Management of a Parturient with Diastrophic Dysplasia.

A 27-year-old primigravida patient with diastrophic dysplasia (DTD) presented to our obstetrics clinic at 8 weeks' gestational age. Diastrophic dysplasia is a rare, autosomal-recessive abnormality that presents multiple challenges to perinatal anesthetic management, including difficult airway management and relative contraindications to neuraxial anesthesia. The patient underwent elective cesarean delivery at 35 weeks' gestational age under general anesthesia. In this report, we describe our preoperative evaluation and management strategy that involved a multidisciplinary care team.

First-trimester cystic hygroma: relationship of nuchal translucency thickness and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the relationship between nuchal translucency thickness and abnormal karyotype, major congenital anomaly, perinatal loss, and composite abnormal outcome in fetuses with first-trimester nuchal cystic hygroma. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of first-trimester fetuses with ultrasound-diagnosed nuchal cystic hygroma collected over a 10-year period. RESULTS: There were 944 first-trimester fetuses with nuchal cystic hygroma. A karyotype abnormality occurred in 54.9% (400 of 729) of fetuses. A major congenital anomaly occurred in 28.8% (61 of 212) of fetuses with a normal karyotype. Perinatal loss occurred in 39% (115 of 295) of fetuses not electively terminated. Overall, an abnormal outcome occurred in 86.6% (543 of 627) of fetuses. After adjusting for potential confounders, every 1-mm increase in nuchal translucency thickness increased the odds of an abnormal karyotype by 44% (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-1.60, P<.001), the odds of major congenital anomaly by 26% (adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI, 1.08-1.47, P=.003), the odds of perinatal loss by 47% (adjusted OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.07-2.02, P=.019), and the odds of a composite abnormal outcome by 77% (adjusted OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.15-2.74, P=.01). CONCLUSION: First-trimester nuchal cystic hygroma is associated with high rates of karyotype abnormality, major congenital anomaly, perinatal loss, and abnormal outcome. As the thickness of the nuchal translucency increases, the odds of abnormal karyotype, major congenital anomaly, perinatal loss, and abnormal outcome increase.

Diagnosis and management of thyroid disease in pregnancy.

Thyroid disease is common, affecting 1% to 2% of pregnant women. Pregnancy may modify the course of thyroid disease, and pregnancy outcomes can depend on optimal management of thyroid disorders. Consequently, obstetric providers must be familiar with thyroid physiology and management of thyroid diseases in pregnancy. Following a brief overview of physiology, this article provides an in-depth review of diagnosis and management of the spectrum of thyroid disease occurring in pregnancy. Recommendations for screening and treatment of hypo- and hyperthyroidism are summarized. Specific attention is given to the limitations of current research and the status of ongoing work.

Group prenatal care: an analysis of cost.

INTRODUCTION: Group prenatal care may have benefits over traditional care; however, the economic performance of this model is largely unexplored. We sought to understand the finances of group prenatal care at a small, rural, critical access hospital. METHODS: Volume, cost, and revenue estimates were obtained and an economic model was created. Determination was made of total time spent providing prenatal care, financial breakeven point and number of hours of prenatal care per patient. RESULTS: Group size required to equal or exceed the time efficiency of traditional prenatal care varied based on the structure of the prenatal care models. Small group sizes decrease efficiency and increase costs. The baseline financial breakeven point of 305 deliveries per year decreases to 302 deliveries if all women receive group care. Shifting prenatal care from higher to lower cost providers decreases the breakeven point to 218 deliveries per year, if the acquired time is used to provide gynecologic services. With group sizes between eight and 12, the time efficiency of lower cost providers improves from an average of seven to four hours of prenatal care per patient. CONCLUSION: In organizations with low volume obstetrics, group prenatal care can lead to decreased efficiency and greater cost. In settings with sufficient volume, financial benefit is realized if prenatal care is shifted from higher to lower cost providers. Using a group model of prenatal care allows lower cost providers to see additional patients efficiently. Although group prenatal care may offer some benefits, cost analysis should be considered before initiation.

Screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Screening, diagnosis, and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are common practice, despite controversy regarding benefits. A review of the literature from 1950 to 2006 revealed 3 randomized controlled trials evaluated the treatment of GDM but 2 of these studies lacked power to detect a difference in outcomes. The single trial with sufficient power showed a 67% lower rate of serious perinatal complication (a composite of shoulder dystocia, nerve injury, fracture, and death) and a 53% lower rate of macrosomia with treatment of GDM. There are no well-designed studies evaluating screening or diagnostic strategies. Treatment of GDM may improve some neonatal and obstetric outcomes, but there is limited evidence useful for determining the best screening method or diagnostic test, strategy, and criteria. Ongoing studies may provide some evidence to guide future research and clinical practice.

Rates of postpartum glucose testing after gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate rates of postpartum glucose tolerance testing in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to assess factors associated with testing. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 344 women with GDM who received prenatal care in a maternal diabetes clinic during 2001-2004. Rates of postpartum glucose testing were estimated from hospital, clinic, and laboratory records. Demographic, clinical (obstetric history, antenatal, and delivery), and health care information was obtained from chart review. RESULTS: Less than one half (45%) of women with GDM in our cohort underwent postpartum glucose testing-more than one third (36%) of whom had persistent abnormal glucose tolerance. After adjusting for clinical and health care characteristics, there was no independent relationship between most demographic characteristics and postpartum testing. Nor was there an association between clinical characteristics and the likelihood of being tested. Postpartum testing was strongly associated only with attendance of the postpartum visit: 54% of women who attended the visit were tested compared with 17% of women who did not attend (adjusted relative risk 3.04, 95% confidence interval 1.75-5.34, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Although persistent abnormal glucose tolerance was common in our cohort, less than half of the women were tested for it. Our data suggest that to increase rates of postpartum glucose testing, improved attendance at the postpartum visit with greater attention to testing and better continuity between antenatal and postpartum care are required. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.