How to classify BMI among pregnant adolescents? A prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy in adolescence is a global health issue, especially in developing countries. Additionally, the recommended gestational weight gain (GWG) is usually based on pre-pregnancy BMI and that might be complex for pregnant teens. The study objective was to compare three different methods of BMI classification and suggest the best way of determining pre-pregnancy BMI and monitoring GWG among pregnant adolescents. DESIGN: Pre-pregnancy weight, weight at first prenatal visit, height, sociodemographic, reproductive and perinatal data were collected. Weighted kappa and McNemar statistics were used to assess agreement between the classification methods. SETTING: Prof. Dr Jose Aristodemo Pinotti Women's Hospital, University of Campinas, Brazil.ParticipantsPrimiparas younger than 19 years of age and with less than 20 weeks of gestational age (n 150). RESULTS: BMI of the primiparas was determined according to the WHO recommendation for adult women, the Child Growth Standards (CGS) and their gynaecological age (GA). The WHO and GA measurements presented a strong agreement with each other (κ w=0·99; 95 % CI 0·97, 1·00), but did not agree with the CGS classification (κ w=0·62; 95 % CI 0·50, 0·74 by WHO; κ w=0·62; 95 % CI 0·51, 0·74 by GA). Also, inadequate GWG was observed in 72·2 % of cases and was correlated with a higher rate of caesarean birth. CONCLUSIONS: BMI classification according to the CGS differed from WHO and GA. However, CGS and WHO agreed on perinatal outcomes. We recommend using BMI classification by WHO to assess pregnant adolescents, since it is easily applied and better known among health professionals.

Anemia in pregnant adolescents: impact of treatment on perinatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the anemia prevalence and effect of anemia treatment in pregnant adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study. Data from perinatal outcomes, serum hemoglobin level and iron supplementation were collected. Samples were divided into three groups: pregnant adolescents without anemia, with treated anemia and with untreated anemia. Frequencies, means, standard deviations and Chi-squared values were calculated. The significance level was 5%, and the software used was Epi-info 7. RESULTS: The study included 458 pregnant adolescents. The mean age was 16 years old, and the prevalence of anemia was 41.27% (189). Mild, moderate or severe anemia were presented in 65.60%, 33.86% and 0.52%, respectively, of study participants. Among pregnant adolescents with anemia, 87.24% received treatment with iron supplementation. Preterm labor (p = 0.003), gestational age at birth <37 weeks (p = 0.036) and stillbirth (p = 0.004) showed an association with nontreated anemia. Positive HIV was more prevalent in adolescents with nontreated anemia (p = 0.018). The cesarean rate was 36.90%, with no difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Anemia is a public health problem among pregnant adolescents, and iron supplementation reduces negative neonatal outcomes. Treatment adherence by a multidisciplinary and qualified prenatal care team can be key in reducing adverse neonatal outcomes associated with pregnancy during adolescence.

Adolescent Contraception Before and After Pregnancy-Choices and Challenges for the Future.

Objective To determine methods of contraception used by adolescents before and after pregnancy. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed, and data were collected from medical records of all teens in puerperal consultation at the Hospital da Mulher - José Aristodemo Pinotti (Caism), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (CAISM), São Paulo, Brazil, between July 2011 and September 2013. The inclusion criterion was being 10 to 19 years old, and the exclusion criterion was having a first consultation 90 days after childbirth. Statistical analyses were performed with averages, standard deviations, percentages, correlations and Fisher's exact tests using the SAS program, version 9.4. Results A total of 196 adolescents in postpartum consultation were included (44 days after childbirth on average). The majority was older than 14 years (89%), with an average age of 16.2 years, and the most were exclusively breast-feeding (70%). Before pregnancy, the use of any contraceptive methods was mentioned by 74% adolescents; the most frequent use was combined oral contraceptive followed by condom. The main reason for abandoning the use of contraception was the occurrence of an unintended pregnancy (41%), followed by reports of side effects (22%), behavior issues (18%) and desire for pregnancy (16%). A positive correlation was found between the age of the adolescent at the moment of childbirth, the age of menarche (r = 0.3), and the first sexual intercourse (r = 0.419). Vaginal delivery occurred in 76% of the cases. After birth, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) was the contraception method most frequently used (71%), followed by oral contraceptives (11.8%) and intrauterine devices (IUDs, 11.2%). Conclusions The most prescribed contraceptive method before pregnancy in adolescents who had childbirth was combined oral contraceptives. Many of the study participants had an unintended pregnancy. After childbirth, the most used contraceptive method was DMPA. To improve contraception and reduce the chance of unintended pregnancies among adolescents, we should promote the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCS).

