Balloon catheters versus vaginal prostaglandins for labour induction (CPI Collaborative): an individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Induction of labour is one of the most common obstetric interventions globally. Balloon catheters and vaginal prostaglandins are widely used to ripen the cervix in labour induction. We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety profiles of these two induction methods. METHODS: We did an individual participant data meta-analysis comparing balloon catheters and vaginal prostaglandins for cervical ripening before labour induction. We systematically identified published and unpublished randomised controlled trials that completed data collection between March 19, 2019, and May 1, 2021, by searching the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and PubMed. Further trials done before March 19, 2019, were identified through a recent Cochrane review. Data relating to the combined use of the two methods were not included, only data from women with a viable, singleton pregnancy were analysed, and no exclusion was made based on parity or membrane status. We contacted authors of individuals trials and participant-level data were harmonised and recoded according to predefined definitions of variables. Risk of bias was assessed with the ROB2 tool. The primary outcomes were caesarean delivery, indication for caesarean delivery, a composite adverse perinatal outcome, and a composite adverse maternal outcome. We followed the intention-to-treat principle for the main analysis. The primary meta-analysis used two-stage random-effects models and the sensitivity analysis used one-stage mixed models. All models were adjusted for maternal age and parity. This meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020179924). FINDINGS: Individual participant data were available from 12 studies with a total of 5460 participants. Balloon catheters, compared with vaginal prostaglandins, did not lead to a significantly different rate of caesarean delivery (12 trials, 5414 women; crude incidence 27·0%; adjusted OR [aOR] 1·09, 95% CI 0·95-1·24; I2=0%), caesarean delivery for failure to progress (11 trials, 4601 women; aOR 1·20, 95% CI 0·91-1·58; I2=39%), or caesarean delivery for fetal distress (10 trials, 4441 women; aOR 0·86, 95% CI 0·71-1·04; I2=0%). The composite adverse perinatal outcome was lower in women who were allocated to balloon catheters than in those allocated to vaginal prostaglandins (ten trials, 4452 neonates, crude incidence 13·6%; aOR 0·80, 95% CI 0·70-0·92; I2=0%). There was no significant difference in the composite adverse maternal outcome (ten trials, 4326 women, crude incidence 22·7%; aOR 1·02, 95% CI 0·89-1·18; I2=0%). INTERPRETATION: In induction of labour, balloon catheters and vaginal prostaglandins have comparable caesarean delivery rates and maternal safety profiles, but balloon catheters lead to fewer adverse perinatal events. FUNDING: Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and Monash Health Emerging Researcher Fellowship.

Phosphatidylethanol Levels in Postpartum Women and Their Newborns in Uruguay and Brazil.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in the development of newborn screening tests to identify children at risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in order to provide these children with early intervention. Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) has emerged as a potential universal newborn screening candidate. METHODS: The aim of this report was to present the results of a study designed to compare PEth levels in 1,140 postpartum women and their newborn infants in Montevideo, Uruguay, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Self-report alcohol use during pregnancy data was collected, along with both maternal and newborn dried blood spot samples for PEth analysis. RESULTS: The average age and parity of the women in the sample were 26 years of age and 2.3 pregnancies. For the Uruguay sample (n = 611), 45.8% of postpartum women had PEth levels ≥ 8 ng/ml with a mean positive PEth of 43.6 ng/ml. In contrast, 86.8% of the newborns had PEth levels ≥ 8 ng/ml, with a mean positive PEth of 77.4 ng/ml. For the Brazil sample (n = 529), 33.2% of women had PEth levels ≥ 8 ng/ml with a mean positive PEth of 31 ng/ml. In contrast, 76.9% of the Brazil newborns had PEth levels ≥ 8 ng/ml and 43.9% with a mean positive PEth of 61.1 ng/ml. PEth levels were significantly higher in newborns compared with their postpartum mothers in both the Uruguay and Brazil samples. Self-reported third-trimester alcohol was 6% in the Uruguay sample and 9.1% in the Brazil sample compared with positive maternal PEth levels in 45.8% and 33.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians may want to consider newborn PEth screening in high-risk populations where prenatal alcohol use is common. The mechanism underlying significantly higher PEth levels in newborns compared with their mothers is not known.

