Efficacy of inhaled Desmopressin in pregnant women with idiopathic oligohydramnios - a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of inhaled Desmopressin (DDAVP) in pregnant women with idiopathic oligohydramnios. This randomized, double-blind clinical trial involved 44 pregnant women at 28-37 weeks of gestation with idiopathic oligohydramnios admitted in 2 academic hospitals in Mashhad, Iran, from 2018 to 2019. In the intervention group, 10µg DDAVP was nasally sprayed. The control group received intravenous maintenance fluid. The hematocrit, electrolytes, blood pressure and urine-specific gravity were evaluated at baseline and 3, 8, and 24 hours later. Amniotic fluid index (AFI) was measured using ultrasound at baseline, 24 and 48 hours later. There was no significant difference in the basic characteristics (age, body mass index, and gestational age) between the two groups. The pattern of changes of AFI (baseline, 24 and 48 hours later) increased in the intervention (4.16±0.86, 7.08±1.453 and 7.76±1.62, p<0.001) and control groups (4.23±0.70, 5.39±1.079 and 5.68±1.10, p<0.001). Serum sodium levels significantly declined in the intervention group (p<0.001) but not in the control group (p=0.07). There were no significant differences in potassium (p=0.89), hematocrit (p=0.23), systolic blood pressure (p=0.21) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.97). However, urine-specific gravity had an increasing pattern in the intervention group (p<0.001) and a decreasing pattern in the control group (p<0.001). This study showed that Desmopressin inhalation could increase the AFI and urine specific gravity, enhancing oligohydramnios treatment in pregnant women, compared to serum administration.

Twin pregnancy in the unicornuate uterus and non-communicating rudimentary horn: A case report.

Background: A unicornuate uterus is present in 0.1% of the general population. This müllerian anomaly carries significant obstetrical risk including abortion, preterm delivery, and rudimentary horn ruptures. Case: The patient is a 24-yr-old primigravida with 12-wk gestational age and a twin pregnancy in the unicornuate uterus and non-communicating rudimentary horn. One fetus in the unicornuate uterus and other in the rudimentary horn that was ruptured. In urgent laparotomy rudimentary horn and fallopian tube excised. Pregnancy in the unicornuate uterus was continued and at 38-wk gestational age, cesarean section due to premature rupture of the membrane was performed and then normal fetus was delivered. Conclusion: Twin pregnancy in a unicornuate uterus and rudimentary horn is a rare condition that carries a considerable risk to the mother. There is a need for increased awareness of this rare condition to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality.

Can brain natriuretic peptide predict cardiovascular complications in severe preeclampsia? A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is one of the most common pregnancy complications, which is one of the major causes of fetal and maternal mortality. OBJECTIVE: To compare the serum Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) level in patients with severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy and investigate associated cardiovascular complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was performed on 94 women with a singleton pregnancy (severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy) at Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. The venous blood samples were collected to evaluate the serum BNP level. All patients were subjected to echocardiography performed by a single cardiologist. RESULTS: The mean pro-BNP levels were 480.36 ± 754.52 and 67.46 ± 106.24 pg/dL in the severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy patients, respectively (p < 0.001). However, adjusted BNP for maternal and gestational age was not different in the two groups (ANCOVA, p = 0.69). Furthermore, the two study groups showed no significant difference in terms of the cardiac parameters, including ejection fraction (EF), left ventricle end-diastolic and -systolic diameters (LVEDD and LVESD, respectively), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and ratio of the early transmitral flow velocity to the early diastolic tissue velocity (E/Em). However, the serum BNP level showed a significant correlation with EF (r = -0.39, p = 0.008), TAPSE (r = -0.47, p = 0.001), and E/Em ratio (r = 0.48, p = 0.001) in patients with severe preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: It seems that BNP can be used as a predictor for some of the main cardiac functional indices (i.e., E/Em, EF, and TAPSE) in severe preeclampsia patients.

Severe Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome in A Spontaneous Pregnancy with Normal Singleton Fetus: A Case Report.

Most cases of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) are associated with the use of exogenous gonadotropins for the induction of multiple oocytes. However, OHSS is rarely associated with a spontaneous ovulatory cycle in women with multiple gestations, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, or molar pregnancies. Herein, we report a case of OHSS in a woman with spontaneous pregnancy, without any underlying diseases or risk factors. The clinical findings showed abdominal pain, nausea, dyspnea, and amenorrhea. After imaging and laboratory tests, the final diagnosis was established. The patient was managed successfully without any complications. In conclusion, although spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation is a rare condition, physicians should be able to diagnose this condition. In fact, early diagnosis and successful management can potentially prevent serious complications, which are likely to develop rapidly in patients.

