Congenital toxoplasmosis and proposal of a new classification for the likelihood of primary maternal infection: analysis of 375 cases in Southeast Italy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to propose a classification in order to stratify the probability of an acute Toxoplasma infection in pregnancy and to estimate the risk of vertical transmission.Study design: We evaluated the likelihood of a primary maternal infection according to the Lebech classification and to the modified-Lebech classification proposed for our group of 375 patients referred for a suspected primary maternal infection. Fetal diagnosis included the examination of amniotic fluid by PCR to detect Toxoplasma DNA as a confirmation test.Results: Differences between the old and new classification resulted statistically significant for old classes defined as probable and unlikely with a clear shift of cases from the unlikely to the probable class in the new classification. Transmission rate showed a significant (p < .05) increase of the transmission rate in the probable class in our new classification as compared with the Lebech one.Conclusions: Results obtained in the present study suggest that the new IgG avidity-based classification herein proposed could estimate more precisely the likelihood of a primary maternal Toxoplasma infection as well as the risk of fetal infection, when compared with the historical Lebech Classification.

Endogenous luteinizing hormone concentration and IVF outcome during ovarian stimulation in fixed versus flexible GnRH antagonist protocols: An RCT.

BACKGROUND: Luteinizing hormone (LH) is essential for normal follicular development and oocyte maturation. In particular, fluctuations of LH during the follicular phase have a significant impact on morphological and functional changes of the oocyte and determine its meiotic status and ability to be fertilized. OBJECTIVE: This prospective randomized controlled trial examined effects of endogenous follicular phase LH levels on oocyte maturity and IVF outcomes in fixed vs. flexible in vitro fertilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Normo-ovulatory women age <39 yr (n=213) were randomized to fixed or flexible gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocols. Follicular phase LH, estradiol, and progesterone profiles were measured. Oocytes retrieved, implantation rate, and pregnancy rate were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: LH profiles were similar in both protocols. A lower trend of LH values at the end of ovarian stimulation correlated significantly with a higher pregnancy rate, regardless of protocol (p=0.02). Estradiol levels were statistically different with respect to time points within treatment groups (p<0.0001), but not between groups (p=0.43), or pregnancy outcomes (p=0.2595). Progesterone profiles were similar between groups. No differences were found in retrieved oocytes numbers, fertilization rate or embryos obtained. Significantly, younger age and a higher number of antral follicles were correlated with positive results. CONCLUSION: Fixed and flexible GnRH antagonist protocols did not produce an oscillation of endogenous LH values correlated to the outcome of ovarian stimulation.

Uterine Rupture after Laparoscopic Myomectomy in Two Cases: Real Complication or Malpractice?

We describe two cases of uterine rupture in pregnancy after laparoscopic myomectomy and analyze all the aetiological factors involved in this circumstance according to the recent literature, focusing above all on the surgical procedures and the characteristics of the excised myomas. The two cases of uterine rupture in pregnancy following laparoscopic myomectomy occurred at 36 and 18 weeks of gestation, respectively. Both women had undergone laparoscopic multiple myomectomy and uterine rupture occurred along the isthmic myomectomy scars, despite the fact that compliance with all the recent technical surgical recommendations for the previous laparoscopic multiple myomectomy had been fully observed. In our cases we identified the isthmic localization, size of the excised myomas (≥4 cm), and individual characteristics of the healing process as possible risk factors for "a real complication." Larger studies and robust case-control analyses are needed to draw reliable conclusions; special care should be paid when performing laparoscopic myomectomy in women planning a later pregnancy.

Dynamics of the development of multiple follicles by early versus late hCG administration in ART program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in patients stimulated with recombinant FSH and GnRH antagonists, whether triggering the final maturation of oocytes affects IVF outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Five hundred and six IVF procedures were divided into three groups according to the timing of hCG administration: when at least 2 follicles reached the diameter of 17 mm, at least 2 follicles reached 18 mm and at least 2 follicles reached 20 mm. The main outcome was the number of mature oocyte that was the dependent variable of a multivariate model whose independents were, age, AFC, hCG timing, E2 levels at hCG day, number of follicles in different categories of dimension. Secondary endpoints were to compare fertilization, implantation and pregnancy rates in a multilevel multivariate model whose covariates were age, BMI, AFC, embryo quality and cause of infertility. RESULTS: Timing did not result a statistically significant factor influencing the number of oocytes collected, which was influenced by age, AFC, number of follicles between 12.1 and 15.9 mm and E2 levels. Implantation rate and pregnancy rate appear to be affected only by embryo quality. CONCLUSION: The number of oocytes collected and the probability of pregnancy are not associated with the time of hCG administration.

