Preterm birth at Siriraj Hospital: A 9-year period review (2002-2010).

Objective: To determine the preterm birth rate, neonatal birth weight and causes of early neonatal death at Siriraj Hospital over a 9-year period (2002-2010). Methods: The medical records of preterm birth, threatened preterm labor and neonatal birth weight at Siriraj Hospital from 2002 to 2010 were retrospectively collected and reviewed. The data was analyzed by SPSS version 13. Results: During a 9-year period, 2002-2010, the birth rate decreased steadily from 2002 to 2006, but increased suddenly from 2007 to 2010. The rate of preterm birth was increased steadily from 2004 to 2010 (9.44%-13.70%). The rate of threatened preterm labor was constantly between 6.0 and 8.9%. Among preterm births, low birth weight infants were mostly found except in the year 2003. Early neonatal death was mostly caused from fetal abnormality. The trend of neonatal death from prematurity had continuously declined and there was no early neonatal death from 2008 to 2010. Conclusion: Regarding this 9-year review, the preterm birth rate increased from 2007 to 2010 while premature babies mostly survived.

Pre-operative diagnosis of alive twin tubal pregnancy.

A case of twin tubal pregnancy was reported. The patient presented with lower abdominal pain with some vaginal bleeding and was diagnosed with transvaginal sonography at approximately eight weeks of gestation. An uneventful salpingectomy was subsequently performed.

Predicting fetal intrauterine growth retardation by using reference centile charts for the ratio of fetal transverse cerebellar diameter to abdominal circumference in a Thai population.

Objective: To predict fetal intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) by using the centile chart for the ratio of transverse cerebellar diameter to abdominal circumference (TCD/AC) throughout pregnancy from 13-40 weeks. Methods: A total of 643 pregnant women were recruited in this study. The exclusion criteria of 643 normal pregnant women were uncertain date of last menstrual period, multiple pregnancies, fetal abnormalities and maternal conditions which could affect fetal growth. The known 20 small IUGR infants were also tested. Transverse cerebellar diameter and abdominal circumference of all the subjects were measured out by gestational age. The approximately equal numbers of fetuses were measured at each week of gestation. The mean and standard deviation of TCD/AC ratio is estimated at each week of gestation. In addition the 5th, 10th, 50th, 90th and 95th percentiles were calculated at each week of gestation. Results: Of 643 pregnant women, 149 (23.1%) were scanned before 20 weeks of gestation and 286 (44.5%) were scanned between 20 and 30 weeks of gestation. The last group was rechecked after 30 weeks of gestation. TCD/AC ratio slowly declined from early pregnancy until about 20 weeks then remained stable. After 30 weeks of gestation it started to decline again. A TCD/AC ratio greater than the 90 th centile was present in 80% (16/20) known small for gestational age (SGA) infants. (SGA has not been defined). Conclusion: The normal reference value of TCD/AC ratio in Thai fetus were shown in this study. The TCD/AC ratio is a stable, gestational age independent parameter during 20-30 weeks of gestation that may be useful in the early detection of fetal intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).

Maternal body mass index at term does not predict the severity of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal pre-pregnancy weight is a risk of developing preeclampsia. Whether it is also associated with the disease severity is still elusive. This retrospective cohort was to determine the association between body mass index (BMI) at term and severity of preeclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: BMIs on the delivery date of 229 patients were analyzed with various indicators of the disease severity. The corrected BMI (cBMI), calculated by an exclusion of feto-placental unit, was additionally analyzed. RESULTS: Neither maternal BMI nor cBMI correlated with the disease severity (p = 0.15 and 0.36). Patients who did and did not require MgSO4 do not have different BMI or cBMI (p = 0.12 and 0.23). Neonatal weight from severe disease arm does not differ from those with mild disease (p = 0.51). Counter-intuitively the correlations between birth weight and maternal BMI were stronger in the severe compared to the mild group (p = 0.0 and 0. 03). CONCLUSION: Neither BMI nor cBMI at the time of delivery predict the severity of preeclampsia or the need for seizure prophylaxis. Birth weight of the baby born from preeclamptic mother might be affected by multiple factors.

Prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies: 20 years experience at Siriraj Hospital.

