Multigravid Women with Uterine Rupture: A Case Report

Introduction: Uterine rupture is the discontinuation of the uterine scar that creates connection between uterine and peritoneal cavity. The most common etiology for uterine rupture is dehiscence of uterine scar tissue from previous cesarean section. In patient with uterine rupture and fetal expulsion to the peritoneal cavity, fetal survival becomes extremely poor. Therefore, it is important for clinician to understand the uterine rupture and be able to give prompt treatment in order to prevent maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Case Presentation: A 34-year-old woman, G3P2A0 38 weeks of gestation complained that she had abdominal pain, couldn’t feel her baby movement, watery discharge since 10 hours before admission. Bloody discharge and trauma were all denied. Patient underwent twice cesarean section before. Patient only had four times antenatal care with obstetrician at 24, 28, 32, and 36 weeks of gestation. She was scheduled for caesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation. Patient looked alert with low blood pressure and tachycardia. On physical examination, we found that she was pale, fundal height could not be determined, and there was no fetal heart rate detected. Speculum examination showed livide portio, closed external orifice of uterus, and inactive blood. There was positive slinger sign and Douglas cavity was bulging. Ultrasound examination showed intrauterine fetal demise, complete uterine rupture on lower segment, and positive sign of free fluid on abdominal cavity. Patient underwent operation and we found the died male neonate was in the peritoneal cavity and the placenta was still attached in the uterine cavity. We delivered the baby and placenta completely. There was uterine rupture on the previous CS scar, the edge of the uterine wound was regular with no necrosis and extended to the right side of uterus. Then, we performed hysterorrhaphy in order to stop the bleeding and repair the uterus, and we also performed tubal ligation. The died neonate had maceration grade I. Conclusion: Uterine rupture causes poor fetal and maternal prognosis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is really important in uterine rupture. Prevention of uterine rupture could be done by meticulous antenatal care, especially visiting to obstetrician in order to review maternal and fetal condition and determine mode of delivery.

A Systematic Review to Guide Future Efforts in the Determination of Genetic Causes of Pregnancy Loss

Background: Pregnancy loss is the most common obstetric complication occurring in almost 30% of conceptions overall and in 12–14% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Pregnancy loss has strong genetic underpinnings, and despite this consensus, our understanding of its genetic causes remains limited. We conducted a systematic review of genetic factors in pregnancy loss to identify strategies to guide future research.Methods: To synthesize data from population-based association studies on genetics of pregnancy loss, we searched PubMed for relevant articles published between 01/01/2000-01/01/2020. We excluded review articles, case studies, studies with limited sample sizes to detect associations (N < 4), descriptive studies, commentaries, and studies with non-genetic etiologies. Studies were classified based on developmental periods in gestation to synthesize data across various developmental epochs.Results: Our search yielded 580 potential titles with 107 (18%) eligible after title/abstract review. Of these, 54 (50%) were selected for systematic review after full-text review. These studies examined either early pregnancy loss (n = 9 [17%]), pregnancy loss >20 weeks' gestation (n = 10 [18%]), recurrent pregnancy loss (n = 32 [59%]), unclassified pregnancy loss (n = 3 [4%]) as their primary outcomes. Multiple genetic pathways that are essential for embryonic/fetal survival as well as human development were identified.Conclusion: Several genetic pathways may play a role in pregnancy loss across developmental periods in gestation. Systematic evaluation of pregnancy loss across developmental epochs, utilizing whole genome sequencing in families may further elucidate causal genetic mechanisms and identify other pathways critical for embryonic/fetal survival.

The Price of Surviving on Adrenaline: Developmental Programming Responses to Chronic Fetal Hypercatecholaminemia Contribute to Poor Muscle Growth Capacity and Metabolic Dysfunction in IUGR-Born Offspring

Maternofetal stress induces fetal programming that restricts skeletal muscle growth capacity and metabolic function, resulting in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) of the fetus. This thrifty phenotype aids fetal survival but also yields reduced muscle mass and metabolic dysfunction after birth. Consequently, IUGR-born individuals are at greater lifelong risk for metabolic disorders that reduce quality of life. In livestock, IUGR-born animals exhibit poor growth efficiency and body composition, making these animals more costly and less valuable. Specifically, IUGR-associated programming causes a greater propensity for fat deposition and a reduced capacity for muscle accretion. This, combined with metabolic inefficiency, means that these animals produce less lean meat from greater feed input, require more time on feed to reach market weight, and produce carcasses that are of less quality. Despite the health and economic implications of IUGR pathologies in humans and food animals, knowledge regarding their specific underlying mechanisms is lacking. However, recent data indicate that adaptive programing of adrenergic sensitivity in multiple tissues is a contributing factor in a number of IUGR pathologies including reduced muscle mass, peripheral insulin resistance, and impaired glucose metabolism. This review highlights the findings that support the role for adrenergic programming and how it relates to the lifelong consequences of IUGR, as well as how dysfunctional adrenergic signaling pathways might be effective targets for improving outcomes in IUGR-born offspring.

