[Prolonged latent phase: maternal and neonatal outcomes]

Few studies to date have shown the adverse effects of prolonged latent phase. Related factors, maternal and fetal outcomes of prolonged latent phase were studied in order to prevent these effects. In a cross-sectional study, 224 women were assessed at Shohada hospital by using questionnaire, examination and follow up to calculate the latent phase duration up to 3cm dilatation. Of the total, 22.8% had prolonged latent phase and there was no difference in the maternal and fetal age/weight, gravid and parity, 41.2% were nulipars. None of the cases had delivery trauma, but 4 out of 7 meconium aspirated cases, 2 out of 6 hospital admissions, and both the 2 cases admitted in NICU were in prolonged latent phase group. None of the infants in this group had APGAR less than 8. There was no significant difference between APGAR<6 and meconium aspiration cases in the two groups. Massive post partum bleeding, cesarean section, and fever during/after delivery showed a significant difference. Other variables didn't show any significant difference. Parity had a direct correlation in the normal group and indirect correlation in the prolonged latent phase duration group. Maternal age and weight, gravid, parity, infantile weight, gender and gestational age have no effect on latent phase duration. The more the parity, the more prolonged the latent phase and this leads to more cases of cesarean section, fever during/after delivery and post-partum bleeding

Ultrasonographic findings in a group of Iranian patients with primary amenorrhea

This study was performed to report the ultrasonographic finding and final diagnosis of a group of primary amenorrhea patients. Pelvic ultrasonography [US] was employed as the first diagnostic modality to evaluate primary amenorrhea in 53 patients who were admitted to gynecology or endocrinology clinics at Taleghani hospital from 2002 to 2006. US was based upon the presence or absence of the uterus and ovaries and any other abnormal sonographic findings. Karyotype analysis was also performed for all the patients. The uterus was not visualized in 16 [30%] patients: due to mllerian agenesis in 14 and testicular feminization and true hermaphroditism in two other patients. Mllerian anomalies with hematometrocolpos or hematometra were seen in 5 [9%] patients. Thirty-two [60%] patients had a normal or hypoplastic uterus. Pelvic US showed that ovaries were in normal limits in 39 [73%] patients; they were not visible in 9 patients. The report of pelvic US was not conclusive in 3 patients; 2 had an ovarian tumor or cyst. Irrespective of the presence or absence of the uterus, all patients with visible ovaries [except one] had a normal karyotype. US of the pelvis can be the initial diagnostic modality. Based on US findings, we can make decision for further work ups; there is no need to perform all paraclinical investigations for each patient