Fetal urine output in hydramnios.

Fetal urine output was evaluated in 12 pregnancies complicated by hydramnios. Six of these pregnancies were twin gestations with markedly elevated fetal urine output of the hyperperfused fetus. All six fetuses had urine output greater than the 95th percentile for their gestational age. These six patients were evaluated prior to and during the 29th week of pregnancy. Three singleton gestations had upper gastrointestinal obstruction and normal fetal urine output of 18.7, 18.0, and 12.3 mL/hour at 35, 35, and 31 weeks' gestation, respectively. Markedly elevated fetal urine output of 18 mL/hour (tenth to 95th percentile at 26 weeks, 4-7 mL/hour) was present in one fetus that was subsequently found to have diabetes insipidus. The remaining two singleton pregnancies with idiopathic hydramnios had upper limits of normal fetal urine output of 10 and 13 mL/hour at 31 and 32 weeks, respectively. It appears that hydramnios may be the result of polyuria of the hyperperfused twin in cases of twin-twin transfusion or diabetes insipidus. In upper gastrointestinal obstruction or idiopathic hydramnios, increased fetal urination does not appear to be present.

Contraception: a risk factor for endometriosis.

Endometriosis was detected in 42 cases out of 566 patients undergoing laparoscopic tubal sterilization. The presence of endometriosis was then correlated with previous contraception. Those patients using no contraception, or barrier contraception alone, were regarded as controls. Previous oral contraceptive use was associated with a lower incidence of endometriosis, although the difference was not significant. A significantly higher incidence (P less than .05) of endometriosis was present in former intrauterine device users, possibly because of retrograde flow of increased menses.

Fetal renal artery flow velocity waveforms in normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios.

OBJECTIVES: To determine 1) flow velocity waveform patterns in the fetal renal artery in normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios, and 2) fetal urine output in twin gestations complicated by polyhydramnios-oligohydramnios syndrome. METHODS: Doppler waveforms were recorded in 121 normal fetuses, ten fetuses with oligohydramnios, ten with polyhydramnios, and eight sets of diamnionic twins with polyhydramnios in one gestational sac and oligohydramnios in the second sac. In the twins, the fetal urine output was also estimated. RESULTS: The pulsatility index (PI) of the renal artery in normal fetuses decreased linearly with advancing gestation. Abnormal renal artery PIs were found in four fetuses with oligohydramnios. The values in the singleton pregnancies complicated by polyhydramnios were in the range of normality for our reference limits for gestation. The PI of the renal artery in the twins with polyhydramnios was significantly lower than that from the twins with oligohydramnios. The urine output was significantly higher in twins with polyhydramnios than in twins with oligohydramnios. CONCLUSIONS: Normal pregnancies are associated with changes in the renal artery flow velocity waveforms. In fetuses with oligohydramnios, the worst fetal outcome seems to be associated with abnormal renal artery flow velocity waveforms. In fetuses with polyhydramnios, no abnormal renal artery flow velocity waveforms were found. Changes in renal perfusion influence urine output in twin gestations complicated by polyhydramnios-oligohydramnios.

Pelvic adhesions in intrauterine device users.

A thorough inspection of the pelvis for adhesions was made at the time of laparoscopic tubal sterilization in 2131 patients. Contraceptive use was then compared in women with adhesions (cases) and those without adhesions (controls). Current or previous intrauterine device (IUD) use was not associated with a statistically significant increased incidence of adhesions (odds ratio = 0.98, 95% confidence limits 0.58-1.64). This risk was reduced to 0.62 for current IUD users. The IUDs removed at the time of laparoscopy included the Lippes Loop, Copper 7, and the Saf-T-Coil. These findings support the use of the IUD in the appropriate patient by demonstrating no increased risk for the development of adhesions in multiparous IUD users.

Prompt resolution of hyperthyroidism and hyperemesis gravidarum after delivery.

Severe hyperemesis gravidarum has often been associated with elevated thyroid function. However, it has not been determined whether establishing euthyroidism will result in prompt resolution of nausea and vomiting. We report here a gravida with severe intractable hyperemesis gravidarum requiring four months of parenteral hyperalimentation. This patient consistently demonstrated biochemical evidence of hyperthyroidism with no symptoms and signs other than nausea and vomiting. Although no parenteral form of antithyroid medication is commercially available, methimazole suppositories were developed and administered until thyroid function tests normalized. Despite euthyroidism, nausea and vomiting continued unabated. After delivery, both the elevated thyroid function and the nausea and vomiting resolved within three days.

Indomethacin therapy in the treatment of symptomatic polyhydramnios.