A risk prediction model for the assessment and triage of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in low-resourced settings: the miniPIERS (Pre-eclampsia Integrated Estimate of RiSk) multi-country prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia are leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, particularly in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). We developed the miniPIERS risk prediction model to provide a simple, evidence-based tool to identify pregnant women in LMICs at increased risk of death or major hypertensive-related complications. METHODS AND FINDINGS: From 1 July 2008 to 31 March 2012, in five LMICs, data were collected prospectively on 2,081 women with any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy admitted to a participating centre. Candidate predictors collected within 24 hours of admission were entered into a step-wise backward elimination logistic regression model to predict a composite adverse maternal outcome within 48 hours of admission. Model internal validation was accomplished by bootstrapping and external validation was completed using data from 1,300 women in the Pre-eclampsia Integrated Estimate of RiSk (fullPIERS) dataset. Predictive performance was assessed for calibration, discrimination, and stratification capacity. The final miniPIERS model included: parity (nulliparous versus multiparous); gestational age on admission; headache/visual disturbances; chest pain/dyspnoea; vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain; systolic blood pressure; and dipstick proteinuria. The miniPIERS model was well-calibrated and had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC ROC) of 0.768 (95% CI 0.735-0.801) with an average optimism of 0.037. External validation AUC ROC was 0.713 (95% CI 0.658-0.768). A predicted probability ≥25% to define a positive test classified women with 85.5% accuracy. Limitations of this study include the composite outcome and the broad inclusion criteria of any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. This broad approach was used to optimize model generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: The miniPIERS model shows reasonable ability to identify women at increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes associated with the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. It could be used in LMICs to identify women who would benefit most from interventions such as magnesium sulphate, antihypertensives, or transportation to a higher level of care.

Angiogenic factors and uterine Doppler velocimetry in early- and late-onset preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess correlations between maternal serum levels of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors with uterine perfusion in women with early- compared with late-onset preeclampsia, and in healthy pregnant women. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Antenatal care clinic located within a hospital (São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil). POPULATION: We enrolled 54 preeclamptic and 54 healthy control women who were coming for routine ultrasound at 28-36 weeks' gestation. METHODS: All participants had uterine artery and umbilical Doppler studies and a blood sample to assess maternal serum levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, soluble endoglin, adiponectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. All angiogenic factors were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Levels of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors in maternal serum, and uterine artery Doppler findings. RESULTS: Concentrations of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and soluble endoglin were significantly higher in preeclamptic than control women (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively), especially in those with early-onset (<34 weeks) preeclampsia. These two anti-angiogenic mediators were significantly correlated with increased uterine artery Doppler in the preeclamptic women. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels were significantly higher in preeclampsia (p = 0.03) but unrelated to uterine artery resistance. Adiponectin levels were similar in cases and controls, independent of body mass index and unrelated to uterine artery resistance. CONCLUSION: Preeclamptic patients have increased soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and soluble endoglin serum levels and this increase is directly correlated with uterine artery resistance, especially in those with early-onset preeclampsia.

How can we reduce maternal mortality due to preeclampsia? The 4P rule.

In low and middle-income countries such as Brazil, most maternal deaths are related to hypertensive complications. Preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Significant proportion is associated with the following factors: lack of identification of high-risk women, lack of adequate prevention, difficulty in maintaining a high-risk prenatal follow-up, delayed diagnosis, insecurity and low use of magnesium sulphate, delayed pregnancy interruption and lack of postpartum follow-up of these high-risk cases. Four major actions are proposed to minimize this alarming clinical picture and reduce the mortality rates due to preeclampsia, called the "4 P Rule" (Adequate Prevention - Vigilant Prenatal Care - Timely Delivery (Parturition) - Safe Postpartum). From this simple "rule" we can open a range of important processes and reminders that may help in the guidance of preeclampsia management.

