The utility of fetal heart rate deceleration's descending slope in searching for a non-National Institute of Child Health and Human Development parameter for the detection of fetal acidosis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify new parameters predicting fetal acidemia. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study in a cohort of deliveries from a tertiary referral hospital-based cohort deliveries in Zaragoza, Spain between 2018 and 2021 was performed. To predict fetal acidemia, the NICHD categorizations and non-NICHD parameters were analyzed in the electronic fetal monitoring (EFM). Those included total reperfusion time, total deceleration area and the slope of the descending limb of the fetal heart rate of the last deceleration curve. The accuracy of the parameters was evaluated using the specificity for (80%, 85%, 90%, 95%) sensitivity and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: A total of 10 362 deliveries were reviewed, with 224 cases and 278 controls included in the study. The NICHD categorizations showed reasonable discriminatory ability (AUC = 0.727). The non-NICHD parameters measured during the 30-min fetal monitoring, total deceleration area (AUC = 0.807, 95% CI: 0.770, 0.845) and total reperfusion time (AUC = 0.750, 95% CI: 0.707, 0.792), exhibited higher discriminatory ability. The slope of the descending limb of the fetal heart rate of the last deceleration curve had the best AUC value (0.853, 95% CI: 0.816, 0.889). The combination of total deceleration area or total reperfusion time with the slope demonstrated high discriminatory ability (AUC = 0.908, 95% CI: 0.882, 0.933; specificities of 71.6% and 72.7% for a sensitivity of 90%). CONCLUSIONS: The slope of the descending limb of the fetal heart rate of the last deceleration curve is the strongest predictor of fetal acidosis, but its combination with the total reperfusion time shows better clinical utility.

Bakri Balloon: an easy, useful and effective option for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage.

We report our postpartum haemorrhage protocol focussing on the use of Bakri Balloon, describing its placement and affixing method, effectiveness rates, risk factors that might contribute to Bakri Balloon's failure and complications associated. We designed a retrospective study including 147 cases where a Bakri Balloon was necessary to control the postpartum uterine bleeding to assess the efficacy and to determine which clinical, obstetric or delivery variables could be associated with successful treatment. Failed treatment was defined when surgery or any other technique was needed after a Bakri Balloon placement in order to control uterine bleeding. For statistical analysis, we developed a descriptive analysis and a univariate logistic regression study.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Postpartum haemorrhage is one of the most severe situations in the immediate postpartum period entailing a major cause of maternal morbimortality if an accurate and quick intervention is not carried out.What do the results of this study add? The use of Bakri Balloon was effective in 94.6% of patients. No statistically significant differences were found in the success rates according to obstetric or delivery characteristics. No major complications occurred due to the placement of a Bakri Balloon. In the failure group, blood loss was significantly higher and all required blood products transfusion.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Bakri Balloon is an easy-to-use device that provides an effective therapeutic alternative to more aggressive techniques in postpartum haemorrhages when medical treatment fails. Obstetrics or delivery characteristics should not entail a contraindication in its use. A continuous training system based on an agreed protocol is recommended in order to guarantee the best care possible.

Mitral valve thrombosis in term pregnancy: A case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: With this case report would like to emphasize the complexity that involves the management of pregnant women with mechanical heart valves. In that sense, an adequate interdisciplinary management of this potentially serious pathology is required for maternal and fetal well-being. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old primipara, with a mechanical mitral valve replacement, was admitted to our emergency department at 37+1 weeks of gestation with acute dyspnea and presyncope. The patient was diagnosed with mechanical mitral valve thrombosis and, due to the appearance of hemodynamic instability, the patient underwent an uncomplicated emergency caesarean section and subsequent prosthetic mitral valve replacement. The patient was discharged six days after surgery, without any obstetric complication and with normal valve function. CONCLUSION: This case report shows that, despite strict control and optimal anticoagulation regimen, pregnant women with mechanical heart valves still have a high risk of developing valve thrombosis.

Screening of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection during labor and delivery using polymerase chain reaction and immunoglobulin testing.

