Acupoint injection combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation in the treatment of postpartum pelvic floor disorders: A protocol of randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Female pelvic floor dysfunction is one of the common chronic diseases affecting women's physical and mental health. Pregnancy and delivery are one of the main causes. Pelvic floor rehabilitation is a common method for the treatment of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, but it has some defects. Acupoint injection has advantages in the treatment of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, but there is a lack of standard clinical research to verify it. Therefore, the purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupoint injection combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation in the treatment of postpartum pelvic floor disorders.

METHODS

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial to study the efficacy and safety of acupoints injection combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation. And it is approved by the Ethics Committee of Clinical Research of our hospital. Patients were randomly divided into observation group (acupoint injection combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation group) or control group (pelvic floor rehabilitation group alone). The patients were followed up for 8 weeks after 12 weeks of treatment. The observation indexes included: pelvic organ prolapse degree, pelvic floor muscle strength, urinary incontinence score, adverse reactions, among others. Data were analyzed using the statistical software package SPSS version 18.0.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupoint injection combined with pelvic floor rehabilitation in the treatment of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and provide reliable reference for the clinical application of this project.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

OSF Registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/VC65Z.

Women's Knowledge of Postpartum Anxiety Disorders, Depression, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

ABSTRACT

Although awareness of postpartum depression (PPD) has increased, postpartum anxiety disorders (PPA) remain overlooked. Understanding women's knowledge of PPA and their effective treatments is needed given the underutilization of treatment and associated negative health outcomes. Two internet-based studies (OSF [https://osf.io/3fjvr] preregistered follow-up) were conducted to identify women's knowledge and familiarity with PPD and PPA and knowledge of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Study 1 revealed that women who were planning to become pregnant, pregnant, or recently postpartum (N = 218) were less familiar with PPA than PPD and had limited familiarity with CBT. Women also reported low screening rates for PPA and low perceived treatment seeking for women with PPA and PPD. Study 2 (N = 290) revealed that recently postpartum women recognized fewer symptoms and recommended treatment less often for PPA than PPD and had limited CBT knowledge. Overall, results indicate limited knowledge of PPA compared with PPD, indicating a need for targeted information to perinatal women.

Moxibustion therapy for treating patients with postpartum urinary retention: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Postpartum urinary retention (PUR) is one of the most common complications after parturition which affect women's recovery after childbirth. Many clinical trials have shown that moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine therapy, is effective in treating PUR. But its effectiveness has not been evaluated scientifically and systematically. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of moxibustion therapy in treating patients with PUR.

METHODS

We will search the following electronic databases, regardless of publication status and languages, from their respective inception dates to February 2021: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails, Pubmed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Wan-Fang Database. Clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to moxibustion therapy for treating PUR will be included. Study selection, data collection, and quality assessment will be independently conducted by 2 researchers. For data synthesis, we will select either the fixed-effects or random-effects model according to heterogeneity assessment. Cure rates and postvoid residual volume (PVRV) will be the primary outcomes. The total effective rate and first urination time will be the second outcomes. Review Manager Software (RevMan) V.5.3 will be used if it is appropriate for meta-analysis. Otherwise, a systematic narrative synthesis will be conducted. The results will be presented as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for dichotomous data and weight mean difference (WMD) or standard mean difference (SMD) 95% CI for continuous data.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY 202140037.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is now increasingly recognized as a cause of heart failure in the later months of pregnancy and early postpartum period. Clinical diagnosis may be challenging as it closely resembles several common medical and obstetric complications. Complex pathogenesis, unpredictable onset, staggered recovery, and unanticipated fetomaternal risks pose unique challenge to clinicians. Prevalence seems to vary with race, geographic location, and diagnostic criteria. The presence of multiple risk factors substantially elevates the risk of PPCM. Transthoracic echocardiographic examination can exclude the majority of the mimickers. Symptomatic presentation is initially limited to, varying grades of low cardiac output syndrome. Rarely, PPCM begins with decompensated heart failure and cardiovascular collapse. Guideline-directed medical therapy involves graded initiation and titration of heart failure medications while ensuring the fetal and neonatal safety. Anesthetic and obstetric management should be individualized to improve fetomaternal outcomes. However, emergent cesarean delivery may be required in women with decompensated heart failure and cardiovascular collapse. An early institution of mechanical circulatory support has shown to improve outcome. Bromocriptine and other experimental drugs designed to target pathogenic pathway have yielded mixed results. A further change in approach to management requires a comprehensive understanding of pathophysiology and fetomaternal safety profiles of heart failure medications.

