Umbilical cord serum activin A levels are increased in pre-eclampsia with impaired blood flow in the uteroplacental and fetal circulation

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the umbilical cord serum activin A concentrations in complicated pregnancies and also to explore the relationship between activin A levels and blood flow velocity in fetal arteries. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained postpartum after a full term uneventful gestation (control group, n=40), and from pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes (n=13), preterm labour (n=18), or pre-eclampsia (n=19). Cord serum activin A levels were three-fold higher in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia (1.17+/-0.14 ng/ml, p<0.01) than in the control group (0.43+/-0.03 ng/ml), but were unaltered in the diabetes and preterm labour groups. The pre-eclampsia group had a marked increase of umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) and also a decrease of middle cerebral artery PI (p<0.01). Furthermore, activin A concentration correlated directly with the umbilical artery PI (r=0.540, p=0.021), with the length of stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (r=0.857, p<0.001) and also with cord blood pH (r=-0.886, p<0.001). In conclusion, umbilical cord serum activin A levels are increased in the presence of pre-eclampsia and provide an indirect marker of impaired blood flow in the uteroplacental and fetal circulation.     

Analysis of umbilical artery flow parameters during fetal variable decelerations using computerized Doppler waveforms

Umbilical artery velocity waves were obtained by Doppler ultrasonography before, during, and after 20 episodes of fetal heart rate (FHR) variable decelerations (VD) during the active stage of labor in 8 women. During 50% of the VD periods, the umbilical artery resistance flow parameters increased significantly (p < 0.01). The increase in resistance preceded the decrease in FHR in six episodes (30%) of VD (AR-VD group; arterial resistance VD) and did not precede the change in FHR in another ten episodes (50%) of VD (VR-VD group; venous resistance VD). In the AR-VD group the FHR accelerations occurred before the decelerations in only 1 case (17%), while in the VR-VD group FHR accelerations preceded the decelerations in 8 out of the 10 episodes (80%). Using these Doppler studies, it may be possible to differentiate between two groups of VD: AR-VD - which are caused by umbilical artery occlusion and thus preceded by a measurable increase in umbilical artery resistance - and VR-VD - which are not preceded by a measurable increase in umbilical artery resistance and may be caused by fetal hypoxia.     

Thrombosis of the right umbilical artery, presumably related to the shortness of the umbilical cord: an unusual cause of fetal distress

This case report concerns a late pregnancy complication, clinically apparent as severe variable decelerations in the first stage of labor. Emergency cesarean section delivered a mildly asphyxiated full-term newborn infant. Examination of the umbilical cord revealed a thrombus of the right umbilical artery, near the fetal side, confirmed by histological examination. The total length of the umbilical cord, only 30 cm, was below the limit necessary for uncomplicated delivery of the fetus near term. Transient stretching during fetal descent is thought to be responsible for constriction of the umbilical arteries, blood flow sludging and thrombosis. Although only a few cases have been reported, thrombosis of the umbilical vessels has to be considered whenever the fetal heart rate pattern shows unexplained variable decelerations.     

Significance for fetal outcome of poor prognostic features in fetal heart rate traces with variable decelerations

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical significance of the existence of poor prognostic features in fetal heart rate (FHR) traces with variable decelerations. STUDY DESIGN: This study was prospectively performed on 167 randomly selected women with a singleton pregnancy at term. Ninety-one patients had an FHR trace without pathological features. The remaining 76 women had variable decelerations and their FHR traces were analyzed carefully for the existence of poor prognostic features. Fetal and neonatal outcomes were compared in the normal and variable deceleration groups. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the groups in 1 and 5 minute Apgar scores, fetal heart rate (FHR), umbilical artery blood pH, pCO2; whereas no significant differences were found in the levels of umbilical artery HCO3, pO2. CONCLUSION: Prolonged deceleration had the highest specificity for 1 minute Apgar score < 7.5 minute Apgar score < 7 and umbilical artery blood pH < 7.20 (95.0%, 96.3%, 97.5%, respectively). Loss of variability during deceleration showed the highest specificity for the same fetal features (66.7%, 72.3%, 63.9%, respectively). All other poor prognostic features had high specificities but low sensitivities.     

