Management of Late Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome beyond 26 Weeks: Comparison between Fetoscopic Laser Therapy versus Traditional Management.

INTRODUCTION: A proportion of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) can present after 26 weeks of gestation. The aim of this study was to compare perinatal outcomes of late TTTS treated by fetoscopic laser coagulation versus traditional management with amniodrainage and/or emergency preterm cesarean delivery (CD). METHODS: Retrospective cohort from January 2012 to January 2023 of consecutive MCDA twin pregnancies complicated by TTTS after 26 weeks and evaluated in our referring centers. We analyzed perinatal outcomes of cases treated with fetoscopic laser surgery at our national referral fetal surgery center in Queretaro, Mexico, and compared them with those managed with traditional management (amniodrainage and/or emergency preterm CD). The primary outcome was survival at discharge and the secondary outcome was gestational age (GA) at birth. RESULTS: Among the study population, 46 TTTS cases were treated by fetoscopy at 27+6 (26+0-31+0) weeks+days and were compared with a group of 39 cases who underwent emergency preterm CD. In comparison to the group who underwent traditional management, the group treated by laser fetoscopy showed a significantly higher GA at birth (32+3 vs. 29+1 weeks+days, p < 0.001), lower frequency of preterm delivery below 37 weeks (91.3% vs. 100%, p = 0.06), 34 weeks (63.0% vs. 100%, p < 0.001), 32 weeks (50% vs. 74.4%, p = 0.02), or 30 weeks (28.3% vs. 53.8%, p = 0.01), and significantly higher perinatal survival (89.1% vs. 71.8%, p < 0.05 of at least one twin; and 65.2% vs. 38.5%, p = 0.01 of both twins, respectively). CONCLUSION: MCDA twins complicated with TTTS can be treated with fetoscopic laser surgery between 26 and 31 weeks of gestation, which is a feasible and safe option, and such cases are associated with a higher GA at birth and better perinatal survival than those managed with amniodrainage and/or emergency preterm CD.

[Clinical, obstetric and perinatal characteristics of Mexican pregnant women with COVID-19]. / Características clínicas, obstétricas y perinatales de embarazadas mexicanas con Covid-19.

Background: COVID-19 disease is the leading cause of maternal death in Mexico. The data published to date indicate that pregnancy favors severe forms of the disease. Objective: To describe the clinical, obstetric and perinatal characteristics of pregnant women with COVID-19 disease treated at the UMAE "Luis Castelazo Ayala" of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Material and methods: Observational, cross-sectional and retrospective study of pregnant women with COVID-19 treated from March to December 2020. The epidemiological characteristics, complications and perinatal results were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: 133 patients included: 84.5% with mild disease, 8 % moderate and 8.5% severe and critical. Pre-existing comorbidities: obesity, diabetes and hypothyroidism. Main symptoms: cough, headache, fever, rhinorrhea and anosmia. In severe and critical cases, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypoxemia were present. Lymphoneutropenia, hyperglycemia, and transaminasemia were seen in severe and critical forms. Fibrinogen and D dimer stayed unchanged. Preterm delivery, oligohydramnios, gestational hypertension, severe preeclampsia, and pneumonia were the main complications. 75% of the newborns without complications. Conclusions: The clinical behavior of the disease was mostly mild and even in moderate cases, and even in moderate as well as severe and complicated cases, the binomial results were favorable. There was no maternal death.

Introducción: la enfermedad COVID-19 en el embarazo es la primera causa de muerte materna en México, y se ha reportado que favorece las formas graves de la enfermedad. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas, obstétricas y perinatales de pacientes embarazadas con enfermedad COVID-19 atendidas en la UMAE "Luis Castelazo Ayala" del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Material y métodos: estudio observacional, transversal y retrospectivo de pacientes embarazadas con COVID-19 atendidas de marzo a diciembre del 2020. Las características epidemiológicas, complicaciones y resultados perinatales se analizaron con estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados: se incluyeron 133 pacientes: 84.5% presentaron enfermedad leve, 8% moderada y 8.5% severa y crítica. Las comorbilidades preexistentes fueron: obesidad, diabetes e hipotiroidismo. Los principales síntomas: tos, cefalea, fiebre, rinorrea y anosmia. En casos severos y críticos la taquicardia, taquipnea e hipoxemia estuvieron presentes. En las formas severa y crítica se observaron: linfoneutropenia, hiperglucemia y transaminasemia. El fibrinógeno y dímero D sin cambios. El parto pretérmino, el oligohidroamnios, la hipertensión gestacional, la preeclampsia severa y la neumonia fueron las principales complicaciones. El 75% de los recién nacidos no preentaron complicaciones. Conclusiones: el comportamiento clínico de la enfermedad fue, en su mayoría, leve, e incluso en los casos moderados así como en los severos y complicados los resultados del binomio fueron favorables. No hubo muerte materna ni se evidenció transmisión vertical.