Single-unit vs multiple-unit transfusion in hemodynamically stable postpartum anemia: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The American Academy of Blood Banks recommends single-unit red cell transfusion protocols across medicine to reduce transfusion complications and the use of a scarce resource. There are minimal data regarding single-unit protocols in obstetrics.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare single-unit vs multiple-unit transfusion protocols for treatment of hemodynamically stable postpartum anemia.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a randomized trial comparing initial transfusion with 1 unit of packed red blood cells (single-unit protocol) to 2 units of packed red blood cells (multiple-unit protocol) from March 2018 to July 2019. Women who required transfusion >6 hours postpartum were approached for consent. Unstable vital signs, hemoglobin level <5 g/dL, hemoglobinopathy, and cardiomyopathy were exclusion criteria for enrollment. Hemoglobin assessment and standardized clinical evaluation were performed 4 to 6 hours posttransfusion; additional packed red blood cells were given if indicated. The primary outcome was total units transfused. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, endometritis, wound separation or infection, venous thromboembolism, and intensive care unit admission within 30 days postpartum. Breastfeeding, depression, maternal attachment, and fatigue scores were assessed at 4 to 9 weeks postpartum. A total of 66 women were required to detect a 20% reduction in units transfused with a single-unit protocol (power=80%; α=0.05).

RESULTS

A total of 66 women were randomized (33 per arm). There were no differences between groups in demographic or clinical characteristics, including delivery mode, blood loss, and randomization hemoglobin levels. The mean number of units transfused was lower in the single-unit protocol than in the multiple-unit protocol (1.2 U vs 2.1 U; P<.001). Only 18.2% of women in the single-unit arm required additional packed red blood cells. At posttransfusion assessment, women in the single-unit arm had lower hemoglobin levels (7.8 g/dL vs 8.7 g/dL; P<.001), but there were no differences in vital signs or symptoms between groups. There were also no differences in length of stay, 30-day complications, or 4 to 9 week postpartum outcomes.

CONCLUSION

In women with hemodynamically stable postpartum anemia, a single-unit protocol avoided a second unit of packed red blood cells in >80% of women without significant impact on morbidity. Our work supports the use of single-unit initial transfusion in this population.

Diagnostic dilemma in postpartum associated hemolytic uremic syndrome in a 38th week pregnant 31-year-old Congolese: a case report

BACKGROUND

Thrombotic microangiopathy is associated with HELLP syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, or atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) during pregnancy. Standard laboratory and physical examinations can help distinguish between these three diseases promptly and guide their management. This is critical because their managements and prognoses differ considerably. The ADAMTS13 test, complement tests, and biopsies can help ascertain the diagnosis; however, they take time, and are not widely available. In this case report, we present a case that highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas associated with the aforementioned diseases.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 31-year old P3G3 patient presented at 38 weeks with high blood pressure, bilateral pitting edema, and a low fetal heart rate. A cesarean section was performed to extract the fetus. On postoperative day 2, the suites were marked by anemia, low platelet count, acute kidney injury, declining liver function, and the presence of schistocytes on the peripheral thin smear. The patient was lucid, coherent, and presented no neurological deficits. The ADAMTS13 test and anti-complement therapy were not readily available, so the team made a presumptive diagnosis of aHUS based on the history, clinical presentation, and standard laboratory results. Due to a lack of anticomplement therapy, the patient was prescribed four sessions of hemodialysis. The renal function and platelet count gradually increased, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 18. The patient was followed for over a year and did not present relapses of thrombocytopenia or microangiopathic hemolytic anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

The prompt diagnosis and management of aHUS lead to favorable outcomes. Healthcare providers should be able to rapidly differentiate between pregnancy-associated thrombotic microangiopathies and prescribe appropriate management. Here, we highlighted the challenges of diagnosing and managing postpartum associated aHUS in a low-resource setting.