Translational studies for exercise in high-risk pregnancy: Pre-eclampsia model.

OBJECTIVE: Reviewed literature regarding exercise effects on pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders, analyzing basic science perspectives and clinical studies. METHODS: Scientific databases were accessed by research strategy combining Medical Subject Headings terms. Studies published between 2000 and 2015, in English, Portuguese, and Spanish language, were considered. RESULTS: Studies were classified into: recommendations for exercise on high-risk pregnancy; animal models for hypertension in pregnancy; exercise on hypertensive disorders in animal models and pregnant women. CONCLUSION: There are several animal models to mimic hypertensive disorders in pregnancy; however, clinical studies are still needed for exercise recommendation in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders.

[Recommendations for physical exercise practice during pregnancy: a critical review]. / Recomendações para a prática de exercício físico na gravidez: uma revisão crítica da literatura.

Physical exercise is recommended for all healthy pregnant women. Regular practice of exercises during pregnancy can provide many physical and psychological benefits, with no evidence of adverse outcomes for the fetus or the newborn when exercise is performed at mild to moderate intensity. However, few pregnant women engage in this practice and many still have fears and doubts about the safety of exercise. The objective of the present study was to inform the professionals who provide care for Brazilian pregnant women about the current recommendations regarding physical exercise during pregnancy based on the best scientific evidence available. In view of the perception that few systematic models are available about this topic and after performing several studies in this specific area, we assembled practical information of interest to both the professionals and the pregnant women. We also provide recommendations about the indications, contraindications, modalities (aerobics, resistance training, stretching and pelvic floor training), frequency, intensity and duration indicated for each gestational trimester. The review addresses physical exercise recommendation both for low risk pregnant women and for special populations, such as athletes and obese, hypertensive and diabetic subjects. The advantages of an active and healthy lifestyle should be always reinforced during and after gestation since pregnancy is an appropriate period to introduce new habits because pregnant women are usually more motivated to adhere to recommendations. Thus, routine exams, frequent returns and supervision are recommended in order to provide new guidelines that will have long-term beneficial effects for both mother and child.

Recomendações para a prática de exercício físico na gravidez: uma revisão crítica da literatura / Recommendations for physical exercise practice during pregnancy: a critical review

Os exercícios físicos podem e devem ser recomendados para todas as gestantes saudáveis. Sua prática regular durante a gestação pode promover inúmeros benefícios físicos e psicológicos, além de não haver evidências de desfechos adversos para o feto e/ou recém-nascido, quando realizados em intensidade leve a moderada. No entanto, poucas gestantes aderem a essa prática e muitas ainda têm receios e dúvidas quanto à segurança da sua realização. Este artigo teve como objetivo a informação e a disseminação entre profissionais de saúde, que assistem às gestantes no Brasil, das atuais recomendações sobre exercício físico durante a gestação, baseadas nas melhores evidências científicas disponíveis. Diante da percepção de existirem poucos modelos sistematizados a respeito, e após a realização de vários estudos nesta área específica, reunimos informações práticas de interesse para os profissionais e gestantes. Ademais, incluímos recomendações quanto às indicações, contraindicações, modalidades (exercícios aeróbicos, treinamento de resistência muscular, alongamento e exercícios do assoalho pélvico), frequência, intensidade e duração dos exercícios para cada trimestre gestacional. Abordamos recomendações de exercícios físicos tanto para as gestantes de baixo risco quanto para populações especiais de mulheres, como atletas, hipertensas, diabéticas e obesas. A conscientização dos benefícios auferidos por um estilo de vida mais saudável durante e após a gestação deve ser sempre lembrada e estimulada pela equipe atendente. Por estarem as gestantes muito próximas dos especialistas e altamente motivadas, oportunizam-se exames de rotina, retornos frequentes e supervisão para uma série de novas orientações que podem refletir em sua saúde e na de seu bebê a longo prazo.