Performance of ophthalmic artery Doppler velocimetry in the complementary diagnosis of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To calculate the accuracy (A) and establish the best cutoff value for ophthalmic artery (OA) Doppler velocimetry indexes in patients diagnosed with preeclampsia (PE), compared with healthy pregnant women. METHODS: This prospective experimental study enrolled 268 women: 133 with PE and 135 healthy pregnant women. All patients were evaluated by OA Doppler sonography, bilaterally, to assess their pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), peak systolic velocity (PVS), second peak systolic velocity (P2), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and peak ratio (PR). Means were compared using Student's T-test. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was used to establish the cutoff value and estimate the sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), accuracy (A) of all variables, and a significance of 95% was adopted. RESULTS: ROC curve analysis showed that P2 and PR were superior to the other parameters for PE diagnosis. We tested two cutoff values: (1) using PR ≥0.70, obtained A: 88.72%, S: 81.95%, and Sp: 95.48% and (2) using PR ≥0.75, and A: 86.24%, S: 74.43%, and Sp: 99.24%. By adopting P2 ≥ 21.5 cm/s, we obtained A: 87.59%, S: 84.96%, and Sp: 90.22% and when the cutoff point was P2 ≥ 22 cm/s, there was a slight decrease in A to 86.46% and S to 81.20%, with Sp: 91.89.3%. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmic artery Doppler demonstrated to be an effective and high-performance imaging method for the diagnosis of PE and the indexes P2 and PR demonstrated superior accuracy to the other Doppler parameters assessed. Higher performance occurred when the cutoff values with greater specificity were adopted, PR ≥ 0.75 and P2 ≥ 22 cm/s, considering that the proposed OA Doppler is to be a complementary method for preeclampsia.

Toxic and essential elements in blood from delivering women in selected areas of São Paulo State, Brazil.

This study was designed to evaluate the degree of environmental contamination and possible exposure of pregnant women to toxic elements in seven selected areas of São Paulo State, Brazil. The overall median concentration of Mo in maternal blood was 0.53 µg L⁻¹, highly significant differences found between sites (p < 0.0001). Cd was found to be low overall - 0.09 µg L⁻¹ (0.01-0.58 µg L⁻¹) - with mothers from the Coastal and Rural 1 sites having the highest levels (p < 0.016).Median Hg concentration was 0.60 µg L⁻¹ (0.06 µg L⁻¹-4.35 µg L⁻¹); median Pb level was 16.2 µg L⁻¹ (3.5-57.7 µg L⁻¹) and no differences between sites were observed for both metals. Median Mn level was 16.7 µg L⁻¹ (7.0-39.7 µg L⁻¹), being highest in Urban 2 site (p < 0.016). Concentrations of maternal Co were found to range between 0.06 µg L⁻¹ and 1.1 µg L⁻¹ (median 0.25 µg L⁻¹) and As level was 0.60 µg L⁻¹ (0.10-3.8 µg L⁻¹) overall, with no statistical significance between sites for Co and As. Median Se concentrations were found to be 64 µg L⁻¹ (36-233 µg L⁻¹), with the highest median levels found in Urban 3 site; site differences were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Correlation for each element (between paired maternal and cord blood) was measured only in Rural site 1; significant correlation was shown for Hg, Pb, Mn and Co (p < 0.05). These findings may be interpreted as indicating low environmental contamination in São Paulo State, Brazil. These findings could also indicate that pregnant women have little or no contact with pollutants, possibly due to awareness campaigns carried out by public health practitioners.

Clinical Experience Over 15 Years with the B-Lynch Compression Suture Technique in the Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical experience with the B-Lynch technique in the management of postpartum hemorrhage as well as the factors related to the indication of the technique and to present the success rates of the application of the B-Lynch technique. METHODS: Observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, and analytical study. Patient data was obtained through the study of medical records. The study population comprised of patients who underwent hemostatic suture using the B-Lynch technique, including 104 patients within the period from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2019. RESULTS: Of the total of 104 patients, 82.7% did not present any complications. Blood transfusion and intensive care unit admission were the most prevalent complications, with 13.5% and 15.4%, respectively. Only 1% of the patients had puerperal and surgical site infections. The factors most related to the application of the technique were the presence of previous cesarean section (30.8%), use of oxytocin (16.3%), and preeclampsia (11.6%). Puerperal hysterectomy was performed in 4.8% of the patients due to failure of the method. CONCLUSION: The clinical experience with the B-Lynch technique was satisfactory since it presented few complications, with excellent results in hemorrhagic control. Previous cesarean section, the use of oxytocin, and preeclampsia stood out as factors related to the indication of the application of the technique, and the success rate in controlling postpartum hemorrhage was 95.2%.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a experiência clínica com a técnica de B-Lynch no manejo da hemorragia pós-parto e os fatores relacionados à indicação da técnica bem como apresentar as taxas de sucesso da aplicação da técnica de B-lynch. MéTODOS: Estudo observacional, retrospectivo, de corte transversal e analítico. Os dados foram obtidos por estudo de prontuário. A população do estudo foi constituída de pacientes submetidas à sutura hemostática com a técnica de B-Lynch, sendo incluídas 104 pacientes dentro do período de 01 de janeiro de 2005 a 31 de dezembro de 2019. RESULTADOS: Do total de 104 pacientes, 82,7% não apresentaram qualquer complicação. A transfusão de sangue e a internação na UTI foram as complicações mais prevalentes, com 13,5% e 15,4%, respectivamente. Apenas 1% teve infecção puerperal e do sítio cirúrgico. Os fatores mais relacionados com a aplicação da técnica foram a presença de cesárea anterior (30,8%), uso de ocitocina (16,3%) e pré-eclâmpsia (11,6%). A histerectomia puerperal foi realizada em 4,8% das pacientes por falha do método. CONCLUSãO: A experiência clínica com a técnica de B-Lynch foi satisfatória, pois apresentou poucas complicações, com excelentes resultados no controle hemorrágico. A cesárea anterior, o uso de ocitocina e a pré-eclâmpsia se destacaram como fatores relacionados à indicação da aplicação da técnica. A taxa de sucesso avaliada foi de 95,2%.

