Severe pre-eclampsia and maternal thyroid function.

This study was conducted to determine the thyroid function in severe pre-eclamptic patients compared with healthy controls. Twenty-seven women with severe pre-eclampsia and 26 healthy normotensive controls were studied prospectively. Both groups were matched according to three gestational age subgroups; 30-33,34-37 and 38-41 weeks. Serum concentrations of free thyroxine(Fr4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured by immunochemoluminiscence using an automated analyser (Immulite 2000). Pre-eclamptic women obviously showed a statistically significant increase in terms of systolic BP, diastolic BP, levels of urinary albumin and uric acid compared with the healthy controls. There were no significant differences in the levels of FT4, FT3 and TSH between the two study groups in the various gestational age subgroups. We conclude that the thyroid function is not altered in severe pre-clampsia, therefore it does not reflect the severity of pre-eclampsia.

The effect of antenatal corticosteroid therapy on pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of membranes.

UNLABELLED: This study was carried out to examine the effect of antenatal corticosteroid therapy on pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of membranes (PROMs). For this purpose, 139 patients with a singleton pregnancy (27-34 weeks of gestation) complicated by PROMs were evaluated prospectively during the period January 1997 to February 1999 at two Jordanian military hospitals (Prince Rhashed and Prince Zaid). Patients were allocated into two groups; Group 1 included 72 patients treated with dexamethsone (24 mg divided into 4 doses 12 hours apart), and Group 2 which included 67 patients whoreceived no treatment (control group). All women were examined clinically and the diagnosis of PROMs was demonstrated using vaginal speculum, nitrazine paper examination and ultrasonography. All neonates were evaluated clinically, radiologically, and by laboratory investigations. Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to assess the significance of differences between the two study groups. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), and days of hospital stay were significantly reduced in premature infants of the corticosteroid treated women compared with the controls (p<0.04, p<0.04, p<0.04, and p<0.05, respectively). The perinatal mortality was significantly decreased among the corticosteroid treated group in the gestational subgroups 31-32 and 33-34 weeks (p<0.04), and in all birth weight subgroups (p<0.03). RDS was statistically a significant factor which resulted in increased perinatal mortality in the control group (p=0.02). Regarding the occurrence of postpartum endometritis there was a statistically significant increase among the corticosteroid treated group compared with the controls (p<0.04). CONCLUSION: Antenatal corticosteroid therapy in pregnancies complicated by PROMs has a positive influencing effect on premature infants between 31 and 34 weeks of gestation, decreasing significantly the perinatal morbidity and mortality. It should be used with particular relevance to the developing world where surfactant is not available or where neonatal intensive care units are lacking.

Spinal versus general anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery: a prospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section as compared with general anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 175 women undergoing elective cesarean section were studied prospectively. They were allocated into two groups; the first group (n=60) received spinal anesthesia, and the second one (n=115) received general anesthesia for elective cesarean section. Preoperative and intraoperative BP and IV fluids were recorded. Chi-Square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare differences between the two groups; p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of demographics, indication for elective cesarean section, operative time, gestational age, 1 and 5-min Apgar scores, and the means of preoperative and postoperative systolic and diastolic BP. A statistically significant increase was observed in terms of hypotension, postoperative analgesia, pre-induction and intraoperative IV fluids in the spinal group as compared to the general anesthesia group (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Spinal anesthesia is as effective as a general anesthesia. Maternal and fetal outcome are favorable. Maternal hypotension can be managed successfully with modest doses of ephedrine and IV fluid infusions. It provides sufficient postoperative analgesia allowing the mother to have more vitality and comfort than those who receive general anesthesia.