Características clínicas, obstétricas y perinatales de embarazadas mexicanas con COVID-19 / Clinical, obstetric and perinatal characteristics of Mexican pregnant women with COVID-19

Introducción: la enfermedad COVID-19 en el embarazo es la primera causa de muerte materna en México, y se ha reportado que favorece las formas graves de la enfermedad. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas, obstétricas y perinatales de pacientes embarazadas con enfermedad COVID-19 atendidas en la UMAE "Luis Castelazo Ayala" del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Material y métodos: estudio observacional, transversal y retrospectivo de pacientes embarazadas con COVID-19 atendidas de marzo a diciembre del 2020. Las características epidemiológicas, complicaciones y resultados perinatales se analizaron con estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados: se incluyeron 133 pacientes: 84.5% presentaron enfermedad leve, 8% moderada y 8.5% severa y crítica. Las comorbilidades preexistentes fueron: obesidad, diabetes e hipotiroidismo. Los principales síntomas: tos, cefalea, fiebre, rinorrea y anosmia. En casos severos y críticos la taquicardia, taquipnea e hipoxemia estuvieron presentes. En las formas severa y crítica se observaron: linfoneutropenia, hiperglucemia y transaminasemia. El fibrinógeno y dímero D sin cambios. El parto pretérmino, el oligohidroamnios, la hipertensión gestacional, la preeclampsia severa y la neumonía fueron las principales complicaciones. El 75% de los recién nacidos no presentaron complicaciones. Conclusiones: el comportamiento clínico de la enfermedad fue, en su mayoría, leve, e incluso en los casos moderados así como en los severos y complicados los resultados del binomio fueron favorables. No hubo muerte materna ni se evidenció transmisión vertical.

Background: COVID-19 disease is the leading cause of maternal death in Mexico. The data published to date indicate that pregnancy favors severe forms of the disease. Objective: To describe the clinical, obstetric and perinatal characteristics of pregnant women with COVID-19 disease treated at the UMAE "Luis Castelazo Ayala" of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Material and methods: Observational, cross-sectional and retrospective study of pregnant women with COVID-19 treated from March to December 2020. The epidemiological characteristics, complications and perinatal results were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: 133 patients included: 84.5% with mild disease, 8 % moderate and 8.5% severe and critical. Pre-existing comorbidities: obesity, diabetes and hypothyroidism. Main symptoms: cough, headache, fever, rhinorrhea and anosmia. In severe and critical cases, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypoxemia were present. Lymphoneutropenia, hyperglycemia, and transaminasemia were seen in severe and critical forms. Fibrinogen and D dimer stayed unchanged. Preterm delivery, oligohydramnios, gestational hypertension, severe preeclampsia, and pneumonia were the main complications. 75% of the newborns without complications. Conclusions: The clinical behavior of the disease was mostly mild and even in moderate cases, and even in moderate as well as severe and complicated cases, the binomial results were favorable. There was no maternal death.

Differences in the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and the platelet/lymphocyte ratio in pregnant women with and without COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the differences in the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in pregnant women with and without COVID-19. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional, retrospective, comparative, open, controlled study done from January to April 2021 at the UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia "Luis Castelazo Ayala" Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Mexico City, Mexico: Patients were divided into those with a negative test for COVID-19 and those with a positive test, with the latter then being divided according to disease severity into mild, moderate, and severe groups. In all the NLR and PLR were calculated. Symptoms, vital signs, and oxygen saturation were documented. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Central tendency and dispersion measures, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-squared test were used. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and odds ratio (OR) were calculated. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were included, 24 without COVID-19 and 53 with COVID-19. There were 33, 10, and 10 patients in the mild, moderate, and severe disease groups, respectively. There was no difference in NLR between the groups and the PLR was significantly higher in the severe disease group. With a 5.1 NLR cutoff point, between normal and those with severe disease, the sensitivity was 70% and specificity 63%, whilst with a 221 PLR cutoff point, the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity 83% (OR 45, 95% CI 4.40-461.7). CONCLUSION: PLR more than NLR was useful to detect pregnant patients with COVID-19 with severe disease.

