Antenatal Betamethasone Every 12 Hours in Imminent Preterm Labour.

BACKGROUND: Benefits of antenatal corticosteroids have been established for preterm infants who have received the full course. In imminent preterm labours there is no time to administer the second dose 24 h later. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the administration of two doses of betamethasone in a 12 h interval is equivalent to the effects of a full maturation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study including preterm infants ≤34 weeks gestational age at birth and ≤1500 g, admitted to an NICU IIIC level in a tertiary hospital from 2015 to 2020. The population was divided into two cohorts: complete maturation (CM) (two doses of betamethasone 24 h apart), or advanced maturation (AM) (two doses of betamethasone 12 h apart). The primary outcomes were mortality or survival with severe morbidities. The presence of respiratory distress syndrome and other morbidities of prematurity were determined. These variables were analysed in the neonates under 28 weeks gestational age cohort. Neurodevelopment at 2 years was evaluated with the validated Ages and Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®-3). Multiple regression analyses were performed and adjusted for confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 275 preterm neonates were included. Serious outcomes did not show differences between cohorts, no increased incidence of morbidity was found in AM. A lower percentage of hypotension during the first week (p = 0.04), a tendency towards lower maximum FiO2 (p = 0.14) and to a shorter mechanical ventilation time (p = 0.14) were observed for the AM cohort. Similar results were found in the subgroup of neonates under 28 weeks gestational age. There were no differences in cerebral palsy or sensory deficits at 24 months of corrected age, although the AM cohort showed a trend towards better scores on the ASQ3 scale. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of betamethasone every 12 h showed similar results to the traditional pattern with respect to mortality and severe morbidities. No deleterious neurodevelopmental effects were found at 24 months of corrected age. Earlier administration of betamethasone at 12 h after the first dose would be an alternative in imminent preterm delivery. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Transmitted Fetal Immune Response in Cases of SARS-CoV-2 Infections during Pregnancy.

(1) Background: Little is known about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the placenta, and whether the maternal inflammatory response is transmitted vertically. This research aims to provide information about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on maternal and fetal immunity. (2) Methods: We have studied placental changes and humoral and cellular immunity in maternal and umbilical cord blood (UCB) samples from a group of pregnant women delivering after the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. IgG and IgM SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, Interleukin 1b (IL1b), Interleukin 6 (IL6), and gamma-Interferon (IFN-γ), have been studied in the UCB samples. Lymphocyte subsets were studied according to CD3, CD8, CD4, CD34, and invariant natural Killer T cells (iNKT) markers. We used in situ hybridization techniques for the detection of viral RNA in placentas. (3) Results: During the study period, 79 pregnant women and their corresponding newborns were recruited. The main gestational age at the time of delivery was 39.1 weeks (SD 1.3). We did not find traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA in any of the analyzed placental samples. Detectable concentrations of IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, IL1b, IL6, and IFN-γ, in UCB were found in all cases, but IgM antibodies anti-ARS-CoV-2 were systematically undetectable. We found significant correlations between fetal CD3+ mononuclear cells and UCB IgG concentrations. We also found significant correlations between UCB IgG concentrations and fetal CD3+/CD4+, as well as CD3+/CD8+ T cells subsets. We also discovered that fetal CD3+/CD8+ cell counts were significantly higher in those cases with placental infarctions. (4) Conclusion: we have not verified the placental transfer of SARS-CoV-2. However, we have discovered that a significant immune response is being transmitted to the fetus in cases of SARS-CoV-2 maternal infection.

Pregnancy Outcomes and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: The Spanish Obstetric Emergency Group Study.

Pregnant women who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. With this study, we aimed to better understand the relationship between maternal infection and perinatal outcomes, especially preterm births, and the underlying medical and interventionist factors. This was a prospective observational study carried out in 78 centers (Spanish Obstetric Emergency Group) with a cohort of 1347 SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive pregnant women registered consecutively between 26 February and 5 November 2020, and a concurrent sample of PCR-negative mothers. The patients' information was collected from their medical records, and the association of SARS-CoV-2 and perinatal outcomes was evaluated by univariable and multivariate analyses. The data from 1347 SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnancies were compared with those from 1607 SARS-CoV-2-negative pregnancies. Differences were observed between both groups in premature rupture of membranes (15.5% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.001); venous thrombotic events (1.5% vs. 0.2%, p < 0.001); and severe pre-eclampsia incidence (40.6 vs. 15.6%, p = 0.001), which could have been overestimated in the infected cohort due to the shared analytical signs between this hypertensive disorder and COVID-19. In addition, more preterm deliveries were observed in infected patients (11.1% vs. 5.8%, p < 0.001) mainly due to an increase in iatrogenic preterm births. The prematurity in SARS-CoV-2-affected pregnancies results from a predisposition to end the pregnancy because of maternal disease (pneumonia and pre-eclampsia, with or without COVID-19 symptoms).

