A Case of Dermatomyositis Diagnosed at Postpartum / 대한산부인과학회지

Dermatomyositis is identified by a characteristic rash accompanying or, more commonly, preceding muscle weakness. Only 14% of cases occurs during child-bearing years, and only a few cases of dermatomyositis associated to pregnancy complications have been reported. Therefore there is relatively little information concerning the maternal and fetal outcome. The clinical diagnosis of dermatomyositis is confirmed by three laboratory examinations: serum muscle enzyme concentrations, electromyography, and muscle biopsy. Some authors suggest that the outlook for the fetus is unfavorable when dermatomyositis is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Others consider that fetal prognosis parallels the activity of maternal disease. Various factors have been considered as triggers for development of dermatomyositis during pregnancy. There is no report of maternal-to-fetal transmission of disease. We have experienced a case of dermatomyositis diagnosed at postpartum and then received a prompt management of the patient so presented this case with a brief review of the literatures.

What is the risk factor of preeclampsia?: Hospital-based case-control study / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To assess several variables that are known as the risk factor of preeclampsia. METHODS: We have studied with 279 pregnant women who were diagnosed with preeclampsia and went through delivery in Chungnam University from January, 1998 to December, 2002. For control group, we chose 364 non-hypertensive pregnant women who went through delivery from January, 2002 to December, 2002 through random process. Through reviewing each patient's chart, we collected data regarding age, parity, past medical history, past obstetric history, family history, presence of gestational diabetes, height, body weight, before and at the time of delivery, delivery mode and neonatal outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using x2-test, Student t-test. A value of p below 0.05 was considered to show statistical significance. RESULTS: During the study period, 298 women had preeclampsia so that the incidence of preeclampsia was 6.0%. Age and past medical history were not related to preeclampsia. The primiparous women in this study are likely to show a higher incidence of preclampsia (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.16-1.5, p=0.017). In addition, women whose BMI are ranged from 25.0 kg/m2 to 30.0 kg/m2 (p=0.027), and ranged from 30.0 kg/m2 to 40.0 kg/m2 (p=0.027) had a higher incidence of preeclampsia. By using a multiple logistic regression analysis about the BMI changes, we found out that there was a higher rate of preeclmapsia among pregnant women with over 7.11 kg/m2 BMI increasement compared with BMZ before pregnancy (OR=2.97, 95% CI 2.22-3.99, por=25.0 kg/m2, previous preeclampsia, family history of chronic hypertension, twin gestation showed an increased risk of preeclampsia.