Ligadura de arterias hipogástricas previo al alumbramiento o a la histerectomía obstétrica modificada en inserción anómala de placenta / Ligation of hypogastric arteries prior to delivery or modified obstetric hysterectomy in anomalous insertion of the placenta

Resumen: OBJETIVO: Evaluar las ventajas de practicar o no la ligadura de arterias hipogástricas antes del alumbramiento o previo a la histerectomía modificada en el tratamiento quirúrgico de la inserción anómala de la placenta. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de serie de casos, retrospectivo, transversal y comparativo efectuado en la Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Ginecoobstetricia 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala, de 2013 a 2019. Criterios de inclusión: pacientes con inserción anómala de placenta a quienes se practicó o no ligadura de arterias hipogástricas antes del alumbramiento o previo a la histerectomía modificada. Criterios de exclusión: pacientes que no finalizaron el embarazo en el hospital o la información en el expediente estaba incompleta. Parámetros de estudio: sangrado transoperatorio, transfusión sanguínea, morbilidad posoperatoria e ingreso a cuidados intensivos. Los desenlaces se analizaron con estadística descriptiva e inferencial. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 285 pacientes; 57% (n = 164) con placenta previa, 27% (n = 78) marginal y 15% (n = 43) normoinserta. El espectro de placenta acreta se encontró en 34% (n = 91) de la muestra. En el grupo de placenta previa la aplicación de la técnica disminuyó el sangrado transoperatorio (p = 0.005) y la transfusión sanguínea (p = 0.05). En pacientes con espectro de placenta acreta hubo una reducción del sangrado transoperatorio (p < 0.01), menores transfusión sanguínea (p = 0.01), ingreso a cuidados intensivos (p < 0.001) y días de estancia en cuidados intensivos (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONES: La ligadura de arterias hipogástricas antes del alumbramiento o previo a la histerectomía modificada en el tratamiento quirúrgico de la inserción anómala de la placenta mostró un máximo beneficio en los grupos de placenta previa y espectro de placenta acreta.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the advantages of performing and not performing "Hypogastric artery ligation prior to delivery or modified hysterectomy" in the surgical management of anomalous placental insertion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional, comparative, retrospective case series study conducted at the Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Ginecoobstetricia 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala, from 2013 to 2019. Inclusion criteria: patients with abnormal placental insertion who underwent hypogastric artery ligation before delivery or before modified obstetric hysterectomy, compared with those who did not have hypogastric artery ligation. Exclusion criteria: patients who did not terminate the pregnancy in the hospital or the information in the file was incomplete. Study parameters: transoperative bleeding, blood transfusion, postoperative morbidity and admission to intensive care. Outcomes were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: 285 patients were evaluated; 57% (n = 164) with placenta previa, 27% (n = 78) marginal and 15% (n = 43) normoinsert. The placenta accreta spectrum was found in 34% (n = 91) of the sample. In the placenta previa group, the application of the technique decreased transoperative bleeding (p = 0.005) and blood transfusion (p = 0.05). In patients with placenta accreta spectrum there was a reduction of transoperative bleeding (p < 0.01), lower blood transfusion (p = 0.01), intensive care admission (p < 0.001) and days of intensive care stay (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Hypogastric artery ligation before delivery and before modified hysterectomy in the surgical treatment of anomalous placental insertion showed maximum benefit in the placenta previa and spectrum of placenta accreta groups.

