Low Levels of Complement Factor H in the First Trimester of Pregnancy Are Associated with Spontaneous Preterm Birth.

Preterm birth (PTB) remains a significant public health concern, and prediction is an important objective, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy. Many studies have relied on cervical characteristics in the mid-trimester, with limited results. It is therefore crucial to identify novel biomarkers to enhance the ability to identify women at risk. The complement pathway is implicated in the process of placentation, and recent proteomics studies have highlighted the potential roles of some complement proteins in the pathophysiology of PTB. To determine the association between the occurrence of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) and the concentration of complement C3, factor B, and factor H in the blood of pregnant women during the first trimester. This prospective cohort study included women with singleton pregnancies, both with and without a history of sPTB, from two health institutions in Bucaramanga, Colombia. The outcome was sPTB before 37 weeks. A blood sample was obtained between 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks. ELISA immunoassay was performed to quantify the levels of C3, factor B, and factor H. A total of 355 patients were analyzed, with a rate of sPTB of 7.6% (27/355). The median plasma concentration for C3, factor B, and factor H were 488.3 µg/mL, 352.6 µg/mL, and 413.2 µg/mL, respectively. The median concentration of factor H was found to be significantly lower in patients who delivered preterm compared to patients who delivered at term (382 µg/mL vs. 415 µg/mL; p = 0.034). This study identified a significant association between low first-trimester levels of factor H and sPTB before 37 weeks. These results provide relevant information about a new possible early biomarker for sPTB. However, the results must be confirmed in different settings, and the predictive value must be examined.

Fetal central nervous system anomalies according to RT-PCR and trimester of maternal infection with Zika virus: A prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: In October 2015, an epidemic of Zika began in Colombia's geographic areas with a high population of mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. We aimed to describe the fetal brain ultrasound findings in pregnant women with active symptoms or a history of symptoms suggestive of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eligible pregnant women were tested with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for ZIKV and followed prospectively using detailed anatomic ultrasound and transvaginal neurosonography to detect structural anomalies of the fetal central nervous system (CNS). RESULTS: A total of 115 symptomatic women with a positive ZIKV RT-PCR and 55 with a negative ZIKV RT-PCR were enrolled in the study; CNS compromise of the fetus occurred in 22% and 17%, respectively (p = 0.255). Callosal dysgenesis (14.5%) was the most frequent anomaly of the CNS, followed by microcephaly (13.6%) and neuronal migration disorders (8.3%). When symptomatic ZIKV RT-PCR-positive women were categorized by trimester of infection, CNS anomalies were present in 40% of first-trimester infections, compared with 21% and 7% in second- and third-trimester infections (p = 0.002). CNS anomalies were also more severe in first-trimester-infected fetuses than in second- and third-trimester-infected fetuses. The high prevalence of CNS anomalies in fetuses of symptomatic ZIKV RT-PCR negative women suggests a high rate of false-negative cases and an even higher prevalence of CNS anomalies than observed in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of fetal CNS anomalies was higher than previously reported in the literature for both symptomatic RT-PCR-positive and -negative pregnant women. Corpus callosum anomalies, microcephaly, neuronal migration disorders, and brain parenchymal hyperechogenicities were the most frequent CNS anomalies detected. In addition, CNS anomalies were more frequent and severe in infected fetuses during the first trimester of pregnancy than during the second or third trimester.

Cohort profile: Colombian Cohort for the Early Prediction of Preterm Birth (COLPRET): early prediction of preterm birth based on personal medical history, clinical characteristics, vaginal microbiome, biophysical characteristics of the cervix and maternal serum biochemical markers.

