Search

Objective: This narrative review of the literature explores the current evidence and recommendations in favor of antenatal corticosteroids use during impending preterm deliveries as well as related issues and concerns., Study Design: Synthesis of findings from published medical literature on antenatal corticosteroids and prematurity, retrieved from searches of computerized databases and authoritative texts., Results: It is now recognized that an intramuscular course of betamethasone or dexamethasone given to a woman expected to deliver preterm not only accelerates pulmonary epithelial development but also matures other organ systems, significantly decreasing the chances of neonatal morbidities and increasing chances of survival., Conclusion: There remain uncertainties over the efficacy of the established protocol in populations such as the very early preterm, the late preterm, and multiple gestations. Alternative regimens remain controversial because of fear of adverse effects and doubts regarding whether benefits outweigh risks., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) has a varying prevalence worldwide. The etiology behind this disease remains not fully understood with multiple factors influencing its development including genetic variations, dietary factors, hormonal changes, and environmental influences. Presenting mainly during the third trimester with generalized itching and resolving spontaneously postpartum, this condition is still associated with fetal morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis is based on clinical presentation in association with biochemical abnormalities. Elevation in total bile acid levels is the most frequent laboratory abnormality and seems to be the most important for gauging further management of the disease. The most appropriate gestational age for the delivery of women with ICP is yet to be determined. In this review we discuss the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, etiology, and management of ICP, trying to shed light on some controversial aspects of the disease., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Preterm labor (PTL) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Among the available tocolytics, indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, has been in use since the 1970s. Recent studies have suggested that prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors are superior to other tocolytics in delaying delivery for 48 hours and 7 days. However, increased neonatal complications including oligohydramnios, renal failure, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and closure of the patent ductus arteriosus have been reported with the use of indomethacin. Indomethacin has been also used in women with short cervices as well as in those with idiopathic polyhydramnios. This article describes the mechanism of action of indomethacin and its clinical applications as a tocolytic agent in women with PTL and cerclage and its use in the context of polyhydramnios. The fetal and neonatal side effects of this drug are also summarized and guidelines for its use are proposed., (Copyright © 2012 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.)

In addition to the possible association between pregnancy in women with advanced maternal age and increased rates of obstetric and perinatal complications, those women and their children might suffer from long-term sequelae. In this review, the long-term consequences of delayed motherhood on the offspring and the possible association between advanced maternal age and the development of certain cancers are discussed.

More women are postponing pregnancy into the fourth and fifth decades of life for a variety of reasons. Advanced maternal age, traditionally defined as age more than 35 years, has been associated with increased obstetric morbidity and interventions. In addition, perinatal complications are reported to be higher in this patient population, although recent data point to a more favorable outcome. This article reviews the available literature with special emphasis on antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum complications and perinatal outcome.

Objective: To assess whether application of cocoa butter lotion reduces the development of striae gravidarum (SG)., Design: Multicentre, double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial., Setting: Beirut and Tripoli, Lebanon., Population: Nulliparous women presenting for prenatal care., Methods: Nulliparous women presenting in the first trimester were randomly assigned to receive a lotion containing cocoa butter or a placebo lotion. Women were instructed to apply the assigned lotion daily until delivery., Main Outcome Measure: The development of striae over the abdomen, breasts and thighs postpartum., Results: Of 210 women enrolled, 175 (83%) completed the study. Ninety-one women received the study lotion and 84 received the placebo. There was no difference in the development of SG (45.1% versus 48.8%; P = 0.730) or the severity of SG between cases and controls. The results did not change when presence of stretch marks at enrolment or compliance with the regimen were taken into account., Conclusion: Topical application of a lotion containing cocoa butter does not appear to reduce the likelihood of developing striae gravidarum.