Objective: To show the experience of prenatal diagnosis of Thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in Siriraj Hospital. Methods: Hb Bart’s hydrops fetalis can be detected by DNA study from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product in the first trimester of pregnancy either by chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or aminocentesis but in late pregnancy it can be detected unambiguous by ultrasonography at 18-20 weeks gestation, the suspected cases are confirmed by fetal blood sampling and Hb electrophoresis. Prenatal diagnosis (PND) for β-thalassemia diseases can be done at early pregnancy by direct visualization of the PCR products on electrophoresis or by dot blot analysis of amplified DNA with a set of HRP-labeled oligonucleotide probes complementary to the mutations. If the mutation is unknown. The couples have to wait for Hb analysis by HPLC or in vitro globins chain analysis from fetal blood in the second trimester. Results: The results of PND at Siriraj Hospital are summarized as Hb Bart’s Hydrops fetalis 228 cases, Homozygous Beta-Thalassemia 126 cases, and Beta Thalassemia/Hb E disease 550 cases. There are various methods of sampling namely chorionic villous sampling, amniocentesis, fetal blood sampling, ultrasound, or even combined method. There are minimal incidences of fetal loss 9 out 904 cases which comparatively give us one of the best center for prenatal diagnosis in Asia. Conclusion: Of the 904 pregnancies, the diagnosis were obtained in 891 pregnancies in which had 5 fetal loss from dead fetus in utero after fetal blood sampling in the second trimester. The other complication occurred after sampling failure.

Result of ambulatory diet therapy in gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of an ambulatory program for glycemic control of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 33 women with GDM whose FBS from OGTT > or = 105 mg/dl were scheduled to attend weekly ambulatory care for dietary therapy with their family. FBS and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose were monitored every visit for a few weeks. At the end of this program, those with poor glycemic control were admitted for further tight dietary control by conventional 3-day course after which insulin was finally started for the women whose glycemic control remained poor. RESULTS: After the ambulatory program, 14 of 33 cases (42.4%) achieved good glycemic control without hospitalization. Another 6 cases (18.2%) did not need insulin therapy after admission for 3-day intensive dietary therapy. Altogether, 20 out of 33 cases (60.6%) of GDM whose FBS from OGTT > or = 105 mg/dl could avoid insulin therapy after attending the ambulatory program alone or with additional 3-day intensive dietary therapy course. Similar effectiveness was observed from the authors' previous study on 3-day intensive dietary therapy alone. CONCLUSION: The authors' current ambulatory dietary therapy program has shown to be effective in achieving good glycemic control and avoiding unnecessary insulin therapy and admission in most cases of women with GDM. In the future, an even more effective ambulatory diet control may ascertain that once a woman is hospitalized, insulin should be started right away.

Effect of 3-day intensive dietary therapy during admission in women after diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of 3-day intensive dietary therapy during admission on glycemic control. MATERIAL AND METHOD: GDM women, with level of fasting blood glucose (FBS) at or above 105 mg/dl on their oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), were hospitalized. After 3-day intensive dietary therapy, the women were stratified by FBS value and mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose. Those with poor glycemic control, FBS at or above 105 mg/dl, were prescribed insulin therapy. RESULT: Between 1 August 2001 to 31 December 2002, a total of 9861 pregnant women were screened for clinical risk factors of GDM at their first antenatal visits, and 4663 had at least 1 risk. After 50-gm glucose challenge test and 100-gm OGTT GDM was diagnosed in 300 women. Only 18% (54 in 300 cases) of GDM had level of FBS at or above 105 mg/dl on OGTT. They were admitted in a special ward for further investigation and initial management. After 3 days of intensive dietary therapy, the FBS and mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose level were monitored and stratified in 3 groups. Only 42.6% of admission group (23 in 54 cases) still had FBS at or above 105 mg/dl and required insulin therapy (group 1). One third (18 in 54 cases) could avoid insulin therapy due to the level of FBS below 105 mg/dl and mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose below 120 mg/dl (group 2). This second group was discharged, and due to attend the high risk pregnancy clinic a few weeks later The third group (group 3), comprising one fourth (13 in 54 cases), had FBS below 105 mg/dl but had a mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose at or above 120 mg/dl. This third group were also discharged and were monitored glycemic profile by FBS and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose every time during their visits to the high risk pregnancy clinic. According to criteria of 2-hour postprandial blood glucose at or above 120 mg/dl on two or more occasions within a 1-2 weeks interval, no one in group 3 needed insulin therapy afterward CONCLUSION: GDM women with FBS at or above 105 mg/dl on their OGTT, should be prescribed intensive dietary therapy alone for 3 days inside hospital rather than initiating insulin immediately after diagnosis. One third had a benefit of avoiding insulin therapy. Only 42% failed to achieve good glycemic control and still needed insulin therapy. One fourth showed optimal glycemic control after this intervention (FBS below 105 mg/dl) but had mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose at or above 120 mg/dl. Longer trial of dietary therapy should be considered in this last group to avoid over treatment of insulin therapy.

Risk factor-based selective screening program for gestational diabetes mellitus in Siriraj Hospital: result from clinical practice guideline.

