Quality or Quantity of Proteins in the Diet for CKD Patients: Does "Junk Food" Make a Difference? Lessons from a High-Risk Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: How to manage patients with severe kidney disease in pregnancy is still a matter of discussion, and deciding if and when to start dialysis is based on the specialist's experience and dialysis availability. The effect of toxic substances usually cleared by the kidney may be more severe and readily evident. The review, and related case, underlines the importance of considering the presence of additives in food in delicate conditions, such as CKD pregnancy. The Case: A 39-year-old indigenous woman from a low-resourced area in Mexico was referred to the obstetric nephrology at 25 gestational weeks because of serum creatinine at 3.6 mg/dL, hypertension on low-dose alpha-methyl-dopa, and nephrotic-range proteinuria. Kidney ultrasounds showed small poorly differentiated kidneys; foetal ultrasounds detected a female foetus, normal for gestational age. The patient's baseline protein intake, which was estimated at 1.2-1.3 g/kg/day, was mostly of animal-origin (>70%) poor-quality food ("junk food"). In the proposed diet, protein intake was only slightly reduced (1.0-1.2 g/kg/day), but the source of proteins was changed (only 30% of animal origin) with attention to food quality. A remarkable decrease in BUN was observed, in concomitance with adequate dietary follow-up, with rapid rise of BUN when the patient switched temporarily back to previous habits. A healthy female baby weighing 2,460 g (11th centile for gestational age) was delivered at 37 gestational weeks. Discussion and Literature Review: While data on patients with chronic kidney disease are scant, the long list of contaminants present in food, especially if of low quality, should lead us to reflect on their potential negative effect on kidney function and make us realize that eating healthy, unprocessed "organic" food should be encouraged, in delicate conditions such as pregnancy and breastfeeding and for young children, in particular when kidney function is failing. The case herein described gave us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of diet quality and on the potential risks linked to food additives, many of which, including phosphates and potassium, are not declared on food labels, while others, including dyes, antioxidants, thickeners, emulsifiers, and preservatives, are qualitatively, but not quantitatively, reported.

Effectiveness of the FIGO protocol for medical management of first-trimester abortion / Eficacia del esquema FIGO para el manejo médico del aborto en el primer trimestre

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of misoprostol using the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2017 protocol for medical management of first trimester abortion. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between March and September 2018. Seventy-six patients diagnosed with first trimester spontaneous abortion were managed following the FIGO 2017 protocol for medical management of first trimester abortion. Results: Main indications for inclusion of the 76 patients were missed abortion 57.9%, incomplete abortion 25%, and anembryonic pregnancy 17.1%. Medical induction with misoprostol followed the FIGO 2017 protocol for medical management of first trimester abortion. The most frequent side effect reported was abnormal uterine bleeding associated with pelvic pain (72.3% of patients). Complete uterine evacuation was accomplished in 98.6% of the patients. Conclusion: Misoprostol use in patients with first trimester abortion following the FIGO 2017 protocol was a safe and cost-effective therapeutic option.

Objetivo. Evaluar la eficacia del manejo con misoprostol al emplear el esquema de la Federación Internacional de Ginecología y Obstetricia (FIGO) 2017 para el abordaje de abortos de primer trimestre. Métodos. Estudio transversal realizado entre marzo y septiembre 2018, que incluyó 76 pacientes con diagnóstico de aborto espontáneo en el primer trimestre de gestación y que tuvieron manejo de acuerdo al esquema recomendado por FIGO 2017. Resultados. Las principales indicaciones para la inclusión de las 76 pacientes fueron aborto diferido 57,9%, aborto incompleto 25% y embarazo anembrionado 17,1%. La inducción con misoprostol siguió las indicaciones de FIGO 2017 para el manejo del aborto del primer trimestre. El efecto adverso más frecuente fue el sangrado vaginal asociado a dolor pélvico en 72,3% de las pacientes. Se logró la evacuación uterina completa en 98,6% de los casos. Conclusión. El manejo médico del aborto del primer trimestre de gestación con el uso del misoprostol de acuerdo al esquema FIGO 2017 ofreció una opción terapéutica altamente segura y costo-efectiva.

Acute IgA-Dominant Glomerulonephritis Associated with Syphilis Infection in a Pregnant Teenager: A New Disease Association.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly recognized as a risk factor in pregnancy; the differential diagnosis between CKD and preeclampsia (PE) may be of pivotal importance for pregnancy management and for early treatment of CKD. Acknowledging this connection may be useful also in a wider context, such as in the case reported in this paper, which for the first time describes an association between syphilis infection and IgA-dominant glomerulonephritis. A 16-year-old woman, referred to a general hospital due to a seizure, was found to be unknowingly pregnant. Based on hypertension and nephrotic proteinuria, she was initially diagnosed with PE. Immunological tests, as well as hepatitis and HIV tests showed negative results. However, secondary syphilis was diagnosed. In discordance with the PE diagnosis, urinalysis showed glomerular microhematuria with cellular casts. Proteinuria and hypertension did not remit after delivery, which was made via caesarean section, due to uncontrolled hypertension, at an estimated gestational age of 29 weeks. A male baby, weighing 1.1 kg (6.5 centile) was born. The baby was hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit, where he developed subependymal hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia, and neonatal syphilis was diagnosed. The mother underwent a kidney biopsy one week after delivery, leading to the diagnosis of IgA-dominant postinfectious glomerulonephritis. Mother and child were treated with support and antibiotic therapy, and were discharged in good clinical conditions four weeks later. Four months after delivery, the mother was normotensive without therapy, with normal kidney function and without hematuria or proteinuria. In conclusion, this case suggests that IgA-dominant postinfectious glomerulonephritis should be added to the spectrum of syphilis-associated glomerulonephritides, and underlines the need for a careful differential diagnosis with CKD in all cases of presumed PE. While diagnosis relies on kidney biopsy, urinary sediment, a simple and inexpensive test, can be the first step in distinguishing PE from other nephropathies.

