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Obstetrics
Terms modified by Obstetrics Selected AbstractsCompetencies and skills for remote and rural maternity care: a review of the literatureJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2007Jillian Ireland Abstract Title. Competencies and skills for remote and rural maternity care: a review of the literature Aim., This paper reports a review of the literature on skills, competencies and continuing professional development necessary for sustainable remote and rural maternity care. Background., There is a general sense that maternity care providers in rural areas need specific skills and competencies. However, how these differ from generic skills and competencies is often unclear. Methods., Approaches used to access the research studies included a comprehensive search in relevant electronic databases using relevant keywords (e.g. ,remote', ,midwifery', ,obstetrics', ,nurse,midwives', education', ,hospitals', ,skills', ,competencies', etc.). Experts were approached for (un-)published literature, and books and journals known to the authors were also used. Key journals were hand searched and references were followed up. The original search was conducted in 2004 and updated in 2006. Findings., Little published literature exists on professional education, training or continuous professional development in maternity care in remote and rural settings. Although we found a large literature on competency, little was specific to competencies for rural practice or for maternity care. ,Hands-on' skills courses such as Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics and the Neonatal Resuscitation Programme increase confidence in practice, but no published evidence of effectiveness of such courses exists. Conclusion., Educators need to be aware of the barriers facing rural practitioners, and there is potential for increasing distant learning facilitated by videoconferencing or Internet access. They should also consider other assessment methods than portfolios. More research is needed on the levels of skills and competencies required for maternity care professionals practising in remote and rural areas. [source] Investigating factors associated with nurses' attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care: a study in Shandong and Hong KongJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 16 2009Moon Fai Chan Aims., To explore nurses' attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care and to identify factors associated with these attitudes. Background., It is likely that the attitude of nursing staff can influence recovery from a pregnancy loss and that nurses with positive attitudes to bereavement care can help bereaved parents to cope during their grieving period. Design., Survey. Method., Data were collected through a structured questionnaire; 657 nurses were recruited from Obstetrics and Gynaecology units in Hong Kong and Shandong during 2006. Outcome measures included attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care, importance of hospital policy and training support for bereavement care. Results., The majority of nurses in this study had a positive attitude to bereavement care. Results show that only 21·6% (n = 141) of the nurses surveyed had bereavement-related training. In contrast, about 89·8% (n = 300) believed they needed to be equipped with relevant knowledge, skills and understanding in the care and support of bereaved parents and more than 88·5% (n = 592) would share their experiences with their colleagues and seek support when feeling under stress. A regression model showed that age, past experience in handling grieving parents, recent ranking and nurses' perceived attitudes to hospital policy and training provided for bereavement care were the factors associated with nurses' attitudes to perinatal bereavement care. Conclusions., Nurses in both cities emphasised their need for increased knowledge and experience, improved communication skills and greater support from team members and the hospital for perinatal bereavement care. Relevance to clinical practice., These findings may be used by nursing educators to educate their students on issues related to delivery of sensitive bereavement care in perinatal settings and to enhance nursing school curricula. [source] The experience of living with a chronic illness during adolescence: a critical review of the literatureJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 23 2008Rachel M Taylor Aims., To identify and critique literature on the adolescent lived experience of chronic illness; describe the lived experience; and to make recommendations for clinical practice. Background., Young people with chronic illness have the same developmental issues as those who are healthy. However, development can be disrupted by treatment and repeated hospitalisation. While the physical consequences of chronic illness on development have been established, the subjective personal experience is less known. Design., Literature review. Methods., Electronic databases and hand searches were made of the literature published between January 1990,September 2007. Literature was eligible for inclusion if it involved adolescents between 10,19 years, and published in English and used qualitative methods of data collection. Methodological quality was assessed using the criteria described by Cesario et al. [Journal of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatal Nursing 31 (2002) 31]. Conclusions., Twenty studies were identified involving young people with a wide variety of chronic illnesses. The study quality was variable, however, generally the majority was assessed as being good or fair. Seven common themes were found between the identified studies: developing and maintaining friendships; being normal/getting on with life; the importance of family; attitude to treatment; experiences of school; relationship with the healthcare professionals; and the future. Relevance to practice., As there was commonality in themes between studies strategies to lessen the burden of chronic illness during adolescence do not necessarily need to be disease specific. Nurses need to focus on treating the young person rather