Clinical outcomes of patients treated for cervical pregnancy with or without methotrexate

The objective of this study is to describe the clinical outcomes of patients treated for cervical pregnancy with or without methotrexate (MTX) and to evaluate the effects of MTX in the treatment of cervical pregnancy. Between January 1993 and February 2000, 31 patients were diagnosed with cervical pregnancy. Twenty-two patients were treated with MTX chemotherapy and nine patients were treated with surgical procedures without MTX treatment. In the non-MTX treatment group, three patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, five required adjuvant procedures to control the bleeding during dilatation and curettage (D&C) and only one patient was treated with a simple D&C. In the MTX treatment group, fourteen (63.6%) patients were treated with only MTX and eight (36.4%) cases underwent concomitant procedures (simple curettage, curettage and Foley catheter tamponade, cervical cerclage, ligation of the descending branches of uterine arteries, or ligation of hypogastric arteries). The uterus was preserved in all cases and three women delivered healthy babies in their subsequent pregnancy. In conclusion, early diagnosis, appropriate MTX regimen in combination of necessary adjuvant conservative procedures could contribute to successful treatment with preservation of the uterus and future reproductive ability.     

Fertility following ligation of internal iliac arteries for life-threatening obstetric haemorrhage: case report

Bilateral ligation of internal iliac (hypogastric) arteries (BIL) is a life-saving operation in cases of massive obstetric haemorrhage. This operation preserves reproductive function as opposed to the more commonly performed emergency hysterectomy in such situations. We report on effectiveness and future fertility in 12 women who had internal iliac ligation to control severe obstetric haemorrhage: in 10 out of the 12 women, BIL was successful. Of the two women who subsequently needed emergency hysterectomy, one woman died of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Of the eight women we were able to follow-up to assess reproductive performance, two did not desire future fertility. Three had subsequent pregnancies (50%), of whom two proceeded to term. We conclude that BIL is a safe and effective procedure for treating life-threatening obstetric haemorrhage with preservation of future fertility. This technique should be performed more often when indicated.     

Obstetric prognosis of the gestational thrombocytopenia

To define clinical outcomes of marked gestational thrombocytopenia (GT) (<100,000/mm3) we identified twenty-nine infants born to 28 pregnancies at 26 women with GT among 8,364 deliveries during the years 1993- 1999. Cordocentesis was performed in 7 mothers with platelet counts less than 75,000/mm3. Cord blood platelet count was checked in all cases at delivery. The most significant decrease of platelet count in pregnancy with GT was less than 50,000/mm3 in 6 pregnancies (21.4%) and between 50,000 and 100,000/mm3 in 22 pregnancies (78.6%). In pregnancies with GT, 2 neonates (6.9%) had mild thrombocytopenia and 1 neonate (3.4%) moderate thrombocytopenia. Severe thrombocytopenia was not observed in any neonate born to mothers with GT. There were no cases of coagulation disturbance at delivery or in the postpartum period. Fourteen cases for which follow-up was carried out recovered platelet counts to more than 100,000/mm3 within one month postpartum. Two patients who became pregnant twice noticed recurrence of GT. In conclusion, GT is not associated with bleeding diathesis in the mother, resolves spontaneously during the postpartum period, and can recur in subsequent gestations, and the association of severe fetal/neonatal thrombocytopenia is very rare. No intervention is necessary during pregnancy or delivery, apart from a careful maternal and fetal surveillance if there is no obstetric indication.     

Reproductive outcomes of women with a previous history of Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancies

BACKGROUND: Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy is associated with a number of significant complications. In this study, we report on subsequent reproductive outcomes in a group of women following successful treatment of their scar pregnancies. METHODS: The study included those women who received treatment for their Caesarean scar pregnancies between April 1999 and October 2005. Their ability to conceive, the time it took to become pregnant and outcomes of subsequent pregnancies were all recorded. RESULTS: 40 women with Caesarean scar pregnancies were managed in our unit. The uterus was conserved in 38/40 cases. Follow-up data were available in 29/38 (76%) of women. Twenty-four out of 29 (83%) attempted to become pregnant. Twenty-one out of 24 [88%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 75-100] women conceived spontaneously. Twenty out of 21 (95%, 95% CI: 86-100) pregnancies were intrauterine and one woman (5%, 95% CI: 0-14) had a recurrent scar ectopic. Thirteen out of 20 (65%, 95% CI: 44-86) intrauterine pregnancies appeared normal. Nine out of 13 (69%) were delivered by Caesarean section. Seven out of 20 (35%, 95% CI: 14-56) intrauterine pregnancies ended in spontaneous abortions. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that reproductive outcomes following treatment of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancies are favourable. The risk of complications including recurrent scar implantation appears to be low.     

