Antimicrobial Resistance and Antibiotic Consumption in a Secondary Care Hospital in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is a global health problem, due to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The misuse of antimicrobials is the main cause of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to report antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic consumption in a secondary care hospital in Mexico. METHODS: Within a cross-sectional study, antimicrobial resistance data on ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) and antibiotic consumption from 2020 to 2022 were collected. Antimicrobial resistance was reported based on percentages of resistance and consumption was analyzed using the defined daily dose (DDD)/100 bed days and the AWaRe (Access, Surveillance, Reservation) antibiotic group. RESULTS: Antibiotic consumption in 2020, 2021 and 2022 was 330, 175 and 175 DDD/100 beds day, respectively. The rate of ceftriaxone resistance in E. coli (n = 526) and K. pneumoniae (n = 80) was 76% and 69%, respectively, the rate of carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii (n = 168) and P. aeruginosa (n = 108) was 92% and 52%, respectively; the rate of oxacillin resistance in S. aureus (n = 208) was 27%; and the rate of vancomycin resistance in E. faecium (n = 68) was 47%. CONCLUSION: The reported results are congruent with global estimates of antibiotic resistance and consumption, providing an overview that could generate actions for antimicrobial optimization at the local and regional levels.

Risk Factors for Severe-Critical COVID-19 in Pregnant Women.

Risk factors associated with severe-critical COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) are based on findings in the general population. Pregnant women are at increased risk of severe-critical infection, and few reports are based on these women. A multicentric case-control study was conducted at the Mexican Institute of Social Security, State of Mexico, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We included pregnant women who were consecutively admitted to respiratory care units and were followed until 30 days after the resolution of pregnancy. A total of 758 pregnant women with a positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled from June 2020 to July 2021. We defined groups using the World Health Organization Severity Classification; cases were pregnant women with severe-critical COVID-19 (n = 123), and controls were subjects with non-severe COVID-19 (n = 635). Data was gathered from clinical files. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to adjust odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals of factors associated with severe-critical COVID-19. Risk factors associated with severe-critical COVID-19 in pregnancy were non-vaccination (OR 10.18), blood type other than O (OR 6.29), maternal age > 35 years (OR 5.76), history of chronic hypertension (OR 5.12), gestational age at infection ≥ 31 weeks (OR 3.28), and multiparity (OR 2.80).

[Prognostic scale for in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 viral pneumonia]. / Escala pronóstica para mortalidad intrahospitalaria en pacientes con neumonía viral COVID-19.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic represented a challenge in medical care. A tool would be very useful to establish the prognosis of in-hospital death that is reliable and can be applied to the Mexican population entitled to the IMSS. Objective: To propose a prognostic scale to stratify patients with viral pneumonia COVID-19 in the emergency services. Material and methods: A nested case-control study was conducted in a cohort of patients who were consecutively admitted to the emergency department with viral pneumonia COVID-19. The cases were those patients who died, and the controls were those who were discharged due to health improvement. An association analysis was performed between the variables with significant differences between groups. Subsequently, the association was adjusted using a multivariate logistic regression model, from which the prognostic scale was developed. Results: A total of 70 subjects with COVID-19 were included, 34 cases and 36 controls. Chronic diseases, smoking, severe pulmonary involvement diagnosed by tomography, leukocytosis, and pulse oximetry less than 80% with were associated with in-hospital mortality; Odds Ratio (OR) of >1.1. Vaccination was a protective factor (OR = 0.04, CI95%: 0.01-0.16). A score greater than 3 points on the prognostic scale predicts in-hospital mortality with a specificity of 0.86 and a sensitivity of 0.73. Conclusions: The proposed prognostic scale can be a useful tool in the classification of patients with COVID-19 viral pneumonia in the emergency room services of secondary care level Hospitals.