than their illness. [source] Consultants for The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research 2007JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2008Article first published online: 28 JUN 200 [source] Golden Jubilee for Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and GynaecologyJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2007AOFOG, Prof Yuji Murata President [source] Consultants for The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research 2005JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2006Article first published online: 5 JUN 200 First page of article [source] In Memoriam: Professor Yoshinori Kuwabara Chairman, Journal Committee and Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and GynaecologyJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2000Emeritus Professor S. S. Ratnam No abstract is available for this article. [source] Achieving a Safety Culture in ObstetricsMOUNT SINAI JOURNAL OF MEDICINE: A JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009Erin DuPree MD Abstract Preventable maternal and neonatal mortalities still occur, despite the wonders of today's technologically advanced healthcare system. Delivering high-quality, consistent care is the goal of every provider. Yet, obstetrical practice, in which unpredictable events and high-risk situations are the norm, is particularly vulnerable to medical errors. Obstetrics departments should be striving for a climate of patient safety, one that includes a just, reporting, and learning culture. This article discusses the various components of a safety culture as well as some of the advances that are being made in the field to improve the quality of care in obstetrics. Mt Sinai J Med 76:529-538, 2009. © 2009 Mount Sinai School of Medicine [source] Immunohistochemical study of the expression of adhesion molecules in ovarian serous neoplasmsPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2006Eun Yoon Cho To clarify possible roles of adhesion molecules including E-cadherin, ,- and ,-catenin, CD44s, CD44v6, CD56, and CD99 in ovarian serous neoplasms, an immunohistochemical study was undertaken for 23 benign, 40 borderline, and 95 malignant ovarian serous neoplasms using tissue microarray (TMA). Significantly reduced expression of E-cadherin, and overexpression of CD44s, CD56, and CD99 were more frequently observed in adenocarcinomas than in benign and borderline tumors. Expression of CD44v6 and nuclear ,- and ,-catenin were detected only in borderline tumors and adenocarcinomas. Reduced expression of E-cadherin was also correlated with high tumor grade (P = 0.03), presence of peritoneal seeding (P = 0.03), and low overall survival rate (P = 0.02). Overexpression of CD44s was significantly associated with high tumor grade (P = 0.04), advanced stage (P = 0.03), and low overall survival rate (P = 0.02). CD56 was increasingly expressed in the case of advanced stage (P = 0.005) and peritoneal seeding (P = 0.001). Nuclear staining for ,-catenin was correlated with tumor progression (P = 0.004) and advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (P = 0.02). Only CD44s expression and stage were correlated with overall survival in multivariate study. These results suggest that although E-cadherin, CD44s, CD56, and nuclear ,-catenin immunoexpression seem to be useful prognostic markers for serous neoplasm of the ovary, CD44s expression and FIGO stage are independent prognostic factors. [source] Chair in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with the opportunity also to be appointed as medical director of the Gvnaecology Clinical Care UnitAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Article first published online: 28 JUN 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Do the learning needs of rural and urban general practitioners differ?AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 6 2005James A. Allan Abstract Introduction:,The challenges of rural general practice have given rise to a separate rural training stream and a separate rural professional body. The differences are characterised by the nature of the work undertaken by rural GPs and reflected in the continuing medical education topic choices made when surveyed. Methods:,In 2001 a survey was designed and distributed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Divisions of General Practice in South Australia and Northern Territory. The survey utilised a list of 104 topics. The topic choices of rural and urban GPs were compared. Results:,The survey was distributed to approximately 1762 GPs and yielded 578 responses (33%). Rural GPs were more likely to select the following topics: Anaesthetics, Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander health, Population Health, Renal medicine, Cardiology, Teaching skills, Obstetrics, Neonates, Arrhythmias, Fracture management, Tropical medicine and Therapeutics. Urban GPs were more likely to select Menopause, Travel medicine and Palliative care (P < 0.05). Discussion:,Many of the areas of difference reflected aspects of rural general practice. There were also many similarities in topic choices between these two groups. [source] Surgical treatment of uterine torsion using a ventral midline laparotomy in 19 maresAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2008C Jung Objective ,To report on the outcome of surgical treatment of uterine torsion in preterm mares. Design ,Retrospective case series of pregnant mares with uterine torsion presented to the Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals. Methods ,Hospital records of all pregnant mares that underwent ventral midline laparotomy for uterine torsion between 1998 and 2004 were reviewed. The signalment, history, clinical signs, results of diagnostic procedures, direction and degree of the uterine twist, treatment and outcome were retrieved from each case record. Results ,This study comprised 19 mares between months 5 and 11 of pregnancy (8.7 ± 1.9) and suffering from uterine torsion. In all cases ventromedian laparotomy was carried out under general anaesthesia. Gastrointestinal disorders were also present in 52.6% of horses. Postoperative complications included subcutaneous seromas (five