Intra-amniotic thyroxine to treat fetal goiter

A 35-year-old pregnant woman visited our department and had been treated with 100 microg of daily oral levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. An ultrasonography screening was performed at 25 weeks gestation and revealed a fetal goiter and an increased amniotic fluid volume. Fetal hypothyroidism was confirmed by cordocentesis and amniotic hormone levels at 26 weeks gestation. We treated the mother with 200 microg of daily oral levothyroxine to optimize the transplacental transfer. A total of four intra-amniotic injections of levothyroxine were administered, resulting in progressive reduction in the fetal thyroid volume of goiter as measured by 3D ultrasonography and increased amniotic fluid volume. Following birth, neonatal serum thyroid stimulating hormone level was within the normal range, but free T4 was reduced. Based on this case, we suggest that monitoring amniotic fluid thyroid hormone concentration and intra-amniotic levothyroxine injection can be used to reduce the thyroid volume of goiters and to prevent polyhydramnios.

Clinical Experiences of Molecular Genetic Evaluation of Achondroplasia in Prenatal and Neonatal Cases

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the characteristics of achondroplasia (ACH) diagnosed in fetuses or neonates and to evaluate the usefulness of a molecular genetic testing to confirm ACH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical and ultrasonographic records of 16 pregnant women, who had molecular genetic testing for ACH performed on their fetus or neonate at the Cheil General Hospital between February 1999 and April 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Detection of G1138A and G1138C mutations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene was accomplished by polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: Of the eight fetuses and two neonates who were suspected of having ACH during pregnancy, four fetuses and one neonate was confirmed to have ACH and they all carried the heterozygous G1138A mutation. Out of 6 cases which had a history of ACH in prior pregnancies, three had genetic information for the previous fetuses while the other three did not. All six fetuses had no mutations at G380R. However, the one fetus of pregnant woman with non-confirmed ACH showed shortened long bone on ultrasound thereafter and the fetus was identified as having oto-spondylo-megaepiphyseal dysplasia after birth. CONCLUSION: Korean patients with achondroplasia have the heterozygous G1138A mutation that is most commonly defined in other countries. Molecular genetic evaluations of ACH are helpful not only for establishing diagnosis but for appropriate counseling with subsequent pregnancies.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletions: Experiences in a Single Institution

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the frequency and echocardiographic findings of 22q11.2 deletions in fetuses with cardiac defects on fetal ultrasound or familial backgrounds of 22q11.2 deletions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical and ultrasonographic records of 170 fetuses that underwent fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis for chromosome 22q11.2 deletions between February 2001 and April 2013. RESULTS: Among 145 fetuses with cardiac defects, six (4.1%) had 22q11.2 deletions. Deletions of 22q11.2 were detected in 6 (5%) of the 120 fetuses with conotruncal defects: 5 (8.9%) of 56 with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and 1 (5.9%) of 17 with double outlet right ventricle (DORV). No deletions were found in cases of pulmonary atresia, truncus arteriosus, right aortic arch, or transposition of the great arteries. No 22q11.2 deletions were found in non-conotruncal cardiac malformations. Among 25 fetuses with familial backgrounds of 22q11.2 deletions, one (4%) had a maternally inherited 22q11.2 deletion with no cardiac findings. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the frequency and echocardiographic findings of 22q11.2 deletions might be helpful for prenatal genetic counseling. It is advisable to perform FISH analysis for 22q11.2 deletions in pregnancies exhibiting conotruncal cardiac defects such as TOF or DORV.