Eight gravidas with symptomatic polyhydramnios were managed with maternal indomethacin therapy. The mean gestational age at presentation was 28.6 +/- 3.5 weeks. Only patients requiring serial amniotic fluid decompressions for rapid amniotic fluid reaccumulation were enrolled in the study. An initial amniotic fluid decompression was performed and, when a second decompression was required, indomethacin was initiated. Amniotic fluid volume was measured with a para-amino hippuric acid dilution technique before and during indomethacin therapy. Fetal urine output, studied by serial bladder dimension ultrasonography, declined significantly during indomethacin therapy (P less than .05). Only one patient required further amniotic fluid decompression while on indomethacin. The mean (+/- SD) amniotic fluid volume was 1529 +/- 1070 mL after the initial amniocentesis, and was 2355 +/- 820 mL at the second amniocentesis just before indomethacin therapy. The mean amniotic fluid volume during indomethacin therapy was 1608 +/- 914 mL. We recommend initial amniotic fluid decompression followed by indomethacin therapy for the management of symptomatic polyhydramnios as an alternative to serial amniotic fluid decompressions.

Management of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome with chlorpheniramine maleate, mannitol, and invasive hemodynamic monitoring.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome due to exogenous gonadotropin administration is life-threatening in its most severe form. Profound fluid shifts may occur, with concomitant cardiovascular changes. We present a case of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome managed with chlorpheniramine maleate (previously shown to be effective in animal models) and invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Mannitol and albumin infusions were also used to maintain urine output and intravascular volume.

Is vaginal birth after two or more cesarean sections safe?

Fifty-five patients with a history of two or more cesarean sections underwent a trial of labor. Forty-two had had previous uterine incisions of unknown type, 11 had had low cervical transverse incisions, and two had had low vertical incisions. Twenty-five women (45%) had successful vaginal deliveries, and 30 (55%) received oxytocin augmentation of labor. The incidence of vaginal delivery was significantly lower in patients who required oxytocin augmentation (30 versus 64%, P less than .01). Three of the 55 patients had scar separation detected at the time of delivery. Two patients underwent hysterectomy. There were no maternal or neonatal deaths. A history of multiple cesarean sections need not exclude the patient from the option of trial of labor.

Indirect blood pressure monitoring in the postpartum patient.

Direct intra-arterial blood pressure (BP) measurements were compared with simultaneous standard cuff sphygmomanometry and automated inflatable cuff manometry in 12 postpartum patients. An adjustable arterial damping device was used to correct overestimations of systolic values due to distorted pressure waveforms. No significant differences in diastolic pressure with and without arterial damping were noted between noninvasive techniques and direct intra-arterial values. The systolic readings obtained with the standard cuff were significantly lower than the intra-arterial values with or without the arterial damping device (P less than .001 in both cases). However, mean systolic BP by automated cuff did not differ significantly from intra-arterial readings in the presence of the damping device (P = .10, not significant). We recommend indirect BP monitoring by automated cuff manometry in nonobese critically ill patients requiring frequent BP readings, and arterial catheter in situations requiring frequent arterial blood samples or oxygenation assessment.

Quantitative hemodynamic effects of acute volume expansion in severe preeclampsia.

In a study of eight patients with severe preeclampsia, cumulative rapid infusions of 500 mL (set of eight patients) and 1000 mL (subset of five patients) of 5% albumin in normal saline were followed with invasive hemodynamic measurements at 5 and 30 minutes. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and central venous pressure rose. Cardiac index rose 23 and 34% at 5 minutes after the 500-mL and 1000-mL infusions, respectively; at 30 minutes, it remained at 17 and 34%, respectively, above control. The systemic vascular resistance index fell 24 and 29% below control values at 5 minutes after the respective infusions; at 30 minutes, it remained at 15 and 25%, respectively, below control. Mean systemic arterial pressure was unchanged, except for a small reduction shortly after the initial 500-mL infusion. In contrast, mean pulmonary arterial pressure rose significantly. Hence, the dominant effects of acute volume expansion in severe preeclampsia include an unchanged (or slightly reduced) mean systemic arterial pressure, resulting from marked elevations in cardiac index and concomitant, proportionate declines in systemic vascular resistance index.

Doppler assessment of the renal blood flow velocity waveform during indomethacin therapy for preterm labor and polyhydramnios.

To investigate the effects of indomethacin on the human fetal renal blood flow velocity waveform, 17 fetuses whose mothers were treated for preterm labor (N = 8) or polyhydramnios (N = 9) were studied. There were five growth-retarded fetuses (all in the group with polyhydramnios), 11 normal fetuses, and one fetus with red-cell alloimmunization. The indomethacin dose in all patients was 25 mg orally every 6 hours. The gestational age of the fetuses studied varied between 24-35 weeks (mean +/- SD 29.6 +/- 2.8). The fetal renal artery was studied at its origin from the aorta before and during the first 24 hours of indomethacin therapy. Seven fetuses manifested ductal constriction. Three fetuses also manifested tricuspid regurgitation. All ductal constrictions and the tricuspid regurgitations resolved in utero after discontinuation of indomethacin. There were no significant differences in the pulsatility index values of the renal artery before and during indomethacin therapy. These results suggest that there is no change in fetal renovascular parameters detectable with pulsatility index measurements during the first 24 hours of maternal indomethacin therapy.