Introducción: la pandemia por COVID-19 representó un reto en la atención médica. Sería de gran utilidad una herramienta para establecer el pronóstico de muerte intrahospitalaria que sea confiable y pueda aplicarse a la población mexicana derechohabiente del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Objetivo: proponer una escala pronóstica para estratificar a los pacientes con neumonía viral por COVID-19 en los servicios de urgencias de los hospitales de segundo nivel. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte de pacientes adultos que fueron admitidos consecutivamente en el servicio de Urgencias con diagnóstico de neumonía viral por COVID-19. Los casos fueron aquellos pacientes que fallecieron y los controles aquellos que fueron egresados de la unidad por mejoría. Se realizó un análisis de asociación ente las variables con diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos, se ajustó la asociación mediante un modelo de regresión logística multivariada a partir del cual se elaboró la escala pronóstica. Resultados: se incluyeron en total 70 personas con COVID-19, 34 casos y 36 controles. Se asociaron a la mortalidad intrahospitalaria: las enfermedades crónicas, el tabaquismo, la afectación pulmonar severa diagnosticada por tomografía, la leucocitosis y la oximetría de pulso menor a 80% con una razón de Momios (RM) de > 1.1. La vacunación fue un factor protector (RM: 0.29, IC95%: 0.11-0.80). Un puntaje mayor a 3 puntos en la escala pronóstica predice la mortalidad intrahospitalaria (sensibilidad: 0.73, especificidad: 0.86). Conclusiones: la escala pronóstica propuesta puede ser una herramienta útil en la clasificación de los pacientes con neumonía viral por COVID-19 en los servicios de urgencias de los hospitales de segundo nivel de atención.

[Epidemiological characterization of COVID-2019 in Mexican pregnant women: a cohort study]. / Caracterización epidemiológica de la COVID-2019 en población obstétrica mexicana: estudio de cohorte.

Background: COVID-19 in pregnancy can increase the risk of complications due to the cardiorespiratory and immunological changes typical of pregnancy. Objective: To report the epidemiological characterization of COVID-19 in Mexican pregnant women. Material and methods: Cohort study on pregnant women with a positive COVID-19 test, which were followed until delivery and one month later. Results: 758 pregnant women were included in the analysis. Mothers' mean age was 28.8 ± 6.1 years; the majority were workers 497 (65.6%) and with an urban origin (482, 63.6%); the most common blood group was O with 458 (63.0%); 478 (63.0%) were nulliparous women and more than 25% had some comorbidities; the average gestation weeks at infection were 34.4 ± 5.1 weeks; only 170 pregnant women (22.4%) received vaccination; the most frequent vaccine was BioNTech Pfizer (96, 60%); there were no serious adverse events attributed to vaccination. The mean gestational age at delivery was 35.4 ± 5.2 weeks; 85% of pregnancies were cesarean section; the most frequent complication was prematurity (406, 53.5%), followed by preeclampsia (199, 26.2%); there were 5 cases of maternal death and 39 cases of perinatal death. Conclusions: COVID-19 in pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and maternal death. Vaccination against COVID-19 in this series showed no risk for pregnant women and their newborns.

Introducción: la COVID-19 en el embarazo puede incrementar el riesgo de complicaciones debido a los cambios cardiorrespiratorios e inmunológicos propios de la gestación. Objetivo: reportar la caracterización epidemiológica de la COVID-19 en población obstétrica mexicana. Material y métodos: estudio de cohorte en embarazadas con prueba positiva para COVID-19 que fueron seguidas hasta la resolución del embarazo y un mes después. Resultados: 758 mujeres embarazadas fueron incluidas en el análisis. La media de edad en las madres fue 28.8 ± 6.1 años; la mayoría trabajadoras 497 (65.6%) y de origen urbano (482, 63.6%); el grupo sanguíneo más común fue O 458 (63.0%); 478 (63.0%) fueron primigestas, y más del 25% padecía comorbilidades; las semanas de gestación promedio al contagio fueron 34.4 ± 5.1 semanas; solo 170 gestantes (22.4%) recibieron vacunación; la vacuna más frecuente fue BioNTech Pfizer (96, 60%); no hubo eventos adversos graves atribuibles a la vacunación. La edad gestacional media al nacer fue de 35.4 ± 5.2 semanas; el 85% de los embarazos se interrumpieron por cesárea; la complicación más frecuente fue la prematurez con 406 (53.5%), seguida de preeclampsia con 199 (26.2%); hubo 5 casos de muerte materna y 39 casos de muerte perinatal. Conclusiones: la COVID-19 en el embarazo aumenta el riesgo de parto prematuro, preeclampsia y muerte materna. Al menos en esta serie la vacunación contra COVID-19 no mostró riesgo para las mujeres embarazadas y sus recién nacidos.

