Pregnancy and delivery after hysteroscopic metroplasty

AIM OF THE STUDY: Outcomes of treatment of habitual miscarriages and course of pregnancy and delivery in women after hysteroscopic metroplasty i.e. hysteroscopic resection of uterine septum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Material consisted of 31 women with uterine septum operated between years of 1995-2002 because of habitual miscarriage by surgical hysteroscopic technique. The control group consisted of 26 women treated between years of 1990-1997 by Strassman's operation. Outcomes of treatment of habitual abortions, course of pregnancy and delivery were analyzed in both groups. The statistical analysis was performed by Chi 2 test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: After such treatment 27 out of 31 hysteroscopic treated women became pregnant. In first pregnancy in 12 women miscarriages and in 3 cases premature delivery were observed. Twelve pregnant women delivered pregnancy till 37 week. 15 infants survived (3 premature baby). Out of 26 women in control group after Strassman's operation 24 became pregnant, but 12 had miscarried. All pregnancy in control group i.e. ten mature pregnancy and 2 during premature delivery were ended by Cesarean section. The efficacy of treatment of habitual miscarriage due to uterine septum by hysteroscopic surgery was 55.5%, and there was no statistical significant difference between hysteroscopic surgery and Strassman's operation (50.0%). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of result obtained the hysteroscopic metroplasty should be method of choice in the treatment of the uterine septum. Although the vaginal delivery is preferred one should have in mind the late complications of hysteroscopic surgery.     

Incidence of parvovirus B19 infection among an unselected population of pregnant women in the Netherlands: A prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate seroprevalence of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG immunoglobulins and the rate of seroconversion in seronegative pregnant women. DESIGN: Prospective assessment of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG immunoglobulins in an unselected population of pregnant women booked for antenatal care from 1998 to 2000. SETTING: Maternity departments of an academic hospital and four affiliated teaching hospitals in the Netherlands. SUBJECTS: Two thousand five hundred and sixty seven pregnant women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Seroprevalence of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG immunoglobulin in the first trimester of pregnancy and subsequent seroconversion in those women who were tested negative for parvovirus B19 antibodies in the first trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS: The estimated seroprevalence of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG immunoglobulins among the study population is 70% (95% CI: 68-71) in the first trimester of pregnancy. Seven hundred and seventy nine women tested negative for parvovirus B19 antibodies in the first trimester of pregnancy. Paired testing in these women confirmed 18 seroconversions. Based on these findings the estimated incidence of maternal parvovirus B19 infection in this population among seronegative Dutch women is 2.4% (95% CI: 1.4-3.7). CONCLUSION: Maternal infection with parvovirus B19 is relatively common. However, it is argued that in the Netherlands routine assessment of parvovirus antibodies in pregnant women is not warranted as there is a low risk of adverse fetal outcome and measures to prevent the parvovirus B19 infection and its consequences are very limited.     

Crack cocaine: a risk factor for human immunodeficiency virus infection type 1 among inner-city parturients.

OBJECTIVE: To define the relationship between crack cocaine use and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection while controlling for other HIV risk factors. METHODS: We performed a case-control study among inner-city pregnant women who were followed at a large urban hospital in Atlanta, Georgia; 79 of the women were HIV-1-infected and 525 were seronegative. We identified the women from a prenatal population undergoing routine voluntary HIV-1 antibody screening. RESULTS: From July 1, 1989 to December 31, 1990, we screened 13,469 pregnant women; 80 (5.9 per 1000) were HIV-1-infected. One seropositive woman who did not complete a risk-behavior questionnaire was excluded from the study. Seropositivity was associated with a history of crack cocaine use (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-4.8), intravenous drug use (odds ratio 14.5, 95% CI 4.5-46.3), and a history of sexually transmitted diseases (odds ratio 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.5). We found a significant interaction (P = .01) between a history of crack cocaine use and employment status: Unemployed women who used crack cocaine were 3.5 times more likely to be HIV-1-infected than were employed women who used crack cocaine. CONCLUSIONS: Crack cocaine use was found to be a risk factor associated with HIV-1 infection among pregnant women, particularly those who were unemployed. This finding suggests that the impact of crack cocaine use on HIV transmission may be related to economic factors and possibly to either trading sex for money to buy cocaine or trading sex for the drug.     

