Comparison of maternal, fetal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes for 234 triplet pregnancies conceived in vivo versus IVF and ICSI conceptions.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is there a difference in maternal, fetal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes for triplet pregnancies when comparing in vivo conceptions with those conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART)? DESIGN: This single-centre, retrospective cohort study included all triplet pregnancies followed up at La Paz University Hospital, Madrid between 2000 and 2022. The characteristics of the pregnant women, and maternal, fetal, obstetric and perinatal outcomes were examined. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: In total, 234 triplet pregnancies were analysed: 92 in the natural and assisted insemination conception group (in-vivo conception) and 142 in the in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection conception group (ART conception). ART triplet pregnancies were more common between 2000 and 2010 (P = 0.003). The percentage of monochorionic triamniotic pregnancies was significantly higher (P = 0.02) in the in-vivo conception group, and the percentage of dichorionic triamniotic pregnancies was significantly higher (P = 0.003) in the ART conception group. After adjusting for confounders, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) remained significantly more common in the ART conception group (adjusted odds ratio 8.65, 95% CI 1.66-45.03; P = 0.01). Differences in maternal age (P = 0.61), threatened preterm labour (P = 0.10), Apgar score ≤5 at 5 min (P = 0.99), umbilical cord pH <7.20 (P = 0.99) and fetal death (P = 0.99) disappeared after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSION: ART triplet pregnancies had a higher rate of IUGR than in vivo triplet pregnancies. This could be related to higher maternal age, and higher rates of Apgar score ≤5 at 5 min and umbilical cord pH <7.20 in these pregnancies. In these cases, placental examination could provide valuable information.

Immunofluorescence study of the placenta in a case of pemphigoid gestationis: Pathophysiological bases / Estudio de inmunofluorescencia de la placenta a propósito de un caso de penfigoide gestacional: bases fisiopatológicas

Introducción: El herpes gestationis (HG) es una de las principales dermatosis del embarazo que debe ser reconocida y tratada oportunamente ya que se relaciona con un empeoramiento del pronóstico fetal. Aunque se ha investigado la afectación cutánea, hay escasez de estudios morfológicos y funcionales de la placenta en esta patología. Principales síntomas o hallazgos clínicos: Erupción vesicular eritematosa a las 32+1 semanas de gestación. Diagnósticos principales: HG. Intervenciones terapéuticas y resultados: Inmunogammaglobulina en casos graves refractarios a los corticoides por vía oral con desaparición completa de las lesiones. Conclusión: Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer caso que reporta un análisis detallado de los depósitos de IgG y C3 en la membrana basal de las vellosidades de la placenta mediante un estudio de inmunofluorescencia. Estos hallazgos podrían relacionarse con el ligero mal funcionamiento de la placenta que puede explicar los efectos neonatales adversos.(AU)

Introduction: Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is one of the main dermatoses of pregnancy that must be recognized and treated promptly, since it is related to worsening of foetal prognosis. Although skin involvement has been investigated, there is a lack of morphological and functional studies of the placenta in this pathology. Main symptoms and/or clinical findings: Erythematous vesicular rash at 32+1 weeks of gestation. Main diagnoses: PG. Therapeutic interventions and results: Immunogammaglobulin in severe cases refractory to oral corticosteroids with complete disappearance of the lesions. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case to report a detailed analysis of IgG and C3 deposits in the basement membrane of the placental villi by means of an immunofluorescence study. These findings could be related to a slight malfunction of the placenta that may explain the adverse neonatal effects.(AU)

Diagnosis of amyopathic dermatomyositis after two intrauterine fetal deaths.

Chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHIV) is an uncommon condition, characterized by an infiltrate of mononuclear cells of maternal origin in the intervillous space that has been related to placenta insufficiency and poor perinatal outcomes. The aetiology is unclear, although maternal immunological aggression toward fetal tissues has been proposed. Dermatomyositis (DM) is a multisystem autoimmune inflammatory myopathy. Different autoantibodies have been associated with particular clinical phenotypes; presence of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gen 5 (MDA5) antibody has been associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease and severe skin lesions, none of which the woman had. Described here is a case of a woman diagnosed with amyopathic DM with positive anti-MDA5 antibodies after two intrauterine fetal deaths. Pathological examination of the placenta in both pregnancies showed CHIV. The presence of a potential relationship between both processes is discussed.