Outcome of twin-twin transfusion diagnosed before 28 weeks of gestation.

To develop prognostic indicators for those patients diagnosed with twin-twin transfusion before 28 weeks' gestation, we conducted a retrospective analysis of all cases diagnosed at Baylor College of Medicine from January 1985 through April 1989. Twenty-seven cases of twin-twin transfusion were diagnosed by ultrasound; the criteria for diagnosis were polyhydramnios in one amniotic cavity and oligohydramnios in the other cavity. The mean (+/- SD) age at diagnosis was 21.9 +/- 2.9 weeks and the mean age at delivery was 26.8 +/- 4.9 weeks. Gestational age at diagnosis was similar in survivors and non-survivors (21.7 +/- 3.7 versus 22.2 +/- 2.8 weeks; P = .35); however, surviving infants were delivered later in gestation (31.9 +/- 3.5 versus 25.9 +/- 3.4 weeks; P = .000008). The overall survival rate was 21%. Fetal hydrops correlated with poor survival. Amniocentesis for decompression and tocolysis failed to decrease perinatal mortality.

Implications of sino-aortic baroreceptor reflex dysfunction in severe preeclampsia.

Loss of sino-aortic baroreceptor reflex sensitivity has been associated with various forms of hypertension. Baroreflexive dysfunction antedates elevation of blood pressure (BP) in some forms of hypertension, and may play a role in their pathogenesis. We studied baroreflex function in seven women with severe preeclampsia being treated with intravenous hydralazine. As indices of baroreflex sensitivity and hemodynamic competence, we measured the reflexive elevations in heart rate (HR) (delta HR/delta BP) and cardiac index (CI) (delta CI/delta BP) in response to hydralazine-induced falls in blood pressure. The change in cardiac index per unit change in systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) (delta CI/delta SVRI) served as an additional measure of hemodynamic competence. The results indicated that a higher baseline blood pressure was associated with a dramatic reduction in baroreflex sensitivity (delta HR/delta BP) and baroreflex control of blood pressure (delta CI/delta BP and delta CI/delta SVRI). In patients with higher baseline blood pressures, the severe impairment of baroreflex function eliminated the normal circulatory buffer against vasodilator-induced hypotension. Abrupt and profound reductions in blood pressure and the development of fetal distress in response to hydralazine occurred in the patients with higher initial blood pressures. In addition, the present results suggest that phenomena such as the blood pressure lability and increased responsiveness to angiotensin that characterize preeclampsia are, at least in part, reflections of baroreflex dysfunction.

Uterine blood flow velocity waveforms in pregnant women during indomethacin therapy.

Continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound was used to assess blood flow velocities and determine the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries in ten pregnant women at 23-33 weeks' gestation during indomethacin therapy for preterm labor or polyhydramnios. There was no statistically significant difference in the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries during maternal indomethacin treatment (mean +/- SD 0.85 +/- 0.29) compared with pre-treatment values (0.85 +/- 0.23). Although studies in animals have reported that indomethacin increases uterine impedance to flow, it appears that it does not affect the uterine impedance in humans.

Teratogenic effects of first-trimester cyclophosphamide therapy.

Intravenous cyclophosphamide was administered for severe exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus to a patient not known to be in the first trimester of pregnancy. The patient received no other medication except prednisone. Her neonate was born with multiple anomalies, including absent thumbs, cleft palate, low-set ears, and multiple eye abnormalities. These anomalies probably reflect teratogenic effects of cyclophosphamide, and indicate that judgment is required before its use in the first trimester. Furthermore, this case illustrates the need for effective contraception and repetitive pregnancy testing when potentially teratogenic agents are administered to presumably nonpregnant women in the reproductive age group.

Influence of short-term indomethacin therapy on fetal urine output.