mares), peritonitis (one mare) and abortion (two mares). In four mares (21%) the operation was unsuccessful (i.e. these mares had to be euthanased intra- or postoperatively). Of the surviving 15 mares, 13 (86.6%) gave birth to viable foals at full term. The foals developed normally. Only two mares aborted. Conclusions ,Because of its versatility the ventral midline approach should be considered for correction of uterine torsion. The approach has many advantages, including rapid and clear access to the abdominal cavity, safety, visual assessment of uterine wall viability, correction of concomitant gastrointestinal tract problems, and performance of hysterotomy or hysterectomy, if indicated. In this study, managing uterine torsion in this way resulted in a high percentage of cases (86.6%) in which pregnancy was maintained, with the birth of a viable, mature foal. [source] Human papillomavirus infection and primary fallopian tube carcinoma: a seroepidemiological studyBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2007A Riska Objective, To evaluate the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 or 33 infection in primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC). Design, A retrospective case,control study. Setting, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Population, Seventy-eight consecutive women with PFTC diagnosed between 1985 and 2000 were studied. For each case, two healthy controls were selected. Methods, Serum immunoglobulin G antibodies to HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33 were measured from women with PFTC and their healthy controls. Main outcome measures, Analysis of HPV 6, 11, 18, 31 and 33 seropositivity among women with PFTC and controls. Results, Seropositivity rates of non-oncogenic or oncogenic HPV types did not differ between cases and controls, odds ratios being 1.04,1.30 for oncogenic HPVs and 1.08,1.19 for non-oncogenic HPVs, similarly. We did not find any multiplicative joint effect in PFTC by antibodies to more than one oncogenic HPV type; neither did we find any antagonistic effect among women with antibodies to non-oncogenic and oncogenic HPV types. Conclusions, Our results do not suggest any link between PFTC and serological evidence for HPV infection. [source] Bacterial vaginosis in a cohort of Danish pregnant women: prevalence and relationship with preterm delivery, low birthweight and perinatal infectionsBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 12 2006JA Svare Objective, To determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in the second trimester of pregnancy in a Danish population using the Schmidt criteria and to examine whether BV was associated with subsequent preterm delivery, low birthweight or perinatal infections. Design, Prospective cohort study. Setting, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a University Hospital, Denmark. Population, Three thousand five hundred and forty pregnant women aged 18 years or more. Methods, A smear from the vagina was obtained from all women, air-dried and stored for subsequent diagnosis of BV. After rehydration with isotonic saline, the smear was examined in a phase-contrast microscope at 400×, and the numbers of lactobacilli morphotypes and small bacterial morphotypes were counted. A score for BV was calculated according to the method described by Schmidt. The outcome of pregnancy from 20 weeks of gestation was examined in the 3262 singleton pregnant women who were included in this study before 20 weeks of gestation. The relationship between BV and adverse outcome of pregnancy was examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. Main outcome measures, Prevalence of BV, preterm delivery (<37 weeks), low birthweight (<2500 g), preterm delivery of a low-birthweight infant and clinical chorioamnionitis. Results, The prevalence of BV was 16%, and the rate of preterm delivery was 5.2% in the study population of 3262 singleton pregnant women who were included before 20 weeks of gestation. Mean birthweight was significantly lower in infants of women with BV than in infants of women without BV (3408 versus 3511 g, P < 0.01). Univariate analyses showed that BV was marginally associated with preterm delivery but significantly associated with low birthweight, preterm delivery of a low birthweight infant, indicated preterm delivery and clinical chorioamnionitis. Multivariate analyses, which adjusted for previous miscarriage, previous preterm delivery, previous conisation, smoking, gestational diabetes, fetal death and preterm premature rupture of membranes, showed that BV was significantly associated with low birthweight (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.3,2.9), preterm delivery of a low-birthweight infant (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.6,3.9), indicated preterm delivery (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4,4.1) and clinical chorioamnionitis (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4,5.1). Conclusions, The prevalence of BV determined using the Schmidt criteria in the early second trimester of pregnancy was similar to that found in similar studies. The presence of BV before 20 weeks of gestation was an independent risk factor for delivery of an infant with low birthweight, preterm delivery of a low-birthweight infant, indicated preterm delivery and clinical chorioamnionitis. [source] Uterotubal transport disorder in adenomyosis and endometriosis,a cause for infertilityBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 8 2006S Kissler Objective, Uterine hyperperistalsis and dysperistalsis are common phenomena in endometriosis and may be responsible for reduced fertility in cases of minimal or mild extent of disease. Since a high prevalence of adenomyosis uteri has been well documented in association with endometriosis, we designed a study to examine whether hyperperistalsis and dysperistalsis are caused by the endometriosis itself or by the adenomyotic component of the disease. Design, A prospective observational study. Setting, University hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecologic Endocrinology with 300 in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmatic sperm injection cycles and 350 