Maternal Death After Second-Trimester Genetic Amniocentesis

Mid-trimester amniocentesis and antibiotic prophylaxis

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

Assuming that the rate of fetal loss after amniocentesis may be reduced in patients receiving antibiotic prophylaxis, we conducted a retrospective study on untreated versus treated patients receiving prophylactic antibiotics (amoxicillin/clavulanic-acid or azithromycin) and evaluated the fetal loss rate within the 22nd week of gestation, also with respect to the risk of spontaneous abortion, both preexisting and related to mid-trimester amniocentesis.

RESULTS

Spontaneous abortion occurred in 22 cases out of 1744 (1.26%). The incidence of spontaneous abortion was 1.3% among patients treated with antibiotic prophylaxis and 1.2% among untreated patients. Between patients with risk factors that predated amniocentesis, the spontaneous fetal loss rate was 9.2% in untreated patients versus 2.3% in patients treated (p = 0.10). In patients with procedure-related risk factors at amniocentesis, the spontaneous abortion rate was, respectively, 2.2 and 1.2% (p = 0.72).

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate that antibiotic prophylaxis does not reduce the risk of spontaneous abortion within the 22nd week of gestation. Compared with untreated patients, patients treated with amoxicillin showed the lower fetal loss rate (1.16 vs 0.31%), but the difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio (OR) = 3.68, p = 0.32). The same was true for patients with preexisting risks (OR = 4.25, p = 0.10).

Fulminant Sepsis after Second-Trimester Amniocentesis in Pregnant Women by in vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

Second-trimester amniocentesis is a common procedure for prenatal diagnosis. Sepsis is a rare complication after amniocentesis and may rapidly deteriorate if prompt treatment, including broad-spectrum antibiotics and removal of the infected abortus, is delayed. In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is a standard final treatment for infertile women. Transvaginal oocyte retrieval is necessary for such women; this procedure potentially causes Escherichia coli attaching and effacing in the abdominal cavity. Here we report that two pregnant women by IVF-ET developed sepsis after second-trimester amniocentesis. The cause of sepsis after amniocentesis is still unknown. We provided the possibility of the causation of the E. coli infection associated with the previous intra-abdominal procedure, but it needs more evidence to prove it.

Maternal Morbidity following Routine Second Trimester Genetic Amniocentesis

Two cases of septic complications of routine second trimester amniocentesis are presented. The first case is a 37-year-old gravida suffering from ulcerative colitis who was admitted for amniocentesis in the 18th week of her third pregnancy. An uncomplicated transabdominal amniocentesis was performed using a sterile technique and ultrasound guidance. Twenty-eight hours later the patient had a septic abortion and sepsis. The second case is a 34-year-old gravida in the 24th week of her pregnancy who was admitted with amnionitis 10 h after an uncomplicated amniocentesis, and subsequently had a septic abortion. A high index of suspicion and rapid intervention were crucial in both cases.

Litigation in Obstetrics: a Lesson Learnt and a Lesson to Share

A perfect baby is the expectation of all parents, and a perfect outcome is the mission of obstetrics. Every obstetrician dreads to hear that there is an unexpected maternal mortality and/or severe fetal injury at the hospital. The role of a perceived public expectation of perfection in obstetric medicine reflects a belief that bad outcomes in obstetrics should not be tolerated and that every maternal-fetal injury merits financial compensation and punishment. What has brought these troubling times to obstetric medicine? The drivers behind malpractice crises are the four leading interest groups in the medical-legal debate: pregnant patients and their environment (husband, parents, relatives, friends, legislators, and the media), health-care providers, insurance companies, and trial attorneys. Litigation in obstetrics is the result of a complex of events when malpractice (presumed or real) impacts on the attitude of pregnant women and their environment. In such complexity, information is mandatory but may often be misinterpreted. If messages are not tailored to the receiver's capacity, communicating well with the pregnant patient becomes crucial. Therefore, to reduce medical-legal issues in obstetrics, increasing attention and an applicable standard of obstetric care to avoid negligence and medical errors should go along with better communication with pregnant women. Communication should be clear, targeted, effective, flexible, and empathic to share a common language and decisions. This review briefly presents and discusses some of the most frequently encountered medical-legal claim cases in obstetric practice. In-depth review of pregnancy-related deaths and major morbidities can help determine strategies needed to continue making pregnancy safer.