PURPOSE: Preterm birth (PTB) is a public health issue. Interventions to prolong the length of gestation have not achieved the expected results, as the selection of population at risk of PTB is still a challenge. Cervical length (CL) is the most accepted biomarker, however in the best scenario the CL identifies half of the patients. It is unlikely that a single measure identifies all pregnant women who will deliver before 37 weeks of gestation, considering the multiple pathways theory. We planned this cohort to study the link between the vaginal microbiome, the proteome, metabolome candidates, characteristics of the cervix and the PTB. PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant women in the first trimester of a singleton pregnancy are invited to participate in the study. We are collecting biological samples, including vaginal fluid and blood from every patient, also performing ultrasound measurement that includes Consistency Cervical Index (CCI) and CL. The main outcome is the delivery of a neonate before 37 weeks of gestation. FINDINGS TO DATE: We have recruited 244 pregnant women. They all have measurements of the CL and CCI. A vaginal sample for microbiome analysis has been collected in the 244 patients. Most of them agreed to blood collection, 216 (89%). By August 2021, 100 participants had already delivered. Eleven participants (11 %) had a spontaneous PTB. FUTURE PLANS: A reference value chart for the first trimester CCI will be created. We will gather information regarding the feasibility, reproducibility and limitations of CCI. Proteomic and metabolomic analyses will be done to identify the best candidates, and we will validate their use as predictors. Finally, we plan to integrate clinical data, ultrasound measurements and biological profiles into an algorithm to obtain a multidimensional biomarker to identify the individual risk for PTB.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of infants without central nervous system anomalies born to symptomatic RT-PCR ZIKV positive women.

An epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection began in Colombia in October 2015. Previous studies have identified a cause-effect relationship between fetal exposure to the ZIKV and the development of microcephaly and other central nervous system (CNS) anomalies with variable degrees of neurodevelopmental delay. Less is known about the neurodevelopmental outcome of infants without CNS anomalies born to symptomatic ZIKV RT-PCR-positive women. We aimed to compare the neurodevelopmental outcome of these infants to a control group of infants without CNS anomalies born to asymptomatic ZIKV RT-PCR negative women who did not seroconvert during pregnancy. Participating infants were categorized according to ZIKV maternal exposure. Women with symptomatology suggestive of ZIKV infection and a positive RT-PCR for ZIKV were categorized as ZIKV-exposed. Maternal controls (ZIKV unexposed) from the same geographic area were subsequently captured during the tail end of the epidemic through a partner project, the ZIKAlliance, whose aim was to determine the prevalence of ZIKV in pregnant women. Infant survivors from these two groups of pregnant women had a neurodevelopmental evaluation at 12, 18, and 24 months corrected age (CA). The ZIKV-exposed women were found to be older, had less subsidized health care, had a higher percentage of women in middle-class socioeconomic strata, had higher technical and university education, were less likely to be living with a partner, and had higher rates of pregnancy comorbidity and premature births than ZIKV unexposed women. Compared to infants born to ZIKV unexposed women (unexposed), infants born to ZIKV exposed women (exposed) were of lower gestational age and required more speech and occupational therapy services. No differences between groups were observed in the proportion of cut-off scores <70 on the Bayley-III Scale at 12, 18, and 24 months for motor, language, and cognitive domains. When a cut-off of <85 was used, a higher percentage of motor and cognitive impairment was observed in unexposed infants at 12 and 24 months CA, respectively. Median and IQR score on the Bayley-III scale showed higher scores in favor of exposed infants for motor development at 12 and 18 months CA, language at 12 months, and cognitive domain at 12, 18, and 24 months. The adjusted median and IQR compound score of the difference between exposed and unexposed was higher in favor of exposed infants at 12 to 24 months CA for motor (3.8 [95% CI 1.0 to 6.7]) and cognitive domains (10.6 [95% CI 7.3 to 13.9]). We observed no differences in the language domain (1.9 [95% CI -1.2 to 5.0]). We conclude that infants with no evidence of microcephaly or other CNS anomalies born to ZIKV-exposed women had normal neurodevelopment up to 24 months of CA, supporting an all-or-nothing effect with maternal ZIKV exposure. Long-term follow-up to evaluate school performance is required. Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02943304.