Prognostic Doppler ultrasound examination of fetal arteries blood flow

Early detection of fetal risk is one of the main issues in today obstetrics. Ultrasound diagnostics plays a significant role, as the introduction of Doppler imaging method in the evaluation of blood flow has enabled non-invasive assessment of uteroplacental circulation. Therefore, we have analysed foetal three arteries: umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery and renal artery after determining the normal range for the analysed parameters. AIM OF WORK: 1. Comparison of the obtained blood flow indices (S/D, RI, PI) in the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery and renal artery of foetuses from normal and complicated full-term pregnancies. 2. Determination of indices: umbilical-cerebral and renal-cerebral in normal and pathological pregnancy. 3. Evaluation of feasibility of the analysed flow parameters for the detection of intrauterine foetal hypoxia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have examined 151 women, who were divided into control group--101 pregnant women with normal pregnancy and study group--50 pregnant women with complicated pregnancy. All pregnant women underwent ultrasound examination using the Hitachi EUB 515 C (Japan) scanner with 3.5 MHz convex probe, connected to the colour pulsed Doppler. The study consisted of the biometric measurements and evaluation of the spectrum of blood flow in the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery and renal artery. We have determined following indices: a) systolic-diastolic ratio S/D, resistance index RI, pulsatility index PI, b) umbilical-cerebral ratio P/M. (PI ua/PI mca), renal--cerebral ratio N/M (PI ra/PI mca). RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was found between the study and control groups for all the flow indices assessed (S/D, RI, PI) for the middle cerebral artery, for the indices P/M and N/M. (p < 0.001) and pulsatility index in the renal artery (p < 0.01). Similar, although slightly smaller difference (p < 0.05) was seen for the values of flow parameters in the umbilical artery. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Evaluation of blood flow in the middle cerebral artery, and in particular pulsatility index PI, reflects the risk to foetus. Umbilical-cerebral index and renal-cerebral index demonstrate the mechanisms of circulation centralization in case of fetal distress. For the umbilical-cerebral index, the cut-off value is 1.0 and for the renal-cerebral index it is 2.5, 2) Evaluation of the blood flow in foetal vessels is a significant element of prenatal diagnostics. Due to its low sensitivity, it should be compared with the results of other biophysical tests, to achieve complex evaluation of the condition of the foetus.     

脐血乳酸水平及胎心监护图形预测胎儿窘迫的价值

目的　探讨新生儿脐动脉血乳酸水平及胎心监护图形预测胎儿窘迫的价值。方法　测定 73例胎心监护图形为不良图形 (胎心基线异常、重度变异减速、轻度变异减速、心动过速 )的新生儿(病例组 )和 118例产前无胎儿窘迫征象 ,出生后 1分钟Apgar评分≥ 9分的新生儿 (对照组 )出生后脐动脉血乳酸水平。结果　病例组中产钳助产率明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,顺产率低于对照组 (P<0 0 1)。病例组中 ,胎心重度变异减速多发于第二产程 ;胎心基线异常的新生儿Apgar评分≤ 7分的发生率高于重度变异减速、轻度变异减速、心动过速的新生儿 (P <0 0 5 )。病例组中 ,胎心基线异常者脐动脉血乳酸水平为 (4 5 5± 0 2 3 )mmol/L ;重度变异减速者为 (3 84± 0 40 )mmol/L ,出现以上两种图形的新生儿脐动脉血乳酸水平均明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 1)。轻度变异减速者脐动脉血乳酸水平为 (2 63± 0 3 2 )mmol/L ;心动过速者脐动脉血乳酸水平为 (2 5 5± 0 46)mmol/L。并且轻度变异减速与心动过速者脐动脉血乳酸水平与对照组比较 ,差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　测定新生儿脐动脉血乳酸水平是一种有效、准确的诊断胎儿窘迫的方法。胎心基线异常、重度变异减速与胎儿窘迫的发生密切相关 ;轻度变异减速、心动过速与胎     

Fetal Doppler hemodynamic changes in spontaneous versus prostaglandin E1-induced active labor.