Pre-eclampsia: Universal Screening or Universal Prevention for Low and Middle-Income Settings?

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a severe disorder that affects up to 8% of all pregnancies and represents an important cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The screening of the disease is a subject of studies, but the complexity and uncertainties regarding its etiology make this objective a difficult task. In addition, the costs related to screening protocols, the heterogeneity of the most affected populations and the lack of highly effective prevention methods reduce the potential of current available algorithms for screening. Thus, the National Specialized Commission of Hypertension in Pregnancy of the Brazilian Association of Gynecology and Obstetrics Federation (Febrasgo, in the Portuguese acronym) (NSC Hypertension in Pregnancy of the Febrasgo) considers that there are no screening algorithms to be implemented in the country to date and advocates that Aspirin and calcium should be widely used.

A Pré-eclâmpsia (PE) é uma doença grave que acomete ∼ 8% das gestações e representa importante causa de morbimortalidade, tanto materna quanto perinatal. O rastreamento da doença é motivo de estudos, porém a complexidade e as incertezas quanto a sua etiologia tornam esse objetivo bastante difícil. Além disso, os custos relacionados com o rastreamento, a heterogeneidade das populações mais afetadas e ainda a falta de métodos de prevenção de grande eficácia reduzem o potencial dos algoritmos de rastreamento. Assim, a Comissão Nacional Especializada sobre Hipertensão na Gravidez da Federação Brasileira das Associações de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia (CNE Hipertensão na Gravidez da FEBRASGO) considera que não há algoritmos de rastreamento que possam ser aplicados no país nesse momento e defende a utilização dos métodos de prevenção como ácido acetilsalicílico e cálcio de maneira ampla.

Coronavirus 2019, Thrombocytopenia and HELLP Syndrome: Association or Coincidence?

The present report describes the case of a 31-year-old primigravida, with dichorionic twins at 31 weeks. She presented with history of myalgia, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort. No flu-like symptoms as fever or cough. She was not aware of exposure to COVID-19. Normal blood pressure and O2 saturation. Laboratory tests showed platelet count of 218,000 mm3, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 558 IU and serum creatinine 2.3 mg/dl. Doppler ultrasound in one twin was compatible with brain sparing. Partial hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome was the hypothesis, and a cesarean section was performed. On day 2, the white-cell count reached 33,730, with decreased consciousness and mild respiratory distress. Tomography revealed both lungs with ground-glass opacities. Swab for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive. Thrombocytopenia in patients with COVID-19 appears to be multifactorial, similar to what occurs in preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. We assume that the synergism of these pathophysiological mechanisms could accelerate the compromise of maternal conditions and could be a warning to the obstetric practice.