Pregnancy Outcomes after Conservative Treatment of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions: Cold Knife Conization and Loop Electrosurgical Procedure / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated whether different methods of conization of the cervix were associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in subsequent pregnancy. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. The study group included women who had undergone cold knife conization (n=170) or a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) (n=86) and then had subsequent singleton pregnancies. The control group (n=497) included women with no history of cervical surgery. The outcomes were spontaneous preterm delivery and various neonatal outcomes such as low birth weight (LBW) and perinatal mortality. RESULTS: Cold knife conization was associated with a significantly increased risk of preterm delivery less than 34 weeks (relative risk 4.9, 95% confidence interval 1.6-15.1), preterm delivery less than 28 weeks (7.6, 15-39.6), LBW (2.6, 1.2-5.8), and perinatal mortality (11.9, 1.3-107.6). LEEP was not associated with a increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: Cold knife cone biopsy, but not LEEP of the cervix, is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery less than 34 weeks of gestation and adverse neonatal outcomes. Clinicians counsel women appropriately before conservative treatment of cervical intraepithelial lesions.

Treatment outcome of uterine compression sutures for massive postpartum hemorrhage / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Uterine compression sutures such as modified B-Lynch suture or multiple square-shaped sutures of uterine body are simple methods for control of postpartum hemorrhage refractory to medical treatment. We evaluated the treatment outcome and morbidity of uterine compression sutures and analyzed clinical findings of patients undergone uterine compression sutures and postpartum hysterectomy. METHODS: From January 2005 through December 2008, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients undergone uterine compression sutures or postpartum hysterectomy. We analyzed success rates of preserving uterus of uterine compression sutures according to operative indications and mode of delivery and compared maternal characteristics, operative findings, morbidities and mortality with those of postpartum hysterectomy. RESULTS: The frequency of uterine compression sutures for control of massive postpartum hemorrhage was 0.24% (73/30,677). The success rates of preserving uterus were 85.1% in uterine atony, 80.9% in placenta previa, and 40.0% in placenta accreta (P=0.051). The rates of preserving uterus of uterine compression sutures after vaginal delivery and cesarean section were 50.0% and 82.6%, respectively (P=0.164). The frequencies of postoperative morbidities such as disseminated intravascular coagulation, pulmonary edema, ileus were not different between immediate hysterectomy and hysterectomy after uterine compression sutures. There was no maternal mortality. CONCLUSION: Uterine compression suture was successful method for control of postpartum hemorrhage resulting from uterine atony and placenta previa. We suggest the use of uterine compression sutures as the first-line operation for control of postpartum hemorrhage.

Fetal Anomaly and Pregnancy Outcomes after Exposure to Ibuprofen in First Trimester of Pregnancy / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Ibuprofen is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for treating fever and pain including headache, arthralgia, and back pain. There is scarce information on the safety of ibuprofen associated with fetal anomaly when used early in pregnancy. Epidemiology studies have suggested that use of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, during pregnancy may increase the risk of cardiac defects and gastroschisis. The aim of the study was to evaluate fetal outcomes among pregnant women who were unintentionally exposed to ibuprofen in early pregnancy. METHODS: Total 381 pregnant women who were unintentionally exposed to ibuprofen during early pregnancy were prospectively followed up. In addition, 643 age and gravity matched pregnant women not exposed to any potential teratogenic agent during pregnancy were recruited as controls. Patients were followed-up until delivery or loss to follow-up. Newborns were examined in order to identify any major congenital malformation. RESULTS: Mean age of exposed women was 31.2+/-3.4 years, with a mean number of previous pregnancies of 2.3+/-1.2 and mean gestational weeks at exposure of 4.4+/-2.2. All gestations were confirmed by ultrasonography. Of exposed women, 17 (5.6%) had spontaneous abortions, 16 were on- going pregnancies, 1 had an intra-uterine fetal death, 21 artificial abortion and 55 cases were lost to follow-up. Therefore, 271 pregnancies unintentionally exposed to ibuprofen were evaluated, each delivering a singleton baby. Three babies had congenital anomalies: one had unilateral hydronephrosis, another baby was born with a unilateral inguinal hernia. The last baby was born with unilateral kidney dysplasia with megaureter. In the control group, 6 babies were born with major malformations [1.11% vs. 1.31% (P=0.552, OR: 0.841, 95% CI: 0.2 to 3.4)]. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that the ibuprofen may not be a major human teratogen.