The efficacy of metformin compared with insulin in regulating blood glucose levels during gestational diabetes mellitus: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Insulin has been a conventional medication in the treatment of female patients suffering from gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the need for a large number of insulin injections in these patients causes them a lot of discomforts. Recently, an alternative medication, metformin, has received considerable attention in the treatment of GDM. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of metformin and insulin in regulating blood glucose levels and fetal outcomes in GDM. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial included 286 pregnant women diagnosed with positive GDM at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 143 patients, with one group receiving insulin and the other undergoing a treatment plan using metformin. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hr plasma glucose (PG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were recorded twice a month until delivery. Other variables, including birth delivery method, cause of cesarean section, gestational age at the delivery time, birth trauma, Apgar score, birth weight, admission at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and neonatal hypoglycemia were also registered. RESULTS: Age of mother, body mass index, history of diabetes in the family, previous history of GDM, parity, FPG, 1- and 2-hr PG after meals, and 75-g glucose tolerance test before treatment were not statistically different between the two groups. FPG, PG, and HbA1c did not show significant differences between the two groups after completing the course of treatment. There was also no significant difference between two groups regarding the birth delivery method, the cause of cesarean section, birth trauma, Apgar score, birth weight, admission at NICU, and neonatal hypoglycemia. CONCLUSION: As mean FPG and 2-hr PG were not significantly different between the two groups, it seems that metformin can be recommended as an effective substitute for insulin in the treatment of GDM. However, there are still some undesirable risk factors with both treatments that may threaten the mother and the newborn.

Successful Management of Spontaneous Quadruplet Pregnancy: A Case Report.

Objective: Triplet or higher-order multiple pregnancies are often caused due to ovulation induction. Spontaneous quadruplet pregnancy is a rare phenomenon which is associated with maternal and fetal complications. Here in, we report a spontaneous quadruplet pregnancy with no family history and as a result of an unwanted pregnancy. Case report: The patient was a 34-year-old, G4 L2 Ab1. She noticed being pregnant during breastfeeding, a spontaneous quadruplet pregnancy. There was no case of multiple pregnancies in her or her husband's family. In week 29 she was hospitalized due to the diagnosis of preterm labour. At 32 weeks and 4 days of gestation, because of the restart of labour contractions and dilatation development, she underwent a cesarean section. The outcome was the birth of 4 healthy neonates weighing between 1800 to 2100 gram and normal Apgar score. Conclusion: Quadruplet pregnancy can rarely occur spontaneously even unintentionally, and can reach the third trimester without prophylactic cerclage.

Alterations in Lipid Profile, Zinc and Copper Levels and Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Normal Pregnancy and Preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Increased oxidative stress (OS) and lipid peroxidation may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). We conducted a case-control study to evaluate the levels of plasma lipids and trace elements as well as activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in PE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 100 patients who had been diagnosed with PE and 100 normotensive pregnant women who underwent medical checkups that served as the control group. Lipid profile, zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels and SOD activities were measured in the plasma of all subjects. RESULTS: Our results showed that the plasma levels of triglycerides and SOD activity were significantly elevated and the levels of Zn and Cu were significantly reduced in patients with PE compared with healthy controls. Increased levels of SOD may indicate antioxidant protective mechanisms against OS in PE-complicated pregnancies. This finding may suggest an involvement of OS in the pathophysiology of PE. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a significant negative correlation between SOD activity and levels of trace elements. Furthermore, we suggest that higher triglyceride levels and SOD activity combined with lower Zn and Cu levels may be associated with an increased risk of PE.

Spontaneous Unruptured Bilateral Tubal Pregnancy: A Case Report.

Bilateral spontaneous tubal ectopic pregnancy is the rarest form of extra uterine pregnancy. The diagnosis is usually made intraoperatively and levels of serum BHCG and ultrasound has not been useful in the diagnosis of bilateral tubal ectopic pregnancy. A 33-year-old woman with 8 weeks amenorrhea and sever lower abdominal pain was admitted. A transvaginal pelvic ultrasound revealed left adnexal mass and massive fluid collection in the pelvis and abdomen. The serum BHCG was 5,700 mIU/ml and in laparotomy bilateral unruptured tubal pregnancy was noted. Left salpingectomy and right salpingostomy were performed. The diagnosis of bilateral spontaneous tubal ectopic pregnancy is usually made intraoperatively. Both tubes at the time of surgery should be closely examined in order to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality.

A Randomized Clinical Trial on Comparing The Cycle Characteristics of Two Different Initiation Days of Letrozole Treatment in Clomiphene Citrate Resistant PCOS Patients in IUI Cycles.