Desenlaces materno-fetales de los embarazos con trastornos hipertensivos: un estudio transversal / Maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancies with hypertensive disorders: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVO: Los trastornos hipertensivos asociados al embarazo son considerados un problema de salud pública. Se busca describir las características clínicas y desenlaces materno-fetales de las pacientes con esta patología, atendidas en el Hospital Universitario de Santander (HUS) durante el primer semestre de 2017. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de corte transversal. Se incluyeron las pacientes en estado de embarazo o puerperio con diagnóstico o sospecha de trastorno hipertensivo; se excluyeron aquellas que no pudieron ser clasificadas o no correspondían a éstos. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 181 historias clínicas; la edad de las pacientes osciló entre 14 y 44 años; el 43,7% eran primigestantes; el 40,3% tuvo un control prenatal inadecuado y el 27,5% tenía antecedente de trastorno hipertensivo en gestaciones previas. El 75,1% de las pacientes fueron clasificadas como preeclampsia, 18,2% con hipertensión gestacional, 4,4% con hipertensión más preeclampsia sobreagregada y 2,2% con hipertensión crónica. El 16,9% de las pacientes con preeclampsia debutaron antes de la semana 34, de las cuales el 91,3% tenían criterios de severidad; mientras que entre las demás, el 84% presentaron criterios de severidad. CONCLUSIONES: La preeclampsia fue el trastorno hipertensivo más frecuente, predominó la presentación tardía y severa con importantes tasas de complicación maternas y fetales. Mediante la implementación de estrategias de detección temprana y adecuada atención de los trastornos hipertensivos asociados al embarazo podrían mejorarse los desenlaces materno-fetales.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are considered a public health issue. The aim is to describe the clinical features, maternal - fetal outcomes of patients with this disease, who were admitted at the University Hospital of Santander (Bucaramanga, Colombia) during the first half of 2017. METHOD: Cross-sectional retrospective observational study. Patients in pregnancy or puerperium with diagnosis of hypertensive disorder were included; those who could not be classified or did not correspond were excluded. RESULTS: 181 clinical charts were analyzed, the age of the patients ranged between 14 and 44 years, 43.7% were nulliparous, 40.3% had an inadequate prenatal control and 27.5% had history of hypertensive disorder in previous pregnancies. 75.1% were classified as preeclampsia, 18.2% as gestational hypertension, 4.4% as hypertension and superimposed preeclampsia and 2.2% with chronic hypertension; 16.9% of the patients were of an early-onset preeclampsia before week 34, of which 91.3% had criteria of severity; among the others, 84% presented criteria of severity. CONCLUSION: Preeclampsia was the most frequent hypertensive disorder, late and severe presentation prevailed with important maternal and fetal complication rates. Through the implementation of early detection strategies and adequate care of hypertensive disorders associated with pregnancy maternal and fetal outcomes could be improved.

Desenlaces materno-fetales de los embarazos atendidos en el Hospital Universitario de Santander, Bucaramanga (Colombia), 2007-2011. Estudio de cohorte / Maternal and foetal outcomes in twin pregnancies seen at Hospital Universitario de Santander, Bucaramanga (Colombia), 2007-2011. A cohort study

