Amniotic band sequence: prenatal diagnosis, phenotype descriptions, and a proposal of a new classification based on morphologic findings.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the phenotype of fetuses affected by amniotic band sequence (ABS) that were diagnosed at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes and to propose a new classification based on morphologic findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cases with a final diagnosis of amniotic band sequence, diagnosed between January 1993 and July 2010 in the Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, and periconceptional data were collected, and the defects were described and classified. The association frequencies of the defects were also determined. RESULTS: We included 50 cases with prenatal diagnosis of amniotic band sequence. The mean maternal age was 25.7 ± 6.9 years. Of these patients, 54% (27/50) were primiparous compared to 22% (11/50) who had three or more previous pregnancies. Craniofacial defects were seen in 78% (39/50) of the cases, followed by defects of the extremities 70% (35/50), abdominal wall, spine, and/or thorax 52% (26/50). The most frequent defects were the following: a) Encephalocele and facial clefts in the craniofacial group. b) Shortening at any level in the limb defects group, and c) Alterations of the spinal column curvature in the group of "other" defects. CONCLUSIONS: The amniotic band sequence shows a tendency to affect women who are in their earlier years of reproduction. We observed an inverse relationship between the number of pregnancies and the frequency of presentation of this pathology. The majority of affected fetuses showed a phenotype that fit into one of many groups. Therefore, we propose classifying the amniotic band sequence phenotypes into the following groups: I. Craniofacial defect + limb defect. II. Craniofacial defect + limb defect + abdominal wall, spinal column, and/or thoracic defects. III. Limb defect + abdominal wall, spinal column, and/or thoracic defects; and IV. Isolated defect (craniofacial, limb, or thoraco-abdominal wall). This classification system will be helpful in diagnosing amniotic band sequence. Based on future research studies, we hope that we can use this classification system as a prognosis fetal factor to establish a more accurate fetal prognosis and recurrence probability. Finally, we created a flowchart describing all of the steps that were followed by our Department from the moment an amniotic band was found by ultrasound until the definitive diagnosis was made and the follow up according to the fetal findings.

[Progression of gestational hypertension to chronic hypertension]. / Evolución de hipertensión gestacional a hipertensión crónica.

BACKGROUND: The gestational hypertension is the most frequent cause of hypertension during the pregnancy. The gestational hypertension is a provisional diagnosis only during the pregnancy; it is unknown the number of women with gestational hypertension who progress to chronic hypertension. OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of women with gestational hypertension who progress to chronic hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort prospective study was carried out; we includedl96 patients with the diagnosis of gestational hypertension at the time of the interruption of the pregnancy; after 12 weeks, a follow up appointment was scheduled in order to measure the blood pressure and to determine how many patients progressed to chronic hypertension. The data were analyzed with arithmetic mean, standard error and percentage values. For the comparison of variables, the Chi2 test and a logistic regression analysis were used; an alpha value was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (6.6%) with diagnosis of gestational hypertension progressed to chronic hypertension. It was found that advanced age (p = 0.007), high body mass index (p = 0.013) and the antecedent of hypertensive disease in a previous pregnancy (p = 0.048) were significantly associated with the progression to chronic hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The overweight, advanced maternal age and the antecedent of hypertensive disorder in a previous pregnancy are the variables associated with the progression from gestational hypertension to chronic hypertension.