Obstetric and neonatal outcomes, antiseizure medication profile, and seizure types in pregnant women in a vulnerability state from Brazil.

This retrospective cohort study described the obstetric and neonatal outcomes, antiseizure medication (ASM) use, and types of seizures in pregnant women with epilepsy (PWWE). Data collected from the medical records of 224 PWWE aged < 40 years with controlled or refractory seizures and 492 pregnant women without epilepsy (PWNE) control group from high-risk maternity hospitals in Alagoas between 2008 and 2021 were included in this study. The obstetric and neonatal outcomes observed in PWWE were pregnancy-related hypertension (PrH) (18.4%), oligohydramnios (10.3%), stillbirth (6.4%), vaginal bleeding (6%), preeclampsia (4.7%), and polyhydramnios (3%). There was a greater likelihood of PrH in PWWE with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) and that of maternal intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in those with GTCS and status epilepticus, and phenytoin and lamotrigine use. PWWE with GTCS had a higher risk of stillbirth and premature delivery. PWWE with status epilepticus were treated with lamotrigine. Phenobarbital (PB) with diazepam were commonly used in GTCS and status epilepticus. Total 14% patients did not use ASM, while 50.2% used monotherapy and 35.8% used polytherapy. Total 60.9% of patients used PB and 25.2% used carbamazepine. This study described the association between the adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes and severe seizure types in PWWE.

Socio-demographic profiles and obstetrics outcomes of pregnant women with epilepsy in a vulnerability State, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: The socio-demographic profile of pregnant women in low- and middle- income countries is characterized by low educational attainment and unemployment, leading to social and economic morbidity. characterized by limited opportunities for education, employment, and marriage, which are strongly related to the stigmatization of the disease. The study of the socio- profile and obstetric outcomes of pregnant women with epilepsy in Alagoas, Brazil, may help understand this scenario and facilitate the development of public policy strategies to reduce local morbidity. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the sociodemographic profile of pregnant women with epilepsy and obstetric outcomes in Alagoas, Brazil. METHODS: This cohort study was based on medical records of pregnant women with epilepsy in Brazilian high-risk maternity hospitals from 2008 to 2020. The following data were collected: age, race, education, marital status, occupation, number of pregnancies, delivery, and abortion. The inclusion criteria were pregnant women with and without epilepsy (control group) aged < 40 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of PWWE was 0.49% (n = 224/44,917). Cesarean delivery was more frequent in PWWE than in pregnant women without epilepsy (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 22.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 14.35-33.73; p<0,01). Abortion was associated with PWWE (OR adjusted = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.13-2.61; p = 0.01). Pregnant women in the countryside were more likely to develop epilepsy than those born in the capital (OR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.12-2.14; p <0.01). CONCLUSION: The PWWE socio-demographic profile of the Alagoas had a predominance of brown- colored skin, single status, homemakers, and illiteracy with a high proportion residing in the interior of the state. The obstetrics data show a higher incidence of cesarean deliveries and miscarriages.

New Brazilian variant of the SARS-CoV-2 (P1/Gamma) of COVID-19 in Alagoas state.

Since the beginning of 2020, health authorities have been monitoring the cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has grown every day in Brazil and around the world, becoming pandemic. The new coronavirus, also called SARS-CoV-2 by scientists spreads rapidly, causing fear, deaths, and threats for the economy of several countries. This work aimed to describe the clinical characterization of the first cases of a new Brazilian variant of SARS-CoV-2 (P1) in the State of Alagoas, which occurred on February 16th, 2021. Two cases are described: first, a person infected in Amazonas State, where the new variant P1 was first described, who migrated to Alagoas State, and second, a case of probable community transmission within Alagoas, since the patient had no history of recent travel. In both confirmed cases the symptoms were mild. Further studies are necessary to better understand the clinical behavior of P1 SARS-CoV-2 variant and also the associated sequelae in the context of COVID-19.

New Brazilian variant of the SARS-CoV-2 (P1/Gamma) of COVID-19 in Alagoas state

ABSTRACT Since the beginning of 2020, health authorities have been monitoring the cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has grown every day in Brazil and around the world, becoming pandemic. The new coronavirus, also called SARS-CoV-2 by scientists spreads rapidly, causing fear, deaths, and threats for the economy of several countries. This work aimed to describe the clinical characterization of the first cases of a new Brazilian variant of SARS-CoV-2 (P1) in the State of Alagoas, which occurred on February 16th, 2021. Two cases are described: first, a person infected in Amazonas State, where the new variant P1 was first described, who migrated to Alagoas State, and second, a case of probable community transmission within Alagoas, since the patient had no history of recent travel. In both confirmed cases the symptoms were mild. Further studies are necessary to better understand the clinical behavior of P1 SARS-CoV-2 variant and also the associated sequelae in the context of COVID-19.

Characterization of the sleep-wake cycle of the Neotropical rodent Proechimys guyannensis.

OBJECTIVES: To better understand the sleep-wake cycle characteristics in the female Neotropical rodent Proechimys guyannensis related to comparative neurobiology. METHODS: Surface neocortical and hippocampal electrodes were chronically implanted in the brains of female Wistar and Proechimys animals. In addition, electrodes for the study of muscle activity were implanted into the neck muscle of both species. After surgical recovery and a period of adaptation, animals were continuously registered for periods as long as 48 h. RESULTS: In both the light and dark phases of the cycle, significant differences in some electrographic patterns were observed between the Proechimys and Wistar animals. Although Proechimys has nocturnal activities and a pattern of polyphasic sleep similar to Wistar rats, the analysis of its sleep-wakefulness cycle indicates that the Neotropical rodent sleeps less with consequent longer periods of wakefulness when compared to Wistar rats. CONCLUSIONS: Together with previous findings of different neuroanatomical, neurophysiologic and behavioral characteristics, this study allow us to better understand adaptive differences of the Neotropical rodent Proechimys.