Admission test and pregnancy outcome

Background: The admission test [AT] has been carried out for many years, but there are still debates about the prognostic value of the test. Therefore, we aimed to examine the value of the AT in predicting the adverse outcome in neonates

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 425 pregnant women with normal vaginal delivery were studied between2009 and 2014at Vali-e-Asr Hospital. Based on the results, the women were divided into 2groups of normal and abnormal ATs. All the patients were followed up until the birth of their baby, when the status of mother and neonate was determined. The main outcomes of the study were cesarean rate, neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] admission, fetus demise, neonatal acidosis, and Apgar score. The independent t-test, chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. The data were analyzed using SPSS [version 17]

Results: Of 425 pregnant women studied, 142 [33.4%] had abnormal ATs with a mean age of 29 [+/-4.5] years. Multivariate analysis showed that an abnormal AT was able to predict the incidence of cesarean section, intrauterine growth restriction, turned cord, and Apgar<7, but it could not predict neonatal death and hypoxia

Conclusion: The AT was shown to be a useful screening test with risk factors such as oligohydramnios, bloody amniotic fluid, meconium amniotic fluid, intrauterine growth restriction, and turned cord. Additionally, the test was also able to predict NICU admission and the need for cesarean section, but it could not predict the occurrence of neonatal death

Conjoined twins in a monochorionic triplet pregnancy after in vitro fertilization: a case report

Background: Monozygotic monochorionic triplet pregnancy with conjoined twins is a very rare condition and is associated with many complications

Case: In this study, we describe a monochorionic-diamniotic triplet pregnancy after in vitro fertilization with an intracytoplasmic sperm injection. At a gestational age of 6 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy one gestational sac was observed, and at a gestational age of 12 weeks and 2 days, triplets with conjoined twins were diagnosed. After consulting with the parents, they chose fetal reduction of the conjoined twins. Selective feticide was successfully performed by radiofrequency ablation at 16 weeks of pregnancy. Unfortunately, the day after the procedure, the membrane ruptured, and 1 week later, all fetuses and placenta were spontaneously aborted

Conclusion: Monochorionic triplet pregnancy with conjoined twins is very rare. These pregnancies are associated with very serious complications. Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection increases the rate of monozygotic twinning and conjoined twins. Counseling with parents before IVF is very important

Ultrasound detection of placenta accreta in the first trimester of pregnancy

Placenta accreta is considered a life-threatening condition and the main cause of maternal mortality. Prenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta usually is made by clinical presentation, imaging studies like ultrasound and MRI in the second and third trimester. To determine accuracy of ultrasound findings for placenta accreta in the first trimester of pregnancy. In a longitudinal study 323 high risk patients for placenta accreta were assessed. The eligible women were examined by vaginal and abdominal ultrasound for gestational sac and placental localization and they were followed up until the end of pregnancy. The ultrasound findings were compared with histopathological examinations as a gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of ultrasound were estimated for the first trimester and compared with other 2 trimesters in the case of repeated ultrasound examination. Ultrasound examinations in the first trimester revealed that 28 cases had the findings in favor of placenta accreta which ultimately was confirmed in 7 cases. The ultrasound sensitivity and specificity for detecting placenta accreta in the first trimester was 41% [95% CI: 16.2-62.7] and 88% [95% CI: 88.2-94.6] respectively. Ultrasound screening for placenta accreta in the first trimester of pregnancy could not achieve the high sensitivity as second and third trimester of pregnancy

Caffeine consumption and incidence of hypertension in pregnancy

To study the effects of caffeine consumption on incidence of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. In a case-control study, two groups of pregnant women were selected as follows: one group included 40 women suffering from hypertension in pregnancy, while the other group comprised 100 healthy pregnant women. Inclusion criteria for both groups were normal BMI [19-22] before pregnancy, no high-risk age group [18 -35 years] for preeclampsia, no underlying disease, no history of abortion, and regular prenatal care. We evaluated the amount an duration of caffeine consumption in both groups. In nine [25.5%] mothers of preeclampsia group and15 [15.8%] mothers of healthy pregnant group were observed to consume excessive amount of tea [more than four cups a day]. In the preeclampsia group, excessive consumption of tea was seen, but this difference [difference in what??] was not significant. Among 21 [51%] mothers in preeclampsia group and 64 [64.7%] mothers in the other group, there is not a significant relation in drinking different types of caffeine, like dark coca, soft drinks, or coffee with occurring of preeclampsia. After evaluation the obtained data, we did not observe any relationship between the risk of preeclampsia and consumption of different types of caffeine [tea, coffee, or soft drinks]. Perhaps, more holistic and broader studies in this area are required

