History of Maternal Mortality in the City of Ribeirão Preto, in its Regional Health Department, and in the State of São Paulo after the Establishment of the Maternal Committees from 1998 to 2017

OBJECTIVE

 To describe the evolution of maternal mortality right after the establishment of maternal death committees in the region of the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS

 The present study describes the spatial and temporal distribution of maternal mortality frequencies and rates, using data from the state of São Paulo, the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, and its Regional Health Department (DRS-XIII) from 1998 to 2017. The present ecological study considered the maternal mortality and live birth frequencies made available by the Computer Science Department of the Brazilian Unified Health System (Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde, DATASUS, in the Portuguese acronym)/Ministry of Health, which were grouped by year and political-administrative division (the state of São Paulo, the DRS-XIII, and the city of Ribeirão Preto). The maternal mortality rate (MMR) was calculated and presented through descriptive measures, graphs, and cartograms.

RESULTS

 The overall MMR observed for the city of Ribeirão Preto was of 39.1; for the DRS-XIII, it was of of 40.4; and for the state of São Paulo, it was of 43.8 for every 100 thousand live birhts. During this period, the MMR for the city of Ribeirão Preto ranged from 0% to 80% of the total maternal mortalities, and from 40.7% to 47.2% of live births in the DRS-XIII. The city of Ribeirao Preto had an MMR of 76.5 in 1998and 1999, which decreased progressively to 12.1 until the years of 2012 and 2013, and increased to 54.3 for every 100 thousand live births over the past 4 years. The state of São Paulo State had an MMR of 54.0 in 1998-1999, which varied throughout the study period, with values of 48.0 in 2008-2009, and 54.1 for every 100 thousand live births in 2016-2017. Several times before 2015, the city of Ribeirão Preto and the DRS-XIII reached the Millennium Goals. Recently, however, the MMR increased, which can be explained by the improvement in the surveillance of maternal mortality.

CONCLUSION

 The present study describes a sharp decline in maternal death in the region of Ribeirão Preto by the end of 2012-2013, and a subsequent and distressing increase in recent years that needs to be fully faced.

Limb Body Wall Complex Associated with Placenta Accreta: A Mere Coincidence or a Sign of an Etiopathogenic Link?

A case was reported of a fetus with the anomaly of limb body wall complex associated with placenta accreta. To date, only one account of this condition has been published in the world literature. Due to the low frequency of both complications, the hypothesis has been raised that this association may have happened not by mere coincidence, but rather by a possible common etiopathogenic mechanism. For the first time, a study proposes the existence of a possible etiopathogenic connection between the anomaly of limb body wall complex and hypoxic disorders caused by inadequate placentation in previous uterine scarring.

Epidemiological Risk Factors and Perinatal Outcomes of Congenital Anomalies

Objectives To identify the epidemiological risk factors for congenital anomalies (CAs) and the impact of these fetal malformations on the perinatal outcomes. Methods This prospective cohort study comprised 275 women whose fetuses had CAs. Maternal variables to establish potential risk factors for each group of CA and perinatal outcomes were evaluated. The primary outcome was CA. Secondary outcomes included: fetal growth restriction (FGR); fetal distress (FD); premature rupture of membranes (PROM); oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios; preterm delivery (PTD); stillbirth; cesarean section; low birth weight; Apgar score < 7 at the 1st and 5th minutes; need for assisted ventilation at birth; neonatal infection; need for surgical treatment; early neonatal death; and hospitalization time. Chi-square (χ(2)) test and multilevel regression analysis were applied to compare the groups and determine the effects of maternal characteristics on the incidence of CAs. Results The general prevalence of CAs was of 2.4%. Several maternal characteristics were associated to CAs, such as: age; skin color; level of education; parity; folic acid supplementation; tobacco use; and history of previous miscarriage. There were no significant differences among the CA groups in relation to FGR, FD, PROM, 1-minute Apgar score > 7, and need for assisted ventilation at birth. On the other hand, the prevalence of the other considered outcomes varied significantly among groups. Preterm delivery was significantly more frequent in gastrointestinal tract/abdominal wall defects. The stillbirth rate was increased in all CAs, mainly in isolated fetal hydrops (odds ratio [OR]: 27.13; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 2.90-253.47). Hospitalization time was higher for the urinary tract and congenital heart disease groups (p < 0.01). Neonatal death was significantly less frequent in the central nervous system anomalies group. Conclusion It was possible to identify several risk factors for CAs. Adverse perinatal outcomes were presented in all CA groups, and may differ according to the type of CA considered.

[Fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma: analysis of five cases]

PURPOSE

to analyze the differential diagnosis, follow-up and therapeutic approach in five cases of primary cardiac tumors diagnosed during the prenatal period.

