Alcohol and pregnancy

Alcohol crosses the placenta and is potentially teratogenic. The most severe consequence is foetal alcohol syndrome (incidence 1:1000 live births) which describes a characteristic range of physical and neurodevelopmental anomalies. Milder or more focal abnormalities are collectively described as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (incidence up to 9:1000 live births). The financial consequences of foetal alcohol syndrome are also considerable.Prevention strategies include public health programmes and measures targeted at pregnant women. All pregnant women should be screened for level of alcohol consumption and those at increased risk offered targeted intervention. Current RCOG advice to pregnant women is to avoid alcohol in the first 12 weeks, and thereafter drink no more than 1–2 units once or twice a week. Binge drinking is particularly harmful. Further research is needed to establish the best interventions, the safe limit (if any) of alcohol intake, and to improve the diagnosis of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.     

A Multicenter International Temporal and External Validation Study of the Ultrasound-based Endometriosis Staging System

Study ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to validate temporally and externally the ultrasound-based endometriosis staging system (UBESS) to predict the level of complexity of laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.DesignA multicenter, international, retrospective, diagnostic accuracy study was carried out between January 2016 and April 2018 on women with suspected pelvic endometriosis.SettingFour different centers with advanced ultrasound and laparoscopic services were recruited (1 for temporal validation and 3 for external validation).PatientsWomen with pelvic pain and suspected endometriosis.InterventionsAll women underwent a systematic transvaginal ultrasound and were staged according to the UBESS system, followed by classification of laparoscopic level of complexity according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) levels 1 to 3.Measurements and Main ResultsUBESS I, II, and III were then correlated with RCOG levels 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A comparison between temporal and external sites (skipping “A”) and between each site was performed in terms of the diagnostic accuracy of UBESS to predict RCOG laparoscopic skill level.A total of 317 consecutive women who underwent laparoscopy with suspected endometriosis were included. Complete transvaginal ultrasound and laparoscopic surgical outcomes were available for 293/317 (92.4%). At the temporal site, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of UBESS I to predict RCOG level 1 were 80.0%,73.8%, 94.9%, 97.2%, 60.2%, 14.5%, and 0.3%, respectively; of UBESS II to predict RCOG level 2 were 81.0%, 70.6%, 82.0%, 26.7%, 96.8%, 3.9%, and 0.3%, respectively; of UBESS III to predict RCOG level 3 were 91.0%, 85.7%, 92.4%, 75.0%, 96.1%, 11.3%, and 0.2%, respectively. At the external sites, the results of UBESS I to predict RCOG level 1 were 90.3%, 92.0%, 88.4%, 90.2%, 90.5%, 7.9%, and 0.1% respectively; UBESS II to predict RCOG level 2 were 89.2%, 100.0%, 88.5%, 37.5%, 100.0%, 8.7%, and 0.0%, respectively; and UBESS III to predict RCOG level 3 were 86.0%, 67.6%, 98.2%, 96.2%, 82.1%, 37.8%, and 0.3%, respectively.When patients requiring ureterolysis (i.e., RCOG level 3) in the absence of bowel endometriosis were excluded (n = 54), the sensitivity of UBESS III to correctly classify RCOG level 3 increased from 85.7% to 96.7% at the temporal site (n = 42) and from 67.6% to 96.0% at the external sites (n = 12) (p <.005).ConclusionThe results from this external validation study suggest that UBESS in its current form is not generalizable unless there is either or both bowel deep endometriosis and cul-de-sac obliteration present. The major limitation appears to be the misclassification of women who require surgical ureterolysis in the absence of bowel endometriosis.     

Thromboembolic disease and air travel in pregnancy: a survey of advice given by obstetricians.

The objective of this study was to document the awareness of risk and the nature of advice given by obstetricians to pregnant women who intend to travel by air and to compare the results with the advice given in an opinion paper of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The results were based on a self-completed questionnaire. All registered members of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists comprising 1349 individuals, obtained from a list provided by the RCOG, were invited to participate. An anonymous postal questionnaire was completed by the individuals before publication of the opinion paper of the RCOG. A total of 862 (62%) questionnaires returned, and 690 (51%) were available for analysis; 67% of obstetricians regard flying as being safe throughout pregnancy, 33% only in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. Nearly all obstetricians advised on simple prophylactic measures such as mobilisation, fluid intake and leg exercise. Fifty-three per cent would advise the use of prophylactic aspirin (75 mg), 49% the use of compression stockings; 4% recommended heparinisation; 44% believed this advice to be applicable only for the 2nd and 3rd trimester, while the RCOG emphasises that the risk of developing venous thromboembolism begins in the 1st trimester. Obstetricians as well as other health professionals need to be made aware that advice on air travel in pregnancy needs to start in the 1st trimester. Further research is needed to explore the relevance of the duration of flight when considering the application of thromboprophylactic measures as well as the value and choice of pharmacological treatment such as aspirin and heparin.     

