Supresión de la visita de tercer trimestre en embarazo de bajo riesgo en la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 / Third trimester suppression in low-risk pregnancy in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Resumen Objetivo: La pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 ha obligado a una reorganización de las visitas presenciales, y por ese motivo se han minimizado hasta el punto de reconsiderar la realización de la visita del tercer trimestre. Nuestro centro suprimió dicha visita obstétrica y obtuvo datos propios para comparar los resultados perinatales logrados con dicho manejo. Método: Se realizó un estudio de cohortes retrospectivo, en marzo de 2020, con una cohorte con visita presencial única en la semana 40 de gestación (122 gestantes) frente a una cohorte con seguimiento convencional con visita presencial en la semana 36 de gestación (162 gestantes). Se evaluaron la restricción del crecimiento fetal, la edad gestacional al nacimiento, el peso neonatal y las tasas de inducciones, partos eutócicos y cesáreas urgentes en trabajo de parto. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias leves en la tasa de nuliparidad (p < 0,04), sin hallarlas en el resto de las variables maternas. No hubo diferencias entre las dos cohortes en los resultados neonatales. Conclusiones: No hay diferencias entre los resultados materno-fetales obtenidos en gestantes con seguimiento gestacional con restricción de la visita del tercer trimestre respecto del seguimiento tradicional, excepto en el diagnóstico de las alteraciones de la estática fetal al término de la gestación.

Abstract Objective: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has forced a reorganization of face-to-face visits, for this reason they have been minimized to the point of reconsidering the completion of the third trimester visit. Our center eliminated the performance of this obstetric visit and obtained its own data to compare the perinatal results obtained with such management. Method: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in March 2020, with a cohort with a single face-to-face visit at 40th week of gestation (122 pregnant women), versus a cohort with conventional follow-up with face-to-face visit at 36th week of gestation (162 pregnant women). The following were evaluated fetal growth restriction, gestational age at birth, neonatal weight, rate of inductions, of eutocic deliveries, and of urgent cesarean sections in labor. Results: Slight differences were found in the nulliparity rate (p < 0.04), without finding them in the rest of the maternal variables. There were no differences between the two cohorts in neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: There were no differences between the maternal-fetal results obtained in pregnant women with gestational follow-up with restriction of the third trimester visit compared to traditional follow-up, except in the diagnosis of alterations in fetal statics at the end of pregnancy.

Stretched penile length at birth: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Micropenis is an endocrinological condition that is habitually observed at birth. Diagnosis is made by measuring the stretched penile length, a method established 80 years ago. Discrepancies in the normative data from recent studies raise the need for a current revision of the methodology. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this systematic review were to compare the different normative data of SPL at birth, to examine the methodological aspects of the technique and to evaluate the independent variables that may be involved. METHODS: Searches were performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scielo, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science. A combination of the relevant medical terms, keywords and word variants for "stretched penile length", "penile length", "penile size", "newborn" and "birth" were used. Eligibility criteria included normative studies that used the stretched penile length (SPL) measurement on a population of healthy, full-term newborns during the first month of life. The outcomes studied included characteristics of the studies, methodological aspects and independent variables. RESULTS: We identified 49 studies comprising 21,399 children. Significant discrepancies are observed between the different studies. Methodological aspects seem to be consistent and similar. The main independent variables appear to be ethnic group and gestational age. Main limitations were the absence of studies of entire world regions such as Europe or South America, and the heterogeneity of the ethnic background that complicates the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: It seems advisable to suggest the creation of customized reference charts for each specific population instead of resorting to the classic cut-off points.

Sonographic measure techniques of fetal penile length.

Postnatal penile length is a reliable, standardized, and widely used marker for the diagnosis of genitourinary pathology, as well as genetic and hormonal disorders. In contrast, prenatal diagnosis has not been developed equally and there is a lack of relevant literature. Our objective is to review the studies on fetal penile length, and apply findings to clinical practice. Although the most used technique is the outer penile length, there is no consensus regarding the appropriate technique for prenatal measurement. Several reports have provided reference data with high correlation. However, important issues like poor correlation with post-natal measures or presence of confounding variables are still present. Diagnosis of both a micropenis and macropenis can indicate related pathologies, and this information may benefit parental counseling and facilitate fetal management. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out prospective studies that provide reliable normative data.

Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes Associated With Extremely High Values for the sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1)/PlGF (Placental Growth Factor) Ratio.