intrauterine insemination cycles/year. Population, Forty-one subjects with infertility and with laparoscopically proven endometriosis and patent fallopian tubes. Thirty-five subjects (85%) additionally showed signs of adenomyosis. Methods, All subjects underwent T2-weighed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSSG) during the subsequent menstrual cycle. MRI revealed the extent of the adenomyotic component of the disease and the integrity of uterotubal transport capacity was evaluated by HSSG. Main outcome measures, Influence of adenomyosis on uterotubal transport capacity in endometriosis. Results, In 35 of the 41 subjects (85%) with endometriosis, signs of adenomyosis were detected using T2-weighed MRI. Two of six (33%) subjects with no adenomyosis (group I) showed dysperistalsis and hyperperistalsis, compared with 14 of 24 (58%) women with focal adenomyosis (group II) and 10 of 11 (91%) women with diffuse adenomyosis (seven showed a failure in transport capacity and two contralateral transport). Conclusions, Our data suggest that endometriosis is associated with impeded hyperperistaltic and dysperistaltic uterotubal transport capacity. However, adenomyosis is of even more importance, especially when diffuse adenomyosis is detected. Both forms of adenomyosis are commonly found in subjects with mild to moderate endometriosis. We suggest that the extent of the adenomyotic component in subjects with endometriosis explains much of the reduced fertility in subjects with intact tubo-ovarian anatomy. [source] Randomised controlled trial of LigaSure versus conventional suture ligature for abdominal hysterectomyBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 7 2005Bjørn Hagen Objective To compare the use of LigaSure with conventional suture ligature in abdominal hysterectomy. Design Pilot randomised controlled unblinded trial with block randomisation according to three operating surgeons. Setting One Norwegian teaching hospital, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. Sample Thirty women who underwent total or subtotal abdominal hysterectomy. Methods Data, with regard to operation time expenditure and the occurrence of peri- and post-operative complications, were collected and compared between the two techniques. Main outcome measures Operation time, peri- and post-operative complications. Results Mean operation duration was 61.7 minutes with LigaSure and 54.5 minutes with conventional suture ligature. The corresponding operative blood loss was 303 and 298 mL, respectively. Occurrence of complications was few and not significantly different between the two techniques. Mean hospital stay was longer following LigaSure operations (10 vs 6 days), probably due to a certain age imbalance between the study groups. Conclusions Within the limitation of this pilot study, we did not uncover a time sparing effect from the use of LigaSure or any difference in the occurrence of blood loss and complications. [source] Deterioration in cord blood gas status during the second stage of labour is more rapid in the second twin than in the first twinBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 6 2004Tak-Yeung Leung Objective To compare in twin pregnancy the rate of deterioration in umbilical blood gas status during the second stage of labour, and to investigate whether the duration of the first twin's delivery has any effect on the blood gas status of the second twin. Design A retrospective study. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a university teaching hospital. Population Twin pregnancies with both of the twins delivered by normal cephalic vaginal mode, at or beyond 34 weeks of gestation, over a period of seven years. Twins with any maternal or fetal complications including discordant growth, intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine death, fetal malformations, fetal distress, pre-eclampsia and diabetes were excluded. Methods The first twins' second stage was defined as from the start of maternal pushing to his/her delivery, while the second twins' second stage started after the delivery of the first twin and ended by his/her delivery. The total duration of the second stage was the sum of the above two intervals. The correlations between the first twins' umbilical cord blood gas parameters and the duration of their own second stage, the second twins' umbilical cord blood gas parameters and the duration of their own second stage, as well as that of the total second stage, were studied. Main outcome measures The changes of umbilical arterial pH of each twin with the duration of the corresponding second stage of labour, and the difference among them. Results A total of 51 cases were reviewed. The median gestation at delivery was 37 weeks. The median duration of first twins' second stage was 10 minutes (range 1,75) while that of the second twins' was 10 minutes (range 3,26). The first twins' second stage was inversely correlated with their arterial pH, venous pH and base excess [BE] (P < 0.01). Both the second twins' second stage and the total second stage were inversely correlated with both of their arterial and venous pH and BE (P < 0.01). However, further multiple regression analysis suggested that the correlation of the total second stage with the second twins' cord blood parameters could be solely explained by their own second stage. The rate of reduction in the second twins' arterial pH was 4.95 × 10,3 per minute, and was significantly faster than that of the first twins', which was 1.55 × 10,3 per minute (P < 0.05). Conclusions During normal vaginal delivery, the umbilical cord blood gas status of both the first and the second twins deteriorated with the duration of their corresponding second stages, but the effects are greater in the latter. Furthermore, the duration of the first twins' second stage does not affect the blood gas status of the second twins'. These observations support the postulation of a diminished uteroplacental exchange function after the delivery of the first twin. Close monitoring and expeditious delivery of the second twins are important. [source] Prenatal diagnosis for risk of spinal muscular atrophyBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 11 2002I. Cuscó