O presente relato descreve o caso de uma gestante de 31 anos, gemelar dicoriônica com 31 semanas, com queixa de mialgia, icterícia e desconforto abdominal. A paciente não apresentava sintomas gripais como febre ou tosse e não tinha conhecimento de exposição ao COVID-19. Pressão arterial e saturação de oxigênio normais. Os exames laboratoriais apresentaram contagem de plaquetas de 218,000 mm3, ALT 558 IU e creatinina 2.3 mg/dl. Doppler compatível com centralização de um dos fetos. Síndrome de hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP) parcial foi a hipótese diagnóstica inicial e a cesariana foi realizada. No segundo dia, a paciente apresentou leucócitos de 33.730 com queda do nível de consciência e desconforto respiratório leve. A tomografia revelou opacidade pulmonar em vidro fosco bilateralmente. A pesquisa de COVID-19 por polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/swab teve resultado positivo. Trombocitopenia em pacientes com COVID-19 é multifatorial, semelhante ao que ocorre na pré-eclâmpsia e na síndrome HELLP. Acreditamos que o sinergismo da fisiopatologia das doenças em questão pode acelerar o comprometimento materno e deve servir de alerta para a prática obstétrica.

Trends Associated with Stillbirth in a Maternity Hospital School in the North Zone of São Paulo: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate conditions associated with stillbirth (SB), and possible trends related with it, in a maternity hospital school in the North zone of São Paulo. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study conducted at the Hospital Maternidade-escola de Vila Nova Cachoeirinha with 1,139 SBs in the period of 2003 to 2017. Cases of intermediate SB (ISB) (weight between 500 and 999 g) and late SB (LSB) (weight ≥ 1,000 g) were compared. We evaluated clinical data, laboratory tests, and fetal and placental studies. Data were stored in Windows Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA) worksheets, according to which graphs and tables were constructed. We used the statistical software SPSS for Windows version 18.0 (SPSS In., Chicago, IL, USA), estimating the prevalence ratio (PR) and odds ratio (OR), considering the 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: The general SB rate was 11.9%, and the in-hospital SB rate was 2.8%. Pregnant women younger than 16 years of age were more likely to have ISB (OR 0.32, 0.15-0.76), while patients older than 40 years old had a higher chance of LSB (PR 0.85, 0.72-0.99). A total of 25.7% of the general population did not have prenatal care, and 77.1% of the cases presented fetal death at admission. The cases of ISB had a statistically significant association with home birth (OR 0.61, 0.46-0.80). Cesarean section was performed in 16.1% of the subjects, and misoprostol was the most used method for induction. Necropsy and placental study of the fetuses were performed, respectively, in 94.2% and 97.3% of the cases. Associated causes were not identified in 22.1% of the cases, and the main causes identified were amniotic sac infections (27.9%), fetal malformations (12.5%), placental abruption (11.2%), hypertensive syndromes (8.5%), and maternal syphilis (3.9%), the latter with an increasing trend. CONCLUSION: Among the factors associated to SB were: hypertensive syndromes, amniotic sac infections, fetal malformations, placental abruption and syphilis. There was a growing trend in the number of cases of syphilis, which translates an alert. Diagnostic limitations justify indeterminate causes.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar aspectos relacionados à ocorrência da condição de natimortalidade em uma maternidade-escola na zona norte de São Paulo e possíveis tendências associadas aos fatores causais. MéTODOS: Estudo observacional, transversal, realizado no Hospital Maternidade-escola Vila Nova Cachoeirinha com 1.139 óbitos fetais (OF) no período de 2003 a 2017. Foram comparados os casos de OF intermediários (OFI) (peso entre 500 e 999 g) e OF tardios (OFT) (≥ 1,000 g). Avaliamos dados clínicos, exames laboratoriais, e estudos do feto e da placenta; estes foram armazenados em planilhas de Windows Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA USA0, utilizando-se para avaliação estatística o programa SPSS v.18 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, EUA). Foram ainda estimadas a razão de prevalência (RP) e a razão de chances (RC), com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC 95%). RESULTADOS: O coeficiente de natimortalidade geral foi de 11,9% e o intra-hospitalar foi de 2,8%. Gestantes com menos de 16 anos de idade apresentaram maior chance de ter OFI (RC 0.32, 0.15­0.76) enquanto que pacientes com mais de 40 anos de idade apresentaram maior chance de OFT (RP 0,85; 0,72­0,99). Não fizeram prenatal 25,7% da população geral, sendo que em 77,1% dos casos, a morte fetal já tinha sido apresentada na internação. Os casos de OFI apresentaram associação estatisticamente significante com parto domiciliar (RC 0,42; 0,23­0,75). A cesárea foi realizada em 16,1% das pacientes, sendo o misoprostol o método mais utilizado para indução. Necropsia foi feita em 94,2% dos fetos, e 97,3% das placentas foram para estudo. As causas associadas não foram identificadas em 22,1% dos casos, sendo que as principais causas identificadas foram infecções do saco amniótico e membranas (27,9%), malformações (12,5%), descolamento prematuro de placenta (11,2%), síndromes hipertensivas (8,5%), e sífilis (3,9%), sendo esta última com uma tendência crescente. CONCLUSãO: Destacaram-se como fatores associados à natimortalidade: síndromes hipertensivas, corioamnionites, malformações fetais, descolamento placentário e sífilis. Houve tendência de aumento no número de casos de sífilis, o que traduz uma alerta. Limitações diagnósticas justificam as causas indeterminadas.