A network meta-analysis protocol of conservative interventions for urinary incontinence in postpartum women

BACKGROUND

Postpartum urinary incontinence (PPUI) is a common urological condition in women after childbirth. Due to the side effects of surgical and pharmacological therapies, the patients and physicians alike express a strong preference for conservative approaches on PPUI, such as pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, bladder training, vaginal cones and acupuncture. Application of these conservative approaches should be guided by high quality evidence, yet their comparative effectiveness has not been well documented. Therefore, the network meta-analysis aims to compare, rank and summarize all available studies to determine which conservative intervention is more effective for PPUI.

METHODS

In this present study, qualified English and Chinese studies will be searched in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, VIP Database, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All eligible randomized controlled trails (RCTs) of conservative interventions for PPUI will be included. R software 3.61 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) will be applied to synthesize data and conduct network meta-analysis. I statistic and Z test will be used to assess heterogeneity and inconsistency, respectively.

RESULTS

Ethical approval is not required for this existed literature based meta-analysis. The findings of this research will be disseminated through a recognized journal.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study will provide ranking evidence for clinicians and patients to choose a more appropriate conservative therapy on PPUI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42020168042.

Spontaneous renal fornix rupture in pregnancy and the post partum period: a systematic review of outcomes and management

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous renal fornix rupture (SRFR) causing urinoma is an uncommon but serious condition in pregnancy. Limited information is available to describe the natural history and outcomes to guide appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the natural history and outcomes of SRFR to determine appropriate management recommendations.

METHODS

A systematic review of literature databases was performed, using the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) checklist from 1950 - April 2020. Inclusion criteria included any urinary extravasation from the kidney or ureter during pregnancy, or in the 8 weeks following delivery, confirmed via imaging or surgery. Haematomas and non-confirmed cases were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 1579 records were originally identified, of which 39 case reports were appropriate for inclusion. SRFR was most commonly reported during the first pregnancy (72%), 19/30 during the third trimester and 9 in the post-natal period. All patients presented with pain, with haematuria positive on urine dipstick in only 36% of 26 reported cases. Ultrasound was the most frequently used imaging modality, resulting in a diagnosis in 42% of cases. All cases reported on treatment procedures including ureteric stents (46%), percutaneous drain (15%), conservative management (15%), nephrostomy (13%) and ureteral catherization (10%). Long term urological outcomes were positive, however women suffering SRFR were significantly more likely to undergo pre-term labour.

CONCLUSION

While selected cases may be successfully managed conservatively, urinary diversion, through ureteric stents, should be considered the management of choice in these individuals. Clinicians should be mindful of an increased risk of premature delivery and its' associated negative fetal outcomes.

Conservative treatment of patients with bladder genital tract fistula: Three case reports

INTRODUCTION

Most of the patients with bladder genital tract fistula recover with surgical treatment. In the present study, we aimed to assess conservative treatment strategies for bladder genital tract fistula.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We reviewed 3 cases with bladder genital tract fistula who underwent treatment at our hospital from January to June 2017. Patient 1 underwent cesarean delivery, Patient 2 underwent total abdominal hysterectomy bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAHBSO) and pelvic lymphadenectomy, and Patient 3 underwent extensive TAHBSO and pelvic lymphadenectomy. All 3 patients exhibited involuntary vaginal fluid outflow (average duration, 12.7 days; range, 7-21 days).

DIAGNOSIS

Patient 1 was diagnosed as vesicouterine fistula by cystosonography and Patient 2, Patient 3 was diagnosed as vesicovaginal fistula by cystoscopy.

INTERVENTIONS

All 3 patients underwent indwelling urinary catheterization.

OUTCOMES

No vaginal fluid outflow could be observed after treatment of all 3 patients.

CONCLUSION

Indwelling urinary catheterization should be administered for suitable patients as conservative treatment. If vesicouterine fistulas that are simple and have a diameter of <0.5 cm can be treated conservatively. If the condition does not resolve after 2 months, surgery should be considered.