Frequency of olfactory dysfunction in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with COVID-19, olfactory dysfunction and anosmia have been reported, which in pregnant women occur in up to 24.2 %. OBJECTIVE: To know the frequency at which pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection have olfactory dysfunction. METHODS: Age, gestational age, temperature, presence of nasal constipation or rhinorrhea, myalgia, headache, cough or chest pain were asked. Whether patients perceived and identified the scent of grape juice, coffee powder and menthol was evaluated. Central tendency and dispersion measures, frequencies and percentages were used. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were calculated. Mann-Whitney's U-test and contrast of proportions were used for comparisons between groups. RESULTS: There was a higher proportion of women with cough, headache, dyspnea, myalgia, odynophagia, rhinorrhea, chest pain, and anosmia in SARS-CoV-2-positive women. In patients without COVID-19, 88.9 % detected each one of the scents; only 31.8 % of the positive group detected grapes scent, 47.7 % coffee and 59.1 % menthol, which had the highest percentages of sensitivity (40 %), specificity (21 %), positive predictive value (59 %) and negative predictive value (11 %). CONCLUSION: Olfactory dysfunction occurs in a significant percentage of pregnant women with COVID-19.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En pacientes con COVID-19 se ha reportado disfunción olfatoria y anosmia; en la mujer embarazada se presenta hasta en 24.2 %. OBJETIVO: Conocer la frecuencia con la que las mujeres embarazadas e infección por SARS-CoV-2 tienen disfunción olfatoria. MÉTODOS: Se preguntó edad, edad gestacional, temperatura, presencia de constipación nasal o rinorrea, mialgias, cefalea, tos o dolor torácico, además de evaluar si las mujeres percibían e identificaban el aroma de jugo de uva, café en polvo y mentol. Se utilizaron medidas de tendencia central y dispersión, frecuencias y porcentajes. Se calculó sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y negativo. La U de Mann-Whitney y el contraste de proporciones sirvieron para las comparaciones entre los grupos. RESULTADOS: Hubo mayor proporción de mujeres con tos, cefalea, disnea, mialgias, odinofagia, rinorrea, dolor torácico y anosmia en mujeres positivas a SARS-CoV-2. De las pacientes sin COVID-19, 88.9 % detectó cada uno de los aromas; solo 31.8 % del grupo positivo detectó el aroma a uva, 47.7 % el de café y 59.1 % el de mentol, el cual tuvo los porcentajes más altos en sensibilidad (40 %), especificidad (21 %), valores predictivos positivo (59 %) y negativo (11 %). CONCLUSIÓN: la disfunción olfatoria se presenta en un porcentaje importante de las mujeres embarazadas con COVID-19.

Frecuencia de disfunción olfatoria en mujeres embarazadas con infección por SARS-CoV-2 / Frequency of olfactory dysfunction in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Resumen Introducción: En pacientes con COVID-19 se ha reportado disfunción olfatoria y anosmia; en la mujer embarazada se presenta hasta en 24.2 %. Objetivo: Conocer la frecuencia con la que las mujeres embarazadas e infección por SARS-CoV-2 tienen disfunción olfatoria. Métodos: Se preguntó edad, edad gestacional, temperatura, presencia de constipación nasal o rinorrea, mialgias, cefalea, tos o dolor torácico, además de evaluar si las mujeres percibían e identificaban el aroma de jugo de uva, café en polvo y mentol. Se utilizaron medidas de tendencia central y dispersión, frecuencias y porcentajes. Se calculó sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y negativo. La U de Mann-Whitney y el contraste de proporciones sirvieron para las comparaciones entre los grupos. Resultados: Hubo mayor proporción de mujeres con tos, cefalea, disnea, mialgias, odinofagia, rinorrea, dolor torácico y anosmia en mujeres positivas a SARS-CoV-2. De las pacientes sin COVID-19, 88.9 % detectó cada uno de los aromas; solo 31.8 % del grupo positivo detectó el aroma a uva, 47.7 % el de café y 59.1 % el de mentol, el cual tuvo los porcentajes más altos en sensibilidad (40 %), especificidad (21 %), valores predictivos positivo (59 %) y negativo (11 %). Conclusión: la disfunción olfatoria se presenta en un porcentaje importante de las mujeres embarazadas con COVID-19.

Abstract Introduction: In patients with COVID-19, olfactory dysfunction and anosmia have been reported, which in pregnant women occur in up to 24.2 %. Objective: To know the frequency in which pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection have olfactory dysfunction. Methods: Age, gestational age, temperature, presence of nasal constipation or rhinorrhea, myalgia, headache, cough or chest pain were asked. Whether patients perceived and identified the scent of grape juice, coffee powder and menthol was evaluated. Central tendency and dispersion measures, frequencies and percentages were used. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were calculated. Mann-Whitney's U-test and contrast of proportions were used for comparisons between groups. Results: There was a higher proportion of women with cough, headache, dyspnea, myalgia, odynophagia, rhinorrhea, chest pain, and anosmia in SARS-CoV-2-positive women. In patients without COVID-19, 88.9 % detected each one of the scents; only 31.8 % of the positive group detected grapes scent, 47.7 % coffee and 59.1 % menthol, which had the highest percentages of sensitivity (40 %), specificity (21 %), positive predictive value (59 %) and negative predictive value (11 %). Conclusion: Olfactory dysfunction occurs in a significant percentage of pregnant women with COVID-19.