BACKGROUND: To assess fetal hemodynamic changes before and during active labor, either spontaneous or prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-induced labor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective longitudinal study and a cohort of 49 healthy women at 37-41+ weeks gestation without signs of fetal distress was investigated until in labor. One group of 23 healthy women had spontaneous active labor, the second group of 26 women was in active labor induced by an intra-cervical administration of PGE1 for elective induction. Blood flow waveform indices (S/D ratio, RI, PI) were assessed by pulsed Doppler ultrasonography from the umbilical artery (UA) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) before and in labor. Both groups were compared for the waveform indices and perinatal outcome including duration of labor, meconium stain, baby sex, birthweight, UA blood gas measurements at delivery, Apgar's scores, prolonged nursery stay (> or =5 days), and NICU admission. RESULTS: Demographic data of the two groups were comparable. During spontaneous active labor, the S/D ratio and RI became significantly decreased in the UA (p<0.05) and the three wave-form indices were decreased more in the MCA (p<0.01, 0.005, 0.05, respectively) compared with those measured before labor. During PGE1-induced active labor, all the waveform indices were not significantly decreased in either the UA or the MCA. The occurrence of abnormal UA blood gas values was significantly more in the PGE1-induced group than in the spontaneous labor group (23.1% v.s. 4.3%; p<0.05). No other adverse perinatal outcomes were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Decreasing impedance in both the UA and MCA during spontaneous labor is a physiological fetal adaptation to labor to prevent fetal cerebral hypoxia by maintaining adequate brain blood flow during normal parturition. This fetal adaptation phenomenon was not observed in the group of PGE1-induced labor with the result of a high incidence of abnormal UA blood gas values.     

Influence of volume preloading on uteroplacental and fetal circulation during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section in uncomplicated singleton pregnancies

OBJECTIVE: Effects of volume preloading during spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section on maternal blood pressure, feto-maternal circulation and fetal outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a pilot study a randomised trial was performed in 22 healthy women with uncomplicated, singleton pregnancies at 36-40 weeks of gestation undergoing elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. In the low volume group (group A) patients received 150 ml of crystalloid solution for preloading, in the high volume group (group B) they were given 15 ml/kg of crystalloid solution for preloading before the initiation of spinal anaesthesia. Maternal blood pressure was monitored intermittently. Hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic pressure to less than 80% of the baseline value. The Doppler flow evaluation consisted of measurements from the uterine artery at the placental site, fetal umbilical artery and fetal middle cerebral artery. Pulsatility indices were derived before and after fluid preloading, and when spinal anaesthesia was established. The neonatal outcome was assessed by Apgar scores, arterial acid base status and neurologic and adaptive capacity scores (NACS). RESULTS: The incidence of maternal hypotension in both groups was 45.5% (n = 10); 3 cases occurred in group A compared to 7 cases in group B (n.s.). There was no evidence that the high dose volume is useful in preventing maternal hypotension. The pulsatility indices of uterine arteries, umbilical arteries and middle cerebral arteries were not altered. Statistical analysis showed no changes in neonatal outcome concerning umbilical arterial pH, Apgar score and NACS (n.s.) between groups A and B. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results suggest that high dose crystalloid volume preloading has no preventive function in the avoidance of maternal hypotension in healthy parturients undergoing elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia, and shows no harmful effects on neonatal outcome as long as maternal hypotension is corrected immediately. However, the statistical significance may reflect the small sample size, and larger series are needed before changing the current management.     

Adrenomedullin is increased in the fetoplacental circulation in intrauterine growth restriction with abnormal umbilical artery waveforms

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether adrenomedullin, a novel vasoactive peptide produced by the placenta, participates in the uteroplacental hemodynamic alterations in intrauterine growth restriction, we studied the correlation between adrenomedullin levels and fetoplacental blood flow. STUDY DESIGN: Maternal and umbilical blood samples were collected in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler findings and in control pregnancies. Adrenomedullin levels were measured by means of a specific radioimmunoassay, and flow velocimetry waveforms were recorded from uterine, umbilical, and fetal middle cerebral arteries. RESULTS: Mean adrenomedullin values in umbilical plasma were higher (P <.05) in patients with intrauterine growth restriction (63.7 +/- 34.2 pg/mL; n = 16) than in control subjects (38.1 +/- 14.8 pg/mL; n = 16). A significant correlation was found between maternal adrenomedullin levels and umbilical artery pulsatility index. Moreover, fetal adrenomedullin concentrations correlated negatively with middle cerebral artery pulsatility index and positively with umbilical artery pulsatility index/middle cerebral artery pulsatility index ratio. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that adrenomedullin is increased in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction in response to reduced uteroplacental blood flow and suggests that it may participate in the fetal hemodynamic modifications.     