Los embarazos gemelares implican mayor riesgo de complicaciones materno-fetales que los embarazos únicos, particularmente en los monocoriales. El objetivo del trabajo fue describir las características clínicas y los desenlaces materno-fetales, por tipo de placenta (monocorial o bicorial), de los embarazos gemelares atendidos en el Hospital Universitario de Santander (HUS), institución de tercer nivel de complejidad localizada en Bucaramanga (Colombia). Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo de cohorte, se incluyeron las pacientes que terminaron un embarazo gemelar entre 2007 y 2011 en el HUS, hospital general de referencia de la región centro-oriental del país. Muestreo consecutivo. Se evaluó la edad gestacional en la primera consulta al hospital, los hallazgos clínicos en la evaluación inicial, la terminación del parto y los resultados perinatales. Se hace análisis descriptivo por tipo de corionicidad. Resultados: se incluyeron un total de 248 gestantes con embarazo gemelar en el periodo de estudio. La mediana de la edad gestacional en la primera atención en el hospital en fue de 34 semanas. Al ingreso, 127 (51,2 %) pacientes se diagnosticaron con embarazo monocorial, pero solo en dos terceras partes coincidió el diagnóstico prenatal de corionicidad con el del posparto. Se diagnosticó RCIU con más frecuencia en embarazos monocoriales que en bicoriales (22,3 vs. 7,5 %), y el doppler se encontró alterado con mayor frecuencia en fetos de embarazo monocorial (7,8 vs. 1,1 %). Los neonatos > 24 semanas de edad gestacional de embarazo monocorial pesaron, en promedio, 109 g (IC 95 %: 34-184) menos que los bicoriales. Conclusiones: los resultados de este estudio sugieren un problema de salud pública en este grupo de pacientes, con inicio tardío de control prenatal, de remisión tardía a centros especializados y capacidad insuficiente para definir corionicidad. Se requiere plantear estrategias de atención que incluyan considerar los embarazos gemelares como alto riesgo y garantizar la atención oportuna y adecuada, orientada por una guía de cuidado diferencial para este grupo de gestantes...

Twin pregnancies, especially monochorionic placentations, are associated with a higher rate of maternal and foetal complications when compared to singleton pregnancies. The objective of this work was to describe the clinical characteristics and the maternal and foetal outcomes according to the type of placentation (monochorial or dichorial) of twin pregnancies delivered at Hospital Universitario de Santander (HUS), a level III institution located in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Materials and methods: Descriptive cohort study. The cohort consisted of patients delivered of a twin pregnancy between 2007 and 2011 at the HUS, a general referral hospital for the central-eastern region of the country. The assessment included gestational age at the time of initial presentation to the hospital, clinical findings during the initial assessment, delivery completion, and perinatal results. Descriptive analysis by chorionicity type. Results: A total of 248 women with a twin pregnancy during the study period were included. The mean gestational age on the first visit to the hospital was 34 weeks. On admission, 127 patients (51.2%) were diagnosed with a monochorionic pregnancy, but only in two thirds of the cases was the prenatal chorionicity diagnosis consistent with the post-partum finding. IUGR was diagnosed more frequently in monochorionic than in dichorionic pregnancies (22.3% v. 7.5%) and abnormal Doppler findings were more frequent in monochorionic foetuses (7.8% v. 1.1%). Neonates > 24 of gestational age in monochorionic pregnancies weigh in average 109 gr (IC 95%: 34-184) less than dichorionic twins. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest a public health problem in this group of patients who come late for their prenatal visits and are late referrals to specialized centres, when there is already a limited ability to determine chorionicity. There is a need to develop care strategies in which twin pregnancies are included as a high-risk condition, and to ensure timely and adequate care provision in accordance with differential care guidelines for this group of pregnant women...

Uso de la heparina de bajo peso molecular y aspirina en una paciente con síndrome antifosfolípido y pérdida gestacional recurrente / Use of low molecular weight heparin and aspirin in a patient with antiphospholipidsyndrome and recurrent pregnancy loss

Introducción: La pérdida gestacional recurrente (PGR) es una patología frecuente, que causa gran impacto en las parejas conllevando frustración, ansiedad, depresión, gastos excesivos y hasta rupturas de la relación de pareja. Su etiología es multicausal y frecuentemente no se logra determinar . Se presenta el caso de una paciente con PGR quien luego de seis pérdidas gestacionales, en el séptimo embarazo se detectaron anticuerpos antifosfolípidos altos, recibiendo tratamiento de tromboprofilaxis doble hasta la semana 32, obteniéndose un producto pretérmino vivo y sano que evolucionó satisfactoriamente. Se discuten dificultades para la precisión diagnóstica y las modalidades de tratamiento descritos. [Salazar HA, Lancheros EA, Becerra CH. Uso de heparina de bajo peso molecular y aspirina en una paciente con síndrome antifosfolípido y pér-dida gestacional recurrente. MedUNAB 201 1;14(3):188-192].