Clinical usefulness of angiogenic factors in women with chronic kidney disease and suspected superimposed preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a condition often superimposed to CKD. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with suspected superimposed preeclampsia, stratified according to the degree of their angiogenic imbalance, as assessed by the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1)/placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, we studied 171 pregnancies in patients with CKD and with suspected superimposed preeclampsia, admitted to a teaching hospital. Patients were divided into three groups based on their degree of angiogenic imbalance, evaluated by the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio: no angiogenic imbalance (sFlt-1/PlGF ratio≤ 38), mild angiogenic imbalance (sFlt-1/PlGF ratio> 38 to < 85), and severe angiogenic imbalance (sFlt-1/PlGF ratio≥ 85). Superimposed preeclampsia and preeclampsia-related adverse outcomes were defined according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology criteria.  Measurements of sFlt-1 and PlGF were performed on single serum samples using the Elecsys sFlt-1 and PlGF assays (Roche Diagnostics). Serum soluble endoglin (sEng) levels were also determined (ELISA R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula, whenever possible on pre-prengancy data. RESULTS: Patients with severe angiogenic imbalance had higher rates of confirmed superimposed preeclampsia and preeclampsia-related adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes (p < 0.001) when compared to patients with no or mild angiogenic imbalance. A significant trend towards higher serum sEng levels was observed as the degree of angiogenic imbalance increased. Interestingly, the rate of progression to superimposed preeclampsia increased progressively as the degree of angiogenic imbalance increased (no 11.8%, mild 60.0%, and severe 100%). CONCLUSION: In women with CKD and suspected superimposed preeclampsia, severe angiogenic imbalance was associated with confirmed superimposed preeclampsia or progression to superimposed preeclampsia. Patients with no angiogenic imbalance displayed lower rates of progression to superimposed preeclampsia, whereas outcomes were intermediate, supporting a systematic use of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, and other biomarkers in the clinical management of CKD pregnacies.

Soluble Endoglin and Uterine Artery Flow Doppler Ultrasonography as Markers of Progression to Preeclampsia in Women with Gestational Hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Gestational hypertension (GH) pregnancies are at a high risk of developing adverse outcomes, including progression to preeclampsia. Prediction of GH-related adverse outcomes is challenging because there are no available clinical tests that may predict their occurrence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the clinical usefulness of the soluble endoglin (sEng) and parameters of uterine artery flow (UtAF) measured by Doppler ultrasonography as markers of progression to preeclampsia in women with GH. SETTING: Mexico City, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 77 singleton pregnant women with GH in a nested case-control study. Cases were women who progressed to preeclampsia (n = 36), and controls were those who did not (n = 41). Serum sEng and UtAF measurements were performed at enrollment. The main outcomes measured were progression to preeclampsia and occurrence of preterm delivery (PD) <37 and <34 weeks of gestation, small for gestational age infant (SGA), and fetal growth restriction (FGR). RESULTS: Women with sEng values in the highest tertile had higher risk of progression to preeclampsia, preterm delivery <34 weeks of gestation, and fetal growth restriction, odds ratios (ORs) ≥3.7. Patients with abnormal UtAF Dopp-ler-pulsatility index had higher risk of progression to preeclampsia, preterm delivery <34 weeks of gestation, small for gestational age infant, and fetal growth restriction (ORs ≥3.3). The presence of notch was associated with higher risk of progression to preeclampsia, preterm delivery <37 and <34 weeks of gestation, SGA infant, and fetal growth restriction (ORs ≥2.9). However, logistic regression analysis revealed that only serum sEng was a significant and independent risk factor for progression of GH to preeclampsia, preterm delivery <34 weeks of gestation, and fetal growth restriction (ORs ≥3.1). CONCLUSIONS: In GH pregnancies, UtAF Doppler ultrasonography is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes and progression to preeclampsia. However, serum sEng concentration appears to be a better predictor to assess the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes and progression to preeclampsia.