The value of Doppler velocimetry in umbilical and cerebral artery in pregnancy complicated by IUGR and its influence on mode of delivery and neonatal Apgar score

The most important diagnostic method in pregnancy complicated by IUGR is Doppler flow velocity in placento-fetal circulation. The most useful diagnostic method is the umbilical and pulsatility index and cerebro-placental ratio. DESIGN: The aim of the study is to evaluate the value of pulsatility index umbilical and cerebro-placental ratio in intrauterine growth restriction, the way of delivery and neonatal Apgar score. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was done in Dep. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Medical University in Lodz in 2001-2005 y. The study group consists of 80 women with diagnosed IUGR, control group--50 healthy pregnant women at the same gestational age. The Doppler flow measurement in umbilical and middle cerebral arteries, the way of delivery and Apgar score were estimated. RESULTS: In the group of IUGR in 11 cases the PI value in umbilical artery increased, in 3 cases of this group cerebro-placental ratio was elevated. In control group evaluated blood flow indexes were normal. The ratio of caesarian sections in growth-restricted fetuses group was higher than in control group. The neonatal Apgar score was similar in compared groups. CONCLUSION: In pregnancy complicated by IUGR the Doppler flow measurement was useful to found fetal intrauterine hypoxia.     

External cephalic version induced fetal cerebral and umbilical blood flow changes are related to the amount of pressure exerted

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the applied pressure during external cephalic version with the changes in fetal middle cerebral arterial and umbilical arterial flow before and after the procedure. DESIGN: A prospective observational study over a two-year period. SETTING: External cephalic version was performed in a university hospital. POPULATION: Sixty-nine women with singleton breech-presenting pregnancy at or above 36 weeks of gestation undergoing external cephalic version. METHODS: During external cephalic version, the operator wore a pair of pressure-sensing gloves which had thin piezo-resistive sensors positioned on the palmar surface. During each version procedure, real-time pressure readings were recorded from all sensors, and then analysed with a computer program. The amount of pressure applied over time was presented by pressure-time integral. The pulsatility indices of both fetal middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery before and after external cephalic version were measured. The changes of pulsatility indices of both middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery were presented as a ratio of the post-external cephalic version pulsatility indices to pre-external cephalic version pulsatility indices, denoted by middle cerebral artery pulsatility index ratio and umbilical artery pulsatility index ratio, respectively. The statistical correlation between pressure-time integral and middle cerebral artery pulsatility index ratio and umbilical artery pulsatility index ratio are analysed using Pearson's correlation test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in pulsatility indices of fetal middle cerebral and umbilical arteries and fetal heart rate after external cephalic version. RESULTS: The overall success rate of external cephalic version was 77%. There was a significant negative correlation between pressure-time integral and both middle cerebral artery pulsatility index ratio (P= 0.001) and umbilical artery pulsatility index ratio (P= 0.012). When women were categorised according to placental site, pressure-time integral was negatively correlated with middle cerebral artery pulsatility index ratio only when the placenta was posteriorly located (P= 0.003), and with umbilical artery pulsatility index ratio only when the placenta was laterally located (P= 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The greater the force applied during external cephalic version, the greater the reduction in pulsatility indices of middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery, indicating an increase in blood flow through these arteries. The increase in cerebral blood flow after external cephalic version is more prominent when the placenta is lying posteriorly, while the increase in umbilical flow is more prominent when the placenta is lying laterally. These findings suggest that the vascular changes probably represent a direct effect of force exerted on the fetal head and the placenta.     

