Is preterm delivery indicated in fetuses with gastroschisis and antenatally detected bowel dilation?

INTRODUCTION: Due to the controversy surrounding diagnostic ultrasound evaluations and elective preterm delivery of fetuses with gastroschisis, we sought to calculate the predictive value of bowel dilation in fetuses with gastroschisis and evaluate the effect of preterm delivery on neonatal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasounds and medical records of 103 mother-infant pairs with fetal gastroschisis were reviewed. Eighty-nine pairs met the criteria. Intestinal complications, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and number of abdominal surgeries were documented. RESULTS: Forty-eight fetuses (54%) had bowel dilation and 41 (46%) did not. The positive predictive value of bowel dilation for complicated gastroschisis was 21%. There were 50 (56%) preterm and 39 (44%) term deliveries. The mean birth weight was 2,114 g (SD = 507) and 2,659 g (SD = 687), p = 0.001. For infants delivered preterm, the mean number of postnatal abdominal surgeries was 2.1 (SD = 1.1) as compared to 1.3 (SD = 0.5) surgical procedures for those infants delivered at term gestation. This was not statistically significant. With respect to hospital stay for each group, the mean length of neonatal intensive care unit admission was 48 days (SD = 33) in the preterm group and 35 days (SD = 50) in the term group, which was not statistically significant. DISCUSSION: Ultrasound-detected bowel dilation was not predictive of important intestinal complications. Our data did not substantiate any benefit for elective preterm delivery of neonates with gastroschisis.

Bone metabolism in pregnant women exposed to single compared with multiple courses of corticosteroids.

OBJECTIVE: To compare markers of maternal bone metabolism between women who received a single compared with multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids. METHODS: This is an analysis of serum samples from a previously reported randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Women at risk for preterm delivery after an initial course of corticosteroids were randomly assigned to weekly courses of betamethasone (active) or placebo. Serum levels of carboxy terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) and cross-linked carboxy terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) were measured to assess the rate of bone formation and resorption, respectively, at three time points. The placebo group (n=93) was compared with the active group, receiving four or more courses of betamethasone (n=112). RESULTS: There were significant (P<.001) increases in PICP and ICTP between baseline and delivery in both groups. Cross-linked carboxy terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, but not PICP, was lower with corticosteroid exposure immediately before administration of the fourth study course (P<.001). No significant differences in PICP and ICTP were seen between groups at delivery. CONCLUSION: Increasing levels of PICP and ICTP with advancing gestation are consistent with physiologic changes in maternal bone metabolism. Multiple courses of corticosteroids for fetal maturation are not associated with persistent or cumulative effects on maternal bone metabolism as measured by PICP and ICTP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Utility of Acute Physiology, Age, and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE III) score in maternal admissions to the intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: A mean Acute Physiology, Age, and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE III) score of > 50 is associated with increased intensive care unit mortality rate in nonpregnant cardiac and trauma patients. The objective was to determine the usefulness of the APACHE III score in maternal admissions to an intensive care unit in a tertiary care center in an urban multicultural city. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of all maternal admissions (> 20 weeks of gestation or after delivery) to an intensive care unit between January 2002 and May 2004. Demographics, obstetric and medical history, and 20 physiologic variables that comprise the APACHE III were recorded. The minimum APACHE III score (lowest risk of death) is 0; maximum is 299. The association between APACHE III score and maternal death was assessed with Mann Whitney U test. Significance was assumed at a probability value of < .05. RESULTS: Fifty-eight subjects met the study criteria. Thirty percent of these women were admitted antepartum (27 +/- 1.0 weeks of gestation); 31% of the women were admitted on the day of delivery; and 29% of the women were admitted after delivery. Mean maternal age was 27 +/- 6.7 years. Acute conditions that resulted in transfer to the intensive care unit included preeclampsia (24%), cardiorespiratory disease (21%), hemorrhage (16%), infection (12%), trauma (7%), and thromboembolism (3%). Fifty-five percent of the women had no previous underlying obstetric complications, and 98% of the women had no underlying chronic health condition. Fifty-eight percent of the women received care in a medical intensive care unit; 28% of the women received care in a surgical intensive care unit; 10% of the women received care in a cardiac intensive care unit, and 3% of the women received care in a neurologic intensive care unit. The mean intensive care unit stay was 3.7 +/- 4.6 days, and the mean hospital stay was 9.0 +/- 7 days. Three patients died; the rest of the patients went home in good condition. The median APACHE III score was 34 (range, 14-102) and was not correlated with maternal death. CONCLUSION: The APACHE III is not associated with risk of intensive care unit-related maternal death.

Acute hypertensive emergencies in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Obstetrical hypertensive emergencies are life-threatening conditions involving significant risk to both the mother and fetus. Aggressive treatment of the maternal hypertensive state requires an initial consideration of the effect of treatment on the fetus, via changes to the uteroplacental circulation with treatment. The challenge then is to correct blood pressure using appropriate, safe pharmacologic agents to prevent catastrophic maternal consequences, while minimizing acute changes to placental perfusion and any corresponding fetal ill effects. Hypertension in pregnancy may be one manifestation of a multiple-system pathologic process, as is the case in preeclampsia. Blood pressure control, along with delivery, will be the first step in treating the renal, hematologic, hepatic, and cardiac dysfunction that can be seen in preeclampsia. DESIGN: A review of medications most commonly used for hypertensive emergencies in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive emergencies in pregnancy require prompt evaluation and treatment in an intensive care setting to prevent untoward effects to both the fetus and mother.

Milk-alkali syndrome in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Severe hypercalcemia, a potentially life-threatening medical emergency, is rare in pregnancy. CASE: We report a 32-year-old woman presenting early in the second trimester with severe hypercalcemia (total calcium 22 mg/dL), alkalosis, and acute renal insufficiency resulting from excessive ingestion of calcium carbonate-containing antacid for gastroesophageal reflux. The patient was treated with aggressive hydration and furosemide, and received 1 dose of intravenous etidronate, leading to short-term symptomatic hypocalcemia. To our knowledge, this is the third reported case of milk-alkali syndrome in pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Milk-alkali syndrome is an uncommon cause of hypercalcemia in pregnancy. Intravenous hydration with saline should be the cornerstone of treatment, reserving bisphosphonates for selected cases.