Background There is little knowledge about the significance of extremely high values (>655) for the ratio of sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1) to PlGF (placental growth factor). We aim to describe the time-to-delivery interval and maternal and perinatal outcomes when such values are demonstrated while assessing suspected or confirmed placental dysfunction based on clinical or sonographic criteria. Methods and Results A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed on 237 singleton gestations between 20+0 and 37+0 weeks included at the time of first demonstrating a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio >655. Clinicians were aware of this result, but standard protocols were followed for delivery indication. Main outcomes were compared for women with and without preeclampsia at inclusion. In those with preeclampsia (n=185, of whom 77.3% had fetal growth restriction), severe preeclampsia features and fetal growth restriction in stages III or IV were present in 49.2% and 13.5% cases, respectively, at inclusion and in 77.3% and 28.6% cases, respectively, at delivery. In the group without preeclampsia (n=52, 82.7% had fetal growth restriction), these figures were 0% and 30.8%, respectively, at inclusion and 21.2% and 50%, respectively, at delivery. Interestingly, 28% of women without initial preeclampsia developed it later. The median time to delivery was 4 days (interquartile range: 1-6 days) and 7 days (interquartile range: 3-12 days), respectively (P<0.01). Overall, perinatal mortality was 62.1% before 24 weeks; severe morbidity surpassed 50% before 29 weeks but became absent from 34 weeks. Maternal serious morbidity was high at any gestational age. Conclusions An sFlt-1/PlGF ratio >655 is almost invariably associated with preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction that progresses rapidly. In our tertiary care settings, we observed that maternal adverse outcomes were high throughout gestation, whereas perinatal adverse outcomes diminished as pregnancy advanced.

D-dimer during pregnancy: establishing trimester-specific reference intervals.

Pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). D-dimer is a biomarker used as an exclusion criterion of VTE disease, but its usefulness during pregnancy shows limitations because D-dimer levels physiologically increase through pregnancy. The aim of our study was to follow the changes of D-dimer levels and to establish trimester-specific reference intervals during normal pregnancy. This is a longitudinal prospective study in which the reference population finally included 102 healthy pregnant women. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured during the three trimesters of pregnancy, using a latex-based immunoturbidimetric assay. Reference intervals were calculated according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. D-dimer levels increased progressively and significantly through pregnancy and peaked in the third trimester, in which D-dimer levels were above the conventional cut-off point (500 µg/L) in 99% of pregnant women. The following reference intervals were defined: first trimester: 169-1202 µg/L, second trimester: 393-3258 µg/L and third trimester: 551-3333 µg/L. The study provides reference intervals of D-dimer during the pregnancy using latex-based immunoturbidimetry on the ACL 300 TOP automated coagulation analyser. Further prospective studies of pregnant women with clinical suspicion of VTE are needed to validate these results.

Perinatal and obstetric outcomes in older pregnant women / Gestantes de edad avanzada y resultados obstétricos y perinatales

Introduction: Maternity is being postponed to a more advanced age for sociocultural, occupational, and economic reasons. This phenomenon, which has become more common in the last 2 decades, means that the typical pregnant woman has changed. Pregnancy at the extremes of reproductive life is considered a risk factor owing to the greater likelihood of perinatal conditions. However, literature data on maternal and perinatal adverse events in pregnant women are contradictory. The objective of our study was to determine whether older pregnant women present a higher rate of obstetric and perinatal adverse outcomes than younger pregnant women. Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study. The study population consisted of patients from Health Area II of the Region of Murcia whose pregnancy and delivery were monitored in 2016 at University Hospital Santa Lucía. We divided patients into 2 groups: a group comprising pregnant women aged 40 to 45 years and a control group comprising pregnant women aged 30 to 35 years, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria. We collected data from the predictive variables of the clinical history and data from the variables also resulting from the clinical history and the partograph. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: We obtained a sample of 468 patients, with 234 patients in each group. The mean (SD) age of the cases was 41.59 (1.37), and that of the control group 32.81 (1.33). The risk of presenting adverse effects in the older group with respect to the control group was as follows: uterine bleeding (OR, 13.70), gestational diabetes (OR, 2.56), preterm birth (OR, 2.22), and admission to the neonatal ICU, 2.02). The risk of cesarean delivery and intrauterine growth retardation was higher in the older patients, although this association was not statistically significant. One woman died in the older group. No cases of neonatal mortality were recorded in either group. Conclusions: Advanced maternal age is a risk factor for major medical and obstetrical complications such as preterm birth, gestational diabetes, admission of newborn infants to the neonatal ICU, and uterine bleeding during childbirth