Fetal heart rate and neonatal condition related to epidural analgesia in women reaching the second stage of labour

The relationship between epidural analgesia and a number of labour and delivery factors, relevant to fetal and neonatal condition, was considered in a prospective study of 200 labours reaching the second stage of labour. The group was representative of the hospital population with regard to the proportion of nulliparous women, the incidence of instrumental vaginal deliveries and the incidence of epidural analgesia (37%). The 8% of labours requiring fetal blood sampling during the first stage, and the labours with fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations in the hour prior to second stage (25%) and during pushing (50%) were significantly more likely to have been given an epidural. Nulliparity (55%), induced labour (34%), a first stage longer than eight hours (37%), a second stage longer than 60 min (43%), maternal pushing for longer than 36 min (50%), forceps delivery (28%) and a 1 min Apgar score less than 7 (12%) were also factors associated with significantly higher rates of epidural analgesia whereas meconium (15%), a small baby (16%) and umbilical arterial metabolic acidaemia (13%) were not. FHR decelerations in labours reaching the second stage with an epidural reflect adjustments to fetal cardiovascular control and not acidaemia.     

妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症儿缺氧脑损伤的研究

目的:探讨妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症(ICP)患者胆汁酸水平、胎儿缺氧与胎儿脑损伤的关系.方法:选择2006年3月至9月在我院诊治的ICP患者(ICP组)及正常孕妇(正常妊娠组)各30例.采用彩色多普勒超声检测胎儿大脑中动脉收缩期峰值流速/舒张末期流速(S/D)、阻力指数(RI);用全自动生化分析仪测定母血及新生儿脐动脉血清胆汁酸(BA)、乳酸、和pH值;采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA法)测定新生儿脐动脉血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)浓度,并对两组的结果进行分析和比较.结果:①ICP组母血及脐血BA水平均高于正常妊娠组(P<0.01),并且ICP组母血与脐血BA呈正相关关系(r=0.937,P<0.01).②ICP组脐血乳酸水平和NSE值均高于正常妊娠组(P<0.01);而ICP组脐血pH值、大脑中动脉血流S/D值、RI值均低于正常妊娠组(P<0.01);ICP组脐血NSE浓度分别与队、乳酸水平呈正相关(P<0.01);与砌值、大脑中动脉血流S/D值及脐血pH值呈负相关(P<0.01).结论:ICP胎儿存在缺氧和脑损伤,ICP胎儿脑损伤与胎儿缺氧及高浓度胆汁酸密切相关,对ICP患者胎儿大脑中动脉血流和脐动脉血pH值、乳酸浓度及NSE的联合检测,可早期诊断ICP胎儿缺氧,早期发现新生儿脑损伤.     

Umbilical artery N-terminal peptide of proatrial natriuretic peptide in hypertensive pregnancies and fetal acidemia during labor

OBJECTIVE: To assess the activity of the human fetal atrial natriuretic peptide system in hypertensive pregnancies with and without signs of increased fetal systemic venous pressure and in pregnancies complicated by fetal acidemia during labor. METHODS: Umbilical artery plasma N-terminal peptide of proatrial natriuretic peptide concentrations were measured in neonates by radioimmunoassay. The control group consisted of 50 neonates with uncomplicated gestation and labor. In group 1, there were 22 newborns of hypertensive pregnancies. Doppler ultrasonography showed abnormal umbilical artery blood velocity waveform in five cases and normal nonpulsatile umbilical vein blood velocity profile in every case. Group 2 consisted of five newborns of pregnancies complicated by maternal hypertensive disorder. Atrial pulsations in the umbilical vein and retrograde diastolic blood velocity pattern in the umbilical artery were detected in every case. Group 3 was composed of 27 newborns of uncomplicated pregnancies with fetal acidemia (pH 7.10 or less) during labor. RESULTS: In groups 1-3, N-terminal peptide of proatrial natriuretic peptide concentrations were higher (P <.001) than in the control group. In group 1, neonates with abnormal umbilical artery blood velocity pattern had higher N-terminal peptide of proatrial natriuretic peptide concentrations than neonates with normal umbilical artery Doppler findings (P <.006). N-terminal peptide of proatrial natriuretic peptide concentrations were higher in group 2 (P <.002) than in groups 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS Maternal hypertensive disorder and fetal acidemia during labor stimulate fetal atrial natriuretic peptide production, which was greatest in fetuses with severe placental insufficiency and signs of congestive heart failure.     

