Prevention of type 2 diabetes among women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus.

The morbidity and mortality rates related to diabetes are constantly rising, as well as those for other noncommunicable diseases. The epidemic is spreading throughout the world, in both low- and high-resource countries. Prevention is a key aspect in the battle against the disease and obstetricians play a critical role in the fight. Prevention starts in utero-for the diabetic mother, her infant, and future generations. The postpartum period should not be neglected because it provides another window of opportunity to address prevention. Data on the prevention of type 2 diabetes among women diagnosed with gestational diabetes are discussed.

An update on maternal mortality in low-resource countries.

Maternal mortality constitutes a major problem in the context of women's health. All regions experienced a decline in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) between 1990 and 2010. Among those women who do not die, 300 million are currently living with health problems and disabilities caused by complications of pregnancy and childbirth. MMR in sub-Saharan Africa remains high, at more than 450 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. It is currently accepted that in many areas the Millennium Development Goals will not have been achieved by 2015 and in some countries, if current trends continue, they will not be reached until after 2040. Maternal mortality is much more than just a health problem. It involves lack of respect for women's basic human rights and failure to show the disadvantages and risks to which they are exposed.

Usefulness of progesterone-only components for contraception in patients with congenital heart disease.

The objective of the study is to report the contraceptive methods used by patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) before referral to a specific preconception clinic and evaluate safety and treatment adherence of the alternative contraception method, progesterone-only component (PC), offered. Contraceptive methods in the CHD population reported included estrogen-progesterone combined contraceptives (EPCC), despite the potential risk for thromboembolism. PC has been suggested as an alternative, but, no information on its use has been reported. Retrospective analysis was performed of all patients (n = 237) referred to the preconception clinic of an adult CHD center. Thirty-three percent of patients had used EPCC in the past; 3.8% had had thromboembolic events during its use. Current contraception consisted of barrier methods in 58% of patients, EPCC in 18%, and PC in 1.3%; 21.7% of patients were not using any contraception. PC was offered as an alternative in 146 patients; 73% of patients agreed to start the treatment. At a median follow-up of 1 year, 73% of patients who started PC maintained the treatment. Gynecologic side effects were reported in 25% of patients, with no cardiovascular effects. In conclusion, a significant proportion of patients with CHD were former users of EPCC, although some had formal contraindications, and the rate of PC use before referral to the preconception clinic was low. After being offered as an alternative treatment, the use of PC in its various forms was extensive, with no thrombogenic side effects and an acceptable rate of gynecologic side effects being reported.

Prevención de la infección perinatal por estreptococo del grupo B. Recomendaciones españolas. Actualización 2012. Documento de consenso SEIMC/SEGO/SEN/SEQ/SEMFYC / Prevention of Neonatal Group B Sreptococcal Infection. Spanish Recommendations. Update 2012. SEIMC/SEGO/SEN/SEQ/SEMFYC Consensus Document

La infección por Streptococcus agalactiae, estreptococo grupo B (EGB), continúa siendo la causa más frecuente de sepsis neonatal de etiología bacteriana. En 2003, las Sociedades Españolas de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Neonatología, Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica, Quimioterapia y Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria publicaron recomendaciones actualizadas para la prevención de la infección neonatal precoz por EGB. En ellas se recomendaba la identificación de gestantes portadoras de EGB mediante cultivo de muestra de exudado vaginorrectal realizado en las 35-37 semanas de gestación y la administración de profilaxis antibiótica intraparto (PAI) a todas las gestantes colonizadas. En estas nuevas recomendaciones se actualizan los métodos microbiológicos para realizar la identificación de portadoras de EGB y la técnica de sensibilidad a antibióticos; se revisan los antibióticos de primera línea que pueden usarse para PAI (penicilina, ampicilina, cefazolina) y sus alternativas (clindamicina y vancomicina); se clarifica el significado de la presencia de EGB en orina, incluyendo criterios para el diagnóstico de infección urinaria y bacteriuria asintomática por EGB en la embarazada; se define el uso de PAI en la amenaza de parto prematuro y rotura prematura de membranas, y se revisa el manejo del recién nacido en relación con el estado de portadora de EGB de la madre. Estas recomendaciones solo son válidas para la prevención de la infección neonatal precoz por EGB, y no son efectivas frente a la infección neonatal tardía. Tras la aplicación generalizada de la PAI, la incidencia de la sepsis neonatal precoz por EGB ha disminuido (..) (AU)

Group B streptococci (GBS) remain the most common cause of early onset neonatal sepsis. In 2003 the Spanish Societies of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Neonatology, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Chemotherapy, and Family and Community Medicine published updated recommendations for the prevention of early onset neonatal GBS infection. It was recommended to study all pregnant women at 35-37 weeks gestation to determine whether they were colonised by GBS, and to administer intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) to all colonised women. There has been a significant reduction in neonatal GBS infection in Spain following the widespread application of IAP. Today most cases of early onset GBS neonatal infection are due to false negative results in detecting GBS, to the lack of communication between laboratories and obstetric units, and to failures in implementing the prevention protocol. In 2010, new recommendations were published by the CDC, and this fact, together with the new knowledge and experience available, has led to the publishing of these new recommendations. The main changes in these revised recommendations include: microbiological methods to identify pregnant GBS carriers and for testing GBS antibiotic sensitivity, and the antibiotics used for IAP are updated; The significance of the presence of GBS in urine, including (..) (AU)