Brachial and uterine arteries Doppler in healthy women and with preeclampsia / Doppler de las arterias uterinas y braquial en mujeres sanas y con preeclampsia

Objective: To compare the Doppler ultrasound parameters of the uterine and brachial arteries, between healthy pregnant women and pregnant women with preeclampsia. Methods: 102 pregnant women were studied in the third trimester, group I 83 healthy women and group II 19 patients with severe preeclampsia. All of them underwent Doppler ultrasound of the uterine arteries, measuring the pulsatility index (PI) and determining the presence of proto-diastolic notch. The PI and the arterial diameter were measured in the brachial artery before and after the hyperemic stimulus. Comparisons between the groups were performed with Student's t-test for independent samples and Mann-Whitney U and the comparison within each group with Student's t-test for related samples. Results: Gestational age was 35 ± 3 and 35 ± 2 weeks for group I and II, respectively. The proto-diastolic notch was present in 6 of 19 patients in group II (p < 0.001), the PI of uterine arteries was 0.68 ± 0.1 and 0.93 ± 0.3 for group I and II, respectively (p < 0.006). In the brachial artery, the arterial diameter after the hyperemic stimulus was significantly higher in women in group I (3.7 ± 0.5 mm and 3.5 ± 0.6 mm, p < 0.006). Conclusion: Preeclamptic women had higher PI of the uterine artery than the healthy ones; healthy women had greater arterial diameter after hyperemic stimulus than preeclamptic ones.

Objetivo: comparar los parámetros del ultrasonido Doppler de las arterias uterinas y braquial, entre mujeres embarazadas sanas y con preeclampsia. Métodos: se estudiaron 102 mujeres embarazadas del tercer trimestre, grupo I 83 mujeres sanas y grupo II 19 pacientes con preeclampsia severa. A todas ellas se les realizó ultrasonido Doppler de las arterias uterinas, midiendo el índice de pulsatilidad (IP) y determinando la presencia de muesca protodiastólica. En la arteria braquial previo y posterior al estímulo hiperémico se midieron el IP y el diámetro arterial. Las comparaciones entre los grupos se realizaron con prueba t de Student para muestras independientes y U de Mann-Whitney y la comparación dentro de cada grupo con prueba t de Student para muestras relacionadas. Resultados: la edad gestacional fue 35 ± 3 y 35 ± 2 semanas para el grupo I y II, respectivamente. La muesca proto-diastólica estuvo presente en 6 de 19 pacientes en el grupo II (p < 0.001), el IP de las arterias uterinas fue 0.68 ± 0.1 y 0.93 ± 0.3 para el grupo I y II respectivamente (p < 0.006). En la arteria braquial el diámetro arterial posterior al estímulo hiperémico fue significativamente mayor en las mujeres del grupo I (3.7 ± 0.5 mm y 3.5 ± 0.6 mm, p < 0.006). Conclusiones: las preeclámpticas tuvieron mayor IP de la arteria uterina que las sanas; las mujeres sanas tuvieron mayor diámetro arterial posterior al estímulo hiperémico que las preeclámpticas.

[Clinical guideline. Preeclampsia-eclampsia]. / Guía de práctica clínica. Preeclampsia-eclampsia.

Preeclampsia remains a major cause of worldwide pregnancy related maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, it accounts for more than 50,000 maternal deaths each year. The World Health Organization estimates that at least one woman dies every 7 minutes from a complication of preeclampsia. It is the main cause of maternal death in Mexico and Latin America. Standarized assessment and surveillance of women with preeclampsia is associated with reduced maternal risk. Standarized sequence was established to search for practice guidelines from the clinical questions raised on diagnosis and treatment of preeclampsia-eclampsia. The working group selected clinical practice guidelines found in the Cochrane Library, Medline and PubMed. The results were expressed as levels of evidences and grade of recommendation. Evidence suggests, that treatment of severe hypertension, seizures prophylaxis with magnesium sulfate, and management by experienced health-care professionals will improve maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes. Treatment remains supportive with pregnancy termination being the only definitive cure.