Placental Doppler velocimetry in gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if maternal glucose level and growth of the fetus were related to placental vascular impedance in pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 146 gestational diabetic women of which 117 needed insulin therapy. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was evaluated as well as umbilical and uterine artery Doppler velocimetry. The results were related to adverse outcome of pregnancy including newborn birthweight. RESULTS: Abnormal umbilical artery blood flow velocity was seen in 5% of the cases and abnormal uterine artery flow in 16%. Uterine and umbilical artery vascular impedance was significantly lower in macrosomic newborns. There was a poor correlation between HbA1c, vascular impedance and birthweight. There were 11 cases that developed preeclampsia, all having abnormal uterine artery Doppler and two abnormal umbilical artery Doppler. CONCLUSION: Uterine and umbilical artery vascular impedance in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes is related to birthweight and placental weight, but not to maternal HbA1c levels. Placental Doppler ultrasound does not seem to be of clinical value for fetal surveillance in these pregnancies unless the pregnancy is complicated by preeclampsia and/or intrauterine fetal growth restriction.     

Umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveforms during variable deceleration of the fetal heart rate

Blood flow velocities of the umbilical arteries were measured by Doppler ultrasonography during variable decelerations of the fetal heart rate. The flow velocity waveforms, being normal between uterine contractions, showed either an unchanged flow velocity waveform with an exclusive fetal heart rate effect on end-diastolic velocities or a rapid change to absent and reverse diastolic flow during the decelerations, indicating an abrupt increase in placental resistance with a halt in placental perfusion. Computer-aided reconstruction of the fetal heart rate curve revealed the exact temporal relationship between the reduction of umbilical artery perfusion and deceleration of fetal heart rate. We showed that variable decelerations of fetal heart rate can be observed during only slightly changed umbilical perfusion or can be caused by a halt in placental perfusion, which does not necessarily mean an absence of any movement of the fetal blood column, but is a result of a systolic forward and diastolic reverse flow to the same extent.     

Fetal heart rate accelerations in second-stage labour; two case reports

Two cases of umbilical cord compression are reported in which variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate in the first stage of labour progressed to marked periodic accelerations in the second stage. A respiratory acidosis was present at birth in both cases.     

Prevention of cerebral palsy during labour: role of foetal lactate

OBJECTIVES: Intrapartum foetal monitoring goal is to prevent foetal asphyxia and its most severe consequence: cerebral palsy (CP). In this paper we describe the detection methods and the criteria needed to assess asphyxia during labour for preventing CP. Foetal cerebral damage assessment is considered from the medical-legal point of view. CP represents the most frequent pathology of childhood related to pregnancy and childbirth with an incidence of 0.2% in children born alive. It is clinically regarded as the result of a spectrum of diseases due to damage or to faded development of the nervous system which generally appears at the time of the first stage of intra-uterine growth or depends on problems arising at birth. The goal of our analysis is to recall the various moments in which this event can take place and, if possible, the moment and the degree of the event of asphyxia and its effect on foetal conditions, in order to control and treat it. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and eighty-eight fetuses were evaluated by means of Apgar score, intrapartum cardiotocography, observation of the presence of meconium stained amniotic fluid, and clinical features of distress at birth. Lactate concentrations were measured during labour and at delivery in blood samples obtained from the foetal presenting part (foetal scalp) and from the umbilical cord with the use of a rapid electrochemical technique. RESULTS: Evidence of clinical foetal distress was not related to the severity of asphyxia. An increased lactate level was found in asphyctic infants and a clear correlation between lactic acidosis and foetal distress was documented. Low Apgar scores were observed in infants with moderate or severe asphyxia at delivery. Scalp lactate correlated significantly with umbilical artery lactate (P = 0.49, 0.01), but with neither Apgar score at 1 min (R = -0.21, ns) nor at 5 min (R = -0.11, ns). Lactate concentration was higher in case of instrumental delivery compared to spontaneous delivery (P = 0.0001). No perfect correlation was found between lactate level and neonatal outcome, but there were not a significant number of neonates with immediate complications. The rate of instrumental delivery in the distress group was significantly higher than in that of the healthy fetuses (P < 0.01), so spontaneous labour was less frequently associated with foetal distress than instrumental delivery (P < 0.01). In the distress group, severe variable decelerations were generally recorded in the second stage of labour. The incidence of neonatal Apgar score /=45 min, compared with a shorter active second stage, and acidaemia at birth implied larger arterial-venous lactate differences (P < 0.001). The presence of foetal lactate at crowning was also significantly associated with the level of umbilical arterial-venous lactate difference (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the fetus should start with the assessment of lactates and acid-base balance. The method which revolutionized the techniques of foetal monitoring is undoubtedly represented by cardiotocography. However, likely most of neurological outcomes are not correlated with a perinatal event or with peripartum asphyxia. Approximately 10% of cases of CP would actually be due to perinatal asphyxia, and this percentage approaches approximately to 15% if we consider only newborns at term. This again confirms the weak association of a causal relationship between asphyxia and CP. In addition, available foetal suffering markers are vague and allow to identify only less than half of the effective cases of newborns which will develop CP.     