Introducción: actualmente la maternidad se está posponiendo a edades más avanzadas debido a motivos socioculturales, laborales y económicos. Este fenómeno, que se aprecia de forma más acentuada en las últimas dos décadas, hace que el prototipo de gestante actual haya variado. El embarazo en los extremos de la vida reproductiva es considerado como factor de riesgo por el aumento de la patología perinatal que se presenta, pero en la bibliografía hay resultados contradictorios sobre los eventos adversos maternos y perinatales en las gestantes de edad avanzada. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es comparar si este grupo de gestantes presenta mayor tasa de resultados adversos obstétricos y perinatales que la población gestante de menor edad. Material y métodos: hemos llevado a cabo un estudio de cohortes retrospectivo. La población de estudio la forman las pacientes del Área II de Salud de la Región de Murcia, que acudieron para control de gestación y parto en el año 2016 en el Hospital Universitario Santa Lucía. Hemos realizado dos grupos: grupo de casos con gestantes de 40 a 45 años, y grupo control con gestantes de 30 a 35 años, que cumplían criterios de inclusión y no de exclusión. Hemos recogido los datos de las variables predictoras de la historia clínica y los datos de las variables resultado también de la historia clínica y del partograma. El análisis estadístico se realizó mediante SPSS. Resultados: se obtuvo una muestra de 468 pacientes, 234 por cada grupo. La edad media de los casos fue 41,59 ± 1,37 y la del grupo control 32,81 ± 1,33. El riesgo de presentar efectos adversos del grupo de gestantes de edad materna avanzada con respecto al control fue de: hemorragias uterinas (OR: 13,70), diabetes gestacional (OR: 2,56), prematuridad (OR: 2,22), ingreso en UCI neonatal (OR: 2,02). Se observó que el riesgo de cesárea y de retraso de crecimiento intrauterino fue mayor en el grupo de las gestantes de edad avanzada, pero esta asociación no resultó estadísticamente significativa. Tuvimos un caso de mortalidad materna en el grupo de edad materna avanzada y ningún caso de mortalidad neonatal en los grupos de estudio. Conclusiones: la edad materna avanzada representa un factor de riesgo para algunas complicaciones médicas y obstétricas importantes como son la prematuridad, la diabetes gestacional, la necesidad de ingreso del recién nacido en UCI neonatal, así como para la aparición de hemorragias uterinas durante el parto

La importancia del sexo fetal en la ecografía morfológica: genitales ambiguos y disgenesia gonadal mixta / The importance of fetal sex in morphological ultrasound: ambiguous genitalia and mixed gonadal dysgenesis

La identificación del sexo fetal forma parte de la ecografía de segundo trimestre. En ocasiones se presentan anomalías genitales que no permiten definirlo adecuadamente, lo que se conoce como genitales ambiguos. La importancia de los mismos se debe a su asociación con desórdenes del desarrollo sexual, patologías más complejas y graves. En la mayoría de casos el diagnóstico y el manejo es postnatal, estando bien establecido. El diagnóstico prenatal, en cambio, es poco frecuente, limitado y menos conocido. Presentamos el caso de una gestante de 20 años con el hallazgo de genitales ambiguos en semana 29 y posteriormente se diagnosticó de disgenesia gonadal mixta (AU)

Fetal sex identification is a well-established part of the second trimester ultrasound. Sometimes there are genital abnormalities that prevent proper identification, called ambiguous genitalia. Its importance is based on its association with development sex disorders, a far more severe and complex diseases. In most of the cases, diagnosis and management are postnatal and well systematized. Prenatal diagnosis, however, is less frequent and more limited. We present the case of a 20 year old pregnant with a finding of ambiguous genitalia at 29 week and a diagnosis of mixed gonadal dysgenesis (AU)

Obstrucción de vías urinarias bajas (LUTO): expectativas del tratamiento intraútero / Obstruction of low urinary tract (LUTO): expectations of intrauterine treatment

La obstrucción de vías urinarias bajas es una patología fetal infrecuente causada por una persistencia de valvas uretrales o una estenosis/atresia uretral. La ausencia de drenaje va a producir graves daños en el sistema renal y respiratorio, provocando una alta morbimortalidad. Los hallazgos ecográficos característicos son la megavejiga, el signo de la cerradura y la hidronefrosis. Los casos seleccionados son subsidiarios de terapia fetal intraútero, mediante la inserción de un shunt vesicoamniótico o la realización de una cistoscopia-láser, pero los resultados son aún controvertidos. Presentamos una paciente de 29 años con un caso de obstrucción de vías urinarias bajas (AU)