Physical exercise is recommended for all healthy pregnant women. Regular practice of exercises during pregnancy can provide many physical and psychological benefits, with no evidence of adverse outcomes for the fetus or the newborn when exercise is performed at mild to moderate intensity. However, few pregnant women engage in this practice and many still have fears and doubts about the safety of exercise. The objective of the present study was to inform the professionals who provide care for Brazilian pregnant women about the current recommendations regarding physical exercise during pregnancy based on the best scientific evidence available. In view of the perception that few systematic models are available about this topic and after performing several studies in this specific area, we assembled practical information of interest to both the professionals and the pregnant women. We also provide recommendations about the indications, contraindications, modalities (aerobics, resistance training, stretching and pelvic floor training), frequency, intensity and duration indicated for each gestational trimester. The review addresses physical exercise recommendation both for low risk pregnant women and for special populations, such as athletes and obese, hypertensive and diabetic subjects. The advantages of an active and healthy lifestyle should be always reinforced during and after gestation since pregnancy is an appropriate period to introduce new habits because pregnant women are usually more motivated to adhere to recommendations. Thus, routine exams, frequent returns and supervision are recommended in order to provide new guidelines that will have long-term beneficial effects for both mother and child.

Awareness about a life-threatening condition: ectopic pregnancy in a network for surveillance of severe maternal morbidity in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess occurrence of severe maternal complications associated with ectopic pregnancy (EP). METHOD: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted, with prospective surveillance of potentially life-threatening conditions (PLTC), maternal near miss (MNM), and maternal death (MD). EP complications, patient sociodemographic/obstetric characteristics, and conditions of severity management were assessed, estimating prevalence ratios with respective 95% CI. Factors independently associated with greater severity were identified using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 9.555 severe maternal morbidity patients, 312 women (3.3%) had complications after EP: 286 (91.7%) PLTC, 25 (8.0%) MNM, and 1 (0.3%) MD. Severe maternal outcome ratio (SMOR) was 0.3/1000 LB among EP cases and 10.8/1000 LB among other causes. Complicated EP patients faced a higher risk of blood transfusion, laparotomy, and lower risk of ICU admission and prolonged hospitalization than women developing complications resulting from other causes. Substandard care was the most common in more severe maternal morbidity and EP cases (22.7% MNM and MD versus 15% PLTC), although not significant. CONCLUSION: Increased maternal morbidity due to EP raised awareness about the condition and its impact on female reproductive life. No important risk factors for greater severity were identified. Care providers should develop specific guidelines and interventions to prevent severe maternal morbidity.

Severe maternal morbidity and maternal near miss in the extremes of reproductive age: results from a national cross- sectional multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and near miss (NM) cases among adolescent girls and women over 35 years of age in the Brazilian Network for Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity, using a set of standard criteria, compared to pregnant women aged 20 to 34 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional multicenter study conducted in 27 referral obstetric units in Brazil. All pregnant women admitted to these centers during a one-year period of prospective surveillance were screened to identify cases of maternal death (MD), NM and other SMM. Indicators of maternal morbidity and mortality were evaluated for the three age groups. Sociodemographic, clinical and obstetric characteristics, gestational and perinatal outcomes, main causes of morbidity and delays in care were also compared. Two multiple analysis models were performed, to estimate the adjusted prevalence ratio for identified factors that were independently associated with the occurrence of severe maternal outcome (SMO = MNM + MD). RESULTS: Among SMM and MD cases identified, the proportion of adolescent girls and older women were 17% each. The risk of MNM or death was 25% higher among older women. Maternal near miss ratio and maternal mortality ratios increased with age, but these ratios were also higher among adolescents aged 10 to 14, although the absolute numbers were low. On multivariate analysis, younger age was not identified as an independent risk factor for SMO, while this was true for older age (PR 1.25; 1.07-1.45). CONCLUSIONS: SMO was high among women below 14 years of age and increased with age in Brazilian pregnant women.