Recurrent pregnancy lost (RPL) is a common condition that causes great impact on partners leading frustration, anxiety , depression, excessive spending and even breaks in the relationship. Its etiology is multifactorial and often can not be determined. This paper describes a case of a patient who after six RPL losses, in the seventh pregnancy is detected high positive antiphospholipid antibodies. She receive thromboprophylaxis twice a week until 32 weeks of gestational age, produced an healthy preterm newborn with a good prognosis. We discuss difficulties in the diagnostic accuracy and treatment modalities described. [Salazar HA, Lancheros EA, Becerra CH. Use of low molecular weight heparin and aspirin in a patient with antiphospholipidsyndrome and recurrent pregnancy loss. MedUNAB 2011;14(3):188-192].

Hernia diafragmática congénita. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a case report and literature review

Presentamos el caso de una gestante de 14 años cuyo embarazo fue diagnosticado en el hospital San Juan de Dios de Vélez, Colombia. El producto presentó hernia diafragmática congénita; esta alteración ocurre con una frecuencia de 1 en 2000 embarazos, por lo cual se hace una revisión detallada de la literatura de esta patología.

Fertilización IN VITRO; experiencia de tres años del grupo SER, en la Clínica Carlos Ardila Lülle / IN VITRO Fertilization: Three years of experience in SERïS group

Se presenta el estudio y análisis retrospectivo de 3 años de trabajo en Fertilización in vitro (IVF), del grupo SER, de la Clínica Carlos Ardila Lülle de Bucaramanga; durante los cuales realizaron 68 ciclos. Se establecen correlaciones entre la edad de la paciente, etiología de la infertilidad, número de ciclos realizados por paciente con el éxito reproductivo, encontrándose que las tasas de embarazo corresponden a un 24,56 por ciento, teniendo mayor probabilidad de éxitos aquellas parejas donde la infertilidad es inexplicada y en segundo término aquellas donde la causa de ésta es debida a factor anatómico diferente a endometriosis

Causas y determinantes de la mortalidad perinatal, Bucaramanga, 1999 / Causes and determinants of perinatal mortality, Bucaramanga, 1999

Se presenta el análisis de la mortalidad perinatal de Bucaramanga, Colombia durante 1999. Se encontraron 109 casos luego de la búsqueda exhaustiva en todas las fuentes posibles, como el sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica de la Secretaría de Salud y Medio Ambiente de Bucaramanga, los registros de nacimiento institucionales y los certificados de defunción. La tasa de mortalidad perinatal promedio fue de 11,23 casos por cada 1000 nacidos vivos (IC 95 porciento entre 9.23 y 13,53). Las principales causas de muerte se pudieron establecer claramente en el 76,1 por ciento de los casos, siendo las más frecuentes hipoxia (49,5 por ciento), infecciones (22,9 por ciento) y malformaciones (17,4 por ciento). En el 35,8 por ciento de los casos se determinó que la muerte era evitable, no evitable en el 42,2 por ciento, mientras que en el 22 por ciento no se pudo establecer. Entre los casos en los que se pudo establecer la secuencia fisiopatológica de muerte se concluyó que tuvieron que ver con problemas de la salud materna en 22 ocasiones (20,4 por ciento), el cuidado materno en 46 eventos (42,5 por ciento), con el cuidado neonatal en 33 casos (30,6 por ciento) y con el cuidado infantil en 7 (6,5 por ciento). Las principales causas de muerte fueron hipoxia perinatal/neonatal en el 49.5 por ciento de los casos, infecciones en el 22.9 por ciento y malformaciones en el 17.4 por ciento. Se estimó que el 20,5 por ciento de las muertes evitables se hubieran prevenido con atención adecuada del trabajo de parto, 20,5 por ciento si se hubieran consultado oportunamente durante el mismo, 17,9 por ciento con atención adecuada durante el control prenatal, 15,4 porciento si las madres hubieran acudido al mismo y 12,8 por ciento si el parto hubiese sido institucional