Effects of Cryopreserved Semen Quality and Timed Intrauterine Insemination on Pregnancy Rate and Gender of Offspring in a Donor Insemination Program

Purpose: Our purpose was to study the relationship among cryopreserved donor semen quality, pregnancy rates, and preconception sex selection after intrauterine insemination. Methods: We reviewed the records of the 203 women in our donor insemination program from 1987 to 1994 who became pregnant after more than one insemination cycle and had no female-factor infertility. They were categorized according to the number of cycles required for pregnancy. Semen samples from 54 donors were analyzed before freezing and after thawing. Specimens resulting in pregnancy were compared to specimens from the same donor that did not. Semen characteristics were compared to gender of the child. Results: Two hundred fifty two-women became pregnant of the 422 who were enrolled. The pregnancy rate per cycle was 13%. Semen quality was not related to pregnancy outcome or offspring gender. However, more male children (101 vs 83) were born. Conclusions: Semen characteristics in good-quality cryopreserved donor semen do not affect pregnancy rate or offspring gender.     

Birth of two infants who were seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) after intracytoplasmic injection of sperm from HIV-1-seropositive men

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of live births after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in two women who were seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) after the use of processed semen from their seropositive husbands. DESIGN: Case reports. SETTING: University hospital IVF center. PATIENT(S): Two HIV-1 seropositive men and their HIV-1 seronegative female partners; all gave their informed consent in writing before undergoing the ICSI procedures. INTERVENTION(S): The men provided semen samples that were processed with the use of Percoll and swim-up techniques. Ovarian stimulation in the women was performed with the long protocol using GnRH analogs and recombinant FSH. ICSI was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Oocytes were fertilized by ICSI, and the resulting embryos were transferred to the patients. The mothers and babies were tested for HIV-1 antibodies. RESULT(S): In the first case, seven mature oocytes were collected and fertilized with ICSI, and three embryos were transferred; the woman became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy boy. Six months after the birth, testing for HIV-1 antibodies in the woman and the baby gave negative results. In the second case, 10 mature oocytes were collected and fertilized with ICSI, and four embryos were transferred; the second woman became pregnant and also gave birth to a healthy boy. Testing for HIV-1 antibodies at the baby's delivery also gave negative results. CONCLUSION(S): In women who are infertile because of fallopian tube obstruction or in men who have poor quality semen for artificial insemination, ICSI can be performed using processed semen. This method, which involves the use of only one spermatozoon per oocyte, provides HIV-1 seropositive men with the opportunity to have children with a minimal risk-if any-of infecting their female partners.     

Evaluation and two-year follow-up of 455 infertile couples--pregnancy rate and outcome.

A total of 455 infertile couples were evaluated in our infertility clinic over a period of 2 years and were followed up for 2 years for occurrence of pregnancy. Couples were thoroughly investigated to determine the etiological factor in the male and female partners. One hundred and seventy-five women (38.5%) became pregnant, 47 (28%) before the complete evaluation, 66 (38%) after total work-up, and 62 (35%) after successful treatment. When both partners were normal, 40% of the woman became pregnant, but only 24% when a defect was detected in both. Half the women in the age group less than 25 years conceived compared to only one-fourth when age was more than 35 years. Sixty-five percent became pregnant when the duration of infertility was less than 2 years, and only 20% when duration was more than 4 years. One hundred and thirty (84.4%) had successful outcome of pregnancy, of which 58% had normal vaginal delivery. Spontaneous abortion occurred in 13% of cases; only one patient had an ectopic pregnancy. Cesarean section rate was 27%, and 11.8% were delivered by low midcavity forceps.     

Is preeclampsia an infectious disease?