Treatment of pregnancy-related lumbar and pelvic girdle pain by the yoga method: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain is a major problem for the majority of pregnant women. Complementary medicine has been used to alleviate pain, and yoga is one of the most commonly chosen alternative methods. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Hatha yoga in the reduction of lumbopelvic pain in pregnancy. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with 60 pregnant women (age range, 14-40 years) who reported lumbopelvic pain at 12 to 32 weeks of gestation was conducted from June 2009 to June 2011. Pregnant women who had twin pregnancies, had medical restrictions for exercise, used analgesics, and participated in physical therapy were excluded from the study. Pregnant women were divided into two groups: the yoga group, practicing exercises guided by this method, and the postural orientation group, performing standardized posture orientation according to instructions provided in a pamphlet. Treatment in each group lasted 10 weeks. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure pain intensity. Lumbar pain and posterior pelvic pain provocation tests were used to confirm the presence of pain. Statistical analysis included the Mann-Whitney test, the McNemar test, a paired Wilcoxon test, and analysis of covariance. RESULTS: The median pain score was lower in the yoga group (p<.0058) than the postural orientation group. Lumbar pain provocation tests showed a decreased response in relation to posterior pelvic pain provocation tests and a gradual reduction in pain intensity during 10 yoga sessions (p<.024). CONCLUSIONS: The yoga method was more effective at reducing lumbopelvic pain intensity compared with postural orientation.

Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes of Exercise in Pregnant Women with Chronic Hypertension and/or Previous Preeclampsia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives. To evaluate the association between physical exercise supervised in pregnant women with chronic hypertension and/or previous preeclampsia and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Method. Randomized controlled trial, which included 116 pregnant women with chronic hypertension and/or previous preeclampsia, considered risk of preeclampsia development. They were divided into two groups: study group that performed physical exercise with a stationary bicycle once a week, for 30 minutes; the intensity was controlled (heart rate 20% above resting values), under professional supervision and a control group that was not engaged in any physical exercise. The data was retrieved from medical charts. Significance level assumed was 5%. Results. Women from study group performed 9.24 ± 7.03 of physical exercise sessions. There were no differences between groups comparing type of delivery and maternal outcomes, including maternal morbidity and hospitalization in intensive unit care, and neonatal outcomes, including birth weight, adequacy of weight to gestational age, prematurity, Apgar scale at first and fifth minutes, hospitalization in intensive unit care, and neonatal morbidity. Conclusions. Physical exercise using a stationary bicycle in pregnant women with chronic hypertension and/or previous preeclampsia, once a week, under professional supervision, did not interfere in the delivery method and did not produce maternal and neonatal risks of the occurrence of morbidity. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01395342.

Maternal morbidity and near miss associated with maternal age: the innovative approach of the 2006 Brazilian demographic health survey.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of potentially life-threatening maternal conditions and near miss in Brazil according to maternal age. METHODS: A secondary analysis of the 2006 Brazilian demographic health survey database using a validated questionnaire to evaluate maternal morbidity with a focus on age extremes. The study included 5,025 women with at least 1 live birth in the 5-year reference period preceding their interviews. Three age range periods were used: 15-19 years (younger age), 20-34 years (control), and 35-49 years (advanced maternal age). According to a pragmatic definition, any woman reporting eclampsia, hysterectomy, blood transfusion, or admission to the intensive care unit during her pregnancy/childbirth was considered a near-miss case. The associations between age and severe maternal morbidity were further assessed. RESULTS: For the 6,833 reported pregnancies, 73.7% of the women were 20-34 years old, 17.9% were of advanced maternal age, and only 8.4% were of younger age. More than 22% of the women had at least one of the complications appraised, and blood transfusion, which was more prevalent among the controls, was the only variable with a significant difference among the age groups. The overall rate of maternal near miss was 21.1 per 1000 live births. There was a trend of higher maternal near miss with increasing age. The only significant risk factor identified for maternal near miss was a lower literacy level among older women. CONCLUSIONS: There is a trend towards worse results with increasing age. The investigation of the determinants of maternal near miss at the community level using an innovative approach through a demographic health survey is an example suggested for under-resourced settings.

Effect of hormonal contraceptives during breastfeeding on infant's milk ingestion and growth.

