RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To determine the ratio of women who received antenatal steroid for suspected preterm birth (PTB) to those who actually deliver before 34 weeks of gestation at a tertiary care center. METHODS: This is a retrospective study. Data was collected from November 2008 to February 2009 on women who presented with suspected PTB had received corticosteroids (between 26 weeks and 33 weeks-6 days of gestation). RESULT: More than two-thirds of the women who received antenatal corticosteroids for suspected PTB actually delivered after 34 weeks. CONCLUSION: The ratio of women who received complete dose of steroids for suspected PTB compared to the number of patients who actually deliver prematurely is high raising doubts about the methods employed to diagnose PTB.
Assuntos
Glucocorticoides/uso terapêutico , Nascimento Prematuro/prevenção & controle , Cuidado Pré-Natal/métodos , Uso Indevido de Medicamentos sob Prescrição , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Gravidez , Segundo Trimestre da Gravidez , Terceiro Trimestre da Gravidez , Nascimento Prematuro/epidemiologia , Uso Indevido de Medicamentos sob Prescrição/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To describe the presenting signs, diagnostic findings, and outcomes of 64 cases of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) cases seen in Women's Hospital, Qatar during the years 2003-2011. METHOD: A retrospective chart review of patients with signs suggesting of NIHF was done. A detailed scan was performed and karyotyping and detailed investigations were offered. RESULTS: Average maternal age at diagnosis was 31 years. Fifty-six percent of the patients were diagnosed during the 2nd trimester. Most common presenting signs were: ascites, pleural effusion, scalp edema, skin edema, pericardial effusion, generalize edema and cystic hygroma. Two patients were positive for PV B19 infection. Fetal karyotyping performed in 78% of the patients showed abnormal chromosomes in 9 cases. Three patients showed fetal anemia with abnormal peak systolic velocity of the medial cerebral artery (MCA-PSV). Seventeen (27%) fetuses survived the perinatal period with live births occurring between gestational ages 30-41 weeks. Ten (59%) of the 17 babies survived post delivery (6 months post survival data). Major identifiable abnormalities that might have caused symptoms of hydrops were cardiac (23.43%), and chromosomal (14%). CONCLUSION: Non-immune hydrops fetalis is a complex problem. Establishment of a clear procedure for the follow up of such patients is extremely important.