Extracorporeal Life Support in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Background The use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has expanded to include unique populations such as peripartum women. This systematic review aims to (1) quantify the number of cases and indications for ECLS in women during the peripartum period reported in the literature and (2) report maternal and fetal complications and outcomes associated with peripartum ECLS. Methods and Results This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018108142). MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL were searched for case reports, case series, and studies reporting cases of ECLS during the peripartum period that reported one or more of the following outcomes: maternal survival, maternal complications, fetal survival, and/or fetal complications. Qualitative assessment of 221 publications evaluated the number of cases, clinical details, and maternal and fetal outcomes of ECLS during the peripartum period. There were 358 women included and 68 reported fetal outcomes in cases where the mother was pregnant at the time of cannulation. The aggregate maternal survival at 30 days was 270 (75.4%) and at 1 year was 266 (74.3%); fetal survival was 44 (64.7%). The most common indications for ECLS overall in pregnancy included acute respiratory distress syndrome 177 (49.4%), cardiac failure 67 (18.7%), and cardiac arrest 57 (15.9%). The most common maternal complications included mild to moderate bleeding 66 (18.4%), severe bleeding requiring surgical intervention 48 (13.4%), and intracranial neurologic morbidity 19 (5.3%). The most commonly reported fetal complications included preterm delivery 33 (48.5%) and neonatal intensive care unit admission 19 (27.9%). Conclusions Reported rates of survival in ECLS in pregnant and postpartum women are high and major complications relatively low.

Thyroid dysfunction following pregnancy and implications for breastfeeding

Subclinical autoimmune thyroiditis exacerbates after delivery through immune rebound mechanisms and results in 5 types of thyroid dysfunction. The prevalence of postpartum thyroid dysfunction is around 5% in mothers in the general population. Typically, an exacerbation induces destructive thyrotoxicosis followed by transient hypothyroidism, known as postpartum thyroiditis. Late development of permanent hypothyroidism is found frequently and patients should be followed up once every one to two years. Destructive thyrotoxicosis in postpartum thyroiditis should carefully be differentiated from post-partum Graves' disease. Postpartum thyroiditis typically occurs 1-4 months after parturition whereas Graves' disease develops at 4-12 months postpartum. Anti-TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) are typically positive and thyroid blood flow is high in Graves' disease, whereas these features are absent in postpartum thyroiditis. Postpartum Graves' disease should be treated with antithyroid drugs.

Bear bile use at the intersection of maternal health in Cambodia

BACKGROUND

The consumption of bear gallbladders and bear bile in Southeast Asia is a persistent threat to bear populations. As part of a larger effort to understand the characteristics of bear part consumption in Cambodia, we uncovered a consumer base of women seeking treatment for post-partum and uterine ailments.

METHODS

To better understand this aspect of consumption, we interviewed 122 women in seven different provinces in Cambodia, probing into the motivations and influences for using bear bile, as well as what types of ailments Cambodian women use it for.

RESULTS

We found that it is generally used by young or expecting mothers, and for such issues as post-partum "fatigue" (toas in Khmer), which could encompass post-partum depression. A desire to be supported by kin networks seems to facilitate the continued use of bear gallbladder and bile for these purposes.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that efforts to reduce consumption should focus on encouraging older kin to change their means of support to Western/biomedical and by extension non-wildlife alternatives.

Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing and treating urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women