OBJECTIVE: To measure infants' breast milk intake and infant growth when their mothers initiated either combined oral contraceptive (COC), levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, or etonogestrel-releasing implant, or copper intrauterine device (IUD) as a reference group. DESIGN: Prospective trial. SETTING: University-based hospital. PATIENT(S): On postpartum day 42, 40 women initiated a contraceptive method according to their choice. INTERVENTION(S): Deuterium (D2O; 0.5 g/kg mother's weight) was ingested by mothers on postpartum days 42, 52, and 63 as a marker of total body fluid. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Infants' milk intake from 42 to 63 postpartum days was assessed by measurement of D2O levels in infants' saliva and infant growth by measuring their body weight, height, and tibia length. Women recorded all infant feed and changes of diapers wet with urine. Breastfeeding continuation was assessed at 6 months postpartum. RESULT(S): Infant mean milk intake, mean growth increase, mean number of breastfeeding episodes, daily wet diaper changes, and mean duration of exclusively breastfeeding (~5 months) were similar in the four groups. CONCLUSION(S): Use of a COC, the two progestin-only contraceptives, or copper IUD did not affect the amount of infant milk intake and growth up to 9 weeks of age. The incidence of full breastfeeding and breastfeeding continuation was similar with contraceptive hormonal use and no use. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01388582.

The impact of prior preeclampsia on the risk of superimposed preeclampsia and other adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with chronic hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the rates of superimposed preeclampsia and adverse outcomes in women with chronic hypertension with or without prior preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted secondary analysis of 369 women with chronic hypertension (104 with prior preeclampsia) enrolled at 12-19 weeks as part of a multisite trial of antioxidants to prevent preeclampsia (no reduction was found). Outcome measures were rates of superimposed preeclampsia and other adverse perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: Prepregnancy body mass index, blood pressure, and smoking status at enrollment were similar between groups. The rates of superimposed preeclampsia (17.3% vs 17.7%), abruptio placentae (1.0% vs 3.1%), perinatal death (6.7% vs 8.7%), and small for gestational age (18.4% vs 14.3%) were similar between groups, but preterm delivery <37 weeks was higher in the prior preeclampsia group (36.9% vs 27.1%; adjusted risk ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.03; P = .032). CONCLUSION: In women with chronic hypertension, a history of preeclampsia does not increase the rate of superimposed preeclampsia, but is associated with an increased rate of delivery at <37 weeks.

[Factors associated with low birth weight among adolescents in the Brazil Southeast region]. / Fatores associados ao baixo peso ao nascimento entre adolescentes no Sudeste do Brasil.

PURPOSES: To determine the rate of low birth weight and some of the risk factors associated with this event among adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted between October 1994 and December 2009 at a maternity in Campinas, in Brazil, using information generated from the computerized obstetric form. After selection of adolescents who delivered at this hospital, two groups were created, with and without low birth weight, respectively. Relative risk and 95% confidence interval for all independent variables (risk factors) and the Χ2 test for some perinatal results were performed. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: During the study period, 24,000 births occurred at CAISM. Of these, 2,404 occurred among 2,357 teenagers (10.02%) and the frequency of low birth weight was 15.1%. Adolescent pregnancy recurred in 294 (8.2%). Age less than 15 years-old, anemia, smoking, and hypertension were not significantly associated with low birth weight. Antecedent of miscarriage and association with systemic lupus erythematosus increased the risk of low birth weight. Cesarean section and an Apgar score below seven were more prevalent among adolescents with low birth weight, and 85% of all adolescents had less than six prenatal visits. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of low birth weight is higher among adolescents than among adult women, and there was a large number of adolescents with less than six prenatal visits. The antecedent of miscarriage and the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus were risk factors associated with the occurrence of low birth weight among adolescents.

[Acute abdomen in pregnant woman treated for bariatric surgery for obesity: case report]. / Abdômen agudo em gestante tratada de obesidade por cirurgia bariátrica: relato de caso.

Bariatric surgery is currently considered as an alternative for the treatment of morbid obesity refractory to conventional clinical treatments. The surgeries more frequently used, which are radical and invasive, yield better and faster results, but are subject to clinical and surgical complications such as intestinal obstructions and subocclusions. Pregnancies in women submitted to this type of surgery are increasingly frequent, and the related complications have been increasingly reported. We present the case of a pregnant woman previously submitted to bariatric surgery who developed subocclusion with intestinal intussusception. This extremely serious complication requires attention for its diagnosis, i.e. , imaging and laboratory exams that are not usually employed during pregnancy. Gestation confuses and impairs their interpretation. In addition to the fact that the only treatment that reaches a good result is invasive, exploratory laparotomy is undesirable during this period. Maternal, fetal and perinatal mortality is usually high. In the present case, delivery occurred spontaneously during the first hours of hospitalization before the surgical procedure. Evolution was good and both mother and newborn, although premature, had good course and were discharged in good conditions.

