number of persons per room (> 2) in the house during childhood was associated with CMV infection (P = 0.004), irregular professional husband's activity was correlated with VZV infection (P = 0.04), and an age of more than 30 years was associated with PB19 infection (P = 0.02). History of rubella, varicella, and PB19 infection was unknown for, respectively, 55.8%, 20%, and 100% of women. False history of rubella and varicella were found for 7.4% and 15% of women, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of rubella history were, respectively, 92.6% and 17.2%, and were, respectively, 84.9% and 20.9% for varicella history. Susceptibility to RV, VZV, and PB19 infection remains high in pregnancy in our population. Preventive strategies against congenital rubella must be reinforced. Vaccination against VZV should be considered in seronegative women. Systemic CMV screening is not warranted in our country where high immunity is acquired probably in childhood. Since maternal history of eruption is not reliable, we recommend serologic testing to determine immune status of women.

[Diabetic mastopathy]. / Mastopathie diabétique.

Diabetic mastopathy is a recently described pathological entity. Little is known about this benign condition. It usually occurs in young patients with type 1 diabetes, or having an autoimmune disorders. Clinically, this mastopathy simulates a breast cancer. Graphic tests are not very informative. The diagnosis is histological. Through a case of diabetic mastopathy occurring in a patient with diabetes on insulin for 16 years and carries multiple degenerative complications, we recall the clinical, radiological and outcome of this disease.

[Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis E among pregnant women in central Tunisia]. / Séroprévalence et facteurs de risque de l'hépatite virale E chez la femme enceinte dans le centre tunisien.

OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Tunisian pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 404 pregnant women were enrolled. Data were collected through a standard questionnaire which covered sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors. Blood samples were collected and were tested for HEV IgM and IgG antibodies, IgG against hepatitis A (anti-HAV IgG), hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV). Risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: Prevalence of anti-HEV IgG, anti-HEV IgM, anti-HAV IgG, HBs Ag and anti-HCV was 12.1 %, 0 %, 97 %, 3 % and 0,5 %, respectively. In multivariate analysis age (>30 years) and the number of persons per room (>2) in the house were independent factors predicting HEV infection. History of agricultural work, kind of water, sewage treatment, use detergent to wash vegetables, contact with animals and parenteral risk factors were not correlated with the presence of anti-HEV IgG. CONCLUSION: The important seropositive rate among pregnant women is compatible with endemicity of HEV in Tunisia. Hepatitis E should be considered in the diagnosis of acute hepatitis during pregnancy. Our result suggests that infection occurs sporadically by person-to-person transmission route but further investigations are needed to determine the natural reservoir of infection.

[Role of deambulation during labour: A prospective randomized study]. / Intérêt de la déambulation au cours du travail obstétrical : étude prospective randomisée de 200 cas.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of ambulation during the first stage of labor on the duration of labor and other maternal and infant outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized trial conducted from 1st November 2008 to 31st March 2009 at the department of obstetrics and gynecology, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia. Two hundred mothers with uncomplicated term pregnancies were randomly assigned to one of two groups: first group (100 parturients) authorized to ambulate until 6cm of cervical dilation and a second group (100 parturients) confined to bed in dorsal or lateral recumbence. RESULTS: Upright position reduces significantly (for about 34%) the duration of the first stage of labor (P<0.0001), the pain intensity, the oxytocin consumption (P=0.001), the rate of delivery by cesarean section and of instrumental deliveries. Upright position leads also to a net improvement of the maternal outcome (7% side effects versus 13%) and the fetal outcome (net improvement of the Apgar's score at first and fifth minute, and reduction of a factor 5 of the rate of transfer to the neonatology clinical care unit. CONCLUSION: Our study allowed to confirm the benefits of ambulation on labor progress as well as on the maternal comfort and the maternofetal outcome.

[Place of pelvic ultrasonography using transabdominal technique in the investigation of premature ovarian failure]. / Place de l'échographie pelvienne réalisée par voie sus-pubienne dans l'exploration de l'insuffisance ovarienne prématurée.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to characterize women with premature ovarian failure (POF) by their ovarian ultrasonographic appearances using transabdominal technique to establish the relationship to clinical, hormonal status, and genetic analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied a cohort of 80 patients suffering from POF. The surface of the ovary was calculated and we identified the detection or not of follicles. RESULTS: The detection of the two ovaries by ultrasound was positive in 33 patients; only one ovary was identified in seven patients; none was noted in 40 patients. The surface of the ovaries ranged between 0.74 et 5.92 cm(2) (2.2+/-1.13 cm(2)). Ultrasonography identified follicles in 23 patients (28.75%). The presence of follicles suggested at ultrasonography was detected in 14 cases (70%) in normal-sized ovaries (> or =2 cm(2)) and in nine cases (45%) in small-sized ovaries (p=0.1). No significative statistical difference was found between the ultrasonographic appearances and the type of amenorrhea, pubertal development, hormonal status (estradiol, testosterone and delta-4-androstendione) and the chromosomal analysis. CONCLUSION: The clinical and hormonal status and the genetic analysis can't predict the presence or not of follicles in the ovaries of patients with POF.

[Cephalopagus conjoined twins: case report and review of literature]. / Les jumeaux conjoints céphalopages: à propos d'une observation avec revue de la littérature.

Cephalopagus are a rare variant of conjoined twins resulting from an incomplete late division of the embryonic disk and associated with an extremely poor fetal prognosis. Here, we report a rare case of a male cepahalopagus conjoined twins diagnosed during the 23rd week of gestation. Delivery was vaginal showing twins fused from the top of the head to the umbilicus. The fused skull showed a cephalocele with agenetic brain. Esophagus, stomach and duodenum are common for the two twins. Causes, diagnosis and management of cephalopagus are discussed referring to literature.