Objectives Prenatal diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy is usually performed in high risk couples by detection of a homozygous deletion in the survival motor neurone gene (SMN1). However, other relatives at risk of being carriers very often request genetic counselling and the possibility of prenatal diagnosis. The aim of this study was to validate a SMN1 gene quantitative test to help the couples formed by one spinal muscular atrophy carrier and a partner of the general population (1/200 potential risk) to achieve a less ambiguous risk result for the pregnancy. Design Spinal muscular atrophy carrier studies in at-risk individuals. Setting Department of Genetics and Gynaecology and Obstetrics in a large university hospital. Population Seventy-nine obligate carriers (more than one affected child with deletion in the offspring) and 58 non-carriers (relatives of spinal muscular atrophy families defined by marker studies) were tested to set up a quantitative analysis. The method was applied in different situations in 126 members from 34 families with spinal muscular atrophy patients. Methods DNA studies of the SMN1 gene by marker analysis and quantitative assay. Main outcome measures To determine double (non-carrier) or single dose (carrier) of exon 7 of the SMN1 gene in relatives of spinal muscular atrophy patients. Bayesian calculation of risk. Results The sensitivity and specificity of the method were 96% and 100%, respectively. Studies on different couples with an a priori risk of 1/200 allowed us to reduce the final risk to 1/5000 or to increase it to 1/4. Conclusions The quantitative method can be used to achieve a less ambiguous risk in pregnancies with a 1/200 risk and in families where no sample is available to study the index case. Screening of gamete donors when the recipient is a known carrier should also be considered. [source] A new method to determine the feto-placental volume based on dilution of fetal haemoglobin and an estimation of plasma fluid loss after intrauterine intravascular transfusionBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 10 2002M. Hoogeveen Objectives (1) To calculate the feto-placental volume (FPV), using the haematocrit (Ht) values and the percentages of fetal haemoglobin (HbF), before and after red blood cell transfusion. (2) To estimate the transfusion-induced loss of plasma fluid. Design Retrospective analysis of data of 42 anaemic fetuses at the first transfusion [gestational age (GA) 19,36 weeks]. Setting Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands. Sample Fifteen hydropic and 27 non-hydropic fetuses. Methods Donor blood volume (Vdonor) and Ht (Htdonor), fetal pre- and post-transfusion Ht values (Htinitial, Htfinal) and percentages of HbF (HbFinitial and HbFfinal) were used to calculate the FPV. The total red cell volume after transfusion (RCVfinal) and Htfinal were used to estimate the plasma fluid loss. Main outcome measures Feto-placental blood volume and loss of plasma fluid. Results The equations that use Htfinal over-estimate the FPV when the formula does not account for the difference between donor and post-transfusion Ht (FPVHt= 21.36 * GA , 390; r= 0.89). FPV is under-estimated (FPVHt= 9.90 * GA , 172; r= 0.84) when the blood volume increases with a volume less than the added donor blood volume. The calculation of FPV, using HbF percentages and the initial fetal RCV, is independent of volume changes (FPVHbF= 15.10 * GA , 279; r= 0.85). Comparing RCVfinal and Htfinal values showed that 31.1 ± 14.5% of the transfused volume was lost. Results of the hydropic fetuses did not differ from those of the non-hydropic fetuses. Conclusions FPV values based on Ht values are less reliable than those based on RCV and HbF findings. When, for practical reasons, Ht values have to be used, we propose an adapted equation for the calculation of the necessary volume of donor blood: Vdonor= FPVHbF* (Htfinal, Htinitial) / (Htdonor, 0.70 * Htfinal). [source] Low dose acetylsalicylic acid in prevention of pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation in women with bilateral uterine artery notchesBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Merja Vainio Objective To evaluate the efficacy of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid in the prevention of pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation in high-risk pregnancies as determined by transvaginal Doppler ultrasound study of the uterine arteries at 12 to 14 weeks of gestation. Design Randomised, double blind and placebo-controlled trial. Setting The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tampere University Hospital, Finland. Population One hundred and twenty pregnant women considered to be at high risk of pre-eclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation were screened by transvaginal Doppler ultrasound at 12 to 14 weeks of gestation. Methods Ninety pregnant women with bilateral notches in the uterine arteries were randomised to receive acetylsalicyclic acid 0.5mg/kg/day (n= 45) or placebo (n= 45) from 12 to 14 weeks of gestation. Main outcome measures Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and intrauterine growth retardation. Results Forty-three women on acetylsalicyclic acid and 43 on placebo were successfully followed up. The use of acetylsalicyclic acid was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension (11.6%vs 37.2%, RR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.13,0.78) and pre-eclampsia (4.7%vs 23.3%, RR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.05,0.86). The incidence of hypertension before 37 weeks of pregnancy was also significantly reduced (2.3%vs 20.9%, RR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.05,0.97). The reduction in the incidence of intrauterine growth retardation (2.3%vs 7%) was not statistically significant. Acetylsalicyclic acid was not associated with excess risk of maternal or fetal bleeding. Conclusion In women rated in Doppler velocimetry waveform analysis to be at high risk of pre-eclampsia, low-dose acetylsalicyclic acid reduces the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension and especially proteinuric pre-eclampsia. [source] Factor V Leiden