BACKGROUND

About one-third of women have urinary incontinence (UI) and up to one-tenth have faecal incontinence (FI) after childbirth. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is commonly recommended during pregnancy and after birth for both preventing and treating incontinence. This is an update of a Cochrane Review previously published in 2017.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of PFMT for preventing or treating urinary and faecal incontinence in pregnant or postnatal women, and summarise the principal findings of relevant economic evaluations.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Specialised Register, which contains trials identified from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP, and handsearched journals and conference proceedings (searched 7 August 2019), and the reference lists of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised or quasi-randomised trials in which one arm included PFMT. Another arm was no PFMT, usual antenatal or postnatal care, another control condition, or an alternative PFMT intervention. Populations included women who, at randomisation, were continent (PFMT for prevention) or incontinent (PFMT for treatment), and a mixed population of women who were one or the other (PFMT for prevention or treatment).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias. We extracted data and assessed the quality of evidence using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 46 trials involving 10,832 women from 21 countries. Overall, trials were small to moderately-sized. The PFMT programmes and control conditions varied considerably and were often poorly described. Many trials were at moderate to high risk of bias. Two participants in a study of 43 pregnant women performing PFMT for prevention of incontinence withdrew due to pelvic floor pain. No other trials reported any adverse effects of PFMT. Prevention of UI: compared with usual care, continent pregnant women performing antenatal PFMT probably have a lower risk of reporting UI in late pregnancy (62% less; risk ratio (RR) 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20 to 0.72; 6 trials, 624 women; moderate-quality evidence). Antenatal PFMT slightly decreased the risk of UI in the mid-postnatal period (more than three to six months' postpartum) (29% less; RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.95; 5 trials, 673 women; high-quality evidence). There was insufficient information available for the late postnatal period (more than six to 12 months) to determine effects at this time point (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.21; 1 trial, 44 women; low-quality evidence). Treatment of UI: compared with usual care, there is no evidence that antenatal PFMT in incontinent women decreases incontinence in late pregnancy (very low-quality evidence), or in the mid-(RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.24; 1 trial, 187 women; low-quality evidence), or late postnatal periods (very low-quality evidence). Similarly, in postnatal women with persistent UI, there is no evidence that PFMT results in a difference in UI at more than six to 12 months postpartum (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.07; 3 trials; 696 women; low-quality evidence). Mixed prevention and treatment approach to UI: antenatal PFMT in women with or without UI probably decreases UI risk in late pregnancy (22% less; RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.94; 11 trials, 3307 women; moderate-quality evidence), and may reduce the risk slightly in the mid-postnatal period (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.97; 5 trials, 1921 women; low-quality evidence). There was no evidence that antenatal PFMT reduces the risk of UI at late postpartum (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.14; 2 trials, 244 women; moderate-quality evidence). For PFMT started after delivery, there was uncertainty about the effect on UI risk in the late postnatal period (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.09; 3 trials, 826 women; moderate-quality evidence). Faecal incontinence: eight trials reported FI outcomes. In postnatal women with persistent FI, it was uncertain whether PFMT reduced incontinence in the late postnatal period compared to usual care (very low-quality evidence). In women with or without FI, there was no evidence that antenatal PFMT led to a difference in the prevalence of FI in late pregnancy (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.14; 3 trials, 910 women; moderate-quality evidence). Similarly, for postnatal PFMT in a mixed population, there was no evidence that PFMT reduces the risk of FI in the late postnatal period (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.13 to 4.21; 1 trial, 107 women, low-quality evidence). There was little evidence about effects on UI or FI beyond 12 months' postpartum. There were few incontinence-specific quality of life data and little consensus on how to measure it.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review provides evidence that early, structured PFMT in early pregnancy for continent women may prevent the onset of UI in late pregnancy and postpartum. Population approaches (recruiting antenatal women regardless of continence status) may have a smaller effect on UI, although the reasons for this are unclear. A population-based approach for delivering postnatal PFMT is not likely to reduce UI. Uncertainty surrounds the effects of PFMT as a treatment for UI in antenatal and postnatal women, which contrasts with the more established effectiveness in mid-life women. It is possible that the effects of PFMT might be greater with targeted rather than mixed prevention and treatment approaches, and in certain groups of women. Hypothetically, for instance, women with a high body mass index (BMI) are at risk of UI. Such uncertainties require further testing and data on duration of effect are also needed. The physiological and behavioural aspects of exercise programmes must be described for both PFMT and control groups, and how much PFMT women in both groups do, to increase understanding of what works and for whom. Few data exist on FI and it is important that this is included in any future trials. It is essential that future trials use valid measures of incontinence-specific quality of life for both urinary and faecal incontinence. In addition to further clinical studies, economic evaluations assessing the cost-effectiveness of different management strategies for FI and UI are needed.