METHODS

during the period from January 1997 to December 2008, 7989 pregnant women were submitted to morphological ultrasound due to the presence of risk factors for fetal malformations. Fetuses with hyperechogenic intracardiac masses larger than 1 mm diagnosed by ultrasound evaluation of the fetal heart, were selected for study. The differential diagnosis between the different tumor types was made on the basis of the ultrasound characteristics of the masses.

RESULTS

five fetuses with hiperechogenic intracardiac masses were diagnosed, corresponding to a 0.06% prevalence rate. Gestational age ranged from 28 to 36 weeks (mean: 31), and maternal age ranged from 23 to 45 years (mean: 34.2). The most frequent location of the masses was the left ventricle (100%). Echographically, all masses were single or multiple, hyperechogenic, homogeneous and well delimited, compatible with a diagnosis of rhabomyoma. In cases in which the diameters of the masses were less than 20 mm, an expectant conduct was followed and no complications occurred during the prenatal period. One case with a huge tumor presented arrhythmia and cardiac insufficiency during the 35 gestational weeks, and the interruption of pregnancy was indicated. Tuberous sclerosis was associated in four cases (80%) and the diagnosis was confirmed during the postnatal follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

fetal morphological ultrasonography is the main form of early detection of primary cardiac tumors. The fetal cardiac evaluation is of fundamental importance for the differential morphological characterization of cardiac masses and for the evaluation of cardiac function. Rhabdomyomas are the most common type of fetal tumor. An expectant pre and postnatal conduct is followed, with a low risk of complications and with the possibility of spontaneous regression in most cases. Postnatal clinical follow-up is mandatory due to the high frequency of associated tuberous sclerosis.

[Conjoined twins: an experience of a tertiary hospital in Southeast Brazil]

PURPOSE

to analyze the occurrence of conjoined twins at a tertiary perinatology reference university hospital over a period of 25 years (January 1982 to January 2007) and to describe the successful separation of one of the pairs.

METHODS

we consulted retrospectively the database of the University Hospital of the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil, in order to determine the number of pairs of conjoined twins, their frequency, classification, gender, type of pregnancy resolution, attempted surgical separation, prenatal diagnosis and survival.

RESULTS

we detected 14 pairs of conjoined twins (1/22,284 live births and 1/90 pairs of twin live births) born during this period (six males, seven females and one of indeterminate sex). The prenatal diagnosis was performed in all twins and all births were accomplished by cesarean section. The separation was possible in only one pair, which survives in excellent health conditions after eight years. Of the remaining 13, ten died on the day of birth and three survived only a few months (less than one year).

CONCLUSION

Although our study revealed an abnormally high number of conjoined twins, this is a rare phenomenon, with a poor perinatal prognosis depending on the organs shared by the twins and associated malformations, especially those related to the fetal heart. Due to the poor prognosis of these pairs and to the maternal reproductive impairment caused by the need to perform body cesareans, we suggest that, based on these numbers, early interruption of these pregnancies be legally granted, as in the case of other diseases incompatible with fetal survival outside the uterus. Thus, the confirmation of a diagnosis of conjoined twins and the resolution of pregnancy should be performed at a tertiary obstetric and perinatal care center, and an authorization for the interruption of pregnancy should be obtained by judicial means.

A critical analysis of Doppler velocimetry in the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign ovarian masses

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the intratumoral reliability of color Doppler parameters and the contribution of Doppler sonography to the gray-scale differential diagnosis of ovarian masses.

METHODS

An observational study was performed including 67 patients, 15 (22.4%) with malignant ovarian neoplasm and 52 (77.6%) with benign ovarian diseases. We performed the Doppler evaluation in two distinct vessels selected after decreasing the Doppler gain to sample only vessels with higher velocity flow. Doppler measurements were obtained from each identified vessel, and resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured. Intraclass coefficient of correlation (ICC), sensitivity, specificity, and potential improvement in gray-scale ultrasound performance were calculated.

RESULTS

The general ICC were 0.60 (95% CI 0.42-0.73) for RI, 0.65 (95% CI 0.49-0.77) for PI, 0.07 (95% CI -0.17-0.30) for PSV, and 0.19 (95% CI -0.05-0.41) for EDV. The sensitivity and specificity were respectively 84.6% and 86.7% for RI, 69.2% and 93.3% for PI, 80.0% and 65.4% for gray-scale sonography, and 93.3% and 65.4% for gray-scale plus RI (p = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

Gynecologists must be careful in interpreting results from Doppler evaluation of ovarian masses because PSV and EDV present poor intratumoral reliability. The lower RI value, evaluated in at least two distinct sites of the tumor, was able to improve the performance of gray-scale ultrasound in differential diagnosis of ovarian masses.