Eight pregnancies ranging from 27-32 weeks' gestation were treated for preterm labor with oral indomethacin. The dosage regimen was 25 mg every four hours in four patients and 25 mg every six hours in the other four patients. The maximum duration of indomethacin therapy was 72 hours. In three patients, fetal ductus arteriosus constriction mandated discontinuation of indomethacin at 24 hours. Sonographic assessment of hourly fetal urine output was performed before therapy, at multiple regular intervals during therapy, and 24 hours after the last dose of indomethacin. A dramatic decline was noted from the mean baseline fetal urine output of 11.2 mL/hour. The mean fetal urine output at five, 12, and 24 hours during therapy was 2.2, 1.8, and 1.8 mL/hour, respectively (P less than .05). Twenty-four hours after completion of indomethacin therapy, the mean fetal urine output was 13.5 mL/hour. Poor correlation (r = 0.14, P less than .05) was noted between maternal serum indomethacin levels and hourly fetal urine output. This significant decline in urine output is consistent with other results in neonatal and adult animals and humans. Furthermore, it implies a role for prostaglandins in controlling urine output during fetal life.

Percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling in the evaluation of fetal platelet counts in pregnant patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura.

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura in pregnancy is associated with fetal thrombocytopenia. Twenty-one patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura (22 fetuses) underwent 26 umbilical cord punctures to assess the fetal platelet count. Blood could not be obtained from one fetus. Thrombocytopenia (less than 150,000/microL) was found in five cases, but in none was it of sufficient degree to preclude vaginal delivery. Persistent fetal bradycardia necessitating emergency cesarean delivery occurred in two cases. Umbilical cord puncture was found to be technically more difficult in the term fetus than in the second-trimester fetus studied in previous investigations.

Intravenous pancuronium bromide for fetal neuromuscular blockade during intrauterine transfusion for red-cell alloimmunization.

Intravenous pancuronium bromide was administered into the umbilical cord by funipuncture to effect temporary fetal paralysis. Neuromuscular blockade was achieved in 12 fetuses undergoing a total of 34 intrauterine procedures for the treatment of severe red-cell alloimmunization. The same initial dose of 0.2 mg/kg fetal weight estimated by ultrasound was used in all cases, but anemic fetuses did not resume movement for prolonged periods. A relationship among fetal hematocrit, adjusted dose, and duration of paralysis was described by the equation: Duration (hours) = 5.24 + 10.30 adjusted dose (mg/kg) - 0.16 hematocrit (%) (R2 = 0.49; P less than .001). Intravenous pancuronium was found to be a safe and effective method for cessation of fetal movement during intrauterine procedures.

Coagulation profile in severe preeclampsia.

One hundred women with severe preeclampsia or chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia were seen during a 2-year period. We sought to determine whether a normal platelet count assures that no other clinically significant clotting abnormalities are present, and what level of thrombocytopenia predicts a risk of abnormalities in other coagulation indices. Fifty women had platelet counts below 150,000/microL, of whom 13 had a fibrinogen level below 300 mg/dL and two had a prolonged prothrombin time (PT) or partial thromboplastin time (PTT). The admission platelet count was an excellent predictor of subsequent thrombocytopenia (r = 0.829, P less than .001). No subject had an abnormal fibrinogen level or prolonged PT or PTT in the absence of thrombocytopenia. When monitoring intrapartum coagulation indices in preeclampsia, one can safely follow only the platelet count at admission and subsequently, reserving PT and PTT and fibrinogen levels for those cases complicated by counts less than 100,000/microL.

Effects of chronic exercise on blood volume expansion and hematologic indices during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare blood volumes and hematologic indices between nine aerobically trained, physically active pregnant women who continued to exercise throughout gestation and five healthy yet sedentary gravidas. METHODS: Subjects were tested on three occasions: 25 and 36 weeks of pregnancy and 12 weeks postpartum. Plasma volumes were estimated by dye dilution with Evans blue. Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein with the subjects resting in a seated, semirecumbent position. In addition to plasma volume estimations, blood samples were analyzed for hematocrit ratio, hemoglobin concentration, red cell count, and plasma protein concentration. Blood volumes and red cell volumes were calculated from plasma volume estimates and hematocrit ratios. RESULTS: Average birth weight and length of gestation did not differ between the subject groups. Analysis of variance indicated that absolute blood volume measures were significantly greater (P < .01) in the physically active compared to sedentary subjects at all three test times. Similar results were found for plasma and red cell volumes (P < .01). Blood volumes relative to body weight were significantly higher in physically active subjects (P < .01) than in their sedentary counterparts at 25 weeks (88.5 versus 75.5 mL/kg) and at 36 weeks (88.4 versus 70.9 mL/kg), as well as at 12 weeks postpartum (72.2 versus 57.6 mL/kg). All vascular volumes were significantly (P < .001) lower at 12 weeks postpartum compared to those seen during pregnancy in both subject groups. Hematologic indices of hematocrit ratio, hemoglobin concentration, red cell count, and plasma protein concentration were all greater (P < .001) at 12 weeks postpartum than during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Physically active women possessed significantly greater vascular volumes than their sedentary counterparts. Although this difference was maintained throughout gestation as the active gravidas continued to exercise, there was no apparent effect on pregnancy outcome.