[Prevention of Neonatal Group B Sreptococcal Infection. Spanish Recommendations. Update 2012. SEIMC/SEGO/SEN/SEQ/SEMFYC Consensus Document]. / Prevención de la infección perinatal por estreptococo del grupo B. Recomendaciones españolas. Actualización 2012. Documento de consenso SEIMC/SEGO/SEN/SEQ/SEMFYC.

Group B streptococci (GBS) remain the most common cause of early onset neonatal sepsis. In 2003 the Spanish Societies of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Neonatology, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Chemotherapy, and Family and Community Medicine published updated recommendations for the prevention of early onset neonatal GBS infection. It was recommended to study all pregnant women at 35-37 weeks gestation to determine whether they were colonised by GBS, and to administer intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) to all colonised women. There has been a significant reduction in neonatal GBS infection in Spain following the widespread application of IAP. Today most cases of early onset GBS neonatal infection are due to false negative results in detecting GBS, to the lack of communication between laboratories and obstetric units, and to failures in implementing the prevention protocol. In 2010, new recommendations were published by the CDC, and this fact, together with the new knowledge and experience available, has led to the publishing of these new recommendations. The main changes in these revised recommendations include: microbiological methods to identify pregnant GBS carriers and for testing GBS antibiotic sensitivity, and the antibiotics used for IAP are updated; The significance of the presence of GBS in urine, including criteria for the diagnosis of UTI and asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy are clarified; IAP in preterm labour and premature rupture of membranes, and the management of the newborn in relation to GBS carrier status of the mother are also revised. These recommendations are only addressed to the prevention of GBS early neonatal infection, are not effective against late neonatal infection.

[Prevention of perinatal group B Streptococcal disease. Updated Spanish recommendations 2012]. / Prevención de la infección perinatal por estreptococo del grupo B. Recomendaciones españolas revisadas 2012.

It has been a significant reduction in neonatal group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in Spain following the widespread application of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. In 2010, new recommendations have been published by the CDC and this fact, together with the new knowledge and experience available, has driven to the participating scientific societies publishing these new recommendations. In these recommendations is advised to study all pregnant women at 35-37 gestation weeks` to determine if they are colonized by GBS and to administer intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) to all colonized mothers. Microbiological methods to identify pregnant GBS carriers are updated and intrapartrum antibiotic prophylaxis in preterm labour and premature rupture of membranes and the management of the newborn in relation to GBS carrier status of the mother are also revised.

Prevención de la infección perinatal por estreptococo del grupo B. Recomendaciones españolas revisadas 2012 / Prevention of perinatal group B Streptococcal disease. Updated Spanish recommendations 2012

Como consecuencia aplicación de la profilaxis antibiótica intraparto ha ocurrido una importante reducción de la infección neonatal por estreptococo grupo B en nuestro país. En 2010 se han publicado nuevas recomendaciones por los CDC y este hecho, junto con los nuevos conocimientos disponibles, ha llevado a las sociedades participantes a publicar estas nuevas recomendaciones. En ellas se mantiene el criterio de administrar profilaxis intraparto a todas las embarazadas colonizadas por EGB, se actualizan las técnicas de diagnostico de portadoras y se clarifica la actuación frente al parto prematuro y a los recién nacidos a riesgo de infectarse(AU)

It has been a significant reduction in neonatal group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in Spain following the widespread application of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. In 2010, new recommendations have been published by the CDC and this fact, together with the new knowledge and experience available, has driven to the participating scientific societies publishing these new recommendations. In these recommendations is advised to study all pregnant women at 35-37 gestation weeks` to determine if they are colonized by GBS and to administer intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) to all colonized mothers. Microbiological methods to identify pregnant GBS carriers are updated and intrapartrum antibiotic prophylaxis in preterm labour and premature rupture of membranes and the management of the newborn in relation to GBS carrier status of the mother are also revised(AU)

Circulating cell-derived microparticles in women with pregnancy loss.

PROBLEM: To analyze cell-derived microparticles (cMP) in pregnancy loss (PL), both recurrent miscarriages (RM) and unexplained fetal loss (UFL). METHOD OF STUDY: Non-matched case-control study was performed at Vall d'Hebron Hospital. Cell-derived microparticles of 53 PL cases, 30 with RM, 16 with UFL, and 7 (RM + UFL), were compared to 38 healthy pregnant women. Twenty healthy non-pregnant women act as controls. Cell-derived microparticles were analyzed through flow cytometry. Results are given as total annexin (A5+), endothelial-(CD144+/CD31+ CD41-), platelet-(CD41+), leukocyte-(CD45+) and CD41- c-MP/µL of plasma. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLA) were analyzed according to established methods. RESULTS: Comparing PL versus healthy pregnant, we observed a significant endothelial cMP decrease in PL. When comparing RM subgroup with controls, we observed significant decreases in endothelial cMP. When comparing the PL positive for aPLA versus PL-aPLA-negative, no cMP numbering differences were seen. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy loss seems to be related to endothelial cell activation and/or consumption. A relationship between aPLA and cMP could not be demonstrated.

Anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein-I and anti-phosphatidylserine antibodies in women with spontaneous pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein-I (anti-beta(2)GPI-ab) and anti-phosphatidylserine (aPS-ab) antibodies as a risk factor in both recurrent miscarriage (RM) and unexplained fetal losses (UFL). DESIGN: Retrospective, cohort study. SETTING: Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. PATIENT(S): 122 pregnant women divided in two groups: study group of 54 women with RM and/or UFL and control group of 68 pregnant without RM history. INTERVENTION(S): Analysis of lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, and anti-beta(2)GP1 and aPS antibodies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Comparison of aPL antibody between groups. RESULT(S): The prevalence of aPL positive results was 8 out of 54 (14.8%) in the study group and 3 out of 68 (4.41%) in the controls. In the RM subgroup, the prevalence was 3 out of 25 (12%) versus 3 out of 68 (4.4%), and 7 out of 34 (20.6%) versus 3 out of 68 (4.4%) in UFL subgroup. As a whole, the prevalence of anti-beta(2)GP1-ab in the RM/UFL group showed a difference compared with controls but not aPS-ab. In the RM women, anti-beta(2)GP1-ab was positive in 3 out of 25 (12%) versus 1 out of 68 (1.5%) in controls and in 4 out of 34 versus 0 out of 68 cases in women with UFL. In the RM subgroup, aPS-ab was positive in 1 out of 25 (4%) versus 2 out of 68 (2.9%) in control group and in 3 out of 34 versus 2 out of 68 cases in women with UFL. CONCLUSION(S): Our results suggest that anti-beta(2)GP1-ab but not aPS-ab is related to RM/UFL and should be considered as a pregnancy-loss risk factor.

Atosiban versus usual care for the management of preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of atosiban with usual management of threatened preterm labor. METHODS: In this prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial, women admitted to the hospital in threatened preterm labor (between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation) were randomized to receive atosiban or usual care (beta-agonists, calcium channel blockers, magnesium sulphate, or any other tocolytic, alone or in combination, and/or bed rest). RESULTS: In women randomized to receive atosiban (n=295) or usual care (n=290), significantly more women receiving atosiban remained undelivered at 48 h with no alternative tocolytic compared with usual care (77.6% vs. 56.6%; P<0.001). The proportion of women remaining undelivered after 48 h was comparable between the treatment groups. However, more women in the atosiban group required no additional tocolytics (85.1% vs. 62.8%; P<0.001). Maternal and fetal safety was significantly superior with atosiban. Neonatal safety was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the use of atosiban to delay preterm birth and are consistent with previously conducted, randomized, controlled trials. Atosiban was associated with fewer maternal and fetal adverse events compared with other tocolytics, and presented no safety concerns for either the mother or the unborn baby.

The quality of nifedipine studies used to assess tocolytic efficacy: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of studies of nifedipine used to treat spontaneous preterm labor. DESIGN: A systematic review of study quality using a novel validity assessment tool, examining method-specific and topic-specific items in the domains of selection, performance and measurement biases. DATA SOURCES: Medline (1996-2003), EMBASE (1996-2003), BIOSIS (1993-2003), Current Contents (1995-2003), DERWENT DRUGFILE (1983-2003), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Bibliographies of existing meta-analyses and systematic reviews of nifedipine as a tocolytic. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Forty-five studies evaluating the effectiveness of nifedipine were identified. DATA EXTRACTION: Each study was assessed for 40 method-specific and topic-specific items of quality in duplicate using piloted data extraction forms. Disagreements between assessors were settled by consensus/arbitration. DATA SYNTHESIS: Very few of the studies complied with adequacy criteria of quality for either method-specific or topic-specific items. There was no improvement in quality over time. The quality of method-specific items was significantly poorer when compared with topic-specific items of quality overall (P<0.0001) and in the domains of selection bias (P<0.0001) and performance bias (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Studies of the effectiveness of nifedipine as a tocolytic are of poorer quality with respect to method-specific items than topic-specific items. These deficiencies should be highlighted in meta-analyses or systematic reviews which measure efficacy and should influence the generation of guideline statements or recommendations for the use of nifedipine as a tocolytic. A large randomized trial fulfilling the quality items is necessary to assess the real efficacy of nifedipine in preterm labor.

Prevención de la infección perinatal por estreptococo del grupo B. Recomendaciones españolas revisadas / Prevention of perinatal group B streptococcal disease. Spanish revised guidelines

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