Doppler e marcadores séricos maternos na predição de complicações da gestação

OBJETIVO: Comparar a eficácia do Doppler das artérias uterinas e de marcadores séricos maternos na predição de complicações da gestação. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo com 49 primigestas, incluídas no estudo na 18ª semana, sendo coletada a amostra sanguínea para a realização das dosagens séricas, realizadas pelo método de quimioluminescência (alfa-fetoproteína, gonadotrofina coriônica humana e óxido nítrico) e radioimunoensaio (peptídio atrial natriurético). O Doppler das artérias uterinas foi realizado entre 24-26 semanas, determinando a presença ou ausência de incisura na onda de velocidade de fluxo. Na análise estatística utilizou-se o teste de Mann-Whitney, para amostras não-paramétricas, e o teste exato de Fisher, para parâmetros qualitativos. RESULTADOS: Os valores de sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e valor preditivo negativo foram, respectivamente, de 8,3%, 97,0%, 50,0% e 74,4% para a alfa-fetoproteína; 8,3%, 87,9%, 20,0% e 72,5% para a gonadotrofina coriônica humana; 16,7%, 97,0%, 33,3% e 76,2% para o peptídio atrial natriurético; e 16,7%, 93,9%, 50,0% e 75,6% para o óxido nítrico. A sensibilidade do Doppler foi de 75,0%, especificidade de 63,6%, valor preditivo positivo de 57,1% e valor preditivo negativo de 87,5%. CONCLUSÃO: O Doppler das artérias uterinas é melhor preditor de complicações da gestação quando comparado a alguns marcadores séricos em populações de baixo risco.

Qual o melhor período para a realização do doppler das artérias uterinas na predição de complicações da gestação?

OBJETIVO: Avaliar, prospectivamente, qual o melhor período para a realização do Doppler das artérias uterinas na predição de complicações da gestação. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi conduzido estudo prospectivo em 45 pacientes primigestas, sem história de doenças crônicas. O Doppler das artérias uterinas foi realizado entre 18-20, 24-26, 28-30 e 34-36 semanas, com determinação do índice de resistência, índice de pulsatilidade, relação A/B e a presença ou ausência de incisura na onda de velocidade de fluxo, assim como o resultado da gestação. RESULTADOS: Os índices Doppler apresentaram decréscimo com o decorrer da gestação, mais pronunciado nas gestações normais quando estas foram comparadas com aquelas que tiveram complicações, de maneira mais acentuada no exame realizado entre 24-26 semanas. A melhor relação entre sensibilidade e especificidade para a detecção de complicações durante a gestação foi obtida no exame realizado entre 24-26 semanas. CONCLUSÃO: O melhor período para a realização do Doppler das artérias uterinas na predição de complicações da gestação é o intervalo entre 24-26 semanas.

Avaliação prospectiva do índice de líquido amniótico em gestações normais e complicadas

OBJETIVO: Analisar, prospectivamente, o índice de líquido amniótico em gestantes de baixo risco que apresentaram ou não complicações da gestação e do período perinatal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi estudado, de modo prospectivo, o índice de líquido amniótico de 45 primigestas sem doenças no momento da inclusão no estudo. O índice foi avaliado em quatro períodos da gestação - 18-20, 24-26, 28-30 e 34-36 semanas - e seus valores foram correlacionados com o surgimento de complicações gestacionais e perinatais, Doppler das artérias uterinas, idade gestacional ao parto, vias de parto e o peso dos recém-nascidos. RESULTADOS: O índice de líquido amniótico não mostrou diferença estatística entre as pacientes com gestações normais e complicadas em nenhum dos quatro períodos estudados. Também não mostrou associação com a idade gestacional ao parto, as vias de parto e o peso dos recém-nascidos. Observou-se que a média do índice de líquido amniótico entre 28-30 semanas é mais elevada (p = 0,004) nas pacientes com incisura bilateral do que nas com Doppler normal. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação prospectiva do índice de líquido amniótico em gestações de baixo risco parece não ser um bom preditor de complicações gestacionais ou perinatais.

Hormonal assessment of women submitted to tubal ligation

Sixteen fertile women aged 30-35 years with regular menstruations were studied before and 6 months after tubal ligation (TL). The diagnosis of ovulation was based on clinical ultrasonographic and hormonal parameters [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), E2 and P4]. The menstrual pattern did not vary before and after surgery. Follicular or luteal phase FSH and E2 levels did not differ between the pre- and post-TL period. Luteinizing hormone levels on days -2 and 0 of the follicular phase were significantly higher during the post-TL period, while no difference was observed for the luteal phase. P4 levels during the follicular phase did not differ between the two periods, except for day -4, while they were lower during the post-TL luteal phase. The results of the study suggest that in the present patient group, no modifications in the menstrual pattern could be observed 6 months after TL, and TL appears not to interfere with ovulation. Luteinizing hormone levels showed an increase during the ovulatory period after TL, and progesterone secretion decreased during the post-TL luteal phase.