Low urinary tract obstruction is an uncommon fetal disease caused by posterior urethral valves or urethral stenosis/ atresia. Failure of drainage produces severe injury at urinary and respiratory sistem, with a high morbimortality. Sonographic findings are megacystis, keyhole sign and hydronephrosis. It is possible in selected cases the realization of in-uterotherapy, using a vesicoamniotics hunt (VAS) or a fetal cystoscopy. Outcomes and the usefulness of this techniques are still in debate. We present a patient of 29 years with a low urinary tract obstruction case (AU)

Corioangioma gigante placentario / Placental giant chorioangioma

El corioangioma es la tumoración benigna placentaria no trofoblástica más frecuente, aunque su incidencia es menor del 1%. En algunos casos raros superan los 4 cm, denominándose corioangiomas gigantes, y se relacionan con malos resultados perinatales debido al compromiso de flujo fetoplacentario. El diagnóstico de sospecha se realiza mediante ecografía-Doppler, siendo de utilidad la resonancia magnética nuclear. El diagnóstico definitivo es anatomopatológico. Es necesaria una vigilancia estrecha del bienestar fetal y puede precisar técnicas invasivas como la cordocentesis o la fetoscopia. Presentamos el caso de un corioangioma placentario gigante de 11 cm que fue diagnosticado a las 21 semanas de gestación (AU)

Chorioangioma is the most common non-trophoblastic placental benign tumour, although its incidence is less than 1%. Some rare tumours are larger than 4 cm, called giant choriangiomas, and are related to adverse perinatal outcomes because of the arrest of placental blood flow. Initial diagnosis is conducted with ultrasound Doppler, and magnetic resonance imaging can sometimes be useful. The definitive diagnosis is histological. Early suspicion allows more effective vigilance of foetal wellbeing and the possibility of diagnostic-therapeutic tools such as cordocentesis or foetoscopy. We present a case of a giant placental chorioangioma of 11 cm, diagnosed at 21 weeks of pregnancy (AU)

Necesidad de reanimación en prematuros menores de 32 semanas expuestos a sulfato de magnesio para neuroprotección fetal / Need for resuscitation in preterm neonates less than 32 weeks treated with antenatal magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection

Introducción: El empleo de sulfato de magnesio para neuroprotección fetal es un tratamiento cada vez más frecuente. Objetivo: Estudiar la asociación entre sulfato de magnesio administrado a la gestante y la necesidad de reanimación neonatal. Pacientes y método: Estudio prospectivo de un grupo de prematuros menores de 32 semanas expuestos al sulfato de magnesio como neuroprotector y otro grupo retrospectivo inmediatamente anterior al inicio de este tratamiento. En ambos grupos se descartaron los casos que no habían recibido maduración pulmonar con corticoides. Se analizaron y compararon el porcentaje de reanimación y diferentes comorbilidades. Resultados: Se incluyó a 107 prematuros, 56 expuestos al sulfato de magnesio. El porcentaje de reanimación avanzada fue similar en ambos grupos. No se encontraron diferencias en mortalidad, ventilación mecánica invasiva, tiempo de la primera deposición y otras comorbilidades. Conclusiones: El sulfato de magnesio para neuroprotección no aumenta de forma significativa la necesidad de reanimación de los prematuros menores de 32 semanas.

Introduction: Magnesium sulphate administration is recommended for foetal neuroprotection in pregnant women at imminent risk of early preterm birth. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between intrapartum magnesium sulphate for foetal neuroprotection and delivery room resuscitation of preterm infants less 32 weeks. Patients and method: A prospective observational study was conducted on preterm infants less 32 weeks exposed to magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection, and a comparison made with another historic group immediately before starting this treatment. Cases in both groups that had not reached lung maturity with corticosteroids were rejected. The rates of resuscitation, morbidity and mortality for each of the groups were analysed and compared. Results: There was a total of 107 preterm, with 56 exposed to magnesium sulphate. Rate of advanced resuscitation were similar between the two groups. There were no other differences in mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, time to first stool, and other comorbidities. Conclusions: Intrapartum magnesium sulphate for foetal neuroprotection was not associated with an increased need for intensive delivery room resuscitation and other morbidities in these cohorts of less than 32 weeks preterm infants.

