Fetal Surveillance in Pregnancies with Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune condition, that commonly impacts adult women of reproductive age. Myasthenia gravis in pregnancy is rare, but the incidence is higher in different geographical areas. Pregnancies in mothers with MG can have an unfortunate outcome. Acetylcholine receptor antibodies may pass into the fetal circulation and can affect the fetal neuromuscular junction, generating transient MG or even fetal arthrogryposis. The 2016 and 2021 International Consensus Guidance for Management of Myasthenia Gravis issued by Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America is lacking in recommendation for fetal surveillance for pregnancies in women with MG. The aim of this paper is to highlight fetal and neonatal complications in mothers with MG and to offer antenatal care insights. Close maternal and pregnancy monitoring can improve pregnancy outcome. Patients with MG should be encouraged to conceive, to avoid triggers for exacerbations of the disease during pregnancy and a multidisciplinary team should be established to ensure the optimal support and therapy.

Pregnancy outcome study between Pradhan mantri surakshit matriva abhiyan service utilization group and pradhan mantri surakshit matriva abhiyan service non-utilization group: a comparative study

Background: Safe pregnancy has become a social movement in our country. Almost 15 % of all pregnant women can develop potentially life-threatening complications. As a result, identification of high-risk pregnancies at earliest stage will be useful in directing appropriate intervention. Hence this study was done to evaluate the betterment of pregnancy outcome of the women who had taken the adequate service of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matriva Abhijyan service (PMSMA) than who had not.Method: A longitudinal study was conducted at Malda medical college during January 2019 to June 2019. 385 women selected who had taken at least three antenatal checkups (from record analysis) at PMSMA designated clinic and another 385 women selected who had not taken PMSMA services. Women of both groups were followed up their delivery events and puerperal days till discharge from hospital. Pregnancy outcomes were compared and statistical analysis of both groups were done by SSPS software. Results: A significant outcome difference of PMSMA service utilized and non-utilized groups in respect to fetal and maternal parameters including moderate to severe anemia, (12.98% vs 26.49%), intra uterine growth retardation (IUGR, 20.0% vs 29.87%), hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP, 8.31% vs 13.50%), low-birth-weight (21.30% vs 31.16%) and stillborn (1.29% vs 2.89%) were observed.Conclusions: This study showed positive pregnancy outcome of PMSMA utilized group than non-utilized group. Improving the availability and accessibility of quality antenatal and delivery care through PMSMA services in all our institutions, will improve pregnancy outcome.

Evidence-Based View of Safety and Effectiveness of Prokineticin Receptors Antagonists during Pregnancy

Endocrine gland derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) is a canonical member of the prokineticin (PROKs) family. It acts via the two G-protein coupled receptors, namely PROKR1 and PROKR2. We have recently demonstrated that EG-VEGF is highly expressed in the human placenta; contributes to placental vascularization and growth and that its aberrant expression is associated with pregnancy pathologies including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. These findings strongly suggested that antagonization of its receptors may constitute a potential therapy for the pregnancy pathologies. Two specific antagonists of PROKR1 (PC7) and for PROKR2 (PKRA) were reported to reverse PROKs adverse effects in other systems. In the view of using these antagonists to treat pregnancy pathologies, a proof of concept study was designed to determine the biological significances of PC7 and PKRA in normal pregnancy outcome. PC7 and PKRA were tested independently or in combination in trophoblast cells and during early gestation in the gravid mouse. Both independent and combined treatments uncovered endogenous functions of EG-VEGF. The independent use of antagonists distinctively identified PROKR1 and PROKR2-mediated EG-VEGF signaling on trophoblast differentiation and invasion; thereby enhancing feto-placental growth and pregnancy outcome. Thus, our study provides evidence for the potential safe use of PC7 or PKRA to improve pregnancy outcome.

ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF FIRST TRIMESTER BLEEDING – A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Introduction : About one fourth of pregnant women present with bleeding in the rst trimester .The four major sources of nontraumatic bleeding in early pregnancy are ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage (threatened, inevitable, incomplete, complete), implantation of the pregnancy, cervical, vaginal, or uterine pathology (eg, polyps, inammation/infection, trophoblastic disease). Although 50% of cases presenting with vaginal bleeding continue to have a normal healthy pregnancy, but the maternal anxiety about risk of miscarriage should be assessed and counselled. The present study is an overview of etiologies and evaluation of bleeding upto 12 weeks of gestational age. Aim:To evaluate the incidence and etiology of rst trimester bleeding. Objective: To correlate the association between rst trimester bleeding and miscarriage. Methodology:A retrospective study among pregnant women with rst trimester bleeding was conducted for a period of 1 year at Chettinad hospital and Research Institute.Detailed History taking and pelvic examination was done for 139 patients.Specic blood investigation along with Transvaginal USG probe 3-5 MHz was performed and appropriate treatment was given. Results: Out of 900 pregnant women attending the out patient (OP) over a period of one year, 139 patients presented with rst trimester bleeding , incidence being 15.44%. The present study suggest that 41.007% women had miscarriage following rst trimester bleeding . It is depicted that 20.14% of women had history of previous abortions and 12.23% had history of bleeding in previous pregnancy. The major cause of bleeding in the rst trimester in our study was threatened abortion (32.37%). Conclusion :We conclude that the present study helps in giving appropriate treatment to women presenting with rst trimester bleeding . Ultrasonography plays a key role in the diagnosis of cause of bleed . Early care and close monitoring will inevitably improve pregnancy outcome .

Clinical perspectives to improve pregnancy outcome in women undergoing chronic hemodialysis

Severe Chronic Kidney Disease is considered a powerful method of contraception per se, and pregnancy among women undergoing chronic hemodialysis is a rare event. Women on dialysis usually have amenorrhea or irregular menstrual cycles and sexual dysfunction. They are often unaware of their pregnancy, which delays the diagnosis and the beginning of adequate obstetric-nephrological care, increasing the risk of maternal and fetal complications including pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery, and perinatal death. However, pregnancy among women on dialysis is increasing exponentially around the world. The authors present the two last pregnancies of patients on dialysis followed in their hospital, review clinical procedures, and the improvements of medical care during gestation used to contribute to a successful gestation outcome. Pregnancy is possible in women on chronic hemodialysis.

Aspiration versus retention ultrasound-guided ethanol sclerotherapy for treating endometrioma: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Background: Endometrioma is a common high-recurrence gynecological disease that affects infertility. Surgical resection using laparotomy or laparoscopy is applied as a standard treatment. Moreover, sclerotherapy is reported to be effective as a noninvasive method for treating endometrioma. Objective: To evaluate whether the ethanol retention or aspiration after sclerotherapy improve pregnancy outcome in infertile women with endometrioma. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, hospital records of 43 women with recurrent or bilateral endometrioma who had been undergone transvaginal ultrasound sclerotherapy were reviewed. They were selected to receive either ethanol for 10 min, ethanol injection, irrigation, and then aspiration or total retention without aspiration based on the surgeon’s decision. The participants were followed-up for 3, 6 and 12 months for natural or artificial conception as well as for cyst recurrence. Results: Chemical pregnancy was positive in 52% of the women in the aspiration group and 53.8% in the retention group. Ongoing pregnancy (44% vs 46.2%, p = 0.584) and live birth (40% vs 46.2%, p = 0.490) were reported marginally higher in the retention group compared with the aspiration group, and the differences were not statistically significant. Moreover, the recurrence rate were found to be 48.1% and 37.5% in the aspiration and retention groups, respectively (p = 0.542). The cysts size in the retention group was significantly correlated to the recurrence rate. Conclusion: Both the aspiration and left in situ of ethanol 95% sclerotherapy have the similar impact on the treatment of ovarian endometrioma regarding pregnancy and recurrence rate. However, larger randomized studies with strict inclusion criteria are needed. Key words: Endometrioma, Ethanol, Sclerotherapy, In vitro fertilization, Pregnancy rate.