[Hyperthyroidism and an unexpected molar pregnancy]. / Hyperthyreoïdie en een onverwachte molazwangerschap.

BACKGROUND: A molar pregnancy is a rare complication of (non-viable) pregnancy and produces high levels of hCG-hormone. hCG has characteristics similar to TSH, and therefore (severe) hyperthyroidism can occur. The incidence of molar pregnancy is approximately 1 in 1000-1500 pregnancies. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 23-year-old woman had complaints of discomfort, nausea and vomiting. A urine pregnancy test was negative and laboratory tests showed a severe hyperthyroidism. After referral a molar pregnancy was diagnosed (hCG 1.7 million IU/L). She was treated by curettage. hCG levels insufficiently decreased in the following weeks, and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia was diagnosed. She needed several courses of methotrexate after which she completely recovered. CONCLUSION: Severe hyperthyreoidism can be caused by a molar pregnancy. A urine pregnancy test can be negative because of too high hCG-levels, also known as the hook effect. Early recognition and treatment are very important because of the risk of severe complications.

Cardiovascular risk management after reproductive and pregnancy-related disorders: A Dutch multidisciplinary evidence-based guideline.

BACKGROUND: In the past decades evidence has accumulated that women with reproductive and pregnancy-related disorders are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the future. Up to now there is no standardised follow-up of these women becausee guidelines on cardiovascular risk management for this group are lacking. However, early identification of high-risk populations followed by prevention and treatment of CVD risk factors has the potential to reduce CVD incidence. Therefore, the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology initiated a multidisciplinary working group to develop a guideline for cardiovascular risk management after reproductive and pregnancy-related disorders. METHODS: The guideline addresses the cardiovascular risk consequences of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, small-for-gestational-age infant, recurrent miscarriage, polycystic ovary syndrome and premature ovarian insufficiency. The best available evidence on these topics was captured by systematic review. Recommendations for clinical practice were formulated based on the evidence and consensus of expert opinion. The Dutch societies of gynaecologists, cardiologists, vascular internists, radiologists and general practitioners reviewed the guideline to ensure support for implementation in clinical practice. RESULTS: For all reproductive and pregnancy-related disorders a moderate increased relative risk was found for overall CVD, except for preeclampsia (relative risk 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.76-2.61). CONCLUSION: Based on the current available evidence, follow-up is only recommended for women with a history of preeclampsia. For all reproductive and pregnancy-related disorders optimisation of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors is recommended to reduce the risk of future CVD.

Cardiovascular disease risk in women with a history of spontaneous preterm delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests a relation between having had spontaneous preterm delivery and cardiovascular disease in the future. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the relation between a history of spontaneous preterm delivery and risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke or overall cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: We carried out a systematic search in Medline (from 1966 to 17 July 2014) and Embase (from 1980 to 17 July 2014). We included studies with a cohort design assessing the relation between spontaneous preterm delivery and fatal or nonfatal IHD, stroke, or overall CVD. IHD, stroke and CVD were assessed through linkage with national registries. Hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Of the 10 cohort studies included; sample sizes ranged from 3706 to 923,686 women and follow-up ranged from 12-35 years. Spontaneous preterm delivery was related to an increased risk of developing or dying from IHD (HR 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-1.57), stroke (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.53-1.91) and overall CVD (relative risk (HR) 2.01, 95% CI 1.52-2.65). All studies found a positive effect, although substantial between-study heterogeneity was found for IHD and CVD. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous preterm delivery is an independent risk factor for the development of IHD, stroke and overall CVD.

Chorionic villous vascularization related to phenotype and genotype in first trimester miscarriages in a recurrent pregnancy loss cohort.

STUDY QUESTION: Is there an association between chorionic villous vascularization, ultrasound findings and corresponding chromosome results in early miscarriage specimens from a cohort of recurrent pregnancy loss patients? SUMMARY ANSWER: We did not find a significant difference in vascularization scores of chorionic villi between embryonic, yolk sac or empty sac miscarriages, or between euploid and noneuploid miscarriages. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: At least half of first trimester miscarriages are due to embryopathogenesis associated with chromosome errors and/or major congenital anomalies, resulting in an empty sac, a yolk sac or an embryonic miscarriage. Absent and decreased chorionic villous vascularization is usually present in these pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: For this retrospective study, 60 hematoxylin and eosin slides of miscarriage tissue of less than 10 weeks gestational age were collected from an academic institution. All patients were seen in consultation between July 2004 and October 2009. PARTICIPANTS, SETTING, METHODS: Chorionic villous vascularization was determined using a previously published classification. The results were validated and compared with the ultrasound findings and corresponding chromosome results. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: There were 53 embryonic miscarriages, 5 yolk sac miscarriages and 2 empty sac miscarriages. Chromosome results were obtained in 59 of the 60 miscarriages; 37.3% were euploid and 62.7% were noneuploid. Validation of the vascularization score between observers was reasonable to good (Kappa 0.47-0.76), and 59% of the cases were classified as avascular. The vascularization score did not differ between euploid or noneuploid miscarriages, or between embryonic, yolk sac or empty sac miscarriages. Avascular villi were seen more frequently in miscarriages trisomic for chromosome 16, when compared with miscarriages with other trisomies (6 out of 7 versus 8 out of 22, P = 0.04). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Unfortunately, the number of samples in the study was limited. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Avascular villi may indicate abnormal early placentation as a part of embryopathogenesis. Further study is warranted to determine whether a genetic cause can be found to explain these results.