Information contained in miscarriage-related websites and the predictive value of website scoring systems

OBJECTIVES: To identify websites providing information about early pregnancy loss and compare this information with published guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). The value of 'Silberg' and 'Health on the net (HON)' website scoring systems in predicting the information provided via websites identified was assessed. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE: Nineteen websites identified via two search engines (http://www.lycos.co.uk and http://www.msn.co.uk). METHODS: Websites were searched for specific information in a structured manner and then scored by two independent observers against the website scoring systems and against a scoring system derived from guidelines published by the RCOG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Website scores against the scoring systems and against RCOG guidelines. RESULTS: Information concerning miscarriage contained within these websites was poor and scored accordingly against the RCOG guidelines (median score, 4.5/8). The website scoring systems did not predict the RCOG scores for a website (HON score R(S)=0.193 (95% confidence interval from -0.286 to 0.595), Silberg score, R(S)=0.035 (95% confidence interval from -0.426 to 0.482)). CONCLUSIONS: Few relevant websites were identified despite searching a large number via two search engines. The websites found did not answer our specific questions and consequently scored poorly against the RCOG guidelines. RCOG scores did not correlate with either scoring system. Web-based information for women attending with early pregnancy complications needs to be easily accessed and comprehensive. Written information given to women when seen with early pregnancy complications should include details of available comprehensive websites. Professional organisations, colleges or Government agencies should provide this type of information.     

Surgical management of ectopic pregnancy in a district general hospital.

The mainstay of management of ectopic pregnancies is laparoscopic surgery. Other treatment options include open laparotomy, methotrexate or expectant approach. Recently the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) revised its guidelines regarding management of suspected ectopic pregnancies. We undertook a retrospective study looking at management of ectopic pregnancies over a defined 12-month period (1 October 2003 - 30 September 2004) in a district general hospital to the north of London and compared this with the recommended RCOG guidelines 2004. Cases of ectopic pregnancy were identified from the theatre, ward log, and cross-referenced with histopathological reports. The case notes of these women were reviewed and data extracted according to a drawn-up questionnaire. A total of 64 cases met the diagnostic criteria and were included in the study. Nine of the 64 cases were haemodynamically unstable and seven underwent rapid laparotomy. All of the stable 55 cases underwent laparoscopy, which was converted to open laparotomy in 13 cases (23.6%). Three patients were treated with methotrexate all of whom had been previously managed surgically. The majority of cases of ectopic pregnancy were managed according to the RCOG recommendations. Further changes in practice will be required to incorporate expectant and primary medical management as proposed by the recent guidelines (RCOG 2004). This study reveals progress achieved in management of ectopic pregnancies in UK with the introduction of RCOG guidelines 1999.     

Obstetric mortality and its causes in developing countries

Discusses dual concerns of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG): that a widening gap between obstetric standards in Britain and those in the developing world exists and that the RCOG is unable to meet the needs of Third World doctors who come to the RCOG for postgraduate study. A meeting sponsored by Birthright and held at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) in June 1989 which explored aspects of Third World obstetric care reflects these concerns. The proceedings of the meeting have been published and verbatim recordings of the discussions are available on tape from the RCOG. Reports on maternal mortality/morbidity in the Third World indicate persistence of poor obstetrical practices and of common obstetrical complications. Suggestions for improvement include the redeployment of and the replanning of services within countries and an increase in health education for women. Access to care at the first referral institution level is seen as the key to the improvement of care. Problems of transport and communication create serious obstacles to the link between community care and the first referral institution. The goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to cut the Third World maternal mortality in half by the year 2000. To reach this goal WHO plans to field obstetric teams in Latin America, Africa and South Asia; to train nurse-midwives to perform life saving measures on their own initiative; and to employ community resources by training indigenous midwives to function as extensions of the health team. The RCOG will sponsor training designed for doctors who will work in developing countries.     

Termination of pregnancy in South Tyneside.