Prediction of fetal anemia by different thresholds of MCA-PSV and delta-OD in first and second intrauterine transfusions

Our aim was to compare different thresholds of middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity [MCA-PSV] and amniotic fluid delta optical density [Delta-OD] with fetal hemoglobin [Hb] during first and second intrauterine transfusions [IUT]. We determined serial MCA-PSV and Delta-OD in 27 red blood cell alloimmunized fetuses who needed IUT. Before the second IUT, MCA-PSV was measured. The sensitivity and specificity of MCA-PSV and Delta-OD were calculated and compared with fetal hemoglobin levels. From 27 fetuses, first time IUT MCA-PSV with a normal median value [MOM] cutoff of > 1.29 detected 60% of the moderate and 100% of the severe anemia cases. MCA-PSV of MOM > 1.5 detected none of the moderate and 93% of severe anemia cases. Delta-OD detected 50% of moderate anemic and 80% of severe anemic cases. At the second IUT, 91% of severe anemia cases were confirmed by MCA-PSV with MOM > 1.5 whereas MCA-PSV with MOM > 1.29 confirmed all cases. One case of moderate anemia was detected by MCA-PSV of MOM > 1.29 and none were detected by MCA-PSV with MOM > 1.5. Different thresholds of MCA-PSV have higher sensitivity and specificity for detecting moderate and severe fetal anemia compared with Delta-OD. It also has a high sensitivity at the second IUT

Conservative management of placenta increta: case report and literature review

Placenta increta, a rare complication of pregnancy, is associated with significant postpartum hemorrhage often requiring emergency hysterectomy. We report a case of conservative management, with a combination of parenteral methotrexate, serial ultrasound and beta-hCG assessment. Serum beta-hCG levels were undetectable after 8 weeks of therapy. A scan at 6 months showed complete involution of the uterus. Review of the literature discussing the diagnostic tools, clinical features, management and outcome of pregnancies with placenta increta

Comparison of the efficacy of nifedipine and hydralazine in hypertensive crisis in pregnancy

Intravenous hydralazine is a commonly administered arteriolar vasodilator that is effective for hypertensive emergencies associated with pregnancy. Oral nifedipine is an alternative in management of these patients. In this study the efficacy of nifedipine and hydralazine in pregnancy was compared in a group of Iranian patients. Fifty hypertensive pregnant women were enrolled in the study. A randomized clinical trial was performed, in which patients in two groups received intravenus hydralazine or oral nifedipine to achieve target blood pressure reduction. The primary outcomes measured were the time and doses required for desired blood pressure achievement. Secondary measures included urinary output and maternal and neonatal side effects. The time required for reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was shorter for oral nifedipine group [24.0 +/- 10.0 min] than intravenus Hydralazine group [34.8 +/- 18.8 min] [P

Seat belt use during pregnancy in Iran: attitudes and practices / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Seat belt use during pregnancy reduces injury to the mother and her fetus. During recent years, the use of seat belts has been mandated by law in Iran. The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes and practices of pregnant women regarding seat belt use.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this cross-sectional study, we asked 335 pregnant women at a hospital-based prenatal care clinic on the use of safety belt before and during pregnancy. SPSS version 13.0 was used for data analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of study subjects was 27.3 years ± 5.3 years with the median of 27 years. Compared with the seat belt use before pregnancy, no change was detected in 48.7% of the women; seat belt use had increased in 17.5 % of them and decreased in 33.8 %. Eighty-one percent of women knew the correct placing of both lap belt and shoulder belt. Only 4% of women had received education on proper restraint use during pregnancy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of seat belt use during pregnancy is lower than reports which are mostly from developed nations. The fact that about one-third of women have decreased their seat belt usage during pregnancy highlights the importance of education of mothers on this topic.</p>