Frequency and clinical significance of placental histological lesions in an unselected population at or near term

Associations between specific placental histological abnormalities and obstetric outcomes are reported. However, most data are based either on high-risk cases or relate to case–control studies selected from those with abnormal placental histology findings, with the unavoidable biases that these approaches entail. This study reports the frequency of the several common, objective and predefined histological abnormalities of the placenta as identified by pathologists blinded to all clinical information. A total 1,153 women were recruited from an unselected population delivering at 34–43 weeks. Histological findings in common obstetric outcome groups were compared to those of the unselected population, and odds ratios and predictive values were calculated. Normal histological findings were present in 72.1% of pregnancies with normal outcomes and in 79.1%, 66.6%, 80%, and 74.8% of pregnancies affected by pre-eclampsia (PET), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes (GDM), and small for gestational age (SGA), respectively. Chronic placental underperfusion was seen more frequently in PIH (odds ratio (OR) 2) and SGA (OR 1.4), while villitis of unknown aetiology was observed more commonly in cases with PIH (OR 3.2). Fetal thrombotic vasculopathy was twice as common in cases with GDM whilst massive perivillous fibrin deposition was much more frequent in those with PET (OR 20.2) and SGA (OR 8.9). Chorangiomata were 13 times more common in pregnancies with PET. However, in all cases, positive predictive values were low, with the majority of cases with histological abnormalities being associated with normal outcome. At term, specific placental histological lesions are significantly more common in complicated pregnancies, but the clinical significance of such lesions in a specific case remains uncertain, since the majority will be identified from clinically uncomplicated normal pregnancies.     

Intravenous immunoglobulin for the secondary prevention of stillbirth in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome: A case series and systematic review of literature

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in secondary prevention of pregnancy complications for patients with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and history of stillbirth.MethodsWe described three cases of obstetric APS patients with history of stillbirth treated with IVIg in four pregnancies. In addition, we conducted a systematic literature review on the use of IVIg in obstetric APS with history of stillbirth.ResultsThree patients with obstetric APS and history of stillbirth were treated with prophylactic IVIg, in addition to standard treatment (hydroxychloroquine, low-dose aspirin, low molecular weight heparin, and prednisone), in four pregnancies (three singleton and one twin). All pregnancies resulted in live healthy newborns. Long-term follow-up re-evaluations (24–53 months) did not shown any sign or symptom of active systemic disease, and the children were healthy.The systematic literature review retrieved only three cases of use of IVIg in obstetric APS patients with history of stillbirth. All three cases resulted in live healthy newborns. Only in one case, mild thrombocytopenia occurred during treatment, although this event was unlikely to be related to IVIg.ConclusionOur experience suggests that IVIg as secondary prevention of APS-related stillbirth is associated with good pregnancy and long-term outcomes, with no relevant safety concerns. However, the literature evidence on this topic is limited to few isolated cases, and further studies are needed to clarify which obstetric APS patients may benefit the most from IVIg.     

Obstetric outcome among women with unexplained infertility after IVF: a matched case-control study

BACKGROUND: Infertility itself and also assisted reproductive treatment increase the incidence of some obstetric complications. Women with unexplained infertility are reported to be at an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction during pregnancy, but not for other perinatal complications. METHODS: A matched case-control study was performed on care during pregnancy and delivery, obstetric complications and infant perinatal outcomes of 107 women with unexplained infertility, with 118 clinical pregnancies after IVF or ICSI treatment. These resulted in 90 deliveries; of these, 69 were singleton, 20 twin and one triplet. Two control groups were chosen from the Finnish Medical Birth Register, one group for spontaneous pregnancies (including 445 women and 545 children), matched according to maternal age, parity, year of birth, mother's residence and number of children at birth, and the other group for all pregnancies after IVF, ICSI or frozen embryo transfer treatment (FET) during the study period (including 2377 women and 2853 children). RESULTS: Among singletons, no difference was found in the mean birthweight, and the incidence of low birthweight (<2500 g) was comparable with that of the control groups. No differences were found in gestational duration, major congenital malformations or perinatal mortality among the groups studied. Among singletons in the study group, there were more term breech presentations (10.1%) compared with both spontaneously conceiving women and all IVF women (P < 0.01). The rate of pregnancy-induced hypertension was significantly lower among singletons in the study group (P < 0.05) compared with other IVF singletons. The multiple pregnancy rate was 23.3% in the study group. The obstetric outcome of the IVF twins was similar to both control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The overall obstetric outcome among couples with unexplained infertility treated with IVF was good, with similar outcome compared with spontaneous pregnancies and IVF pregnancies generally.     