AIMS: To assess severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during labor and delivery with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and using immunoglobulin G and M testing to correlate with maternal and perinatal outcomes. MAIN METHODS: Pregnant women admitted for labor and delivery at two Spanish hospitals were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR test and by detection of serum immunoglobulins G and M. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared in women with laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection with those with negative tests. KEY FINDINGS: Between March 31st and September 30th, 2020, 1211 pregnant women were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The prevalence of laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections was 5.4% (n = 65), corresponding to (i) 22 ongoing infections at admission, including two with mild clinical symptoms and 20 asymptomatic women; (ii) 43 cases of previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure; (iii) and 1146 women who were negative for both SARS-CoV-2 PCR and serological test. None of the screened mothers required hospital admission for coronavirus disease before or after delivery, nor were any of the newborns admitted to the intensive care unit. All newborns from mothers with positive PCR on admission were PCR negative. There were no significant differences in maternal or perinatal outcomes among the three studied groups. SIGNIFICANCE: Ongoing or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection with asymptomatic or mild clinical symptoms detected during screening in pregnant women at labor and delivery do not have a higher rate of adverse maternal or perinatal outcomes.

Urgencias ginecológicas y obstétricas en la pandemia por COVID-19, ¿qué fue lo que dejamos de ver? / Gynecological and obstetric emergencies in the COVID-19 pandemic, what did we stop attending?

Resumen OBJETIVO: Determinar si disminuyeron las urgencias ginecológicas y obstétricas atendidas en un hospital de tercer nivel durante el periodo de confinamiento domiciliario ocasionado por la pandemia de SARS CoV-2 y analizar a expensas de qué tipo de urgencias se produjo la disminución. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo y observacional efectuado en el Hospital Maternal del Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet del 15 de marzo al 15 de abril de 2019, 2020 y 2021. Se incluyeron todas las pacientes atendidas y se determinó el número absoluto de urgencias entre los diferentes periodos. Además, se analizaron las características de las pacientes atendidas con una comparación entre los tres periodos con χ2 de Pearson. RESULTADOS: Se atendieron menos de la mitad de las urgencias ginecoobstétricas que en el mismo periodo de los años anteriores y posteriores. La disminución fue, sobre todo, a expensas de pacientes mayores de 40 años, embarazadas y no embarazadas, con niveles de prioridad bajos según la priorización efectuada y que tuvieron como destino el alta a su domicilio. CONCLUSIONES: La situación de pandemia ocasionada por el SARS CoV-2 y las medidas de confinamiento domiciliario provocaron una disminución en la demanda de atención por parte de las pacientes obstétricas y ginecológicas.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there was a decrease in gynecological and obstetric emergencies attended in a tertiary hospital during the period of home confinement caused by the SARS CoV-2 pandemic and to analyze what type of emergencies caused the decrease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective and observational study performed at the Maternal Hospital of the Miguel Servet University Hospital from March 15 to April 15, 2019, 2020 and 2021. All patients attended were included and the absolute number of emergencies between the different periods was determined. In addition, the characteristics of the patients attended were analyzed with a comparison between the three periods with Pearson& s χ2. RESULTS: Fewer than half as many obstetric and gynecological emergencies were attended as in the same period of the previous and subsequent years. The decrease was mainly at the expense of patients older than 40 years, pregnant and non-pregnant, with low priority levels according to the prioritization performed and who had discharge home as their destination. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic situation caused by SARS CoV-2 and home confinement measures led to a decrease in demand for care by obstetric and gynecologic patients.

Hemoptysis as the first symptom in the diagnosis of metastatic choriocarcinoma in the third trimester of pregnancy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Choriocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm (1/40000 pregnancies). In the context of a viable pregnancy, the incidence is even lower (1/160000). CASE REPORT: A woman in her second pregnancy was admitted at 31 + 6 weeks of gestation with hemoptysis and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Numerous placental venous lakes, bilateral pulmonary nodules and a pleural effusion were found. Pleural fluid ß-HCG levels were elevated and a brain-chest-abdominal-pelvic CT scan led to the diagnosis of a high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasm. A caesarean section at 32 + 1 weeks of gestation was performed. Six cycles of an EMA-CO chemotherapy regime were administered. ß-HCG levels normalized after 3 cycles. Placental histopathology confirmed the presence of a gestational choriocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Choriocarcinoma is a highly aggressive tumor. In high-risk tumors, combination chemotherapy is the first-line treatment, offering high remission rates. Treatment response is evaluated by monitoring blood ß-HCG levels, which should be long-term.