Interleukin-6 in Amniotic Fluid: A Reliable Marker for Adverse Outcomes in Women in Preterm Labor and Intact Membranes.

INTRODUCTION: Amniotic fluid (AF) interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration has been associated to preterm delivery and perinatal morbidity and mortality in women with preterm labor and intact membranes. Nevertheless, the clinical significance of this biomarker of intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI) is still unclear due in part to the paucity of large studies. METHODS: AF IL-6 concentrations were determined in 452 consecutive women with preterm labor and intact membranes, categorized into 3 groups: 302 without IAI (IL-6 of <2.6 ng/mL), 64 with mild IAI (IL-6 of 2.6-11.2 ng/mL), and 86 with severe IAI (IL-6 of ≥11.3 ng/mL). RESULTS: The severe IAI group had a short pregnancy duration from amniocentesis to delivery (median 3 days) than in without IAI group (median 45 days); meanwhile, the mild IAI group had a latency that was intermediate to the severe and without IAI groups (median 9.5 days). As compared to women without IAI, women with mild and severe IAI had higher rates of preterm delivery at both <34 and <37 weeks of gestation and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the risk of various individual adverse outcomes (short latency from amniocentesis to delivery [at ≤3 days, ≤7 days, and ≤14 days], preterm delivery at both <34 and <37 weeks of gestation, histologic chorioamnionitis, respiratory distress syndrome, and congenital sepsis) was higher in women with severe IAI (OR ≥ 2.8), compared with women without IAI. CONCLUSIONS: AF IL-6 concentrations appear to be suitable marker to assess the degree of IAI and are associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes.

COVID-19 during pregnancy: a narrative. / Enfermedad por COVID-19 durante el embarazo: una narrativa.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in December 2019, in Wuhan, China, and it is a serious public health emergency, particularly to vulnerable populations. Pregnant women and their fetuses represent high-risk population during outbreaks of infectious diseases. They have very high risk of infection, due to changes in their immune system. Limited data are available on COVID-19 during pregnancy. Therefore, we searched articles published between December 2019 and May 30, 2020, in three databases: PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, using MeSH words COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 and 2019-nCoV. 39 articles were included, and they revealed that clinical symptoms of COVID-19 in pregnant women are not different from those of general population, and they can turn into atypical pneumonia. Only one maternal death was reported. Fetal distress, prematurity, and respiratory distress syndrome are frequent in newborns; one intrauterine death and one perinatal death were reported. The most frequent sign found was fever (77-86%). The main maternal perinatal complications were prematurity (47%) and pneumonia (40%); serious illness was rare (4.4%) and similar to the reported in the general population (5%); the most frequent route of interruption was cesarean section in 89% of the cases. Maternal-fetal transmission is not ruled out, since 8.5% (4/47) of the included cases had positive SARS-CoV-2 tests. More research is needed on the subject and management protocols in pregnancy with intentional search for transmission to the newborn.

Identificada por primera vez en diciembre de 2019 en Wuhan, China, la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) es una grave emergencia de salud pública, en especial para poblaciones vulnerables. Las mujeres embarazadas y sus fetos son población de alto riesgo. Su frecuencia de contagio es muy alta y tienen mayor riesgo debido a los cambios en el sistema inmunológico. Se dispone de datos limitados sobre COVID-19 durante el embarazo. Por lo tanto, se buscaron los artículos publicados de diciembre de 2019 al 30 de mayo de 2020 en PubMed, Embase y Web of Science; se utilizaron los términos MeSH COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, 2019-nCoV. Se incluyeron 39 artículos que revelaron que los síntomas clínicos son similares a los de la población general y pueden complicarse con neumonía atípica. Solo una muerte materna fue reportada. El sufrimiento fetal, la prematurez y el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria son frecuentes en los recién nacidos; una muerte intrauterina y una muerte perinatal fueron reportadas. El signo más encontrado fue la fiebre (77-86%). Las principales complicaciones materno-perinatales fueron la prematurez (47%) y la neumonía (40%); mientras que la enfermedad grave fue poco frecuente (4.4%) y similar a la reportada en población general (5%); la vía de interrupción más frecuente fue la cesárea en el 89% de los casos. La transmisión materno-fetal no se descarta, pues el 8.5% (4/47) de los casos incluidos tuvo prueba positiva a SARS-CoV-2. Se requieren más investigaciones en el tema y protocolos de manejo en el embarazo con búsqueda intencionada de transmisión al recién nacido.