Pregnancy in renal transplant patients: Renal function markers and maternal-fetal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate laboratory markers in women who got pregnant after renal transplantation. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional prospective study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Renal function parameters and maternal and fetal data were assessed in renal transplant recipients. RESULTS: Forty-three women who got pregnant after renal transplantation (mean age, 28.5 years; mean gestational age, 35.6 weeks) were included. Most patients (53.5%) received a renal transplant from a deceased donor. Podocyturia was not significantly correlated with other renal function markers. Mean period from transplantation to pregnancy was approximately 5 years; this period was not associated with obstetric complications or changes in renal markers. A gradual increase was observed in the following parameters during pregnancy and puerperium: serum creatinine levels (P < 0.001), proteinuria (P < 0.001), urinary protein/creatinine ratio (P < 0.001), and albumin/creatinine ratio (P < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of protein/creatinine ratio in predicting preeclampsia were high (96.0% and 94.0%, respectively). Elevated serum creatinine levels, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, and retinol-binding protein levels in the third trimester were associated with prematurity (P < 0.001). Preeclampsia was the main cause of renal function decline at the end of pregnancy (65.0% of cases). Approximately four (9.5%) pregnant women presented with premature rupture of membranes and 18 (42.0%) with a urinary tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: Proteinuria, urinary protein/creatinine ratio, and retinol-binding protein levels were elevated in patients with preeclampsia. Using these markers to assess renal function during pregnancy may be clinically useful for detecting and monitoring renal injury in renal transplant recipients.

Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia is a multifactorial and multisystemic disease specific to gestation. It is classically diagnosed by the presence of hypertension associated with proteinuria manifested in a previously normotensive pregnant woman after the 20th week of gestation. Pre-eclampsia is also considered in the absence of proteinuria if there is target organ damage. The present review takes a general approach focused on aspects of practical interest in the clinical and obstetric care of these women. Thus, it explores the still unknown etiology, current aspects of pathophysiology and of the diagnosis, the approach to disease prediction, its adverse outcomes and prevention. Management is based on general principles, on nonpharmacological and on pharmacological clinical treatment of severe or nonsevere situations with emphasis on the hypertensive crisis and eclampsia. Obstetric management is based on preeclampsia without or with signs of clinical and/or laboratory deterioration, stratification of gestational age in < 24 weeks, between 24 and less than 34 weeks, and ≥ 34 weeks of gestation, and guidance on route of delivery. An immediate puerperium approach and repercussions in the future life of pregnant women who develop preeclampsia is also presented.

A pré-eclâmpsia é uma doença multifatorial e multissistêmica específica da gestação. É classicamente diagnosticada pela presença de hipertensão arterial associada à proteinúria em gestante previamente normotensa após a 20a semana de gestação. A pré-eclâmpsia também é considerada na ausência de proteinúria se houver lesão de órgão-alvo. A presente revisão tem uma abordagem geral focada em aspectos de interesse prático na assistência clínica e obstétrica dessas mulheres. Assim, explora a etiologia ainda desconhecida, aspectos atuais da fisiopatologia e do diagnóstico e diagnóstico diferencial de convulsões, a abordagem da predição da doença, seus resultados adversos e prevenção. A conduta baseia-se em princípios gerais, tratamento clínico não farmacológico e farmacológico de situações graves ou não graves, com ênfase na crise hipertensiva e eclâmpsia. O controle obstétrico se fundamenta na pré-eclâmpsia sem ou com sinais de deterioração clínica e/ou laboratorial, estratificação da idade gestacional abaixo de 24 semanas, entre 24 e menos de 34 semanas e 34 ou mais semanas de gestação e orientação na via de parto. Uma abordagem imediata do puerpério e repercussões na vida futura de gestantes que desenvolvem pré-eclâmpsia também foram apresentadas.