Risk of Preterm Delivery Associated with Prior Treatment of Cervical Precancerous Lesion according to the Depth of the Cone

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the surgical excisional procedures for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) treatment both on subsequent fertility (cervical factor) and pregnancy complication (risk of spontaneous preterm delivery). We retrospectively analyzed 236 fertile women who underwent conization for CIN. We included in the study 47 patients who carried on pregnancy and delivered a viable fetus. Patients were asked about postconization pregnancies, obstetrical outcomes, and a possible diagnosis of secondary infertility caused by cervical stenosis. We evaluated the depth of surgical excision, the timing between cervical conization and subsequent pregnancies, surgical technique, and maternal age at delivery. We recorded 47 deliveries, 10 cases of preterm delivery; 8 of them were spontaneous. The depth of surgical excision showed a statistically significant inverse correlation with gestational age at birth. The risk of spontaneous preterm delivery increased when conization depth exceeded a cut-off value of 1.5 cm. Our data do not demonstrated a relation between conization and infertility due to cervical stenosis.     

Prognostic factors for an unsatisfactory primary methotrexate treatment of cervical pregnancy: a quantitative review

To determine the risks when the primary methotrexate (MTX) treatment of cervical pregnancy has an unsatisfactory outcome, we conducted a Medline search on relevant literature published from January 1983 to June 1997. The search yielded 28 publications of 48 cases of cervical pregnancy. These and four new cases from our institutions were used in our study. A cervical pregnancy that presented with a serum beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin concentration of > or = 10,000 mIU/ml [odds ratio (OR) 10.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.59, 45.14], gestational age at > or = 9 weeks (OR 6.44, 95% CI 1.46, 28.52), embryonic cardiac activity (OR 14.29, 95% CI 2.95, 76.92), and crown- rump length of >10 mm (OR 13.33, 95% CI 1.46, 120.48) was considered to be associated with a higher unsatisfactory rate of primary MTX treatment. A concomitant feticide was found to enhance the therapeutic effect of MTX treatment if embryonic cardiac activity was evident (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02, 0.68). Administration of a high dose of MTX did not seem to be more effective than a lower one. Our findings supported some previous observations and, more importantly, provided useful clinical information in selecting appropriate candidates for MTX treatment in cases of cervical pregnancy.      

Obstetric and perinatal outcome of pregnancies after intrauterine insemination.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the obstetric and perinatal outcome of pregnancies after intrauterine insemination (IUI) with the partner's spermatozoa combined with ovarian stimulation. Information concerning the antenatal care and obstetric and perinatal outcome of IUI pregnancies (n = 111), spontaneous (n = 333) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) (n = 333) was obtained from the Finnish Medical Birth Register (MBR). The multiple birth rate in the IUI group was 17% (19/111). Significantly less antenatal care was required by the IUI group than the IVF group. The frequency of Caesarean section was 25% for IUI singletons and 58% for IUI multiples, similar to the other groups. The mean (SD) gestational age for IUI singletons at birth was 39.5 (1.8) weeks, with a mean birth weight of 3285 (575) g, compared with 3448 (600) g in non-assisted singletons (P < 0.05). For IUI multiples the mean gestational age at birth was 36.0 (2.8) weeks and the mean birth weight was 2449 (678) g. The incidence of preterm birth, low birth weight or low Apgar scores and the need for neonatal care were similar in all groups. One case of major malformation and two perinatal deaths were recorded in the IUI group. In conclusion, IUI treatment did not appear to increase obstetric or perinatal risks compared with matched spontaneous or IVF pregnancies. Most problems were associated with patient characteristics and multiple pregnancy. Reduction of the high incidence of multiple pregnancies after assisted reproductive technology is essential to improve its outcome.     

Pregnancy in women with psychotic disorders

Summary Clinical experience and past research suggest that women with psychotic disorders have special needs when it comes to the provision of family planning and obstetric care. The aim of this study was to examine variables related to these issues in a representative sample of women with psychotic disorders who were in contact with mental health services. Of the 110 women who completed the survey, 65 (59.1%) were mothers. These women had a total of 257 pregnancies and 198 live births. One hundred and thirty-four (52%) of the pregnancies were unplanned and twenty-five percent of these pregnancies ended in termination. This population suffers from a high rate of unwanted pregnancies and reproductive losses. Further research is needed to assess the pre- and peri-conceptual needs of these women in order to optimize outcomes for the mothers and their foetuses.     