Tratamiento con drenaje percutáneo ecoguiado de hematomas vesicouterinos postcesárea complicados. Experiencia en 4 casos / Treatment with ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of complicated post-cesarean vesicouterine hematomas. Experience in 4 cases

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: Los hematomas vesicouterinos sobreinfectados son una rara complicación de la histerotomía segmentaria transversa. La acumulación de sangre entre la pared posterior de la vejiga y el segmento uterino facilita la proliferación de microorganismos patógenos. Cuando el tratamiento antibiótico falla deben plantearse técnicas invasivas para su resolución, entre las que destaca el drenaje percutáneo ecoguiado. CASOS CLÍNICOS: Se exponen 4 casos de mujeres que, después de la cesárea, iniciaron con descenso del hematocrito, fiebre (3 casos) y cuadro pseudooclusivo (1 caso). Con base en la ecografía se estableció el diagnóstico de hematoma vesicouterino sobreinfectado. Después de la falla del tratamiento con antibióticos se propuso el drenaje percutáneo ecoguiado. Se observó mejoría clínica en todos los casos de forma significativa. El cultivo del material drenado orientó al tratamiento antibiótico específico. La evolución de las pacientes fue satisfactoria. CONCLUSIONES: El drenaje percutáneo ecoguiado permite evacuar el contenido hemático, obtener suficiente muestra para el cultivo y aportar información del microorganismo patógeno concreto. Además, es una técnica efectiva, menos invasiva que la cirugía y se asocia con escasas complicaciones.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Infected bladder-flap hematomas are a rare complication after a lower uterine segment caesarean section. This blood collection located in the space between the posterior bladder wall and the lower uterine segment allows microorganism proliferation. When the treatment with antibiotics fails, invasive techniques are considered, such as ultrasound percutaneous drainage. CLINICAL CASE: We present 4 cases of women whom, after the performance of a cesarean section, began with a decrease in hemoglobin levels, spiking fevers in 3 cases and pseudo-occlusive symptoms in the other one. With an ultrasound examination, the diagnosis of infected bladder-flap hematomas were achieved. After the failure of the antibiotics treatment, an ultrasound percutaneous drainage was performed. As a result of the evacuation of the collection, the clinical situation improved significantly. Culture of the sample obtained permitted to establish a more effective antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound percutaneous drainage allows not only the evacuation of the blood collection to obtain a sample for culture, but also provides information about the presence of a specific microorganism. Moreover, it is a highly efficient technique, less invasive than surgery which presents few complications.

Sexual assault in gynecology emergency departments: patient profile and associated factors / Agresiones sexuales en Urgencias de Ginecología: perfil de la paciente y factores relacionados

Objective: To study the characteristics of patients attended for sexual assault in the Emergency Department of Miguel Servet Maternity Hospital. Material and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study of sexual assaults managed between October 2016 and April 2018 at Miguel Servet Maternity Hospital. Results: We attended 52 cases of sexual assault in 50 women. Patients were generally young women with an average age of 28 years (24% were minors), had been assaulted by penetration (57.7%) by a single assailant (80.8%), and had received no observable physical lesions on the genitals (86.5%) or other parts of the body (65.4%). Fifty percent of the assaults took place during the weekend, and 63.5% of the patients came to the emergency department within 24 hours of the incident. In 75% of cases, the women reported the assault to the police. In 48% of cases, the patient did not undergo serology testing after visiting the emergency department; of those who did, 81% did not undergo repeat testing 3 months later. Conclusions: We observed a lack of agreement between the overall rate of sexual assault and the number of patients who came to the Emergency Department for this reason. Patients were mostly young, with no secondary physical lesions, and had been assaulted by penetration by a single assailant. Patients' adherence to medical indications was poor. Appropriate coordination between health workers, the police, and forensic experts is essential for appropriate management of sexual assaults are