We evaluated prospectively, compliance with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) guidelines on termination of pregnancy (TOP) in a cohort of 340 women referred for termination of pregnancy in 2003 at South Tyneside Foundation Trust. The number of referrals represented one-fifth of all births in our unit during the study period. Teenagers were the largest single group of women requesting termination of pregnancy and the majority were nulliparous. There were 85 women who were seeking a repeat termination of pregnancy. The RCOG minimum referral standard was met in 80% of cases. A good number of women were unsure of their menstrual dates and only 5% had used emergency contraception. A total of 96% were either not using contraception, using condoms or taking oral contraceptives irregularly. A total of 50% of the women attended hospital without a Certificate A being completed by the referring practitioner. Surgical termination was preferred over medical termination in the cohort of women who could exercise a choice. It is possible to comply with the RCOG Termination of Pregnancy guidelines to a large extent in a District General Hospital, with some innovation. Close liaison between General Practitioners, Family Planning Clinics and Acute Hospitals is required. The adoption of agreed referral requirements and pathways would help in the delivery of a high quality service as advocated by the guideline.     

妊娠期及产褥期静脉血栓栓塞症风险评估及预防

目的:评估妊娠期及产褥期女性的静脉血栓栓塞症(VTE)发生风险,明确风险因素,并予以针对性预防,为探索妊娠相关VTE风险评估及预防策略提供依据.方法:根据2015年英国皇家妇产科医师学会(RCOG)妊娠期及产褥期静脉血栓栓塞疾病诊治指南推荐量表,对2018年11月1日至2019年12月31日在首都医科大学附属北京妇产医...     

妊娠期糖尿病患者外周血高迁移率族蛋白1表达水平检测及其临床意义

目的 检测妊娠期糖尿病（GDM）患者外周血高迁移率族蛋白1（HMGB1）的表达水平,探讨HMGB1在GDM患者胰岛素抵抗中的作用。方法 选择2011年1月至12月在南京医科大学附属苏州医院建卡,孕24～28周产前检查被诊断患有GDM的孕妇100例为研究对象,另选择同期相应年龄的正常妊娠妇女50例作为对照组。取两组孕妇外周血,测定空腹血糖、胰岛素、HMGB1、IL-6水平。结果 GDM孕妇组胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）为5.89±2.04,比正常孕妇组2.08±1.08高（P<0.01）;GDM孕妇组HMGB1为（8.57±1.26） μg/L、IL-6为（10.67±2.33）ng/L,表达水平均高于正常孕妇组HMGB1（6.11±0.78）μg/L、 IL-6（6.33±1.00 ）ng/L（P<0.01）。GDM组HOMA-IR与HMGB1、IL-6的质量浓度水平之间r分别为0.7713、0.7055、0.7147。结论 检测GDM患者外周血HMGB1水平,有助于探讨HMGB1在GDM发病过程中的病理生理作用,也为寻找GDM的治疗靶点提供新的思路。     

Current status of HTLV-1 carrier in Japanese pregnant women

Abstract

We examined the current status of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carrier in Japanese pregnant women, according to the results of HTLV-1 screening and confirmation tests of women who gave birth in Japan in 2011. We requested 2642 obstetrical facilities to provide information of HTLV-1 tests and 71.3% of them responded. Considering the response rate and the rate of implementation of confirmation tests, the number of HTLV-1 carrier in Japanese pregnant women was estimated to be 1620 (0.16%) per year.     

Dying to give birth: the Pakistan Liaison Committee's strategies to improve maternal health in Pakistan

Pakistan has one of the worst maternal mortality ratios worldwide: 260-490 women die for every 100,000 live births in Pakistan. The Pakistan Liaison Group (PLG) was formed to work with and through the international office of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). It works with the RCOG representative committee in Pakistan to improve the health of women. It aims to contribute to improving maternal morbidity and mortality through strategies directed at improving the education and training of health professionals. In addition, the PLG aims to promote changes in the legislature to allow for the notification of maternal deaths so that accurate figures can be obtained, and so that health parameters can be accurately assessed and, in the long term, a confidential enquiry into maternal deaths can be initiated.     