Systemic erythematosus lupus and pregnancy outcomes in a Colombian cohort

Objective Pregnant women with SLE have higher probabilities of maternal complications. SLE during pregnancy has alternating patterns of remission and flare-ups; however, most pregnant SLE patients tend to worsen with associated poor obstetric and perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to describe obstetric outcomes in pregnant women with SLE. Methods This retrospective study was performed between 2011 and 2020 at a highly complex referral health center in Cali, Colombia. Pregnant women with a diagnosis of SLE were included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory features and obstetric and fetal outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) characteristics, were evaluated. Results Forty-eight pregnant women with SLE were included. The median age was 29 (25–33.7) years. The SLE diagnosis was made before pregnancy in 38 (79.1%) patients, with a median disease duration of 46 (12–84) months. Thirteen (27.1%) patients had lupus nephritis. Preterm labor (34, 70.8%), preeclampsia (25, 52%), and preterm rupture of membranes (10, 20.8%) were the most common obstetric complications. A relationship between a greater systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancy disease activity index (SLEPDAI) and the development of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was established (preeclampsia = p < 0.0366; eclampsia = p < 0.0153). A relationship was identified between lupus nephritis (LN) and eclampsia ( p < 0.01), preterm labor ( p < 0.045), and placental abruption ( p < 0.01). Seventeen (35.4%) patients required ICU admission; 52.9% of them were due to AID activity, 17.6% for cardiovascular damage, 11.7% for septic shock, and 5.8% for acute kidney failure. Fetal survival was 89.5% ( N = 43/48). Among the live births, two (4.2%) newborns were diagnosed with neonatal lupus, and two (4.2%) were diagnosed with congenital heart block. One maternal death was registered due to preeclampsia and intraventricular hemorrhage. Conclusions This study is the first to describe SLE during pregnancy in Colombia. SLE was the most prevalent AID in this cohort, and complications included preterm labor, preeclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage. A higher SLEPDAI and lupus nephritis predicted adverse maternal outcomes.

Experience with different techniques of laser coagulation of placental anastomoses to relieve feto-fetal transfusion syndrome in monochorionic diamniotic twins

Introduction. In recent years, the problem of multiple fetuses has become particularly important, which is associated with a steady increase in the frequency of multiple pregnancies worldwide. The feto-fetal transfusion syndrome (FFTS) is a classic example of unbalanced functioning of placental anastomoses, which leads to transfusion between fetuses. The incidence of this syndrome in a group of monochorionic diamniotic twins ranges from 8% to 15% and, in the absence of timely diagnosis and intrauterine correction, leads to death of one or both fetuses in 70-100% of cases. The effect of different methods of intrauterine surgical correction of FFTS in monochorionic diamniotic multiple fetuses on perinatal outcomes is of scientific interest. Purpose of the study — to investigate the effect of different types of laser coagulation of placental anastomosis (LCPA) on perinatal outcomes in intrauterine surgical correction of FFTS. Materials and methods. Depending on the surgical technique used, women were divided into three groups: the total placental anastomosis coagulation method, Group 1 (58 pregnant women); the selective placental anastomosis coagulation method, Group 2 (67 pregnant women); the sequential selective laser coagulation of placental anastomoses, Group 3 (62 pregnant women). Results. We analyzed the results of intrauterine surgical correction of FFTS by different methods of laser coagulation of placental anastomoses in 187 women with monochorionic diamniotic type of placentation of II-IV degrees according to Quintero. We obtained statistically significant differences in many perinatal period indices depending on the LCPA method used. Discussion. Sequential selective LCPA has proven to be the most effective, safe, and promising technique for correction of FFTS. The data obtained indicate possible ways to improve pregnancy prolongation and fetal survival rates after the use of intrauterine surgical correction of placental vascular anastomoses. Conclusion. Sequential selective LCPA has proven to be the best technique to correct FFTS with the least perinatal losses and postoperative complications, as well as the highest efficacy.