Review of unexplained infertility and obstetric outcome: a 10 year review.

BACKGROUND: Increased maternal and fetal risks have been reported in pregnancies following unexplained infertility. Our aims were to examine the obstetric and perinatal outcome of singleton pregnancies in couples with unexplained infertility and explore the impact of fertility treatment. METHODS: Women with unexplained infertility were identified from the Aberdeen Fertility Clinic Database. Their unit numbers were matched against the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank (AMND) in order to extract obstetric records of those women with subsequent pregnancy outcomes. The general obstetric population served as a control group. RESULTS: Women with unexplained infertility were older [30.8 versus 27.9 years, 95% confidence interval (CI) for difference = +2.4 to +3.4] and more likely to be primiparous (59 versus 40%, 95% CI = +1.3 to +1.9). After adjusting for age and parity they had a higher incidence of pre-eclampsia, abruptio placentae, preterm labour, emergency Caesarean section and induction of labour in comparison with the general population (P < 0.05). Perinatal outcome did not differ between women with unexplained infertility and those of the general population. The multiple pregnancy rate was 5.4% higher following fertility treatment than in women who conceived spontaneously (95% CI = +2.8 to +9.7). CONCLUSIONS: Women with unexplained infertility are at higher risk of obstetric complications which persist even after adjusting for age, parity and fertility treatment. The reasons are however unclear and merit further study.     

Fetopathological investigations after induced abortions performed in mid-term gemini pregnancies

Multiple pregnancies present a special obstetric condition whose importance has increased due to the spread of assisted reproductive techniques.We have processed the fetopathological data of 43 abortions induced in mid-term gemini pregnancies, owing to malformations affecting one or both fetuses.67.4% of the gemini pregnancies were conceived naturally and 32.6% by assisted reproduction techniques. The most commonly occurring malformations affected the fetuses’ cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Positive histories could be detected in 23% of the cases. The male-to-female ratio was found to be 1.14. In the majority of the cases with central nervous system malformation, fetus “A” was affected (85.7%). In 29.4% of the cases, monochorionic placentation was established. Ultrasonography and fetopatological findings yielded perfectly matching results in 78.9% of the cases.The incidence of fetal malformations is probably not higher among fetuses conceived by assisted reproduction techniques compared to the ones conceived naturally. Fetal central nervous system malformations usually affect fetus “A”. Based on the results of the fetopathological examinations, ultrasonography is a reliable method in the diagnostics of malformations affecting twin fetuses. Fetal echocardiography is indicated simply because of the pregnancy being a multiple one.     

辅助生育技术与自然受孕双胎妊娠结局的临床分析

目的探讨辅助生育技术与自然受孕两种不同方式双胎妊娠的临床结局。方法回顾性分析我院2005年-2008年7月分娩的143例辅助生育技术受孕双胎孕妇（ART组）和108例自然受孕双胎孕妇（对照组）的孕期合并症、分娩方式及围产儿儿结局。结果（1）ART组孕妇平均年龄（33．1±4．0）岁,对照组为（28．2±4．0）岁,两组比较差异有极显著性（P〈0．001）。（2）不良孕产史发生率ART组高于对照组（13．7％vs3．7％）,差异有极显著性（P〈0．01）;初次产检孕周,ART组为（13．1±5．4）周,对照组为（17．4±6．9）周,ART组的孕期产检次数为（8．2±2．8）次,对照组为（6．7±3．1）,均有极显著性差异（P≤0．001）。（3）ART组分娩孕周为（35．1±2．1）周,对照组为（34．4±2．4）周,ART组34周及以上分娩率高于对照组（P〈0．05）;妊娠期高血压疾病的发生率ART组低于对照组。（4）ART组新生儿平均出生体重（2394．3±38．04）g,对照组为（2184．9±53．20）g,差异有极显著性（P=0．001）。ART组极低出生体重儿发生率低于对照组。新生儿窒息、围产儿死亡率、一胎胎死宫内、先天性畸形的发生率,两组均无显著差异。结论ART助孕双胎孕妇更加重视孕期保健,分娩孕周延长,妊娠期高血压疾病的发生率较低,ART助孕组单卵双胎的比例较低．围产儿结局与自然爱孕双胎相似．     