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested a strong paternal factor in the etiology of preeclampsia. If preeclampsia is caused by an infectious agent transmitted by the woman's partner, seronegative women who may experience primary infection in pregnancy should be at increased risk of preeclampsia as compared to previously infected women. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of being seronegative for some viruses transmitted by close contact on the risk of developing preeclampsia. METHODS: Nine hundred and seventy-eight women were randomly drawn from a basic study population of 35,940 pregnant women in Norway. A serum sample drawn at the first antenatal visit was analyzed for specific IgG antibodies against herpes simplex virus type-2, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus. For comparison, antibody status against Toxoplasma gondii was also assessed. Information on preeclampsia in pregnancy was obtained through linkage to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. RESULTS: Thirty-three (3%) women developed preeclampsia. The risk of developing preeclampsia seemed to be increased for women who were seronegative for the viruses studied. Seronegativity for Toxoplasma gondii did not show such a pattern. INTERPRETATION: Women who are seronegative for antibodies against viral agents transmitted through close contact seem more likely to develop preeclampsia. This finding indicates that women who are seronegative to such agents may acquire primary infection in pregnancy, and subsequently be at increased risk of preeclampsia. This hypothesis could represent a new approach to the causes of preeclampsia, and encourage search for yet unidentified microbes as a possible causal factor.     

多囊卵巢综合征患者妊娠期胰岛素抵抗及妊娠结局观察分析

目的探讨多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者妊娠期胰岛素抵抗的变化及与妊娠结局的关系。方法选择2007年9月至2009年2月在中山大学孙逸仙纪念医院妇产科确诊为PCOS并妊娠成功的102例孕妇为PCOS组,同期在本院早孕检查、产检及分娩的普通孕产妇701例为对照组,比较两组孕妇的妊娠并发症及妊娠结局。对PCOS组中的38例及对照组中的50例孕妇于24～28周进行75g葡萄糖耐量检查及胰岛素释放试验,计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、胰岛β细胞分泌功能指数(HOMA-β)、血糖和胰岛素曲线下面积。结果 PCOS组血糖曲线下面积及胰岛素曲线下面积大于对照组(22.22±4.48、19.29±3.19,228.93±130.05、155.62±69.54,P<0.05);PCOS组空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、HOMA-IR、HOMA-β大于对照组,分别为4.61±0.57、4.56±0.39,7.81±4.65、6.35±4.45,1.65±1.08、1.31±0.95,169.47±119.4、126.94±85.81,但差异无统计学意义。PCOS组与对照组妊娠并发症发生率分别为自然流产23.53%、8.27%,妊娠期糖...     

Survival analysis of fertility after ectopic pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproductive outcome after ectopic pregnancy and to assess the contribution of risk factors to future fertility. DESIGN: Prospective follow-up in a population-based sample. SETTING: Register of ectopic pregnancies established in an urban area around Lille, France. PATIENT(S): Three hundred and twenty-eight women treated between April 1994 and March 1997 who had not been using an IUCD at the time of the ectopic pregnancy and were trying to become pregnant. INTERVENTION(S): Interviews by telephone every 6 months for 2 years and once yearly thereafter. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Cumulative pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Two hundred fifteen (65.5%) women became pregnant after a mean of 5 months. One hundred eighty-two (84.7%) pregnancies were intrauterine; 22 (10.2%) were recurrent ectopic pregnancies; and in 11 women (5.1%), it was too early to define implantation. The cumulative intrauterine pregnancy rate was 56% at 1 year and 67% at 2 years. After applying Cox regression, three factors associated with fertility seemed to decrease reproductive performance: age > 35 years, history of infertility, and anterior tubal damage .CONCLUSION(S): More than half of the women treated for ectopic pregnancy spontaneously conceived and had a normally progressive pregnancy at 1 year. Fertility depends more on established patient characteristics than characteristics of ectopic pregnancy itself or treatment thereof.     

Endoglin in pregnancy complicated by fetal intrauterine growth restriction in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women: a comparison between preeclamptic patients with appropriate-for-gestational-age weight infants and healthy pregnant women