Asociación de nivel bajo de PAPP-A en primer trimestre con resultados obstétricos adversos / Association of low PAPP-A level in the first trimester with adverse obstetric outcomes

ANTECEDENTES: La PAPP-A es una proteína utilizada en obstetricia de forma rutinaria para el cribado de aneuploidías de primer trimestre. En los últimos años se está conociendo más acerca de su papel en la función placentaria. Diversos estudios están mostrando una asociación entre un nivel bajo de PAPP-A y distintos eventos obstétricos. OBJETIVO: Establecer una asociación entre PAPP-A baja y eventos obstétricos adversos. MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte. Se han recogido las gestaciones únicas con PAPP-A inferior a percentil 5 en primer trimestre durante 2 años. Se ha recogido de la misma cohorte un grupo control, en proporción 2:1. Se compara mediante análisis estadístico la incidencia de eventos obstétricos adversos de cada grupo. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó un total de 285 pacientes en el grupo de casos y 570 pacientes en el grupo control. Se observó un aumento significativo en el grupo de casos de la incidencia de prematuridad, restricción del crecimiento, hipertensión gestacional y diabetes gestacional. Se ha correlacionado la PAPP-A baja con varios eventos obstétricos adversos, incluyendo prematuridad (OR 4,27), diabetes gestacional (OR 2,40), restricción del crecimiento (OR 2,36) e hipertensión gestacional (OR 2,22). No se observó relación con el resto de eventos obstétricos adversos. CONCLUSIÓN: Un nivel de PAPP-A bajo se asocia con aumentos significativos de prematuridad, diabetes gestacional, restricción del crecimiento e hipertensión gestacional.

BACKGROUND: PAPP-A is a placental protein used in obstetrics as a first trimester marker in aneuploidy screening. In the last few years we are knowing more about its placental function. Some studies are showing a association between low PAPP-A and obstetrical adverse events. AIM: Establish an association between low PAPP-A an obstetrical adverse events. METHOD: This is a retrospective nested case-control study. We identified each singleton pregnancy with a normal phenotype and a low PAPP-A (under percentile 5) in the last 2 years, and match it with a control group of the same population in a 2:1 proportion. It was compared the incidence of each obstetrical adverse outcomes with statistical analysis. RESULTS: We found 285 patients in the case group and match it with 570 patients from control group. It was observed a significative increase in the incidence of prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes. A low PAPP-A level was correlated with some obstetrical adverse events, like prematurity (OR 4.27), gestational diabetes (OR 2.40), intrauterine growth restriction (OR 2.36) and gestational hypertension (OR 2.22). We observe no correlation with the rest of outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A low PAPP-A level is related with significative increases of prematurity, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction and gestational hypertension.

Intervalos de referencia de ácido úrico en suero durante la gestación / Reference intervals for serum uric acid during pregnancy

Introducción. La interpretación de las magnitudes bioquímicas durante la gestación requiere de intervalos de referencia específicos para dicha etapa, dados los cambios fisiológicos que se producen durante el embarazo. El objetivo de este estudio fue obtener el intervalo de referencia de la concentración sérica de ácido úrico, biomarcador asociado a un incremento del riesgo de desarrollo de preeclampsia en gestantes residentes en el Área 2 de Salud de la Región de Murcia (España). Material y métodos. Estudio prospectivo, longitudinal y consecutivo en el que la población de referencia estuvo finalmente formada por 270 gestantes sanas en las que se midió la uricemia durante los tres trimestres de gestación. Las recomendaciones del Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute se utilizaron para la obtención de los intervalos de referencia. Resultados. La uricemia aumentó de forma significativa durante la gestación, alcanzando una concentración marcadamente superior durante el tercer trimestre. Se definieron los siguientes intervalos de referencia: primer trimestre: 2,0-4,6 mg/dl, segundo trimestre: 2,0-4,7 mg/dl y tercer trimestre: 2,6-5,7 mg/dl. Conclusión. La interpretación de la uricemia durante la gestación requiere de intervalos de referencia específicos para este estado fisiológico, estratificados por trimestres. Los intervalos obtenidos en nuestro estudio son una herramienta útil en la interpretación de la uricemia durante la gestación para la identificación de aquellas gestantes con un riesgo incrementado de preeclampsia (AU)

Introduction. Interpretation of biochemical variables during pregnancy requires reference intervals specific to that state, due to the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to obtain the reference range of serum uric acid, biomarker associated with an increase in the risk of developing preeclampsia, in pregnant women of the Area 2 of the Region of Murcia (Spain). Material and methods. This is a consecutive longitudinal prospective study in which the reference population finally included 270 healthy pregnant women, in which serum uric acid was measured during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute were used to obtain reference intervals. Results. Serum uric acid levels increased significantly during pregnancy, reaching a concentration notably higher during the third trimester. The following reference intervals were defined: first trimester: 2,0-4,6 mg/dl, second trimester: 2,0-4,7 mg/dl and third trimester: 2,6-5,7 mg/dl. Conclusion. Interpretation of serum uric acid levels during pregnancy requires reference intervals specific to this physiological state, stratified by trimesters. The ranges obtained in our study are a useful tool to identificate those pregnant women with an increased risk of preeclampsia (AU)

[Need for resuscitation in preterm neonates less than 32 weeks treated with antenatal magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection]. / Necesidad de reanimación en prematuros menores de 32 semanas expuestos a sulfato de magnesio para neuroprotección fetal.