Urinary IgM excretion: a reliable marker for adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) pregnancies are at high risk of developing adverse outcomes. In non-pregnant subjects with CKD, higher urinary IgM levels are associated with poor renal survival and higher rates of cardiovascular deaths. In this study, we assessed whether urinary IgM levels are associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) in CKD pregnancies. METHODS: We performed a nested case-control study within a cohort of CKD patients with singleton pregnancies attended at a tertiary care hospital. The study included 90 CKD patients who eventually developed one or more APO and 77 CKD patients who did not. Urinary IgM excretion was determined from the 24-h urine samples at enrollment by an ultrasensitive enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: The risk for combined APO and for preeclampsia (PE) was higher among women with urinary IgM and proteinuria levels values in the highest quartile or with CKD stages 4-5 (odds ratios, OR ≥ 2.9), compared with the lowest quartile or with CKD stage 1. Urinary IgM levels were more closely associated with the risk of either combined or specific APO (PE, preterm birth, and for having a small-for-gestational-age infant; OR ≥ 5.9) than either the degree of total proteinuria or CKD stages. Among patients with CKD stage 1, the risk of combined APO, PE, and preterm birth was higher in women with urinary IgM levels values in the highest quartile (OR ≥ 4.8), compared with the three lower quartiles, independently of proteinuria. CONCLUSION: In CKD pregnancies, at the time of initial evaluation, proteinuria and CKD stage are associated with increased risk of combined APO. However, urinary IgM concentrations appear to be better predictors of an adverse outcome and may be useful for risk stratification in CKD pregnancies.

Lower circulating angiotensin II levels are related to the severity of preeclampsia and its risk as disclosed by a specific bioassay.

Preeclampsia is characterized by an increased sensitivity to angiotensin II (Ang II). We herein assessed whether serum Ang II levels measured by a new developed bioassay are associated with preeclampsia, its severity, and the risk for developing this disease.Using a cross-sectional design, we studied 90 pregnant women (30 healthy pregnant and 60 with preeclampsia [30 with- and 30 without severe features]). We also used a nested case-control study with 30 women who eventually developed preeclampsia and 31 normotensive controls. Serum samples were collected at diagnosis of preeclampsia or at 4-week intervals (from weeks 12th to 36th). Ang II was measured using a bioassay.At diagnosis of preeclampsia, serum Ang II concentrations were significantly lower in preeclampsia without and with severe features (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively) than in healthy pregnancy. In addition, Ang II was different in preeclampsia with severe features than in those without severe features (P = .048). Women who subsequently developed preeclampsia had lower Ang II levels than women with normal pregnancies, and these changes became significant at 24 weeks onward. The risk to developing preeclampsia was higher among women with Ang II concentration values in the lowest quartile of the control distribution from 12 weeks onward (odds ratio ranging from 3.8 [95% CI 1.3-11.1] to 6.5 [95% CI 1.6-26.9]).We concluded that concentrations of Ang II are markedly diminished at diagnosis of preeclampsia and are closely associated with the severity of disease. Changes in circulating levels of Ang II precede the clinical presentation of preeclampsia.

Circulating angiogenic factors are related to the severity of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, and their adverse outcomes.

Gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE) are characterized by an imbalance in angiogenic factors. However, the relationship among these factors with the severity of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and adverse outcomes are not fully elucidated. We examined whether these biomarkers are related with the severity of HDP and adverse outcomes.Using a cross-sectional design, serum concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and soluble endoglin were determined in 764 pregnant women: 75 healthy pregnant, 83 with mild GH (mGH), 105 with severe GH (sGH), 122 with mild PE (mPE), and 379 with severe PE (sPE).All angiogenic factors' concentrations were significantly different (P ≤ 0.041) in HDP than in healthy pregnancy. In addition, these factors were markedly different in sPE than in mPE, sGH, or mGH (P ≤ 0.027) and in patients with sGH that in those with mPE or mGH (P < 0.05). As compared to mGH and mPE, patients with sGH and sPE had higher rates of both preterm delivery at <34 weeks of gestation and small-for-gestational age infants. Moreover, patients with sPE had higher rates of adverse maternal outcomes (P < 0.001) when compared to patients with mGH, sGH, or mPE. In all cases, levels of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were significantly higher in patients with sGH and sPE who had adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes than in those with sGH and sPE who did not (P ≤ 0.016).Circulating concentrations of angiogenic factors appear to be suitable markers to assess the severity of GH and PE, and adverse outcomes.