Raloxifene therapy does not affect uterine blood flow in postmenopausal women: a transvaginal Doppler study

OBJECTIVE

To monitor the effects of raloxifene therapy on the uterus of postmenopausal women by transvaginal ultrasonography and color flow Doppler.

METHODS

Twenty-five healthy postmenopausal women were enrolled in this prospective longitudinal study performed at Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto. The patients were treated with raloxifene hydrochloride (60 mg per day) for 6 months. All were submitted to transvaginal ultrasound examination with color flow Doppler (ATL-HDI 3000 equipment) before the beginning and after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment. Resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine arteries were determined by the Doppler method, being considered as indicators of uterine perfusion. The following variables were analyzed: endometrial thickness, uterine volume, RI, and PI. Data were analyzed statistically by repeated-measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Before treatment, endometrial thickness was 3.38 +/- 0.73 mm, and similar values were observed after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment (3.04 +/- 0.82; 3.3 +/- 0.83; and 3.37 +/- 0.79, respectively) (P > 0.05). No significant differences in uterine volume were observed between the pre- and post-treatment periods. Uterine artery perfusion as indicated by RI and PI measured by Doppler also showed no significant variation, with a high impedance flow being maintained throughout treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In the group studied here, raloxifene treatment at the dose of 60 mg per day for 6 months did not induce significant changes in endometrial thickness, uterine volume or uterine artery perfusion, confirming that short-term raloxifene treatment does not affect the uterus of postmenopausal women.

Prospective evaluation of renal artery resistance and pulsatility indices in normal pregnant women

OBJECTIVES

To establish normal values for renal artery resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) during gestation and, by comparison with non-pregnant controls, to determine if pregnancy affects these indices.

METHODS

This was a prospective longitudinal study involving 36 normal pregnant women who underwent a total of 280 examinations at 4-week intervals from the 6th gestational week to the end of pregnancy. High-resolution ultrasound equipment with 'triplex' Doppler facilities was used. RI and PI were obtained for the main arteries of both kidneys. The same evaluation was performed in 15 non-pregnant women as controls.

RESULTS

The mean RI in pregnant and non-pregnant women was the same (0.65 +/- 0.03 for controls and 0.65 +/- 0.02 for the pregnant women). For PI, the values were 1.25 +/- 0.12 for non-pregnant women and 1.18 +/- 0.09 for pregnant women. The only statistical difference (P < 0.05) was found between the PI of the left renal artery in the control group (1.29 +/- 0.20) and that in the pregnant group at the 8-12-week interval of gestational age (1.08 +/- 0.14).

CONCLUSIONS

No significant alterations in renal artery RI and PI occur during normal pregnancy, except for in a subgroup of patients between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation.

Doppler study of the uterine arteries and ovarian stroma in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Doppler analysis of the uterine arteries and ovarian stroma was performed by transvaginal ultrasound in 24 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 22 ovulatory women. Vascularization of the ovarian stroma was more abundant in patients with PCOS than in control women, but no significant difference in the mean pulsatility index (PI) was observed between groups (1.14 +/- 0.28 for the PCOS group and 1.05 +/- 0.19 for the control group). The mean PI of the uterine arteries was significantly higher in the PCOS group (PI = 3.7 +/- 0.8) than in the control group (PI = 2.9 +/- 0.4). In the patients with PCOS, no correlation was observed between PI and luteinizing hormone, testosterone or androstenedione levels. Obesity had no effect on uterine artery PI, with no significant differences in this index when the 3 groups were subdivided into obese and non-obese groups.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal ovarian hyperstimulation

A case of prenatal diagnosis of fetal ovarian hyperstimulation in a pregnancy of 35 weeks is reported. Two large cystic septate ovaries with no internal vegetations were observed in the fetal abdomen. The fetus was macrosomic and the remaining morphology was normal. Polyhydramnios and placental thickening were present, with no other macro- or microscopic alterations. The only significant maternal change detected was elevation of blood beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) levels. Evaluation of the newborn confirmed the prenatal diagnosis, with progressive and spontaneous regression of fetal ovarian volume and of maternal serum beta-hCG occurring after delivery.

Quantitation of immunoglobulin A in the human chorioamniotic membrane

Thirty-eight chorioamniotic membranes were obtained from normal patients divided into three groups according to time of rupture. A protein extract was obtained by destruction and differential centrifugation and immunoglobulin A was measured by the method of Mancini. The authors demonstrated that it is possible to quantitate immunoglobulin A. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups.

Demonstration of the presence of IgA in the human chorioamniotic membrane

The presence of IgA was detected by direct immunofluorescence techniques in the chorion and decidua of eight fragments of chorioamniotic membranes obtained near the rupture edge from eight normal patients. It is suggested that, similar to what occurs in other organic systems, a first barrier against infection of the amniotic chamber exists at this site.