Objetivo: estudiar las características de las pacientes atendidas en el Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital Maternal Miguel Servet por agresión sexual. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo de las agresiones sexuales entre octubre de 2016 hasta abril de 2018 en el Hospital Maternal Miguel Servet. Resultados: se atendieron 52 urgencias de 50 pacientes diferentes. El perfil de la paciente fue: mujer joven, con una edad media de 28 años (el 24% fueron menores de edad), mediante penetración (57,7%), por un agresor único (80,8%) y sin lesiones físicas objetivables en genitales (86,5%) ni otras partes del cuerpo (65,4%). El 50% de agresiones se produjeron durante el fin de semana y el 63,5% acudió al Servicio de Urgencias en las primeras 24 horas tras la agresión. El 75% denunció los hechos a la policía. El 48% de las pacientes no se realizó serologías tras la visita al Servicio de Urgencias, y de las que lo hicieron, el 81% no repitió la determinación a los 3 meses. Conclusiones: existe una discordancia entre la tasa de agresión sexual global y el número de mujeres que acudió a Urgencias por este motivo. Las pacientes fueron en su mayoría jóvenes, sin lesiones físicas secundarias y agredidas mediante penetración por un agresor único. Fue observada una baja adherencia a las indicaciones médicas por parte de las pacientes. Una adecuada coordinación entre profesionales sanitarios, policía y especialistas en Medicina Legal y Forense es fundamental para un correcto manejo de la situación

Maternal morbidity after implementation of a postpartum hemorrhage protocol including use of misoprostol.

OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal morbidity before and after implementation of a postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) protocol that included misoprostol. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using data from 34 631 deliveries recorded at a Spanish hospital between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2014. The PPH protocol was implemented in 2009 and included use of misoprostol and the Bakri balloon. RESULTS: The pre-implementation and post-implementation groups comprised 9394 and 25 237 women, respectively. Women in the pre-implementation group tended to have lower hemoglobin levels than did those in the post-implementation group: 811 (8.6%) versus 1349 (5.3%) for levels less than 90 g/L, and 272 (2.9%) versus 497 (2.0%) for levels less than 80 g/L (both P<0.001). Implementation of the PPH protocol was also associated with a decrease in the frequency of postpartum hysterectomies owing to uterine atony (0.11 cases per 1000 deliveries vs 0.53 cases per 1000 deliveries for the pre-implementation group; P=0.063). Pregnancy length, maternal age, neonatal weight at delivery, multiple pregnancy, previous cesarean delivery, parity, operative vaginal delivery, induced labor, cesarean delivery, and not using the PPH protocol were found to predict postpartum anemia in the multivariate analysis (all P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Implementation of the PPH protocol decreased rates of postpartum anemia and postpartum hysterectomy owing to uterine atony.

Diagnostic accuracy of fetal scalp lactate for intrapartum acidosis compared with scalp pH.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of fetal scalp lactate sampling (FSLS) and to establish an optimal cut-off value for intrapartum acidosis compared with fetal scalp pH. METHODS: A 20-month retrospective cohort study was conducted of all neonates delivered in our institution for whom fetal scalp blood sampling (FSBS) was performed, matching their intrapartum gasometry to their cord gasometry at delivery (n=243). The time taken from the performance of scalp blood sampling to arterial umbilical cord gas acquisition was 45 min at most. Five arterial cord gasometry patterns were set for assessing the predictive ability of both techniques. Subsequent obstetric management for a pathological value was analysed considering the use of both techniques. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off value for FSLS was 4.8 mmol/L: this value has 100% sensitivity and 63% specificity for umbilical arterial cord gas pH≤7.0 and base deficit (BD)≥12 detection, and 100% sensitivity and 64% specificity for umbilical arterial cord gas pH≤7.10 and BD≥12 detection, with a false negative rate of <1.3%, improving fetal scalp pH performance. FSLS showed the best area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 and 0.84 for both arterial cord gasometry patterns, respectively. Expedite birth following lactate criteria would have been the same as following pH criteria (92 obstetric interventions) with no cases of missed metabolic acidosis. In the cohort, 19.8% of cases were discordant, but no cases of metabolic acidosis were in this group. CONCLUSIONS: FSLS improves the detection of metabolic acidosis via fetal scalp pH with an optimal cut-off value of 4.8 mmol/L. FSLS can be used without increasing obstetrical interventions or missing metabolic acidosis.