Circulating Angiogenic Factors and the Risk of Preeclampsia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether angiogenic factors are associated with risk of developing preeclampsia in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We performed a nested case-control study within a cohort of SLE women with singleton pregnancies. The study included 42 patients with SLE who eventually developed preeclampsia and 75 normal SLE pregnancies. Serum samples were collected at 4-week intervals (from weeks 12 to 36). Serum samples were analyzed for soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), and soluble endoglin (sEng). RESULTS: Women destined to develop preeclampsia had lower PlGF levels and higher sFlt-1 and sEng levels, and a higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratio than normal pregnancies. These changes became significant at 12 weeks in patients destined to develop either early onset (< 34 weeks, p ≤ 0.003) or late-onset preeclampsia (≥ 34 weeks, p ≤ 0.02). The risk to develop preeclampsia was higher among patients with PlGF concentration values in the lowest quartile or with sFlt-1 and sEng levels, and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, in the highest quartile of the normal SLE pregnancies distribution. The OR were higher and appeared earlier in patients destined to develop early onset preeclampsia (OR ≥ 16.2, from Week 12 onward) than in patients who presented preeclampsia later (OR ≥ 8.9, from Week 24 onward). CONCLUSION: Changes in circulating concentrations of sFlt-1, PlGF, sEng, and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio precede the onset of preeclampsia in SLE pregnancies. The risk profile of circulating angiogenic factors for developing preeclampsia distinctly evolves depending on whether this condition is manifested earlier or later.

[Umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry and adverse perinatal outcome in severe pre-eclampsia]. / Velocimetría Doppler de la arteria umbilical y resultado perinatal adverso en preeclampsia severa.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal placentation is a main preeclampsia characteristic. Its cause is a maternal spiral veins trophoblastic invasion failure, which conditions vascular resistances raise and uterus-placental perfusion decrease. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between umbilical artery Doppler waveform and adverse perinatal outcome in patients with severe preeclampsia. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective, observational and transversal study was done to analyze patients between 27 to 33 weeks of gestation with expectant management of severe preeclampsia from January 2004 to January 2006. Umbilical artery velocimetry studies were performed at least once a week by means of pulsed Doppler equipment with a 3.5 MHz transducer. Only the results of the last Doppler examination performed within 7 days of delivery were considered in the correlation with perinatal outcomes. The indications for delivery were maternal or fetal (non reassuring nonstress test or biophysical profile < or = 4). An abnormal Doppler velocimetry was defined as pulsatility index being higher than percentile 95 for gestational age, or absent or reversed end diastolic velocity waveforms in umbilical artery. The statistical analysis was done with chi2 test and Student t test. RESULTS: There were included 43 patients in this study. Twenty-two (52%) had an abnormal Doppler umbilical artery pulsatility index and 21 (49%) obtained a normal umbilical artery waveform. In the first group 13 (59%) had a positive end diastolic velocities with elevated pulsatility index values, end diastolic velocities were absent in seven cases (32%) and reversed in two cases (9%). Neonates with abnormal pulsatility index had a lower birth weight (1,174 vs 1,728 g), lower Apgar score at 5 minutes, higher admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (86.4 vs 43%), and significant neonatal morbidity compared with those with normal velocimetry (p < 0.05). There were no perinatal deaths with normal umbilical Doppler waveform. There were six perinatal deaths in the abnormal Doppler velocimetry. Two cases occurred with positive end diastolic velocity (15%), two cases with absent end diastolic velocity (28%) and two deaths with reversed flow of the umbilical artery (100%). CONCLUSION: An abnormal Doppler umbilical artery waveform is associated with poor perinatal outcome and is a strong predictor of perinatal mortality.