How can we reduce maternal mortality due to preeclampsia? The 4P rule

Abstract In low and middle-income countries such as Brazil, most maternal deaths are related to hypertensive complications. Preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Significant proportion is associated with the following factors: lack of identification of high-risk women, lack of adequate prevention, difficulty in maintaining a high-risk prenatal follow-up, delayed diagnosis, insecurity and low use of magnesium sulphate, delayed pregnancy interruption and lack of postpartum follow-up of these high-risk cases. Four major actions are proposed to minimize this alarming clinical picture and reduce the mortality rates due to preeclampsia, called the "4 P Rule" (Adequate Prevention - Vigilant Prenatal Care - Timely Delivery (Parturition) - Safe Postpartum). From this simple "rule" we can open a range of important processes and reminders that may help in the guidance of preeclampsia management.

Ophthalmic artery Doppler velocimetry in healthy pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To establish normative data for ophthalmic artery Doppler parameters throughout a healthy pregnancy, to investigate the possible correlation between these Doppler measurements and gestational age, and to test intraobserver variability. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed to assess various Doppler parameters in 276 healthy women between 20 and 39 weeks of gestation. The following measurements were obtained: pulsatility and resistance indices (PI, RI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), peak diastolic velocity (PDV), end diastolic flow velocity (EDFV), and peak ratio (PR). Quantile regression was used to estimate reference values throughout pregnancy and P<0.05 was considered significant. The intraclass correlation coefficient (Intra-CC) was used to calculate intraobserver variability. RESULTS: The 5th and 95th prediction intervals for each gestational age are presented. No significant correlation was detected between Doppler indices and gestational age. Intra-CC was excellent (0.996). CONCLUSIONS: Reference values were generated for ophthalmic artery Doppler measurements, and they did not vary significantly during healthy pregnancy.

Clinical formulas, mother's opinion and ultrasound in predicting birth weight.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Accurate fetal weight estimation is important for labor and delivery management. So far, there has not been any conclusive evidence to indicate that any technique for fetal weight estimation is superior to any other. Clinical formulas for fetal weight estimation are easy to use but have not been extensively studied in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of clinical formulas for fetal weight estimation compared to maternal and ultrasound estimates. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study involving 100 full-term, cephalic, singleton pregnancies delivered within three days of fetal weight estimation. The setting was a tertiary public teaching hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Upon admission, the mother's opinion about fetal weight was recorded. Symphyseal-fundal height and abdominal girth were measured and two formulas were used to calculate fetal weight. An ultrasound scan was then performed by a specialist to estimate fetal weight. The four estimates were compared with the birth weight. The accuracy of the estimates was assessed by calculating the percentage that was within 10% of actual birth weight for each method. The chi-squared test was used for comparisons and p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The birth weight was correctly estimated (+/- 10%) in 59%, 57%, 61%, and 65% of the cases using the mother's estimate, two clinical formulas, and ultrasound estimate, respectively. The accuracy of the four methods did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Clinical formulas for fetal weight prediction are as accurate as maternal and ultrasound estimates.

[Morphology of the vascular placental bed in chronic arterial hypertension]. / Estudo da morfologia vascular do leito placentário na hipertensão arterial crônica.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze histopathological patterns of placental bed arteries in pregnancies complicated by chronic arterial hypertension. Alterations were considered according to clinical classification of the hypertensive disorders as mild (MG); moderate (MoG) and severe (SG) for comparison with uncomplicated pregnancies, control group (CG). METHODS: Placental bed biopsy was performed in 60 pregnant women; the study group was comprised of pregnant women with hypertension, subdivided in 13 with severe chronic hypertension (CH), 11 with moderate CH and 11 with mild CH, and results were compared to 25 placental bed biopsies from uncomplicated pregnancies. All the pregnant women had a gestational age of at least 28 weeks of gestation with a live fetus and were submitted to cesarean section. Hypertension was considered mild with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 90 I? 100 mmHg, moderate DBP 100 I? 110 mmHg and severe DBP=110 mmHg. Placental bed variables selected for histological analysis were: unaltered patterns, physiological changes, medial layer disorganization, medial and intimal hyperplasic changes, acute necrosis and atherosis. RESULTS: In cases with SG and MoG there was predominance of abnormal histophysiological findings: medial layer disorganization and hyperplasic changes, with a statistically significant difference when compared to MG and CG. Alteration in the medial layer was observed in these cases. The normal pattern, unaltered patterns and physiologic changes were more frequent in CG and MG. Physiological changes were the most usual finding, further, there was no acute necrosis or atherosis. CONCLUSION: 1. Abnormal histophysiological findings were predominant in hypertensive pregnant women compared to the normotensive ones; 2. These patterns were more frequent, according to the severity of the hypertensive disorders: Severe, Moderate and Mild; 3. More significant abnormal findings were a change in the medial layer, mainly in the group with severe hypertensive disorders; 4. The groups with moderate and severe hypertensive disorders when compared had similar results; 5. The normal histological pattern was higher in the control group and patients with mild hypertensive disorders and disclosed a similarity between them 6. The most usual pattern was physiologic changes, which was more frequent in the control group.

