Corticosteroid-induced leukocytosis in pregnancy: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: In the course of managing preterm labour, increasing trends of total white cell count raises concern for the obstetrician, suggesting a possible underlying infectious aetiology. Although mild leukocytosis is expected in pregnancy, the patterns of increment after corticosteroid administration are not well described beyond animal models and in a small number of human studies. METHODS: Seventy-three consecutive patients who required antenatal corticosteroids for either preterm labour or prelabour caesarean section were recruited and given a standard course of 12mg dexamethasone phosphate, twelve hours apart. Venous blood samples were taken before administration, at six hours and 36 hours after the first dose of dexamethasone. RESULTS: The total white count trend was 10.31±2.62 at baseline, 11.44±3.05 at six hours and 12.20±3.49 at 36 hours. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was 3.60±1.31, 8.73±3.63 and 3.24±1.49 respectively, reflecting relative neutrophilia and lymphopenia which normalised by 36 hours. CONCLUSION: In contrast to previous studies, we found only a slight increment in total white cell count of about 10%. The marginal changes described in our study would not normally raise any clinical concern, although vigilance should be exercised if higher levels were observed.

Effectiveness of selective risk based screening for Gestational Diabetes (GDM) in Malaysia: A retrospective cohort study based on the National Obstetric Registry (NOR) of Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: Gestational diabetes (GDM) has significant maternal and foetal implications. screening allows active interventions which significantly improves pregnancy outcomes. Despite World Health Organization (WHO), FIGO and National Institute of clinical Excellence (NIcE) recommendations for universal screening especially among high risk population; Malaysia currently adopts a selective risk based screening for GDM. OBJECTIVE: the objective is to audit the effectiveness of the current practice of selective risk based screening in detection of GDM in Malaysia. METHODOLOGY: this is a retrospective cohort study based on the National Obstetric Registry (NOR) which comprises of 14 major tertiary hospitals in Malaysia. the study period was from 1st January 2011 till 31st December 2012 and a total of 22,044 patients with GDM were analysed. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the crude odd ratio. RESULTS: the incidence of GDM in Malaysia is 8.4%. Maternal age of ≥25, booking bMI ≥27kg/m2, booking weight ≥80kg and previous hypertension are non-significant risk of developing GDM in Malaysia. Parity 5 and more was only associated with an odds-ratio of 1.02 (95% confidence Interval: 0.90-1.17) as compared to parity below 5. the association of women with previous stillbirth with GDM was not significant. CONCLUSION: current risk based screening for GDM based on maternal age, booking bMI, weight and hypertension is inappropriate. An ideal screening tool should precede disease complications, which is the novel objective of screening. Universal screening for GDM in Malaysia may be a more accurate measure, especially with regards to reducing maternal and foetal complications.

Septic miscarriage with toxic shock syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): The role of surgery, recombinant activated factor VII and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Severe sepsis with multi-organ failure is associated with a high mortality rate. This case report highlights the challenges and modalities available in the management of a lady with refractory shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) due to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from genital tract sepsis. Early surgical intervention to remove the source of infection, the use of recombinant activated factor VII to treat intractable disseminated intravascular coagulation and intravenous immunoglobulin to neutralise the circulating exotoxins, have been employed and shown to drastically improve outcomes.

Prophylactic bilateral internal iliac artery balloon occlusion in the management of placenta accreta: A 36-month review.

BACKGROUND: The contemporary obstetrician is increasingly put to the test by rising numbers of pregnancies with morbidly adherent placenta. This study illustrates our experience with prophylactic bilateral internal iliac artery occlusion as part of its management. METHODS: Between January 2011 to January 2014, 13 consecutive patients received the intervention prior to scheduled caesarean delivery for placenta accreta. All cases were diagnosed by ultrasonography, color Doppler imaging and supplemented with MRI where necessary. The Wanda balloon(TM) catheter (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, U.S.A) were placed in the proximal segment of the internal iliac arteries preceding surgery. This was followed by a midline laparotomy and classical caesarean section, avoiding the placenta. Both internal iliac balloons were inflated just before the delivery of fetus and deflated once haemostasis was secured. Primary outcomes measured were perioperative blood loss, blood transfusion requirement and the need for ICU admission. RESULTS: The mean and median intraoperative blood loss were 1076mls±707 and 800mls (300-2500) respectively while mean perioperative blood loss was 1261mls±946. Just over half of the patients in our series required blood and/or blood products transfusion. Two patients (15.4%) required ICU admission. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that preoperative prophylactic balloon occlusion of bilateral internal iliac arteries reduces both blood loss and transfusion requirement in patients with placenta accreta, scheduled to undergo elective caesarean hysterectomy. It is an adjunct to be considered in the management of a modern day obstetric problem, although the authors are cautious about generalizing its benefit without larger, randomized trials.

Cervical Ripening Balloon for Induction of Labour in High Risk Pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: The Cervical Ripening Balloon (CRB) is a novel mechanical method for induction of labour (IOL), reducing the risks of hyperstimulation associated with pharmacological methods. However, there remains a paucity of literature on its application in high risk mothers, who have an elevated risk of uterine rupture, namely those with previous scars and grandmultiparity. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study on IOL using the CRB in women with previous caesarean section or grandmultiparity between January 2014 and March 2015. All cases were identified from the Sarawak General Hospital CRB request registry. Individual admission notes were traced and data extracted using a standardised proforma. RESULTS: The overall success rate of vaginal delivery after IOL was 50%, although this increases to about two-thirds when sub analysis was performed in women with previous tested scars and the unscarred, grandmultiparous woman. There was a significant change in Bishop score prior to insertion and after removal of the CRB. The Bishop score increased by a score of 3.2 (95% CI 2.8-3.6), which was statistically significant (p<0.01) and occurred across both subgroups, not limited to the grandmultipara. There were no cases of hyperstimulation but one case of intrapartum fever and scar dehiscence each (1.4%). Notably, there were two cases of change in lie/presentation after CRB insertion. CONCLUSION: CRB adds to the obstetricians' armamentarium and appears to provide a reasonable alternative for the IOL in women at high risk of uterine rupture. Rates of hyperstimulation, maternal infection and scar dehiscence are low and hence appeals to the user.