Perinatal outcomes of pregnancies resulting from assisted reproduction technology in SARS-CoV-2-infected women: a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perinatal and maternal outcomes of pregnancies in women infected with SARS-CoV-2, comparing spontaneous and in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies (with either own or donor oocytes). DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, observational study. SETTING: 78 centers participating in the Spanish COVID19 Registry. PATIENT(S): 1,347 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 positive results registered consecutively between February 26 and November 5, 2020. INTERVENTION(S): The patients' information was collected from their medical records, and multivariable regression analyses were performed, controlling for maternal age and the clinical presentation of the infection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Obstetrics and neonatal outcomes, pregnancy comorbidities, intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation need, and medical conditions. RESULT(S): The IVF group included 74 (5.5%) women whereas the spontaneous pregnancy group included 1,275 (94.5%) women. The operative delivery rate was high in all patients, especially in the IVF group, where cesarean section became the most frequent method of delivery (55.4%, compared with 26.1% of the spontaneous pregnancy group). The reason for cesarean section was induction failure in 56.1% of the IVF patients. IVF women had more gestational hypertensive disorders (16.2% vs. 4.5% among spontaneous pregnancy women, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.45-10.93) irrespective of oocyte origin. The higher rate of intensive care unit admittance observed in the IVF group (8.1% vs. 2.4% in the spontaneous pregnancy group) was attributed to preeclampsia (aOR 11.82, 95% CI 5.25-25.87), not to the type of conception. CONCLUSION(S): A high rate of operative delivery was observed in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2, especially in those with IVF pregnancies; method of conception did not affect fetal or maternal outcomes, except for preeclampsia. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04558996.

Treatment-free remission in chronic myeloid leukemia: the patient perspective and areas of unmet needs.

In CML, treatment-free remission (TFR) refers to having a stable deep molecular response without the need for ongoing tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. Whilst recommendations exist about the technical management of stopping and re-starting therapy, much is still unknown about the experiences of those considering and undertaking TFR. This study sought to obtain the patient perspective, identify areas of unmet needs and create recommendations for improvements. Fifty-six percent of patients reported fear or anxiety during treatment discontinuation, whereas only 7% of patients were asked if they needed psychological support during this period. Where patients re-initiated treatment; 59% felt scared or anxious, and 56% felt depressed. Twenty-six percent of re-initiated patients received psychological and/or emotional support at this time. Sixty percent of patients experienced withdrawal symptoms whilst discontinuing treatment, however, 40% of patients who experienced withdrawal symptoms reported that they were not fully supported by their doctor in managing all the symptoms. Healthcare professionals should further consider how they monitor the psychological well-being of patients who are discontinuing or re-initiating treatment, and review what support is offered in response to identified concerns. Surveillance of withdrawal symptoms should be a priority during treatment discontinuation, along with how healthcare professionals assist in the management of these.

Poor sleep quality is associated with perinatal depression. A systematic review of last decade scientific literature and meta-analysis.

Background Although pregnancy is frequently associated with mental states of happiness, hope and well-being, some physical and psychological changes can contribute to increased sleep disturbances and worsened sleep quality. Sleep quality has been linked to negative emotions, anxiety and depression. The main objective of this paper was to systematically review the impact of sleep during pregnancy on maternal mood, studying the association between objective and subjective measures of sleep quality and perinatal depression. Methods We performed a systematic review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, which included studies published between January 2008 and April 2019, and met the following criteria: (i) studies on pregnant women assessing the effects of sleep quality variables on perinatal mood disorders, (ii) studies published in English and (iii) full paper published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal with full-text format available. Results A total of 36 studies published in the last decade met the inclusion criteria for qualitative review and eight of them were suitable for meta-analysis. Both confirmed the negative effects of poor sleep on perinatal mood. However, qualitative analysis showed that unrepresentative samples and low participation rates falling below 80% biased some of the studies. The standard random-effects meta-analysis showed a pooled size effect [ln odds ratio (OR) 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19, 1.79)] for perinatal depression in cases of poor prenatal sleep quality, although heterogeneity was moderate to high [Q 16.05, P ≤ 0.025, H2 2.45 (95% CI 1.01, 13.70)]. Conclusion Poor sleep quality was associated with perinatal mood disturbances. The assessment of sleep quality along the pregnancy could be advisable with a view to offering preventative or therapeutic interventions when necessary.