Case Demonstrating the Nuances of Acute Cortical Venous Thrombosis Anticoagulation Guidelines

BACKGROUND

The American Stroke Association and the European Stroke Organization have established guidelines on cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT); however, questions remain when an individual case does not fall within the inclusion criteria on which these guidelines are based. This is relevant when considering the use of anticoagulation in cases of CVT regarding whether or not associated hemorrhage is present and whether the hemorrhage is currently expanding.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 16-year-old right-handed female G2P2 (gravidity 2 [2 pregnancies] and parity 2 [2 live births after at least 24 weeks) presented 8 days postpartum with complaints of slurred speech, right facial droop, and right upper extremity numbness that had progressed over the course of 4 hours before presentation. On imaging the patient had a CVT with associated hemorrhage progressing in size at serial 6-hour stability computed tomography scans for 24 hours post arrival. At 24 hours the patient went into disseminated intravascular coagulation and demonstrated signs of herniation. The patient underwent an emergency hemicraniectomy along with a right frontal external ventricular drain for intracranial pressure monitoring. Most recently, the patient had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 and had a modified Rankin Scale score of 4 and was ultimately discovered to have antiphospholipid syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

This case of CVT demonstrates the need for critically reading guidelines, as in this case the time to anticoagulation treatment was shorter than in cases included in guideline construction and repeated computed tomography examination demonstrated expansion suggesting it is unsuitable for immediate anticoagulation. Certain cases may fall outside of the study parameters on which guidelines are constructed, and clinicians should be aware of these exceptions.

Severe Maternal Morbidity Cases in Israel in a High-Volume High-Resource Referral Center: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) is an objective marker of severe maternal morbidity (SMM).

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of obstetric ICU admissions in one medical center in Israel and to characterize this population.

METHODS

In this retrospective study the files of women coded for pregnancy, birth, or the perinatal period and admission to the ICU were pulled for data extraction (2005-2013).

RESULTS

During the study period, 111 women were admitted to the ICU among 120,279 women who delivered babies (0.09%). Their average age was 30 ± 6 years, most were multigravida, a few had undergone fertility treatments, and only 27% had complicated previous pregnancies. Most pregnancies (71.2%) were uneventful prior to admission. ICU admissions were divided equally between direct (usually hemorrhage) and indirect (usually cardiac disease) obstetric causes.

CONCLUSIONS

The indications for obstetrics ICU admission correlated with the proximate causes of maternal arrest observed worldwide. While obstetric hemorrhage is often unpredictable, deterioration of heart disease is foreseeable. Attention should be directed specifically toward improving the diagnosis and treatment of maternal heart disease during pregnancy in Israel.

[Thyroiditis: What's new in 2019?]

Thyroiditis is a frequent and mostly benign disease that can sometimes disrupt the thyroid balance. Their diagnosis, as well as their aetiology, is a necessary step in the management of the patients. Painful thyroiditis includes acute thyroiditis of infectious origin and subacute thyroiditis. The first one can be treated by antibiotics or antifungals depending on the germ found. The second one will be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. In cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with overt hypothyroidism, replacement therapy with L-thyroxine will be adapted to the TSH level. As amiodarone treatment provides dysthyroidism, the thyroid status should be monitored regularly. Hypothyroidism will be treated using thyroid replacement therapy. Hyperthyroidism imposes a stop of amiodarone when it is possible. Treatment with synthetic antithyroid drugs (propyl-thio-uracil) or corticosteroids could be used whether there is an underlying thyroid disease or not. Immunotherapies with anti-PD-1/PDL1 or anti-CTLA-4 can also provide dysthyroidism. A monitoring of the thyroid assessment needs to be done in these patients, even if there are no clinical signs, which are not very specific in this context. The treatment of hypothyroidism will be based on thyroid replacement therapy according to the TSH level and the presence or absence of anti-TPO antibodies. Treatment of symptomatic hyperthyroidism may involve a prescription of beta-blockers, or synthetic antithyroid drugs in case of positive anti-TSH receptor antibodies. In all cases, it is desirable to contact an endocrinologist to confirm the diagnosis hypothesis and to decide on a suitable treatment.