BACKGROUND: There are still many questions about the ideal protocol for letrozole (LTZ) as the commonest aromatase inhibitor (AI) used in ovulation induction. The aim of this study is to compare the ultrasonographic and hormonal characteristics of two different initiation times of LTZ in clomiphene citrate (CC) failure patients and to study androgen dynamics during the cycle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was done from March to November 2010 at the Mashhad IVF Center, a university based IVF center. Seventy infertile polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients who were refractory to at least 3 CC treatment cycles were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n=35) receiving 5 mg LTZ on cycle days 3-7 (CD3), and group B (n=35) receiving the same amount on cycle days 5-9 (CD5). Hormonal profile and ultrasonographic scanning were done on cycle day 3 and three days after completion of LTZ treatment (cycle day 10 or 12). Afterward, 5,000-10,000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was injected if at least one follicle ≥18 mm was seen in ultrasonographic scanning. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) has been done 36-40 hours later. The cycle characteristics, the ovulation and pregnancy rate were compared between two groups. The statistical analysis was done using Fisher's exact test, t test, logistic regression, and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between two groups considering patient characteristics. The ovulation rate (48.6 vs. 32.4% in group A and B, respectively), the endometrial thickness, the number of mature follicles, and length of follicular phase were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: LTZ is an effective treatment in CC failure PCOS patients. There are no significant differences regarding ovulation and pregnancy rates between two different protocols of LTZ starting on days 3 and 5 of menstrual cycle ( REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT201307096467N3).

The role of vitamin C in prevention of preterm premature rupture of membranes.

BACKGROUND: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is one of the most important complications of the pregnancy and cause perinatal morbidity and mortality. History of PPROM is a risk factor of recurrent PPROM. Vitamin C plays an important role in collagen metabolism and increases resistance maintenance of the chorioamniotic membranes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of vitamin C supplementation in prevention of PPROM in women with a positive history of PPROM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This clinical trial study was performed on 170 pregnant women with the history of PPROM, with singleton pregnancy and gestational age 14 weeks in Imam-Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during 2008 to 2010. They were randomly divided into two groups. The case patients received 100 mg vitamin C daily from 14th weeks of gestation. PPROM occurrence was compared between two groups as an indicator of the protective effect of vitamin C supplements. RESULTS: PPROM occurred in 44.7% of controls and 31.8% of cases (P < 0.05). PROM occurred in 34.1% of controls and 18.8% of cases (P < 0.05). Pregnancy was terminated at term gestation in 21.2% of controls and 49.4% of cases (P < 0.05). Rupture of membranes was significantly decreased in the case group. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C supplementations after 14th weeks of gestation can prevent from PPROM in women with the history of PPROM.

The Effects of Progesterone Therapy on the Gestation Length and Reduction of Neonatal Complications in Patients who had Received Tocolytic Therapy for Acute Phase of Preterm Labor.

BACKGROUND: While tocolytic therapy can halt the process of delivery, some patients return before the 37th week of pregnancy with recurrence of preterm labor signs. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of progesterone in the prolonging of gestation and reduction of neonatal complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a clinical trial in 2010, 110 singleton pregnant women admitted at Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, with the diagnosis of preterm labor were divided into three groups: 400 mg/d vaginal progesterone suppositories; 250 mg/w 17-alpha-hydroxyl-progestrone-caproate; and a control group with no additional treatment. After delivery, we assessed the duration between the first phases of labor to the recurrence of preterm labor. The neonatal complications, apgar score, birth weight, need for admission to NICU, and congenital malformations were compared between groups. RESULTS: The mean gestational age was 34± 3 weeks in the first, 33.5 ± 3 weeks in the second and 32.5 ± 2 weeks in the control group. The duration of first phase of labor was 31 ± 17 days in the first, 36 ± 14 days in the second and 26 ± 22 days in the control group. The difference between study groups and the control group was significant (P < 0.005). The complications were lower in progesterone-receiving group in comparison to the control group. DISCUSSION: This study reveals that progesterone can significant reduce the rate of recurrent preterm labor and the several possible neonatal complications among women who had treated with tocolytics to suppress the acute phase.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 1-ß genes in patients with pre-eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome that may be dangerous especially to the fetus. Different cytokines have been found to be elevated in women with pre-eclampsia and may have possible roles in the development of this disorder. Alleles of the interleukin-l-beta (IL-lß) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genes are associated with pr-eeclampsia in several studies in different populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between IL-lß (C+3954T) and TNF-α (G-308A) gene polymorphisms with pre-eclampsia in north east of Iran (Khorasan province).This study included 54 diagnosed patients with pre-eclampsia and 50 normal pregnant women as control group. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and the polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP method. Data was analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.There was significant association between TNF-α (G-308A) genotype and pre-eclampsia (p=0.001) but we did not find any significant association between IL-lß (C+3954T) genotype and pre-eclampsia (p=0.39).The present study might suggest a role for TNF-α in the development of pre-eclampsia; however, IL-lß (C+3954T) polymorphism could not be considered as a marker of susceptibility to preeclampsia in our population.