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance: challenges and opportunities from 18 years' experience, Spain, 1998 to 2015.

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance is key for global polio eradication. It allows detecting poliovirus (PV) reintroductions from endemic countries. This study describes AFP surveillance in Spain from 1998 to 2015. During this time, 678 AFP cases were reported to the Spanish National Surveillance Network. The mean notification rate was 0.58 AFP cases/100,000 population under 15 years old (range: 0.45/100,000-0.78/100,000). Two periods (P) are described: P1 (1998-2006) with the AFP notification rate ranging from 0.66/100,000 to 0.78/100,000, peaking in 2001 (0.84/100,000); and P2 (2007-2015) when the AFP rate ranged from 0.43/100,000 to 0.57/100,000, with the lowest rate in 2009 (0.31/100,000). No poliomyelitis cases were caused by wild PV infections, although two Sabin-like PVs and one imported vaccine-derived PV-2 were detected. Overall, 23 (3.4%) cases met the hot case definition. Most cases were clinically diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (76.9%; 504/655). The adequate stool collection rate ranged from 33.3% (7/21) to 72.5% (29/40). The annual proportion of AFP cases with non-polio enterovirus findings varied widely across the study period. AFP surveillance with laboratory testing for non-polio enteroviruses must be maintained and enhanced both to monitor polio eradication and to establish sensitive surveillance for prompt detection of other enteroviruses causing serious symptoms.

Embarazo en paciente con d-transposición de grandes arterias sometida a corrección quirúrgica / Pregnancy in a patient with d-transposition of large arteries undergoing surgical correction

El avance en las diferentes técnicas y tratamientos quirúrgicos de los que se dispone actualmente para el tratamiento de cardiopatías congénitas ha contribuido a que mujeres con esta patología alcancen la edad fértil, y que además lo hagan en condiciones que permiten el embarazo (1). Presentamos el caso de una gestante con antecedente de d-transposición de grandes arterias corregida con técnica de Mustard (AU)

The progress in the different surgical techniques and treatments that they exist today for the treatment of congenital heart diseases it has helped women with this disease reach reproductive age, and also do so in conditions that allow pregnancy. We present the case of a pregnant woman with D-TGA undergoing surgical correction (AU)

Condiloma acuminado gigante (tumor de Buschke-Löwenstein) / Giant condyloma acuminata (Buschke-Löwenstein tumour)

Los condilomas o verrugas genitales son producidos por el virus del papiloma humano. La infección típicamente ocurre cuando las células basales del huésped se exponen a la infección viral a través de una barrera epitelial dañada, como sucede durante el acto sexual o como producto de otras abrasiones dérmicas menores. Se necesita la presencia de otros factores asociados para producir la enfermedad, como son: promiscuidad sexual, mala nutrición, tabaquismo, multiparidad, depresión del sistema inmunológico y uso prolongado de anticonceptivos orales. Los condilomas acuminados constituyen una de las enfermedades de transmisión sexual más frecuentes y se vinculan, por lo general, con los tipos de cepas 6 y 11. En pocas ocasiones pueden evolucionar como un tumor invasivo con malignidad local, aunque sin metástasis, equivalente a un carcinoma verrucoso: es el síndrome de Buschke-Löwenstein (AU)

Condylomata or genital warts are produced by the human papilloma virus (HPV). The infection occurs typically when the basal cells of the host are exposed to the viral infection due to a damaged epithelial barrier, as happens during the sexual act or in minor skin abrasions. Other associating factors are required to produce the disease, such as: inappropriate sexual behaviour, smoking, malnutrition, multiparity, immune system depression and prolonged use of oral anticonceptives. Condyloma acuminatum is one of the most frequent sexual transmitted diseases and is generally associated with types HPV 6 and 11. On some occasions, it can progress to a local invasive tumor but without metastases, similar to a verrucous carcinoma: it is the Buschke-Löwenstein syndrome (AU)