[Peripartum cardimyopathy - risk of delayed diagnosis]

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is defined as heart failure, with ejection fraction less than 45% that presents late during pregnancy or the first five months postpartum. Despite being described first in 1849 by Ritchie the mechanisms behind the disease are still not fully understood. However, oxidative stress during pregnancy and the cleavage of prolactine into its 16 kDa fragment appears to play a role in the pathophysiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy. In addition to optimal therapy for heart failure bromocriptine, an inhibitor of prolactine release, should be considered. Prevalence and prognosis varies geographically. Most often left ventricular ejection fraction is normalized after six months but sometimes the disease is associated with deteriorating heart failure and death. Therefore it is important for health care professionals caring for women in the peripartum period to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the diagnosis.

The Need for Dynamic Clinical Guidelines: A Systematic Review of New Research Published After Release of the 2017 ATA Guidelines on Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum

Background: The American Thyroid Association Guidelines on Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum (ATA Guidelines) were published in 2017, with an update not expected for another 5 years. Since release of the 2017 ATA Guidelines, greater than 500 articles have been published in the field. Furthermore, there are presently 14 prospective, interventional trials in progress registered at Clinicaltrials.gov Static guidelines updated every 5-7 years fail to provide timely evidence-based guidance to practicing clinicians. Consequently, guideline development should move toward the creation of dynamic documents. The present article reviews the literature published since the 2017 ATA Guidelines, both to benefit clinicians in practice and to make the case for Dynamic ATA Guidelines. Methods: Using the search terms "thyroid" and "pregnancy," a systematic review of literature published in Pubmed from 3/1/2017 to 12/31/2018 was conducted. The titles and/or abstracts of all articles were reviewed. All articles were classified by subject headings used in the 2017 ATA Guidelines. English-text articles classified under "hypothyroidism" or "thyroid autoimmunity" were examined in full-text. Using the questions and recommendations put forth by the previous ATA Guidelines, relevant articles were selected for discussion in this review. Results: At the time of the search, 659 unique articles on "thyroid and pregnancy" were identified, including 66 original studies on hypothyroidism and 26 on thyroid autoimmunity. Of these, 26 studies on hypothyroidism and 18 studies on thyroid autoimmunity were selected for inclusion in this review based on specific questions in the 2017 ATA Guidelines. Based on these 44 articles, we propose two specific changes to the 2017 ATA Guidelines. Conclusion: Based on new research, we recommend the 2017 ATA Guidelines be updated to recommend against treating thyroid antibody-negative women diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism in the second trimester or later; to reflect new, moderate-quality evidence supporting the treatment of thyroid peroxidase antibody-negative women with elevated thyroid stimulating hormone levels in the first trimester or earlier; and to recommend against treatment of euthyroid, thyroid peroxidase antibody-positive women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. Transitioning to a Dynamic ATA Guidelines would allow for these and future recommendations to be implemented in real time.

Psychological interventions for managing postpartum psychosis: a qualitative analysis of women's and family members' experiences and preferences

BACKGROUND

Postpartum psychosis is a rare, yet severe disorder, in which early identification and immediate intervention are crucial. Despite recommendations for psychological input, little is known about the types of psychological intervention reported to be helpful. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences, needs and preferences for psychological intervention from the perspective of women with postpartum psychosis and from the perspective of family members.

METHODS

Thirteen women and eight family members, including partners were interviewed. The data from these semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and inductively analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Twelve subthemes were identified and then organised around three main themes: 1) Seeking safety and containment, 2) Recognising and responding to the psychological impact and 3) Planning for the future. These themes highlight the temporal element of recovery from postpartum psychosis, because women's psychological needs and preferences changed over time. Emphasis was initially placed on ensuring safety, followed by a need to connect, process and adjust to their experiences. Additional needs were reported by women and family when planning for the future, including managing the fear of relapse and help to reach a decision about future pregnancies.

CONCLUSION

The results illustrate a range of areas in which psychological intervention could be delivered to facilitate and enhance recovery. Further research is needed to develop meaningful and effective psychological interventions and to investigate the most appropriate timing for this to be offered.