Tratamiento de la ruptura prematura de membranas pretérmino (24-33.6 semanas): evidencia científica reciente / Management of premature preterm rupture of membranes (24-33.6 weeks): Recent scientific evidence

Resumen OBJETIVO Ofrecer al clínico la evidencia científica más reciente en lo relativo a algunos aspectos de la atención de pacientes con ruptura prematura pretérmino de membranas que han generado debate, controversia y, en algunos momentos, opiniones divergentes que condicionan la toma de decisiones basadas en criterios con un débil rigor científico que se reflejan en morbilidad perinatal significativa. MÉTODO Búsqueda en PubMed, The Cochrane Library, OVID, Science Direct, Practice Guidelines Internacional Networks de artículos publicados en inglés entre los años 2014 a 2016 con las siguientes palabras clave (Mesh): Preterm premature rupture of membranes; diagnostic tests in premature rupture of preterm membranes; pulmonary maturity scheme; antibiotic therapy in premature rupture of preterm membranes; pulmonary maturity tests; fetal inflammatory response syndrome; fetal well-being tests; chorioamnionitis. Criterios de inclusión: revisiones sistemáticas, metanálisis y ensayos clínicos controlados con metodología de medicina basada en evidencias, con consistencia y claridad en las recomendaciones seleccionadas. RESULTADOS Se seleccionaron 70 artículos, entre estos 5 guías internacionales de práctica clínica y 45 artículos. Al final se excluyeron 20 artículos porque el diseño era de casos y controles, ensayos clínicos no controlados y sus recomendaciones no eran concluyentes porque su nivel de evidencia era bajo. CONCLUSIONES El uso racional de los diversos instrumentos de diagnóstico permite ser más eficaces y eficientes en la utilización de los recursos, y la identificación de fetos que podrían beneficiarse de una conducta expectante versus resolutiva y, viceversa. La comprensión y aplicación de lo aquí expuesto puede contribuir a disminuir la incidencia de desenlaces neonatales adversos asociados con procesos infecciosos directamente relacionados con la morbilidad y secuelas neurológicas a corto y mediano plazo. Se planteó el tratamiento de la ruptura prematura pretérmino de membranas en algoritmos aplicables en la práctica clínica.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To provide the clinician the most recent scientific evidence regarding some aspects of the management of patients with preterm premature rupture ofmembranes. Those aspects have generated debate, controversy and sometimes divergent opinions leading to medical decisions based on weak criteria and as consequence significant perinatal morbidity. METHOD We searched databases in PubMed, The Cochrane Library, OVID, Science Direct, Practice Guidelines International Networks from 2014 to 2016 with the following keywords: preterm premature rupture of membranes, diagnostic tests for preterm premature rupture of membranes, antenatal corticosteroids, antibiotic therapy in preterm premature rupture of membranes, fetal pulmonary maturity tests, fetal inflammatory response syndrome, fetal well-being tests, chorioamnionitis. RESULTS We extracted 70 studies, information was collected with emphasis on several controversial themes. Inclusion criteria were systematic reviews, meta-analysis and clinical controlled trials from 2014 to 2016, languages spanish or english, articles with evidence-based medicine methodology with strong recommendations. The final selection includes 5 international clinical practice guidelines and. 45 articles from 2014-2016. Articles which methodology consisted in case-control design, uncontrolled or unrandomized clinical trials or with level of evidence D were excluded. CONCLUSIONS The appropriate use of diagnostic tools will allow us to become more efficient in the use of resources, also allowing the identification of fetuses that would benefit from an expectant versus resolute management and vice versa. The review aims, among other things, to reduce the incidence of adverse neonatal outcomes associated with infectious processes, which are directly related to morbidity and neurological sequelae in short and mid-term. The management of PPROM is proposed in algorithms applicable in clinical practice.

[Obstetric management in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension]. / Algoritmo para la atención de pacientes con hipertensión arterial pulmonar severa durante el embarazo.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension is a disease of poor prognosis when is associated with pregnancy. A maternal mortality of 30-56% and a neonatal survival of approximately 85% is reported. Surveillance of patients with severe pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy must be multidisciplinary, to provide information and optimal treatment during and after gestation. Targeted therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension during pregnancy significantly reduces mortality. The critical period with respect to mortality, is the first month after birth. OBJECTIVE: Propose an algorithm for management during pregnancy for patients with severe pulmonary hypertension who want to continue with it. CONCLUSIONS: The recommendations established with clinical evidence for patients with severe pulmonary hypertension and pregnancy are presented: diagnosis, treatment, obstetrics and cardiology management, preoperative recommendations for termination of pregnancy, post-partum care and contraception. The maternal mortality remains significantly higher in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension and pregnancy, in these cases should be performed multidisciplinary management in hospitals that have experience in the management of this disease and its complications.