INTRODUCTION: Magnesium sulphate administration is recommended for foetal neuroprotection in pregnant women at imminent risk of early preterm birth. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between intrapartum magnesium sulphate for foetal neuroprotection and delivery room resuscitation of preterm infants less 32 weeks. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective observational study was conducted on preterm infants less 32 weeks exposed to magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection, and a comparison made with another historic group immediately before starting this treatment. Cases in both groups that had not reached lung maturity with corticosteroids were rejected. The rates of resuscitation, morbidity and mortality for each of the groups were analysed and compared. RESULTS: There was a total of 107 preterm, with 56 exposed to magnesium sulphate. Rate of advanced resuscitation were similar between the two groups. There were no other differences in mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, time to first stool, and other comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Intrapartum magnesium sulphate for foetal neuroprotection was not associated with an increased need for intensive delivery room resuscitation and other morbidities in these cohorts of less than 32 weeks preterm infants.

Twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence in a triple monochorionic pregnancy with two direct pump fetuses results in significant cyclic Doppler waveform.

We report a case of a twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence complication in monochorionic triplets, in which both normal fetuses were directly connected to the umbilical cord of the acardiac fetus, thus both acting as a pump twin. Doppler ultrasound showed a significant waveform pattern with two superposed systolic waveforms in the same vessel. After birth, placental findings confirmed the existence of two direct pump twins. The Doppler pattern described here may be of help to distinguish the existence of two pump twins in a triplet monochorionic pregnancy with TRAP.

Síndrome de varicela congénita / Congenital varicella syndrome

Se estima que la transmisión vertical del virus de la varicela ocurre entre un 8 y un 25% de los casos. De estos, solo en un 1-2% de las ocasiones se producirá el síndrome de varicela congénita (SVC), sobre todo si la infección ocurre entre las semanas 12-20 de gestación. La detección del DNA del virus en líquido amniótico, junto con la presencia de marcadores ecográficos de afectación fetal, hacen el diagnóstico altamente probable. Presentamos el caso de una tercigesta que en la semana 14.ª de gestación contrajo varicela, ocurriendo afectación fetal (calcificaciones hepáticas y miocárdicas en ecografía) y muerte del neonato al mes de vida. Actualmente, la inmunización pasiva representa la única estrategia activa para prevenir las graves consecuencias del SVC si una gestante no inmune se expone al VVZ antes de la semana 20 de gestación, ya que, tanto el uso de antivirales como profilaxis o como tratamiento como el uso de inmunoglobulina anti VVZ tras un contacto, no han mostrado resultados concluyentes. Por todo esto, consideramos capital la correcta información a los padres y el adecuado control de este tipo de gestaciones (AU)

Vertical transmission of the varicella virus is estimated to occur in 8% to 25% of cases. Among these, congenital varicella syndrome develops in only 1% or 2% of transmissions, especially if the infection occurs between weeks 12 and 20 of pregnancy. The detection of DNA from the virus in the amniotic fluid, combined with the presence of ultrasonographic markers of fetal involvement, leads to a highly likely diagnosis. We present the case of a gravida 3 who contracted varicella at week 14 of gestation, with fetal involvement (hepatic and myocardial calcifications detected on ultrasonography) and newborn death at 1 month of life. Currently, passive immunization is the only active strategy to prevent the serious consequences of congenital varicella syndrome if a non-immune pregnant woman is exposed to the varicella zoster virus before week 20 of pregnancy, since neither the use of antiviral prophylaxis or treatment, nor the use of anti-varicella zoster virus immunoglobulin have been proved to give significant results. Thus, it is of the utmost importance to provide information to parents and adequate management of this type of pregnancy (AU)

Cribado universal del hipotiroidismo en la gestación. Comentarios al Protocolo SEGO 2013 / Universal screening of hypothyroidism in pregnancy. Comments on the protocol of the Spanish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2013