The objective of this study was to compare incidence of antenatal and intrapartum complications among women who had previously delivered five or more times (grandmultiparas cases, 155) with that of age-matched women with two to three previous deliveries (multiparas controls, 155) from 1998 to 2003. Grandmultiparity was associated with a low socioeconomic status, higher incidence of smoking, and a higher body mass index. Grandmultiparas had approximately 2-fold increased risk of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, malpresentation, and preterm delivery, and a 3-fold increased risk of abruption; none reached statistical significance. No significant differences were found in antepartum hemorrhage, anemia, postdatism, polyhydramnios, or placenta previa. Intrapartum complications (labor induction, nonreassuring fetal heart, primary cesarean delivery, and intrapartum fever) were similar; however, operative vaginal delivery was significantly lower in grandmultiparas cases. Both groups were similar regarding birthweight, macrosomia, intrauterine growth restriction, Apgar scores, and stillbirth rates. Our study shows a trend toward an increased risk of adverse obstetrical outcome in grandmultiparas compared with multiparas independent of maternal age.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the risks and pregnancy outcome in women with prosthetic heart valves on different anticoagulent regimens., Study Design: A retrospective chart review of 82 pregnancies in 33 women with mechanical valve prostheses at a tertiary referral center from 1987 to 2002. The main outcome measures were major maternal complications and perinatal outcome., Results: The valve replaced was mitral (60.6%), aortic (18.2%), and both (21.2%). Fifty-four pregnancies (65.9%) resulted in live births, 9 (11.0%) had stillbirths (all on warfarin), and 12 (14.6%) had spontaneous and 7 (8.5%) therapeutic abortions (all on warfarin). The rate of spontaneous abortion was highest in women on warfarin throughout pregnancy (P < .01). The live birth rate was higher in women on heparin compared with those on warfarin (P < .01), and in those on heparin/warfarin compared with warfarin alone (P < .01). There were no maternal deaths; however, 3 patients had mitral valve thrombosis (2 on heparin and 1 on warfarin) necessitating surgery in 1 patient and medical thrombolysis in 2 patients. Hemorrhagic complications occurred in 5 patients, 4 of whom required transfusion., Conclusion: No single anticoagulant regimen confers complete protection from thromboembolic phenomena in pregnancy. Despite a high maternal morbidity rate, the perinatal outcome is acceptable when pregnancy progresses beyond the first trimester.

The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of current obstetrical practice to the occurrence and complications of umbilical cord prolapse. Maternal and neonatal charts of 87 pregnancies complicated by true umbilical cord prolapse during a 5-year period were reviewed. Twin gestation and noncephalic presentations were common features (14 and 41%, respectively). Eighty-nine percent (77) of infants were delivered by cesarean section of which 29% were classical and 88% were primary. The mean gestational age at delivery was 34.0 +/- 6.0 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 2318 +/- 1159 g. Obstetrical intervention preceded 41 (47%) cases (the obstetrical intervention group): amniotomy (9), scalp electrode application (4), intrauterine pressure catheter insertion (6), attempted external cephalic version (7), expectant management of preterm premature rupture of membranes (14), manual rotation of the fetal head (1), and amnioreduction (1). There were 11 perinatal deaths. Thirty-three percent of the infants (32) had a 5-min Apgar score < 7 and 34% had a cord pH < 7.20. Neonatal seizures, intracerebral hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, hyaline membrane disease, persistent fetal circulation, sepsis, assisted ventilation, and perinatal mortality were comparable in the "obstetrical intervention" and "no-intervention" groups. Most of the neonatal complications occurred in infants < 32 weeks' gestation. We conclude that obstetrical intervention contributes to 47% of umbilical cord prolapse cases; however, it does not increase the associated perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Objective: Our purpose was to investigate the diagnostic problems and maternal-perinatal outcome in cases of acute fatty liver of pregnancy., Study Design: Fourteen cases with acute fatty liver of pregnancy managed during the past 8-years were studied with emphasis on presenting symptoms, admitting diagnosis, laboratory findings, clinical course, maternal complications, and neonatal outcome., Results: The mean gestational age at onset was 34.5 weeks (range 28 to 39). Only seven patients had acute fatty liver of pregnancy as a definite or suspected diagnosis on admission. Computed tomography of the liver was performed on 10 patients, with only two positive results. There were no maternal deaths; however, maternal morbidity was frequent: four patients had hepatic encephalopathy, three pulmonary edema, three ascites, four respiratory arrest, two diabetes insipidus, and 10 had transfusion of blood or blood products to correct either disseminated intravascular coagulation or excessive bleeding. Coagulation abnormalities were common: hypofibrinogenemia (< 300 mg/dl) in 13 patients (93%), prolonged prothrombin time in 12 (86%), and prolonged partial thromboplastin time in 11 (79%). The corrected perinatal mortality was 6.6%., Conclusion: Acute fatty liver of pregnancy should be suspected in all patients with symptoms of preeclampsia in the presence of hypoglycemia, low fibrinogen, and prolonged prothrombin time, particularly in the absence of severe abruptio placentae. Computed tomography of the liver has a high false-negative rate in patients with acute fatty liver of pregnancy. In spite of the literature's dismal prognosis, our findings indicate that maternal and perinatal outcomes appear favorable in well-managed patients.