[Radiation induced breast sarcoma: a case report]. / Sarcome radio-induit du sein: à propos d'un cas.

Radiation-induced breast sarcoma is a late complication of radiation treatment. We report a case of an undifferentiated sarcoma occurring 8 years after breast conserving treatment, which required mastectomy taking pectoralis major.

[Tuberculous axillary lymphadenitis: an unusual presentation]. / Le cas clinique du mois. Tuberculose ganglionnaire axillaire une présentation inhabituelle.

Axillary lymph node tuberculosis is rare and often poses problems of differential, diagnosis, especially with breast carcinoma. We report the case of a tuberculous axillary lymphadenitis discovered at the time of the exploration of a supposedly metastatic liver and, initially, taken for metastases of an occult breast carcinoma. Tuberculous axillary lymphadenitis remains a rare condition which must be considered in patients living in country with endemic tuberculosis.

[The effect of uterine incision expansion at caesarean delivery on perioperative haemorrhage: a prospective randomised clinical trial]. / Impact de la technique d'hystérotomie au cours de la césarienne sur le saignement périopératoire: un essai prospectif randomise.

To determine if blunt or sharp expansion of the uterus at caesarean delivery is associated with increased maternal peripartum haemorrhage as estimated by the drop in hematocrit. Prospective randomised intention to treat clinical trial of women undergoing elective or urgent caesarean delivery at at least 36 weeks gestation. Two study groups were formed; after an initial hysterotomy which consisted in a transverse uterine incision of the lower segment, in the blunt group, the surgeon's indexes expanded the initial incision bilaterally and cephalad; in the sharp group, expansion of the initial incision was made using scissors. The primary outcome measure was the mean drop in hematocrit and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Three hundred women were randomised: 153 to the sharp group and 147 to the blunt group. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the two populations were similar. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in estimated blood loss as assessed by the mean drop in hematocrit (%) (respectively 1.71 +/- 3.18 versus blunt group 1.91 +/- 3.28 p = 0.58 non significant). Our findings support that sharp or blunt expansion of hysterotomy during caesarean section equally affect blood loss as estimated by drop in hematocrit.

[Clinical case of the month. Peritoneal tuberculosis mimicking ovarian carcinoma]. / Le cas clinique du mois. Tuberculose péritonéale simulant un cancer ovarien.

Peritoneal tuberculosis can mimic advanced stage ovarian cancer and can lead to the performance of an unnecessary extended surgery. Clinical discrimination between peritoneal tuberculosis and ovarian carcinoma may sometimes be extremely difficult. We report 2 cases of peritoneal tuberculosis mimicking ovarian carcinoma. Diagnosis was made on perioneal biopsy.

[Risk factors for group B streptococcal colonization in pregnant women at term: prospective study of 294 cases]. / Facteurs de risque du portage du streptocoque du groupe B chez la femme enceinte à terme: étude prospective à propos de 294 cas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate and risk factors for group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization in term pregnancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vaginal and anal cultures were prospectively conducted in 294 parturient on admission for term vaginal delivery. RESULTS: Thirty-eight (12.92%) parturient had positive GBS cultures. None of the studied risk factors (age, education status, nulliparity, previous obstetric problem, twin pregnancy and diabetes) was statistically predictive of maternal colonization. All the isolated GBS were sensitive to the penicillin G. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Systematic screening strategy of GBS close to the delivery on all pregnant women is desirable.

Antibodies to beta2-glycoprotein I and annexin V in women with early and late idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Anti-phospholipid antibodies (APA) are heterogeneous group of autoantibodies that target phospholipid or phospholipid-binding proteins. APAs were previously shown to induce several thrombotic states, including idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Unlike the contribution of the classical lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA), the contribution of anti-beta2 glycoprotein 1 (beta2GPI) and anti-annexin V antibodies to RSA risk remain poorly understood. We assessed anti-beta2GPI and anti-annexin V IgM and IgG antibodies as RSA risk factors for RSA in 172 Tunisian women with >3 consecutive idiopathic pregnancy losses, together with 173 matched control women. The prevalence of anti-beta2GPI IgG (P=0.41, OR=1.64) and IgM (P=0.50, OR=1.70) were comparable between cases and controls. Higher anti-annexin V IgG (P=0.02, OR=5.28), but not IgM (P=0.25, OR=1.78), levels were seen in cases. Regression analysis showed that anti-beta2GPI IgM (OR=8.90; 95% CI=1.23-64.63) was associated with early RSA, while anti-annexin V IgG (OR=9.35, 95% CI=1.44-60.86) was associated with late RSA. For combined early + late RSA, the only variable selected was BMI (OR=0.93; 95% CI=0.87-0.99), and neither anti-annexin V nor anti-beta2GPI IgM and IgG were associated with early + late RSA. Anti-annexin V and anti-beta2GPI appear to be independent risk markers of RSA.

[Clinical and sonographic diagnosis of occiput posterior position: a prospective study of 350 deliveries]. / Diagnostic clinico-échographique et devenir des variétés postérieures dans la présentation du sommet: étude prospective longitudinale de 350 parturientes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical reliability compared to intrapartum ultrasound as a tool to diagnose occiput posterior position and to investigate the proportion of rotations occurring during labour. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 350 women in labor with a singleton fetus in a vertex position were prospectively studied using ultrasound and obstetrical examination. Outcome of labor was also monitored. RESULTS: Reliability of clinical examination is 85,7%, initial occiput posterior position represented 40,2% and most rotated in an anterior position (84, 8%) while only 0,6% of initial anterior positions delivered in occiput posterior position. Logistic regression did not allow to find significant predictor of occiput posterior position rotation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Clinical examination is relatively reliable for posterior position diagnosis and in most cases, initially occipitoposterior positions rotate anteriorly.