US-color Doppler early diagnosis of uterine rupture with protrusion of umbilical cord.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze a case of uterine rupture in a pregnant woman that had a previous laparoscopic myomectomy. METHODS: pregnant woman at 34 weeks gestation came to our emergency room for abdominal pain. She had undergone a previous laparoscopic multiple myomectomy. Patient was evaluated in our Department, that is a tertiary center, by a team of experienced ultrasonographers. RESULTS: at a first clinical examination, the findings were a deep abdominal pain, dysuria and a positive Giordano's sign on the right. 2D ultrasound showed an alive intrauterine foetus, normal anterior fundal placenta and mild reduction of amniotic fluid. It revealed also a maternal right pyelectasis. A further meticulous ultrasound evaluation plus color Doppler revealed on the left side of the uterus the presence of a small vascularised area with venous and arterial flow that seemed to be in continuity with umbilical cord and that had its ultrasound characteristics. Emergency laparotomy was performed and confirmed the hypothesis of uterine rupture. DISCUSSION: uterine rupture seems to occur more frequently as a consequence of a laparoscopic myomectomy and the classic signs and symptoms are fetal distress, loss of uterine contractility, abdominal pain, hemorrhage and shock, so the early US suspect of uterine rupture was extremely important in the decision to perform an emergency caesarean section. CONCLUSION: the correlation between clinical examination and ultrasound-Doppler findings has been essential to recognise an obstetrical emergency and to perform prompt surgery.

Increased nuchal translucency and short femur length as possible early signs of osteogenesis imperfecta type III.

OBJECTIVE: this paper reports an association between an increased Nuchal Translucency (NT) and Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a type of skeletal dysplasia. Measurement of fetal NT at 10-14 weeks of gestation is a sensitive and effective screening method for chromosomal abnormalities. METHODS: a 35-year- old Caucasian woman in her fourth pregnancy was referred to our clinic for an ultrasound scan at 12 weeks of gestation, that confirmed increased Nuchal Translucency. Chorionic villi sampling was performed, showing a normal karyotype. The patient was evaluated by a team of experienced ultra sonographers for pregnancy follow-up at our Department, that is a tertiary center. RESULTS: in our case the ultrasound scan at 12 week of gestation revealed only an increased NT (3 mm). Cytogenetic analysis on chorionic villi demonstrated a normal male karyotype. US follow-up, performed every 3-4 weeks, confirmed normal anthropometric parameters except for shortening of both femurs, but at 23 weeks an incorrect attitude of the feet was revealed. A clinical and radiographic diagnosis of OI type III was made only at birth, and through follow-up continuing to date. DISCUSSION: NT screening was successful for chromosomal abnormalities at 11-14 weeks of gestation. An increased NT thickness is also associated with numerous fetal anomalies and genetic syndromes in a chromosomally normal fetus. In our case there were no sonographic signs of imperfect osteogenesis in the first trimester, although there was an increased NT with a normal karyotype. CONCLUSION: currently, in literature, there are not other cases of OI type III associated with an increased NT. Our report is the first to suggest an association between an increased nuchal translucency, short femur length and osteogenesis imperfecta type III.

Correlation between ultrasound diagnosis and autopsy findings of fetal malformations.

OBJECTIVE: to compare ultrasound (US) and autopsy findings of fetal malformations in second trimester terminations of pregnancy to evaluate the degree of agreement between US and fetal autopsy. METHODS: in this study, all second trimester termination of pregnancy between 2003-2010 were considered. US and autopsy findings were compared and all cases were classified into five categories according to the degree of agreement between US and pathology (A1: full agreement between US and autopsy; A2: autopsy confirmed all US findings but revealed additional anomalies 'rarely detectable' prenatally; B: autopsy demonstrated all US findings but revealed additional anomalies 'detectable' prenatally; C: US findings were only partially demonstrated at fetal autopsy; D: total disagreement between US and autopsy). RESULTS: 144 cases were selected. In 49% of cases there was total agreement between US and autopsy diagnosis (A1). In 22% of cases additional information were about anomalies 'not detectable' by US (A2). In 12% of cases autopsy provided additional information about anomalies not observed but 'detectable' by US (B). In 13% of cases some anomalies revealed at US, such as valve insufficiencies, pericardial and pleural effusions, were not verified at autopsy (C). Total lack of agreement was noted only in 4% of cases (D). Main areas of disagreement concerned cardiovascular, CNS and complex malformations. The degree of agreement was higher if malformations were diagnosed in a tertiary center. CONCLUSIONS: this study shows an overall high degree of agreement between definitive US and autopsy findings in second trimester termination of pregnancy for fetal malformations. Autopsy reveals to be the best tool to diagnose malformations and often showed other abnormalities of clinical importance not detected by US, but sometimes also US could provide additional information about functional anomalies because US is a dynamic examination.