From the President of the British Fertility Society

Dr. Anne McLaren's speech as the nominee for the Presidency of the British Fertility Society (BFS) is presented. In 1985, her predecessor, Callum MacNaughton, as President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG), persuaded the Medical Research Council to join with the College in setting up and funding the Voluntary Licensing Authority. There is little doubt that the regulatory system that has evolved in Britain since that time is the envy of many other countries. In the 1950s, the nominated President and her colleagues were working on embryo transfer in mice. The immediate applications envisaged were in farm animals, but women with blocked tubes would be able to benefit from similar procedures before many decades had passed. In the early 1970s, McLaren's interest became the legal and ethical aspects of donor insemination. These activities resulted in her membership of the RCOG Advisory Committee and the chairing of its Infertility Subcommittee. Today intracytoplasmic sperm injection is the most exciting advance in assisted reproduction since in vitro fertilization itself. Every day nearly a million women get pregnant, and at least 500 women die every day from unsafe abortion. Economic growth, women's education, urbanization, and social organization are important in reducing the burden of unwanted children all over the world, but good family planning services, contraceptives that are easy to use, safe, cheap, and readily available, and safe and available abortion are a must in the war against a disastrously overpopulated world. Inevitably the BFS will remain largely clinical and largely human concerned with clinical practice as well as with research, while the Society for the Study of Fertility will remain wholly research-oriented, largely nonclinical, and largely nonhuman. But the two societies will be complementary rather than competitive.     

131例乙肝孕妇行介入性产前诊断的垂直传播风险分析

目的了解行介入性诊断的乙肝孕妇发生垂直传播的风险情况。方法回顾性分析2017年7月至2018年6月间来广东省妇幼保健院产前诊断科行介入性产前诊断、符合纳入标准的乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)阳性孕妇及其所生婴儿的临床资料,总结不同穿刺类型、不同穿刺指征、是否合并乙肝e抗原(HBeAg)阳性等情况下的母婴垂直传播风险。结果本研究共纳入131例(含双胎5例)乙肝孕妇和136例所生婴儿,共3例(2.21%)在乙肝联合免疫后依然被检出感染乙肝;HBeAg阴性和HBeAg阳性孕妇所生婴儿发生感染的几率分别为1.09%(1/92)和5.71%(2/35);乙肝病毒DNA定量超过106IU/ml和107IU/ml的垂直传播率分别为4.35%(1/23)和5.00%(1/20);行羊膜腔穿刺术、脐静脉穿刺术和绒毛吸取术的乙肝孕妇发生垂直传播的几率分别为1.11%(1/90)、2.56%(1/39)和14.29%(1/7);因超声异常表现和其他非超声异常指征行介入性产前诊断孕妇发生垂直传播的风险分别为2.82%(2/71)和1.54%(1/65);10例孕妇孕期接受了抗病毒治疗,该10例所生婴儿均未发生感染。结论乙肝孕妇行介入性产前诊断有发生母婴垂直传播的风险,仍需大样本研究进一步探讨。     

Management of women who are Rhesus D negative in Northern Ireland.

In 1998, all 15 maternity hospitals in Northern Ireland participated in a retrospective survey of the management of pregnant women who were Rhesus D (RhD) negative. This area of clinical practice was chosen for study in the knowledge that a policy of routine antenatal prophylaxis had been proposed at the RCP/RCOG Consensus Conference, and that a change in current clinical practice was likely to follow. It was therefore felt prudent to survey critically current practice in order to collect baseline data before the introduction of new guidelines. Data were analysed on 3274 RhD negative women. The findings from this study show that current management of women who are RhD negative is suboptimal. In particular, there is poor adherence to the guidelines relating to the management of potentially sensitising events in pregnancy. Testing to assess the size of a feto-maternal bleed was often omitted, and it was therefore impossible to ascertain whether an appropriate dose of anti-D immunoglobulin had been administered. Recent publications have also identified this as an area of concern. Trauma during pregnancy was often not managed appropriately, as a potentially sensitising event. Better compliance with the current guidelines was noted when management after delivery was considered. The reasons for this apparent inconsistency should be addressed. New guidelines, recommending the use of routine antenatal prophylaxis to all women who are RhD negative, have recently been published. Providers of antenatal care will need to address this issue within the context of their own practice environment. In doing so they should be mindful of current deficits in guideline compliance which may need to be remedied, to avoid building new practices upon fragile foundations.     

Plasma prolactin measurement is not indicated in women in the routine investigation of uncomplicated infertility

Measurement of plasma prolactin frequently forms part of the routine investigation of infertile couples. In 315 consecutive women attending an infertility clinic in a university teaching hospital, all of those with increased plasma prolactin concentrations would have been detected from their symptoms. All women with prolactin concentrations in the range 500--800 miu l(minus sign1) appeared to be ovulating. These data support previous proposals in guidelines published by both the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE, 1996) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG, 1998) that there is no benefit in measuring plasma prolactin in the investigation of infertility in women who are menstruating normally and have no other clinical indications.     