and G20210A prothrombin mutations are risk factors for very early recurrent miscarriageBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 12 2001M.F. Reznikoff-Etiévant Objective To determine whether there is an association between early recurrent miscarriage (before 10 weeks of pregnancy) and Factor V Leiden and G20210A prothrombin mutations. Design A prospective study. Setting Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Saint Antoine Hospital, Paris, France. Population Two groups of women: those with early unexplained recurrent miscarriage before 10 weeks of pregnancy (n=260) and control healthy women without a previous history of thromboembolism (n=240). Methods Screening for defects in the protein C anticoagulant pathway was performed using the anticoagulant response to agkistrodon confortrix venom (ACV test). Protein C and Factor V Leiden mutation testing was performed for each low ACV level. Each sample was tested for the G20210A prothrombin mutation. Results Factor V Leiden and G20210A mutations were found to be associated with early recurrent spontaneous miscarriage before 10 weeks of pregnancy, the odds ratios being 2.4 (95% CI 1,5) and 2.7 (95% CI 1,7), respectively. Similar results were found whether or not women had had a previous live birth. Conclusions Early recurrent miscarriage before 10 weeks of pregnancy is significantly associated with Factor V or G20210A prothrombin mutations. These results indicate a possible role for anticoagulant prevention in these early miscarriages. [source] Sacrospinous ligament fixation for massive genital prolapse in women aged over 80 yearsBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 8 2001Kari Nieminen Objective To assess the feasibility of vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation for women over 80 years of age with massive vaginal vault or uterovaginal prolapse. Design Retrospective observational study with long term follow up. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tampere University Hospital, Finland. Sample and Methods The study group consisted of 25 women with a mean (SD) [range] age of 83 (3) [80-93] years: 13 had posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse and 12 had massive uterovaginal prolapse. All underwent vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation with repair of pelvic floor relaxation. Women with uterovaginal prolapse also underwent concomitant vaginal hysterectomy. The long term outcome was assessed in 19 women. The mean follow up period was 33 (31) [2-113] months. Main outcome measures Intra- and post-operative morbidity, mortality and recurrence of prolapse. Results Sixteen of the 25 women (64 %) had no major intra- or post-operative complications. The mean estimated blood loss was 400 (280) mL, and seven women received blood transfusions. Four women (16%) had cardiovascular complications, and one died of pulmonary embolism. All four had a history of vascular disease. One woman had symptomatic recurrence of vault prolapse treated with a vaginal pessary; two women had asymptomatic cystocele and one had an enterocele requiring no treatment. The outcomes were similar for women with or without concurrent vaginal hysterectomy. Conclusion Transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation is an effective treatment for massive vaginal vault or uterovaginal prolapse in aged women. Increased blood loss may elevate the risk of cardiovascular complications especially in elderly patients with a history of vascular disease, thus indicating the importance of intraoperative bleeding control. [source] Pregnancy and delivery: a urodynamic viewpointBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 11 2000C. Chaliha Research Fellow (Urogynaecology) Objective The aims of this study were to establish prospectively the prevalence of objective bladder dysfunction before and after delivery by means of urodynamic investigations and to assess the effect of obstetric variables on bladder function. Design Prospective longitudinal study. Twin channel subtracted cystometry was performed in the standing and sitting position, with a cough stress test at the end of filling. The investigations were repeated three months postpartum. Participants Two hundred and eighty-six nulliparae with singleton pregnancies who were delivered between April 1996 and November 1997 attended for antenatal assessment after 34 weeks of gestation and 161 who returned postpartum. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a London teaching hospital. Results The mean urodynamic values both in pregnancy and postpartum lower than values defined in a non-pregnant population. The prevalence of genuine stress incontinence and detrusor instability were antenatally 9% and 8%, respectively, and postpartum 5% and 7%, respectively. Obstetric and neonatal factors were not related to urodynamic variables. Conclusions Despite the reported high prevalence of urinary incontinence related to pregnancy and childbirth, neither pregnancy nor delivery resulted in any consistent effects on objective bladder function. Postpartum urodynamic measurements were not related to either obstetric or neonatal variables, but were dependent on antenatal values. [source] Ultrasonographic measurement of endometrial changes following discontinuation of tamoxifen treatment in postmenopausal breast cancer patientsBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 9 2000Ilan Cohen MD Objective To assess whether there is a decrease in endometrial thickness following discontinuation of tamoxifen treatment as measured by ultrasound. Design Prospective study. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sapir Medical Centre, Kfar-Saba, Israel. Population Fifty-eight postmenopausal women with breast cancer who were treated with tamoxifen. Methods Transvaginal ultrasonographic measurements of endometrial thickness. Main outcome measures Evaluation of the changes of endometrial thickness and the frequency the endometrium reached a thickness of , 5 mm at different time intervals after stopping tamoxifen treatment. Results There was a significant decrease in median thickness of the endometrium, within six months after stopping tamoxifen, from 7.75 mm measured at the last ultrasonographic study performed before tamoxifen discontinuation down to 5.2 mm (P= 0.002). There were no further reductions in endometrial thickness, and it remained constantly low in subsequent ultrasonographic studies which were performed at various times up to 30 months following the discontinuation of tamoxifen treatment. While taking tamoxifen, only 25.9% of the women had an endometrial thickness of , 5 mm. This proportion doubled in their first six months after stopping. Conclusions Median thickness of endometrial thickness significantly reduced within six months following tamoxifen discontinuation, and remained constantly low thereafter. This finding may support use of ultrasonographic imaging for the measurement of tamoxifen's effect on the endometrium of postmenopausal breast cancer patients. [source] Pregnancy outcome in carriers of fragile XBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 8 2000Juuso Kallinen Medical Student Objective To evaluate pregnancy outcome in women who are carriers of fragile X. Design Cross-sectional case-control study. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. Sample Sixty-three singleton pregnancies in carriers of fragile X who were referred for genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis to Kuopio University Hospital. Methods Logistic regression analysis was used to compare pregnancy outcome in women who are fragile X carrier with outcome of the general obstetric population. Results Carriers of fragile X often experienced more bleeding in late pregnancy than did the reference group. Otherwise, the course and outcome of pregnancy were comparable in both groups. Conclusion Pregnancy outcome in women who are carriers of fragile X is favourable. There is no need to initiate special fetal monitoring because of the fragile X status of the woman. [source] Epilepsy and pregnancy: effect of antiepileptic drugs and lifestyle on birthweightBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 7 2000Christian Lodberg Hvas Research Fellow Objective To investigate the impact of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs on length of gestation and anthropometric measures of the newborn. Design Cohort study based on questionnaires mailed to all pregnant women who attended for prenatal care at our department from August 1989 to January 1997. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. Participants One hundred and ninety-three singleton pregnancies in women with epilepsy were compared with 24,094 singleton pregnancies in women without epilepsy. Main outcome measures Preterm delivery, small for gestational age, mean gestational age, gestational age-adjusted birthweight, head circumference, and body length. Results Children of women with epilepsy who smoked had lower gestational age and were at increased risk of preterm delivery (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.8,6.5), compared with children born by nonepileptic women who smoked. Birthweight adjusted for gestational age was reduced by 102 g (95% CI 40,164) in women with epilepsy, and the risk of delivering a child who was small for gestational age was increased (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3,2.7), compared with women without epilepsy. Newborn babies of women with epilepsy treated by drugs had a reduced adjusted birthweight (208 g, 95% CI 116,300), head circumference (0.4 cm, 95% CI 0.0.0.7), and body length (0.5 cm, 95% CI 0.1,1.0), compared with the newborn infants of women without epilepsy. Conclusions Women with epilepsy who smoked were at increased risk of preterm delivery compared with healthy smokers. Children of women with drug treated epilepsy had lower birthweight, length, and head circumference than children of women without epilepsy. [source] Dyslipoproteinaemia in postmenopausal women with a history of eclampsiaBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 6 2000Carl A. Hubel Assistant Professor Objective To test the hypothesis that postmenopausal women with a history of eclampsia manifest a more high risk lipid profile than postmenopausal women with a history of normal pregnancy. Setting The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland, and the Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Participants Thirty Icelandic women with a history of eclampsia, aged between 50 and 67 years at the time of re-examination (cases) were individually matched for current age, and for age and parity at index pregnancy, to 30 unrelated Icelandic women with a history of normal pregnancy (controls). Methods The participating women completed a health and family history questionnaire and underwent a physical examination. Fasting plasma low density lipoprotein diameter, serum lipids, insulin, and glucose were measured. Results Mean low density lipoprotein size was significantly smaller and apolipoprotein B concentration was higher in women with prior eclampsia. The percentage of cases receiving blood pressure medication (33%) was significantly greater than controls (6.7%). Thirteen cases had had hypertensive complications in at least one other pregnancy (recurrent subgroup); postmenopausally, these women displayed significantly increased diastolic blood pressures, smaller-sized low density lipoprotein, increased apolipoprotein B, decreased high density lipoprotein2 (HDL2) cholesterol, and increased total cholesterol: HDL cholesterol ratio compared with their controls. Fourteen cases were normotensive in all other pregnancies (nonrecurrent); these showed no differences from their controls. Conclusions Dyslipoproteinaemia is more prevalent among postmenopausal women with prior eclampsia, especially with recurrent hypertension in pregnancy, than in postmenopausal women with prior normal pregnancies. [source] An epidemic of parvovirus B19 in a population of 3596 pregnant women: a study of sociodemographic and medical risk factorsBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 5 2000Inge Panum Jensen Consultant Objectives To estimate the incidence of human parvovirus B19 among pregnant women before and during an epidemic, to elucidate possible sociodemographic and medical risk factors during pregnancy and to estimate the association between parvovirus B19 infection and negative pregnancy outcome. Design Prospective study among pregnant women followed from their first antenatal visit before 24 full weeks of gestation until delivery. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark, November 1992 to February 1994. Methods 3596 pregnant women were invited to participate. The women were examined at first antenatal visit in the period from November 1992 to February 1994 and at delivery. The last delivery was in August 1994 and samples were thus collected before and during a large parvovirus B19 epidemic in Denmark January to September 1994. A blood sample for parvovirus B19 serology was taken at enrolment and from the umbilical cord at delivery. Three questionnaires were completed during 2nd and 3rd trimesters and a registration form at delivery. In total, 3174 (87.6%) were enrolled and 79.5% completed the study. Results The prevalence of B19 IgG seropositivity at the first antenatal visit before 24 full weeks of gestation was 66%. The cumulative prevalence proportion of acute parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy among IgG negative women was found to be 10.3% (IgM seropositivity and/or IgG sero-conversion). The IgG seroconversion incidence increased significantly from 1.0% to 13.5% among 932 seronegative pregnant women before and during the epidemic, respectively (P < 0.001). Independent risk factors related to increased risk of B19 infection during pregnancy, adjusted for other sociodemographic and medical factors, were: children at home (adjusted OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3,3.2); serious medical disease (adjusted OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.0,8.5); and a stressful job (adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0,3.3). Parvovirus B19 IgM seropositivity was associated with events of late spontaneous abortions and stillbirths (crude OR 9.9; 95% CI 3.3,29.4). Conclusion Before and during an epidemic of acute B19 infection incidences were measured among pregnant women to be 1.0% and 13.5%, respectively. Three factors, significantly increasing the risk of acute B19, were identified as: having children at home; suffering from serious medical diseases; and having a stressful job. IgM positivity for parvovirus B19 was associated with negative outcome of pregnancy. [source] Effects of maternal dexamethasone administration on fetal Doppler flow velocity waveformsBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2000Yvon Chitrit Consultant Objective To investigate the effects of maternal dexamethasone administration on umbilical and fetal cerebral artery flow velocity waveforms. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robert Ballanger Hospital, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France. Sample Twenty-six pregnant women with singleton pregnancies considered at risk for preterm delivery. At baseline, all pregnancies had normal fetoplacental vascular resistance. Methods These women were given weekly six intravenous doses of 4 mg of dexamethasone eight hours apart. Main outcome measures Doppler studies were performed from both umbilical artery (UA) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) before (day 0), during (day 2), immediately after (day 4) and shortly after (day 7) every steroid course. Results No significant variation was noted in both umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) and fetal heart rate through dexamethasone therapy. Compared with mean initial values, we found on day 4 a significant decrease in MCA PI of 0.28 (F = 7.17, P < 0.001) and a significant increase in UA:MCA PI ratio of 0.08 (F = 3.85, P= 0.013); in contrast no significant change was documented on days 2 and 7 in both MCA pulsatility index and UA:MCA PI ratio. After multiple regression analysis, only the decrease in fetal middle cerebral artery pulsatility index on day 4 remained significant (F=5.84, P= 0.001). Conclusions The current study finds in healthy fetuses a transient, significant and unexplained decrease in fetal middle cerebral artery impedance on the fourth day following maternal dexamethasone administration. Further basic research and clinical studies including larger sample sizes or pregnancies with fetoplacental dysfunction are needed. [source] Labour characteristics and uterine activity: misoprostol compared with oxytocin in women at term with prelabour rupture of the membranesBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2000Suk Wai Ngai Assistant Professor Objective To compare the labour pattern and uterine activity of oral misoprostol with oxytocin for labour induction in women presenting with prelabour rupture of membranes at term. Design Prospective randomised study. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. Participants Eighty women presenting with prelabour rupture of membranes at term. Methods The women were randomised to receive either 100 ,g misoprostol orally every 4 hours to a maximum of three doses, or intravenous oxytocin infusion according to the hospital protocol. Intrauterine pressure transducers were inserted one hour before induction of labour in both groups of women. We compared the pattern of uterine activity, the induction-to-delivery interval, duration of labour, mode of delivery and neonatal outcome between the two groups. Results Both oxytocin and oral misoprostol caused an increase in uterine activity within one hour of labour induction. Peak uterine activity was reached 6,8 h after oral misoprostol, with persistent effects, and 8,10 h after oxytocin, requiring continuous titration of medication. The duration of labour was significantly reduced in nulliparous women, but not in those who were multiparous in the misoprostol group. The induction-to-delivery interval, the mode of delivery and the perinatal outcome were similar for the two groups. Conclusion Oral misoprostol caused earlier peak uterine activity, compared with oxytocin (6,8 h vs 8,10 h). Oral misoprostol was not only as effective as oxytocin in inducing labour in women at term with prelabour rupture of the membranes, but it reduced significantly the duration of labour in nulliparous women. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||