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Evaluación del índice proteína-creatinina en orina aislada para la predicción de proteinuria significativa durante la gestación / Evaluation of spot urine protein-creatinine ratio to predict significant proteinuria during pregnancy

Introducción: El diagnóstico y seguimiento de la preeclampsia requiere de la determinación de proteinuria y la técnica de referencia para esta evaluación es la excreción en orina de 24 h. Sin embargo, su recolección es engorrosa para la gestante e implica un retraso en el diagnóstico, por el tiempo que requiere. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el rendimiento diagnóstico del índice proteína/creatinina (IPC), calculado en un espécimen aislado, para descartar y predecir una proteinuria significativa (≥ 300 mg/24 h) en gestantes ambulatorias con sospecha o diagnóstico previo de preeclampsia. Material y métodos: El IPC fue calculado en 106 especímenes de orina aislada, obtenidas tras la recolección del espécimen de 24 h, de 66 gestantes que acudieron de forma ambulatoria a la Unidad de Medicina Materno Fetal de nuestro hospital por hipertensión gestacional. La correlación entre el IPC y la excreción de proteína durante 24 h fue calculada. El análisis de curvas ROC fue utilizado para evaluar el rendimiento diagnóstico y establecer el punto de corte adecuado para predecir la ausencia o presencia de proteinuria significativa. Resultados: Se detectó una proteinuria significativa en 31 orinas de 22 gestantes. La correlación entre el IPC y la excreción en orina de 24 h fue significativa (rSpearman = 0,658 [p = 0,01]). El área bajo la curva ROC para el índice proteína/creatinina fue de 0,838, superior al de la tira reactiva (0,629 [IC del 95%, 0,551-62-0,707]). Ningún punto de corte fue adecuado para excluir y predecir simultáneamente una proteinuria significativa; sin embargo, el uso de la tira reactiva y del IPC, con dos puntos de corte, 120 mg/g para descartar proteinuria significativa y 240 mg/g para confirmarla, clasificó inicialmente de forma correcta el 44,3% de las orinas e hizo innecesaria la recolección de orina de 24 h en el 51% de los casos. Conclusiones: ElIPC, usado conjuntamente con la determinación de proteína urinaria mediante la tira reactiva, es una herramienta útil en la evaluación inicial de gestantes ambulatorias con hipertensión gestacional o preeclampsia para descartar o predecir una proteinuria significativa, pero no debería ser utilizada como alternativa a la excreción de 24 h en el rango intermedio de IPC, requiriendo la recolección de un espécimen de 24 h para garantizar resultados seguros (AU)

Introduction: Diagnosis and follow-up of preeclampsia requires measurement of proteinuria and the gold standard for this evaluation is the 24-hour collection. However, this collection is cumbersome, time consuming and delays clinical diagnosis. The purpose of this study is assess the diagnostic performance of the spot urine protein/creatinine (P/C) ratio to predict the absence or presence of significant proteinuria (≥ 300 mg per 24 hours) among outpatient pregnant women with suspected or previous diagnosis of preeclampsia. Material and methods: The P/C ratio was calculated in 106 single voided urine samples, obtained after the completion of the 24-hour collection, from 66 outpatient pregnant women admitted to the Maternal Fetal Care Unit at our Hospital to follow-up of hypertension gestational. Correlation between the spot urine P/C ratio with the 24-hour urine protein excretion was calculated. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance and to determinate the best cutoff to predict the absence or presence of significant proteinuria. Results: Significant proteinuria on 24 hour collection urine was identified in 31 urines from 22 pregnant women. There was a significant correlation between the spot urine P/C and 24-hour urine protein excretion (rSpearman = 0,658, p = 0,01). ROC curves analysis revealed an area under the curve for spot P/C ratio of 0,838, greater than urine dipstick (0,629). No single P/C ratio cutoff was appropriate to rule-out or predict significant proteinuria; however, use of dipstick and spot urine P/C ratio, with two cutoffs, 120 mg/g to predict the absence of significant proteinuria and 240 mg/g to confirm it, clasiffied correctly 44,3% of urines and avoided the collection of 24 hours urine in 51% of the cases. Conclusions: Spoturine P / Cratio, in conjunction with dipstick urianalysis, is a useful test in the initial screen for rule-out and predict significant proteinuria in outpatient pregnant women with hypertensive pregnancy or preeclampsia, but it should not be used as an alternative to 24-hour total protein evaluation in midrange P/C ratio, requiring a full 24-hour urine for accurate results (AU)

Valoración de la función tiroidea durante la gestación: intervalos de referencia de tirotropina y tiroxina no unida a proteína durante el primer trimestre / Evaluation of testosterone levels through distinct analytic methods in healthy men

