Total serum glycosylated proteins in detection and monitoring of gestational diabetes.

The goal of this study was to determine whether serum glycosylated protein levels (i.e., fructosamine) can reliably screen for gestational diabetes and whether these levels are valid markers of short-term glycemic control in the third trimester of pregnancy. Ninety-seven pregnant women at 26-28 wk gestation were evaluated over 9 mo. HbA1c and serum glycosylated protein (serum fructosamine) were determined at the baseline venipuncture of the 100-g oral glucose tolerance test performed to detect gestational diabetes. Of the 97 women studied, 13 tested positive for gestational diabetes (National Diabetes Data Group criteria). There were significant differences in the fasting and 1-, 2-, and 3-h glucose values between nondiabetic and diabetic patients (P less than 0.005 at each time point). No difference was noted in the baseline serum glycosylated protein level (2.02 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.98 +/- 0.02 mM, NS) or HbA1c level (4.42 +/- 0.2 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.3%, NS) between gestational and nondiabetic patients. Diabetic patients were followed at 2-wk intervals, with serum glycosylated protein analysis, HbA1c, fasting glucose, and mean glucose determined by outpatient monitoring. Serum glycosylated protein correlated significantly to fasting blood glucose (r = 0.81, P less than 0.001) and mean outpatient glucose (r = 0.62, P less than 0.001) at the 2-wk follow-up visits. No correlation was found between HbA1c and fasting blood glucose (r = 0.11, NS) or mean outpatient glucose (r = -0.12, NS) during the follow-up period. The serum glycosylated protein level (serum fructosamine) is not a useful screening test for gestational diabetes. However, this assay shows potential as an objective marker of short-term control in evaluating the maternal glycemic state.

Torsion of the gravid uterus. A report of two cases.

Two cases of 180 degree torsion of the term uterus occurred. Both patients recovered uneventfully.

Relative strength of a new suture technique for fascial closure.

In an attempt to decrease the risk of fascial dehiscence, a new suture technique for fascial closure is proposed, referred to as the "secured" stitch. The secured interrupted stitch is performed by taking a double bite of fascia at each traditional site of fascial puncture. Relative strength of the secured interrupted stitch in comparison with the simple interrupted stitch is determined in samples of fresh bovine fascia. A significantly greater force is required to disrupt fascia repaired with the secured stitch compared with a simple interrupted repair. The secured stitch may afford a greater degree of protection from fascial dehiscence.

High hepatitis B carrier rate among non-Oriental patients with acute salpingitis.

Hepatitis B surface antigen screening was performed on non-Oriental patients with the diagnosis of acute salpingitis. Six of 59 (10.17%) had hepatitis B surface antigenemia. We therefore recommend hepatitis B screening for all patients with salpingitis. The detection of covert hepatitis B helps to protect hospital staff and provides important information for the patient. Further, the administration of hepatitis B vaccine may be appropriate for those patients with acute salpingitis who are found to be hepatitis B surface antigen-negative.

Gonococcal chorioamnionitis associated with sepsis: a case report.

We present a case of gonococcal chorioamnionitis in a patient with intact membranes, which has not been previously reported. Evidence suggests that the spread of bacteria was transplacental.

The epidemiology and pathology of maternal mortality: Charity Hospital of Louisiana in New Orleans, 1965-1984.

Eighty-nine maternal deaths occurred at Charity Hospital of New Orleans between 1965 and 1984, for an overall rate of 60.8 per 100,000 live births. The mortality rate increased with increasing maternal age, was greater with cesarean than vaginal delivery, and has not continued to decline over the 20-year interval. Of those decedents delivered abdominally, more than half of the deaths were attributable to operative complications, including anesthesia, rather than to an underlying disease. Although the majority of obstetric deaths were attributable to complications of hypertension, hemorrhage, and infection, the single most common cause at autopsy was pulmonary edema. Potentially preventable pulmonary edema was responsible for one-third of the obstetric deaths from hypertension and hemorrhage.

The pregnant hepatitis B carrier: evidence favoring comprehensive antepartum screening.

The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among 15,399 gravidas screened in the prenatal clinic at Charity Hospital of Louisiana in New Orleans was 0.88%. The race-specific prevalence was 0.56% for whites, 0.62% for blacks, and 8.8% for Orientals. Identifiable risk factors could not be found for approximately half of the hepatitis B surface antigen-positive women. Comprehensive antepartum hepatitis B screening is recommended, based upon the significant risk of perinatal transmission to the neonate and upon the failure of selective screening to identify the majority of maternal hepatitis B surface antigen carriers in our population. The cost-effectiveness of general antepartum screening compares favorably with current blood bank hepatitis screening costs.

Chronic hypertension in pregnancy.