Cryptococcal meningitis in HIV negative pregnant women: case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Cryptococcosis has become an important entity due to the epidemic of AIDS and therefore it is a significant opportunistic infection. However, there are case reports of cryptococcal meningitis in immune competent pregnant women. Since pregnancy is considered a period of relative immunosuppression, which likely prevents fetal rejection, this could explain the occurrence of opportunistic infections. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of cryptococcosis, and review all cases involving pregnancy and neurocryptococcal infection in immune competent pregnant patients. METHODS: Case report and systematic review of the literature using the MEDLINE and SciELO databases. DISCUSSION: A total of 27 patients were analyzed from 19 studies. The mean age at diagnosis was 26.4 years. There were six patients in their first trimester of pregnancy, 10 in the second, eight in the third and three post-partum. The most prevalent symptoms were headache (85.2%), altered vision (44.4%), altered mental status (44.4%), nausea (40.7%) and fever (33.3%). There were nine deaths (33.3%). Most of the patients received intravenous amphotericin B as treatment (77.8%). The majority (66.6%) of the patients accomplished a term delivery with healthy infants. CONCLUSION: Cryptococcal meningitis should be considered during pregnancy in cases of unexplained headache, altered vision, altered mental status, nausea and fever. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis should be admitted and treated with amphotericin B.

Cryptococcal meningitis in HIV negative pregnant women: case report and review of literature / Meningite criptocóccica em gestante HIV negativa: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

INTRODUCTION: Cryptococcosis has become an important entity due to the epidemic of AIDS and therefore it is a significant opportunistic infection. However, there are case reports of cryptococcal meningitis in immune competent pregnant women. Since pregnancy is considered a period of relative immunosuppression, which likely prevents fetal rejection, this could explain the occurrence of opportunistic infections. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of cryptococcosis, and review all cases involving pregnancy and neurocryptococcal infection in immune competent pregnant patients. METHODS: Case report and systematic review of the literature using the MEDLINE and SciELO databases. DISCUSSION: A total of 27 patients were analyzed from 19 studies. The mean age at diagnosis was 26.4 years. There were six patients in their first trimester of pregnancy, 10 in the second, eight in the third and three post-partum. The most prevalent symptoms were headache (85.2 percent), altered vision (44.4 percent), altered mental status (44.4 percent), nausea (40.7 percent) and fever (33.3 percent). There were nine deaths (33.3 percent). Most of the patients received intravenous amphotericin B as treatment (77.8 percent). The majority (66.6 percent) of the patients accomplished a term delivery with healthy infants. CONCLUSION: Cryptococcal meningitis should be considered during pregnancy in cases of unexplained headache, altered vision, altered mental status, nausea and fever. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis should be admitted and treated with amphotericin B.

INTRODUÇÃO: Com a epidemia da AIDS, a neurocriptococose foi melhor estudada e considerada infecção fúngica oportunista. No entanto, há casos descritos de gestantes acometidas, apesar de imunocompetentes. A gestação, por si só, pode ser considerada um período de imunossupressão, para adaptação materno-fetal, o que poderia predispor à instalação de certas infecções. OBJETIVOS: Relato de caso de gestante com neurocriptococose e revisão sistemática dos casos descritos na literatura desta patologia durante a gestação, em pacientes imunocompetentes. METODOLOGIA: Revisão sistemática com busca MEDLINE e SciELO. RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas 27 pacientes com diagnóstico de neurocriptococse na gestação. A média de idade foi 26,4 anos. Seis pacientes estavam no primeiro trimestre de gravidez ao diagnóstico, 10 no segundo, oito no terceiro e três eram puérperas. O sintoma mais prevalente foi cefaléia (85,2 por cento), seguido por alteração visual (44,4 por cento), confusão mental (44,4 por cento), náusea (40,7 por cento) e febre (33 por cento). Houve nove óbitos maternos (33,3 por cento). Vinte e uma pacientes foram tratadas com anfotericina B (77,8 por cento). A maioria dos casos evoluiu com gestação a termo, com recém-nascidos saudáveis (66,6 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: Neurocriptococose deve ser um diagnóstico a se considerar na gestação, nos casos de cefaléia, alteração visual, confusão mental, náusea e febre persistentes, sendo indicada terapia intensiva e uso de anfotericina B.