[Amnio-infusion during labor: experience and review of the literature]. / Amnio-infusion pendant le travail: expérience et revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of amnioinfusion results during labour in case of thick meconial amniotic fluid or in case of oligo-hydramnios associated with variable deceleration of the fetal heart response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective non randomized study. Amnioinfusion was applied to 47 cases of thick meconial amniotic fluid and to 18 cases of variable fetal heart decelerations associated with oligo-hydramnios. Obstetrical and neonatal data were compared with a similar group without amnioinfusion (n = 32). RESULTS: Comparing both groups shows that amnioinfusion offers a better fetal well-being during labour, according to Kreb's fetal heart evaluation during labour (8.53 +/- 1.06 vs 6.56 +/- 0.35--p < 0.01), lows the cesarean section rate (8.5% vs 31.2%--p < 0.01). Amnioinfusion is also associated with a higher Apgar's score at one minute after delivery (9.4 +/- 0.8 vs 8.7 +/- 1.7--p = 0.01) and a lower rate of thick meconium inhalation (13.7% vs 40.7%--p < 0.01). There was no difference for children's first days of life. We found no serious complication following amnioinfusion. CONCLUSION: We confirm general agreement about amnioinfusion, according to international literature. Amnioinfusion needs an acute care to prevent classically described complications. In case of thick meconial amniotic fluid or variable decelerations associated with oligo-hydramnios, amnioinfusion during labour offers a better fetal well-being.

[Maternal complications from tocolytic treatment with beta-mimetics. Three cases of pulmonary edema]. / Complications maternelles des traitements tocolytiques par les bêta-mimétiques. A propos de trois cas d'oedème pulmonaire.

We report three cases of pulmonary edema associated with prolonged intravenous tocolytic therapy with beta 2-adrenergic agonists among patients with multiple pregnancies. Although beta 2-adrenergic agonists may have direct myocardial side-effects, the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are mainly noncardiogenic. The most important one appears to be the fluid overload, related to amounts of fluids given intravenously and to direct result of beta-sympathomimetic therapy on renal excretion of sodium and water. Neonatal benefit of prolonged tocolytic therapy remains hypothetical. If this strategy is used, the prevention of cardiovascular adverse effects requires an intensive maternal supervision, especially in case of multiple pregnancy, the use of beta 2-adrenergic agonists in concentrated solution in order to reduce the amounts of fluids given intravenously, and the association with progesterone therapy which can reduce the infusion rate and the duration of tocolytic therapy.

[Cervical pathology and immunodepression]. / Pathologie du col et immunodépression.

The Human Papilloma Virus is often involved in the pathogenesis of cervical lesions. A local or systemic immunodeficiency allows neoplasia outbreaks. We do not know if immunodepression only allows the virus to persist, or if the HPV induces a local immunodeficiency. Large warts are often associated with pregnancy, but cervical cancers are not increased in pregnant women. Induced immunodeficiency (among transplanted patients), or AIDS increase the rate of CIN and cervical cancers. The more serious the immunodeficiency is, the more multifocal and recurrent the lesions are. We have to look for an immunodepression and for AIDS when we observe multifocal or recurrent lesions of the cervix, specially when the lesions do not regress under correct treatment. Immunodeficient women would benefit from closer care of their cervix. We think that combine therapy (e.g. laser and local interferon) would be more efficient in case of immunodeficiency.