Conservative treatment using a methotrexate-lipiodol emulsion containing non-ionic contrast medium for a cervical ectopic pregnancy

We present a case in which a viable cervical pregnancy was successfully treated with preservation of the uterus. A 26 year old female presented with a 6 week cervical pregnancy with acute moderate bleeding. On the day of admission the patient underwent embolization of the descending uterine artery to decrease the bleeding. The following day, 4 mEq potassium chloride and methotrexate (MTX)(1 mg/kg) dissolved in saline was injected into the amniotic cavity using transvaginal sonographic guidance. The fetal heart beat ceased; however, the urinary beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) concentration increased and the gestational sac size also increased. After a second injection of an emulsion of MTX (1 mg/kg) dissolved in a non-ionic contrast medium, iopamidol and lipiodol, the betaHCG concentration in the urine began to decrease. After a third injection with the same emulsion, the cervical mass became necrotic. The betaHCG concentrations in the urine and serum were undetectable and the external cervix returned to normal 44 days after admission. No vaginal bleeding or significant side effects of MTX were observed throughout the treatment. An in-vitro dissolution test revealed that the dissolution rate of MTX was slower from MTX-lipiodol- iopamidol with sonication than without sonication. The present study indicates that use of an MTX emulsion enables slow release of MTX and may be applicable for conservative treatment of ectopic pregnancies, including cervical pregnancy.      

Pregnancy after Caesarean section: fewer or later?

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether having a Caesarean section results in fewer subsequent pregnancies with longer intervals between pregnancies, an effect which may impact on the reproductive performance of a population. Our aim was to determine the implications of a Caesarean section on the subsequent fecundity and interpregnancy interval. METHODS: This is a cohort study. The obstetric follow-up of primiparous women who delivered by a Caesarean section of a singleton infant in breech presentation is compared with the follow-up of women who delivered vaginally of a singleton infant after a physiological, uncomplicated pregnancy. RESULTS: A total of 279 women delivered a singleton infant in breech presentation at term. From these women, 165 (59.1%) had a Caesarean section. In this group, 131 (79.4%) women had a subsequent pregnancy. In the reference group of 268 women who delivered vaginally, 208 (77.6%) became pregnant again. The median interval between birth of the first child and the beginning of the next pregnancy was 20 months for the Caesarean section group and 18 months for the reference group. No significant difference in interpregnancy interval between the different groups was found. CONCLUSIONS: Women who delivered by Caesarean section at term in their first pregnancy do not have fewer second pregnancies compared with women who delivered vaginally. The interpregnancy interval between first and second pregnancy was not prolonged.     

Pregnancy outcomes following laparoscopic myomectomy and single-layer myometrial closure

BACKGROUND: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes following laparoscopic myomectomy and single-layer myometrial closure. METHODS: This study conducted at a private advanced endoscopy and assisted reproductive technology centre retrospectively evaluated outcomes of 115 women who had pregnancies subsequent to laparoscopic myomectomy. RESULTS: Of the 217 women followed up, 115 had pregnancies subsequent to a laparoscopic myomectomy. Of 141 pregnancies, there were 87 Caesarean sections, 19 vaginal deliveries, 29 abortions and 6 ectopic pregnancies. There were no incidents of uterine scar rupture in any of these pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine rupture during pregnancies following laparoscopic myomectomy is rare following single-layer myometrial closure.     

Perinatal and obstetric outcomes of donor insemination using cryopreserved semen in Victoria, Australia.

This study compared the perinatal and obstetric outcomes of 1552 donor insemination pregnancies in Victoria, Australia, with a control group of 7717 normally conceived pregnancies from the general population. Data on the outcomes of pregnancies of at least 20 weeks gestation, for both groups, were obtained from the same population-based birth registry. The study showed that there were no significant differences between the donor insemination and control groups in the incidence of preterm birth, low birthweight, multiple birth, perinatal death and birth defects, or in the sex ratio. Pregnancies conceived by donor insemination were significantly more likely than controls to have an induced labour (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1. 4-1.8), a forceps delivery (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.8) and/or a Caesarean section (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.4-1.9) and to develop pre-eclampsia (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.8) after adjusting for maternal age, multiple birth, parity and presentation. Reasons for the higher rate of induced and operative deliveries are not clear. Overall, the study's findings are reassuring for couples considering infertility treatment with donor insemination. The study illustrates the importance of complete follow-up in studies of pregnancy outcomes after assisted conception and the use of appropriate population-based control groups with comparable ascertainment of outcomes.