Challenges in diagnosing and managing adult patients with urea cycle disorders

Urea cycle disorders (UCD) are a group of rare inherited metabolic conditions of amino acid catabolism caused by an enzyme deficiency within the hepatic ammonia detoxification pathway. The presentation of these disorders ranges from life-threatening intoxication in the neonate to asymptomatic status in adults. Late-onset UCDs can present for the first time in adulthood and may mimic other causes of acute confusion or psychiatric diseases, and are often associated with neurological symptoms. Late-onset UCDs may become apparent during periods of metabolic stress such as rapid weight loss, gastric bypass surgery, chronic starvation or the postpartum period. Early diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and to prevent long-term complications of hyperammonemia. The challenges of management of adults include for example: (a) poor compliance to dietary and medical treatment which can result in recurrent hospital admissions; (b) severe neurological dysfunction; (c) the management of pregnancy and the postpartum period; and (d) access to multidisciplinary care peri-operatively. In this review, we highlight a number of challenges in the diagnosis and management of adult patient with late-onset UCDs and suggest a systematic management approach.

Postpartum deep vein thrombosis resolved by catheter-directed thrombolysis: A case report

RATIONALE

Postpartum deep vein thrombosis is a unique condition in diagnosis and treatment. Rivaroxaban, a novel oral anticoagulant, is indicated for acute deep vein thrombosis, but limited data have been reported for postpartum women. Catheter-directed thrombolysis is a common procedure for treating acute deep vein thrombosis, but it is rarely used for postpartum patients, especially after more than 3 months.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 31-year-old Asian woman suffered from progressive erythematous swelling and local heat of the left lower limb after twin delivery.

DIAGNOSES

Venous duplex ultrasound examination showed thrombus formation in the left femoral vein and popliteal vein with reduced compressibility. After standard treatment of novel oral anticoagulant therapy for 4 months, we observed only partial improvement of the symptoms, and the condition deteriorated after her ordinary activities.

INTERVENTIONS

Venography was performed and a large amount of thrombus lining from left femoral vein to left iliac vein was noted with total occluded left common iliac vein. After catheter-directed thrombolysis and balloon dilatation, better flow was regained and her symptoms improved completely after procedure.

OUTCOMES

During a 1-year follow-up without medication, the patient did not complain about leg swelling, exercise aggravation, or any other post-thrombotic symptoms.

LESSONS

Pregnancy seems to be a transient provoking factor for deep vein thrombosis, but it is sometimes refractory even during the postpartum period.Follow-up imaging studies should be encouraged to confirm the vessel condition, particularly for applying down-titration or discontinuation strategies of medication.Catheter-directed thrombolysis could be considered as an alternative method for postpartum iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis. Postpartum women usually have favorable functional status and lower bleeding risk.Rivaroxaban is a favorable choice for deep vein thrombosis, but its use in postpartum women is still controversial, and evidence of its effectiveness is not available. Thus, endovascular intervention can be a relatively safe therapy, in addition to anticoagulation therapy for premenopausal patients with recurrent deep vein thrombosis.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Home-Based Lifestyle Therapy on Postpartum Weight in Underserved Women with Overweight or Obesity

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a home-based lifestyle intervention delivered through Parents as Teachers (PAT), a national home-visiting organization, designed to minimize excessive weight gain through 12 months post partum in socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) African American women with overweight or obesity.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial was conducted at a single center as part of the Lifestyle Interventions for Expectant Moms (LIFE-Moms) consortium. Analysis was conducted with 185 SED African American women (BMI 25.0-45.0 kg/m² at pregnancy onset) retained from an original sample of 267 randomized to standard PAT or PAT+Lifestyle, which embedded lifestyle therapy within standard PAT delivered prenatally and for 12 months post partum.

RESULTS

Compared with standard PAT, the PAT+Lifestyle group gained less weight (2.5 kg vs. 5.7 kg; P = 0.01) and were more likely to return to their baseline weight (38.0% vs. 21.5%; P = 0.01) from baseline to 12 months post partum. There were no differences between groups in cardiometabolic outcomes, indices of glycemic control and insulin sensitivity, and plasma lipid profile. The estimated cost of PAT+Lifestyle was $81 more to deliver per family than standard PAT.

CONCLUSIONS

PAT+Lifestyle decreases weight gain during pregnancy through 12 months post partum in SED African American women with overweight or obesity at the start of pregnancy with minimal additional cost.