Survival Analysis of Women Exposed to Humidifier Disinfectants during the Perinatal Period: A Nested Case-Control Study

Background Because humidifier disinfectants (HDs) have been prohibited by the government because of their potential serious effects on human body, several studies on the relationship between HD and lung diseases have been separately performed on children and adults; however, to our knowledge, no studies have investigated the effects of HD exposure on pregnant women and their fetuses. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of HD exposure on the fetuses of women who were exposed to HDs during pregnancy. Methods We collected data from the Korea Environment Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) to investigate the effects of HD exposure on the fetus during pregnancy. Among the applicants, mothers with HD exposure during pregnancy were recruited to determine the damage from HD. Others were included by self-referral or by their guardians. From 2017 to 2020, there were 56 cases. All had been exposed to HDs from 1994 to 2006. Seven cases were excluded because HD exposure did not coincide with pregnancy. We determined the effects of HD exposure on maternal-fetal survival and classified the duration of exposure as it related to the various stages of pregnancy, including prepregnancy, trimester of pregnancy, and seasonal variation. A subgroup analysis based on maternal-fetal survival was performed as a nested case-control study. Results Of the 49 mothers, 22 (44.9%) survived, and 27 (55.1%) died. In the group of survivors, the total duration of exposure (P = 0.004), the duration of exposure until symptom onset (P = 0.023), the duration of exposure before delivery (P = 0.023), and duration of exposure before pregnancy (P = 0.010) were shorter than those in the group who died. Of the mothers who survived, 50% were exposed before pregnancy, and 66.7% of the mothers who died were exposed before delivery. Conclusions A shorter period of HD exposure was associated with a higher likelihood of maternal survival. Also, a shorter time from childbirth to symptom onset was associated with a higher likelihood of maternal-fetal survival.

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) in pregnancy: An important spot diagnosis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a relatively rare syndrome of pulmonary surfactant clearance dysfunction that could present like asthma. A middle-aged pregnant lady presented with asthma-like symptoms which was negative for autoimmune screening, whom thoracic imaging consistent with ground-glass opacity superimposed with septal thickening. Whole lung bronchopulmonary lavage fluid analysis showed predominantly eosiniphilic material within alveolar space. Subsequent lung biopsy revealed positive PAS stain for eosinophilic material. Its presentation in pregnancy could pose challenge to delivery. The associated maternal infection risk could compromise fetal survival.

Data of the COVID-19 mRNA-Vaccine V-Safe Surveillance System and Pregnancy Registry Reveals Poor Embryonic and Second Trimester Fetal Survival Rate. Comment on Stuckelberger et al. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Willingness among Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women during the First Pandemic Wave: A Cross-Sectional Study in Switzerland. Viruses 2021, 13, 1199

Dr. Sarah Stuckelberger and her colleagues should be commended for their cross-sectional study assessing the willingness of Swiss pregnant and breastfeeding women to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 [...]

Current Data on COVID-19 mRNA-Vaccine Safety during Pregnancy Might Be Subject to Selection Bias. Reply to Stroobandt, S.; Stroobandt, R. Data of the COVID-19 mRNA-Vaccine V-Safe Surveillance System and Pregnancy Registry Reveals Poor Embryonic and Second Trimester Fetal Survival Rate. Comment on “Stuckelberger et al. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Willingness among Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women during the First Pandemic Wave: A Cross-Sectional Study in Switzerland. Viruses 2021, 13, 1199”

We would like to thank Stroobandt, S. and Stroobandt, R. for showing interest in our paper [...]

A CASE REPORT OF SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY OUTCOME IN UNICORNUATE UTERUS WITH KYPHOSCOLIOSIS

Unicornuate uterus belongs to class U4 or Hemi-uterus classication according to the European society of human reproduction and embryology (ESHRE). The incidence of Hemi-uterus is 1-2 %. It is associated with fetal survival of 40%. Kyphoscoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine in both coronal and sagittal planes. Prevalence varies from 0.3% to 15.3%. We present a case of 27 years, unbooked primigravida with 34 weeks gestation with leaking per vagina and pain abdomen with breech presentation. She had short stature and kyphoscoliosis. During caesarean section she was found to have unicornuate uterus with absent left fallopian tube and ovary.