The course and outcome of 169 pregnancies in 156 women with chronic hypertension were studied. Antihypertensive medications were given if the diastolic blood pressure exceeded 90 mmHg. A number of major associated medical problems were found. Left ventricular hypertrophy, a serum creatinine greater than 1.0 mg%, and a diastolic pressure greater than 100 mmHg at less than 20 weeks' gestation were high-risk indicators. The overall perinatal mortality was 28.4 of 1000 (versus hospital of 25.6 of 1000). Despite antihypertensive therapy, one-third of the patients developed superimposed preeclampsia. The poorest outcome occurred in patients with superimposed preeclampsia necessitating delivery at 27 to 34 weeks' gestation (perinatal mortality = 238 of 1000). Antepartum fetal heart rate testing was abnormal in 10% of the patients with intrauterine growth retardation occurring in 15%. The incidence of fetal growth retardation was fourfold higher (20 versus 5%) in patients treated with antihypertensive drugs, particularly methyldopa as a single agent. However, this may have been related more to the study design than to a detrimental effect of the drug. The perinatal outcome in this study is similar to the outcome of studies in which antihypertensive therapy was withheld. This indicates that controlling the blood pressure is merely one aspect of the management of chronic hypertension in pregnancy. Accurate dating, attention to associated medical problems, antenatal fetal assessment by ultrasound and heart rate monitoring, and carefully timed delivery are additional important factors.

Direct fetal therapy: the multidisciplinary team concept.

A multidisciplinary medical and surgical team is essential to direct fetal therapy. This group of skilled specialists is usually available only in university hospitals. Through the use of recently developed technology and a high degree of skill, the team composed of nonphysician and physician members can detect, evaluate, and occasionally treat affected patients. Through research, education,aand communication, the team endeavors to meet the need for direct fetal therapy in life-threatening malformations.

Auditory evoked potential alterations induced by pulsed ultrasound.

Diagnostic levels of pulsed ultrasound were applied abdominally over the uteri of pregnant rats for five minutes daily during the first 20 days of gestation. The average energy output of the ultrasound machine at the optimum focal length of the transducer (5.4 cm) was 7.2 mW/sq cm. Postnatal auditory evoked potentials demonstrated a significant alteration in the offspring of the treated animals when compared with similarly treated, but nonexposed controls. This alteration only occurred in the high frequency range. Neither light nor electron microscopy revealed significant morphologic alterations in the cochlear elements of the exposed offspring. Although a cochlear deficit occurred in a range known to be important to the rat's hearing, several issues make this data reassuring to clinicians using diagnostic levels of pulsed ultrasound: the total amount of ultrasound exposure was higher than would be expected with human use, the defect was mild, and the absence of clear-cut morphologic abnormalities may indicate the presence of a minimal, or even reversible, defect.

Virginal hypertrophy.

A patient with extensive juvenile hypertrophy of the breasts has been presented. Several interesting facts in the case history are as follows: After pregnancy, the breasts did not regress with "hormone shots" to stop lactation. The patient took high-dosage estrogen birth control pills for 3 years before the breasts started to grow rapidly. Within 1 month after reduction mammaplasty and despite 20 mg dydrogesterone per day, the breasts started to enlarge. A total of 60 mg b.i.d. of dydrogesterone did not stop breast regrowth. Tamoxifen citrate did cause regression of the breasts. After two reductions, the breasts regrew with a subsequent pregnancy. The breast tissue regrew in the axilla with a subsequent pregnancy after simple mastectomy-subcutaneous mastectomy and free nipple transplants. Chronic marijuana use may have an effect on the breast tissue in certain susceptible females as well as in some males. Much needs to be learned about the control of growth of female breast tissue.

Fetal hydrocephalus: a case of ventricular-amniotic shunting.

The case we have reported describes the management of fetal hydrocephalus using an intrauterine ventricular-amniotic shunt, which unfortunately was not recovered after delivery. To prevent this potential complication, we suggest such shunts be made radiopaque. The encouraging results in this case are attributed to the efforts of an interdisciplinary team and suggest that vascular accidents may well prove to be amenable to treatment by this new procedure.

Pulmonary edema induced by betamimetic drugs.

We present six cases of pulmonary edema related to betamimetic (beta sympathomimetic amine) agents (three to ritodrine and three to terbutaline). The hemodynamic data from three patients suggest that this may be a form of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. A seventh case, resulting in a maternal death, is included because of the association with ritodrine therapy and the instructive complications of invasive monitoring. We also propose an outline for the management of betamimetic-drug-induced pulmonary edema.

Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis: an update.

Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis is the result of serious pelvic infection usually following obstetric or gynecologic procedures. The management of this condition is of historical interest to the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Tulane, and therefore a retrospective case evaluation and a prospective surveillance were undertaken. This study indicates that septic pelvic thrombophlebitis is seen very rarely today. Possible reasons for the decline in the incidence of this problem and a management plan are presented. Three cases are included.