Embarazo ectópico abdominal. Diagnóstico y tratamiento médico con metotrexato / Abdominal pregnancy. Diagnosis and medical treatment with methotrexate

El embarazo ectópico abdominal es uno de los tipos menos frecuentes de embarazos extrauterinos. Está asociado a una alta morbimorbilidad materna y fetal. El diagnóstico de esta entidad es difícil y suele realizarse de forma tardía. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con una gestación ectópica abdominal, diagnosticada mediante ecografía transvaginal, en el primer trimestre de gestación. Se realizó un tratamiento médico con metotrexato hasta la resolución del cuadro. Realizamos una revisión de la literatura científica de los factores de riesgo de embarazo ectópico abdominal, métodos diagnósticos y opciones terapéuticas (AU)

Abdominal pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy and is associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of this entity is difficult and is generally delayed. We report the case of a patient with an abdominal pregnancy diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy. The patient was treated with methotrexate until complete resolution. We provide a review of the literature on the risk factors, diagnostic tests and therapeutic options for abdominal pregnancy (AU)

Complicaciones perinatales de la hiperdatia gestacional / Perinatal complications of post-term pregnancy

Objetivo. El propósito de este estudio es evaluar la morbilidad y mortalidad perinatales asociadas a las gestaciones que finalizan en la semana 41. Sujetos y métodos. Se ha diseñado un estudio de cohortes históricas. Los resultados perinatales de 230 gestaciones de 41 semanas se compararon con 234 gestaciones que finalizaron entre las 37 y las 40 semanas de gestación en el Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet en 2005. Resultados. Las tasas de oligoamnios, líquido amniótico teñido, macrosomía, puntuación en el test de Apgar a los 5minutos < 7 y valores bajos de pH arterial umbilical aumentan a las 41 semanas de gestación respecto a los embarazos entre las 37 y 40 semanas de gestación (significación estadística p<0,05). Conclusiones. Se ha encontrado que la tasa de complicaciones perinatales se incrementa cuando se alcanza la semana 41 de gestación. La apropiada investigación de este hecho es importante en la determinación de la edad gestacional a la cual el riesgo de continuar el embarazo supera el riesgo de una inducción de parto(AU)

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with pregnancies ending at 41 weeks. Subjects and methods. We designed a retrospective cohort study. The perinatal outcomes of 230 pregnancies ending at 41 weeks’ gestation were compared with those of 234 pregnancies ending at between 37 and 40 weeks’ gestation at the Miguel Servet University Hospital in 2005. Results. The rates of oligohydramnios, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, macrosomia, 5-minute Apgar score < 7 and low umbilical artery pH were all increased at 41 weeks’ gestation compared with pregnancies ending at between 37 and 40 weeks’ gestation (P<.05). Conclusions. We found that the rates of perinatal complications increased as pregnancy was prolonged to 41 weeks. Accurate investigation of these rates is important to determine the gestational age at which the risk of continuing the pregnancy outweighs the risk of labor induction(AU)

Aplasia cutis congénita de calota / Aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp

La aplasia cutis congénita es una alteraciónpresente al nacimiento, caracterizada por undefecto focal de piel y en ocasiones de estructurassubyacentes, de localización variable pero másfrecuente en el cuero cabelludo. La etiología esdesconocida y presenta cierto predominio por elsexo femenino. Se presenta como un defecto únicoo múltiple, de forma aislada o formando parte desíndromes más complejos de carácter familiar y, enmenor medida, de carácter espontáneo. Elpronóstico y el tratamiento dependen de laextensión y profundidad de las lesiones

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a skin defectpresent at birth affecting a focal area andsometimes underlying structures. Localization variesbut the most frequently affected area is the scalp.The etiology is unknown and females are morecommonly affected than males. This entity canmanifest as a solitary defect or as multiple lesions.ACC can occur as an isolated defect, but can alsobe associated with other, more complex familialsyndromes; sporadic cases are less frequent.Prognosis and treatment depend on the size anddepth of the lesions