Translation and validation of Warmometer, a tool for assessing warmth in patient-provider relationships, for use in Brazilian Portuguese.

BACKGROUND: Empathy in the patient-provider relationship is associated with important outcomes in healthcare practice. Our aim was to translate and validate Warmometer, a visual tool for assessing warmth in patient-provider relationships, for use in Brazilian Portuguese. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted at an antenatal clinic of a public university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: The instrument was translated into Brazilian Portuguese and culturally adapted. It was tested for reliability and validity among 32 pregnant women, between June 2015 and January 2016. To assess construct validity, it was correlated with the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) scale (gold standard for patient-provider relationships) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). RESULTS: The translated version of Warmometer had good face and content validity, low intra-observer reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC: 0.224; 95% confidence interval, CI -0.589 to 0.621;P = 0.242) and high inter-observer reproducibility (ICC: 0.952; 95% CI 0.902 to 0.977; P < 0.001). There was a strong correlation between Warmometer and CARE (r = 0.632) and a weak correlation between Warmometer and IRI (r = 0.105). CONCLUSIONS: Warmometer was translated, culturally adapted and validated for use in Brazilian Portuguese. The translated version is a reliable tool for assessing the degree of empathy perceived by the patient in a patient-provider relationship.

Mirror Syndrome in Monochorionic Twin Pregnancy with Acardiac Fetus.

We report the case of a 20-year-old patient, primigravida, with twin monochorionic pregnancy, with a weight gain of 6 kg in one week and increased blood pressure. During the ultrasound diagnostic investigation, placental edema and hydrops were identified in both fetuses, which, in association with maternal anasarca and pressure control, constitute the triad for mirror syndrome, also known as triple edema. In addition to being hydropic, one of the twins was an acardiac fetus, which is a rare combination of events. Gestation was terminated at 22 weeks and five days because of high maternal risk. The patient progressed with clinical and laboratory improvement. Our study is relevant in that it documents an extremely rare case and discusses relevant aspects of the symptoms and diagnosis of mirror syndrome. It also systematically reviews the condition.

Pregnancy as an early stress test for cardiovascular and kidney disease diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: Pregnancy is a cardiometabolic and renal stress test for women, primarily when associated with hypertension syndrome, which can have deleterious effects in the long term. We undertook this study to make a long-term evaluation on these women. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate voluntary women who had pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome versus normal pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated a total of 85 women, divided in case (n = 25) and control (n = 60) groups, by clinical, anthropometric and epidemiological profiles, general, metabolic and renal tests, and risk stratification for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). RESULTS: The case group showed a higher incidence of hypertension (P = .003), shorter period between its diagnosis and end of pregnancy (P < .001) and lower age at diagnosis (P = .033); higher weight (P < .001), body mass index (BMI) (P < .001), waist-to-height ratio (p = .001) and abdominal circumference (P < .001); higher fat percentage (P = .004) and weight to lose (P < .001) as measured by bioimpedance; lower estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation (P = .021), greater difference between estimated vascular age and real age (P = .008) according to Framingham Risk Score (2008) and higher frequency of metabolic syndrome (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Women who had pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome were found with a higher incidence of obesity, metabolic syndrome and hypertension, earlier onset of hypertension, higher estimated vascular age and lower eGFR. These findings reinforce the importance of investigating the history of hypertension syndrome in pregnancy, which should be considered an indicator to be followed long term after childbirth.