A clinical practice guideline for the screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is currently implemented at Siriraj Hospital. During the year 2000, a total of 9325 pregnant women were screened for clinical risk factors during their first antenatal visits, and 3770 had at least 1 risk. After the 50 g glucose challenge test and 100 g oral glucose tolerance test, GDM was diagnosed in 235 women. The incidence of GDM was 6.2 per cent (95% CI 5.5-7.1) among high-risk pregnant women, and 2.5 per cent (95% CI 2.2-2.9) of all pregnant women. Significant risk factors identified from the present study were family history of DM (adjusted OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.38-2.51), age > or = 30 years (adjusted OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.72-3.39), history of unexplained intrauterine fetal death (adjusted OR 4.30, 95% CI 2.04-9.04), and obesity (adjusted OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.88-4.25). The risk of developing GDM also increased when more than 1 clinical risk factor was identified. The results support the value of this screening program for GDM. Every obstetrician should be aware of the need to screen for GDM in every pregnant woman and a similar program should also be introduced to other settings.

Pseudotrisomy 13 syndrome : A case report.

We report on a male baby with microcephaly, holoprosencephaly of alobar type with sigle ventricle, cyclopia, proboscis, poorly developed testes, and clenched hands without polydactyly, suggestive of trisomy 13 syndrome. However, the cytogenetic study disclosed 46,XY. The case presented here very well represents pseudotrisomy 13 syndrome and signifies the value of cytogenetic study and genetic counseling.

Comparison of three methods for DNA extraction from amniotic fluid for fetal sex determination by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The objective of this study was to compare three methods used for amniotic fluid DNA extraction. These methods were: Proteinase K/Phenol-Chloroform, Proteinase K/7.5M Guanidine-HCl and DNAzolา BD Reagent. Ten samples of uncontaminated amniotic obtained by amniocentesis performed in mothers with advanced maternal age for detection of fetal chromosome abnormality were studied. Each sample was divided into three tubes, 1 ml placed in each, and DNA extraction was performed by all three methods. The quality and quantity of DNA extracted by each method were compared by electrophoresis on 3% agarose gel and spectrophotometric study at 260 & 280 nm. The DNA obtained was subsequently used for fetal sex determination by multiplex PCR method. The primers used for multiplex PCR were specific for X and Y chromosomes. Accuracy of fetal sex determination was compared with the results from amniocyte culture and the sex at birth. The results showed that DNA extracted by DNAzolาBD Reagent was 100% accurate when used to determine fetal sex by PCR; eight samples on 1st PCR and the other two on repeat PCR. DNA extracted by Proteinase K/7.5M Guanidine-HCl also yielded 100% accuracy in fetal sex determination; seven samples on 1st PCR, two samples on 2nd PCR and one sample needed 3rd PCR. The Proteinase K/Phenol-Choroform method yielded only 90% accuracy and one sample failed to determine fetal sex after having repeated PCR three times. The extraction method which gave the maximum amount of DNA was the Proteinase K/Phenol-Chloroform one but the failed to give 100% accuracy in determining fetal sex. The method which produced the least protein contamination was DNAzolฎBD Reagent and gave 100% accuracy in determining fetal sex with smallest number of PCR reactions. In conclusion, DNAzolฎBD reagent method is relatively rapid for amniotic fluid DNA extraction with high accuracy for fetal sex determination but when large amount of DNA is also needed for other purposes, Proteinase K/Phenol-Chlorofrom is recommended as the method of choice.

Prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorder by aminotic fluid cell culture.

Eighty one samples of prenatal diagnosis for genetic disorder by amniotic fluid cell culture were studied. The study period was from January 1984 to 28 February 1987. Amniotic fluid cell culture were analyzed from 18 women who had previous child with Down’s Syndrome, a cases in which the family and congenital anomalies, 53 cased of advanced maternal age (> 35 years old) and 2 cases of miscellaneous (habitual abortion, X-ray) 2 cases. The success rate of the culture was 96.2 per cent. This study found the abnormality of amniotic Fluid cell culture in 3 cases. Two cases were Down’s Syndrome and one case was Klinefelter’s Syndrome. These three cases were proved by chromosome analysis of skin and lung culture.

Prenatal diagnosis of lethal perinatal Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI type II) in Siriraj Hospital.

Two cases of lethal perinatal osteogenesis imperfecta (OI Type II) has been given prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound which showed the fractures and short limbs consistent with the OI Type II. These abnormally were confirmed by fetal radiographs. This report indicates that several methods of prenatal diagnosis of OI Type II may be useful in some families at risk for recurrence.

Antepartum non-stress test in “high risk” pregnancy.

In 1980, the fetal heart rate nonstress test (NST) was used as the primary screening procedure for the evaluation of fetal well being at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Siriraj Hospital Medical School. The results of the first 2,234 patients’ test in 5 years time are presented. Reactive NST (96.69%) has a good predictive value for the well being of the fetus. The stillborn rate withib 7 days of a reactive NST was 3.7 per 1,000, with the still-births occurring in postdate pregnancies. Nonreactive NST (3.31%) group demonstrated a significant increase in the overall cesarean section rate, the rate of cesarean sections for fetal distress and the perinatal mortality rate. Basd on our experience similar to others’ reports, the NST continues to be a valuable procedure for the asseaament of fetal well being in high risk pregnancies.