Objetivos Estudiar los rangos de normalidad de testosterona en varones jóvenes sanos y comparar los resultados de los distintos métodos analíticos utilizados. Material y métodos Se incluyeron 20 hombres sanos con una edad media de 24,5 años (desviación estándar (DE): 5,04), un índice de masa corporal (IMC) medio de 23,8% (DE: 3,3). Se determinaron las concentraciones de testosterona total (TT) mediante inmunoquimioluminiscencia (ICLA), de testosterona libre (TL) mediante radioinmunoensayo (RIA), y se calculó la testosterona libre calculada (TLc) y la testosterona biodisponible (TB) mediante la fórmula de Vermeulen. Se midieron las concentraciones séricas de lutropina (LH), folitropina (FSH) y proteína ligadora de hormonas sexuales (SHBG) por método inmunorradiométrico (IRMA).Resultados Las concentraciones medias de TT fueron de 20nmol/l (DE 4,96), las de TL de 0,054nmol/l (DE 0,01), los de TLc de 0,3834nmol/l (DE 0,09) y los de TB de 9,9nmol/l (DE: 2,8 ). No se encontró correlación entre las concentraciones de testosterona medidos por los distintos métodos, excepto entre TL y TLc (r=0,662; p<0,003) y entre TLc y TB (r=0,979; p<0,0001). Existe una asociación inversa entre IMC y las concentraciones de testosterona total (r: −0,52; p<0,017).Conclusiones Es necesario establecer el intervalo de normalidad para la testosterona en hombres jóvenes sanos en función del método analítico utilizado (AU)

Plasma testosterone concentrations are essential for the diagnosis of several causes of hypogonadism, including late-onset hypogonadism. Defining the normal range for testosterone concentrations poses certain difficulties due to the changes that occur with age and the variability of the different analytical methods used. Objectives To study normal ranges of testosterone in healthy young men and to compare the results of distinct analytical methods. Material and methods We recruited 20 healthy men with a mean age of 24.5 years (standard deviation (SD): 5.04) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 23.8% (SD: 3.3). Total testosterone (TT) was measured by immunochemiluminescence (ICLA) and free testosterone (FT) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Calculated free testosterone (FTc) and bioavailable testosterone (BT) were calculated using Vermeulen's formula. Serum lutropin (LH), follitropin (FSH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured by immunoradiometric assays (IRMA).Results The mean concentrations were 20nmol/l (SD: 4.96) for TT, 0.054nmol/L (SD: 0.01) for FT, 0.3834nmol/L (SD: 0.09) for FTc and 9.9nmol/L (SD: 2.8) for BT. There was no correlation between testosterone measured by different methods other than an association between FT and FTc (r=0.662, p<0.003) and between FTc and BT (r=0.979, p<0.0001). An inverse correlation was found between BMI and TT concentrations (r: −0.52, p<0.017).Conclusions The normal range for testosterone in healthy young men should be established in each laboratory based on the analytical method used (AU)

[Evaluation of thyroid function during pregnancy: first-trimester reference intervals for thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine]. / Valoración de la función tiroidea durante la gestación: intervalos de referencia de tirotropina y tiroxina no unida a proteína durante el primer trimestre.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The physiological changes that occur during pregnancy affect the physiology of the thyroid gland. Consequently, interpretation of thyroid function markers during pregnancy requires trimester-specific reference intervals. The aims of our study were to: 1) establish first-trimester reference intervals for biochemical markers of thyroid function [thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (T4)] and 2) to establish the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in pregnant women resident in Cartagena (Murcia, Spain). PATIENTS AND METHOD: A total of 441 women between weeks 11 and 13 of pregnancy were included in this study. A blood sample was extracted from all women to measure TSH, free T4 and antithyroid antibodies. Reference intervals for TSH and free T4 were determined in 400 pregnant women without autoimmune thyroid disease or known thyroid disease. RESULTS: Autoimmune thyroid disease was detected in 23 pregnant women (5.2%) who showed TSH levels higher than those in pregnant women without thyroid autoimmunity. First-trimester reference intervals were as follows: TSH: 0.130-3.710 mUI/L; free T4: 0.89-1.50 ng/dL. These reference intervals differed from the non-pregnant reference intervals used in our laboratory. CONCLUSIONS: The reference intervals established are useful to evaluate thyroid function in women between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. Interpretation of thyroid function requires intervals established in a reference population without autoimmune thyroid disease and with the methodology usually used to analyze these markers.