The effect of loading dose of magnesium sulfate on uterine,umbilical, and fetal middle cerebral arteries Doppler in women with severe preeclampsia: A case control study

IV MgSO₄ administration in women with severe preeclampsia resulted in a decrease in umbilical artery, uterine artery, and fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler indices.

Objective: To evaluate Doppler parameters of the umbilical artery (UmA), uterine artery (UA), and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) before and after MgSO₄ administration in women with severe preeclampsia. Methods: A case control study included 100 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. Umbilical artery, uterine artery, and fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler were measured before and 20 minutes after intravenous administration of 6 g of magnesium sulfate. Results: There was a significant difference between maternal systolic blood pressure (173.20 ± 22.72 vs. 156.60 ± 19.18), diastolic blood pressure (109.60 ± 9.14 vs. 101.90 ± 10.05), and heart rate (80.52 ± 11.52 vs. 88.48 ± 12.08) before and after administration of MgSO₄ in the studied patients (p value < 0.001). There was a significant difference between umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and uterine artery Doppler parameters before and after administration of MgSO₄ in the studied patients (p value < 0.001). There was no significant difference between umbilical artery/middle cerebral artery with regard to RI and PI. However, there was significant difference with regard to the S/D ratio (p value < 0.001). The decrease in the values of Doppler parameters before and after administration of MgSO₄ was more in the middle cerebral artery than in the umbilical artery. Conclusion: Intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia resulted in a decrease in umbilical artery, uterine artery, and fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler indices with reduced resistance to blood flow in these vessels.     

脐血乳酸水平、产时胎心监护不良图形和新生儿结局关系的研究

目的:研究脐动脉血乳酸水平与产时胎心监护不良图形及新生儿结局之间的关系。方法:229例足月妊娠、单胎、头位产妇根据产时胎心宫缩图(cardiotocography,CTG)分为两组,观察组:轻度变异减速(variable deceleration,VD)68例、不良CTG包括中、重度VD、不典型VD、胎心基线变异减弱或消失、延长减速、重度晚期减速及心动过缓84例。对照组:产时CTG无VD及不良图形、新生儿脐动脉血pH≥7.20的产妇77例,检测新生儿脐动脉血乳酸浓度及生后20项行为神经评分(neonatal behavioral neudogioal as-sessment,NBNA)。结果:对照组脐动脉血乳酸99%参考值范围为1.31~4.05mmol/L,不良CTG脐血乳酸水平明显高于对照组(P<0.01);pH、BE值显著低于对照组与轻度VD组(P<0.01,P<0.05),脐血乳酸水平与pH、BE呈显著负相关(P<0.01)。以对照组x-±2.58s为界值,观察组脐血乳酸超过界值者不良CTG占73.33%,其中不良结局儿占68.18%。结论:脐动脉乳酸水平与pH、BE值有较好的相关性。产时重度VD或VD并存其它异常CTG,胎心基线变异减弱,尤其伴发羊水粪染、脐带异常时与围生儿脐血高乳酸水平、不良结局有关。