Instructions for authors of primary papers

Measurement of plasma prolactin frequently forms part of the routine investigation of infertile couples. In 315 consecutive women attending an infertility clinic in a university teaching hospital, all of those with increased plasma prolactin concentrations would have been detected from their symptoms. All women with prolactin concentrations in the range 500–800 miu l^?1 appeared to be ovulating. These data support previous proposals in guidelines published by both the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE, 1996) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG, 1998) that there is no benefit in measuring plasma prolactin in the investigation of infertility in women who are menstruating normally and have no other clinical indications.     

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine During Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Study of Australian Women

Abstract: Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine is increasingly prevalent in contemporary Western societies. The objective of this study was to explore trends and patterns in complementary and alternative medicine practitioner consultations and the use of complementary and alternative medicine consumption before, during, and after pregnancy and between pregnancies. Methods: Analysis focused on data from 13,961 women from the younger cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health collected between 1996 and 2006. Chi‐square tests were employed for the cross‐sectional analysis of categorical variables and t tests for continuous variables. Generalized estimating equations were used to conduct multivariate longitudinal analysis. Results: Complementary and alternative medicine use among pregnant and nonpregnant women continued to increase over the 10‐year period. Although pregnancy status was not predictive of the use of alternative treatments, pregnant women employed these therapies or modalities for the relief of pregnancy‐related complaints and symptoms. Analysis also revealed that women used complementary and alternative treatments selectively during pregnancy. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for further research that is sensitive to the consumption of specific complementary and alternative therapies or modalities and to the wider contexts within which women perceive risk associated with their use of complementary and alternative treatments. (BIRTH 38:3 September 2011)     

Leiomyomata uteri,genetic amniocentesis,and the risk of second-trimester spontaneous abortion

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of leiomyomata uteri on the risk of second-trimester spontaneous abortion and to determine whether genetic amniocentesis further increases this risk. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively identified pregnant women with leiomyomata uteri who underwent genetic amniocentesis (cases) at the University of Rochester and the Johns Hopkins Hospital between April 1994 and June 2000. Two control groups were also identified: (1) pregnant women without leiomyomata who had undergone genetic amniocentesis (amnio only) and (2) pregnant women at similar gestational ages with leiomyomata who had not undergone amniocentesis (myoma only). Cases and controls were matched for maternal age and parity. All subjects were then followed up to ascertain pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight women with leiomyomata uteri who underwent genetic amniocentesis were identified and matched with 128 amnio-only controls and 128 myoma-only controls. The incidence of spontaneous abortion was 6.3% among the cases, 0.8% in the amnio-only controls, and 7.0% in the myoma-only controls. The relative risk (95% CI) for spontaneous abortion was 8.0 (1.02-63.04) for cases versus amnio only but was not significantly different from 1.0 for cases versus myoma-only controls. CONCLUSIONS: Women with leiomyomata are at an increased risk for second-trimester spontaneous abortion. Midtrimester amniocentesis does not appear to further increase this risk.     

Measles in pregnancy in Lyon France, 2011

Objective

To identify women who had measles while being pregnant during the 2011 epidemic peak in Lyon, France, and to document maternal characteristics and fetal outcomes.

Methods

In a retrospective survey, women who had measles while being pregnant between January and December 2011 were identified from the records of the Laboratory of Virology, Hospices Civils de Lyon. Epidemiologic data, clinical characteristics, and measles outcomes were assessed.

Results

In total, 11 pregnant women and 2 women who had just delivered were hospitalized with measles infection in Lyon. The most severe maternal complication was pneumonia, which occurred in 4 women (30.8%). Other maternal complications included fever (11 women; 84.6%) and elevated liver enzymes (2/6 women; 33.3%). All women delivered healthy newborns. Post-exposure prophylaxis using human polyvalent immunoglobulin was initiated for three newborns whose mothers acquired measles in the immediate postpartum period. None of these newborns subsequently acquired measles, although breastfeeding was maintained.

Conclusion

Although measles infections during pregnancy can have a deleterious effect on both mother and child, in many cases hospitalization is not required. Unnecessary admission should be avoided given the high risk of transmission of measles in an obstetrics ward.