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the maternal serum endoglin concentration in pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in the presence or absence of preeclampsia and to compare the results with preeclamptic pregnant women with appropriate-for-gestational-age weight infants and with healthy pregnant controls. Patients and methods: The study was performed on 52 normotensive pregnant patients with pregnancy complicated by isolated IUGR, 33 patients with preeclampsia complicated by IUGR and 33 preeclamptic patients with appropriate-for-gestational-age weight infants. The control group consisted of 54 healthy normotensive pregnant patients with singleton uncomplicated pregnancies. The maternal serum endoglin concentrations were determined using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay assay. Results: Our study revealed increased levels of endoglin in the serum of women with normotensive pregnancy complicated by isolated IUGR, and in both groups of preeclamptic patients with and without IUGR. The levels of endoglin were the highest in pregnancy complicated by fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in the course of preeclampsia. The mean values were 12.2?±?4.3 ng/ml in the IUGR group, 14.1?±?3.6 ng/ml in preeclamptic patients with normal intrauterine fetal growth, 15.1?±?3.2 ng/ml in preeclamptic pregnant women with IUGR and 10.6?±?3.7 ng/ml in the healthy controls. We also found positive correlations between serum endoglin levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and inverse correlations between maternal endoglin and infant birth weight. Conclusions: Our results suggest that increased endoglin concentration may be at least responsible for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and/or intrauterine fetal growth restriction. It seems that the pathomechanism underlying the development of preeclampsia and isolated IUGR is similar, but that their beginning or intensity may be different in these two pregnancy complications. The positive correlation between endoglin and blood pressure and inverse correlation between endoglin and infant birth weight and additionally higher levels of ENG in patients with pregnancy complicated by HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, increased liver enzymes, low platelet count) or eclampsia suggest that endoglin may be a marker of severity of these pregnancy disorders.     

Immediate and long term outcome of human parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy

Objective To estimate more precisely the risk of fetal loss and congenital abnormalities after maternal parvovirus B19 infection, and to assess the long term outcome for surviving infants.
Design Prospective cohort study of pregnant women with confirmed B19 infection with follow up of the surviving infants. The rate of fetal loss in the study cohort was compared with that in pregnant women with varicella.
Setting Cases reported by laboratories in England and Wales between 1985-1988 and 1992–1995.
Sample Four hundred and twenty-seven pregnant women with B19 infection and 367 surviving infants of whom 129 were followed up at 7–10 years of age.
Methods Questionnaires to obstetricians and general practitioners on outcome of pregnancy and health of surviving infants. Maternal infection confirmed by B19-specific IgM assay and/or IgG seroconversion.
Results The excess rate of fetal loss in women with B19 infection was confined to the first 20 weeks of gestation and averaged 9%. Seven cases of fetal hydrops followed maternal infections between 9 and 20 weeks of gestation (observed risk 2.9%, 95% CI 1.2–5.9). No abnormalities attributable to B19 infection were found at birth in surviving infants (observed risk 0%, upper 95% CI 0.86%). No late effects were found at 7–10 years.
Conclusions Around 1 in 10 women infected before 20 weeks of gestation will suffer a fetal loss due to B19. The risk of an adverse outcome of pregnancy after this stage is remote. Infected women can be reassured that the maximum possible risk of a congenital abnormality due to B19 is under 1% and that long term development will be normal.     

Premature delivery and subsequent reproduction

To examine the relationship between premature delivery and subsequent reproductive behavior, we attempted to trace 100 mothers four years after the birth of a surviving preterm or term infant. Seventy mothers were successfully traced. Maternal age, ethnicity, gravidity, parity, religion, and socioeconomic status, and the sex, birthweight, gestational age, mode of delivery, and hospital days of the index infant were jointly related to three outcome measures: occurrence of subsequent pregnancy, and, among those who again became pregnant, pregnancy interval and number of subsequent children. Among women who had one or more subsequent births during the follow-up period, those whose index infants were of lower gestational age had fewer subsequent births (r = 0.602, df = 32, p less than 0.011). No other variables, including cesarean birth, were significantly related to later reproductive behavior. These findings indicate that the birth of a premature infant may have a significant effect of decreasing or delaying subsequent reproduction. Through confirmatory studies are needed, awareness of this relationship may help obstetric perinatologists and neonatologists sensitively discuss plans for contraception and further childbearing with women who have experienced the stress of the birth of a premature infant.     

Incidence of toxoplasmosis in 5532 pregnant women in Crete, Greece: management of 185 cases at risk

OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Crete and to test a designed protocol for handling those at risk of delivering congenitally infected infants. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant women were screened serologically over a period of 5 years. Cases with suspected acute toxoplasmosis were treated, peripheral blood (PB), and amniotic fluid (AF) tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture, and fetuses monitored by ultrasonography. The absence of congenital infection in infants was confirmed by serology and clinical evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 5532 pregnant women followed, 70.57% remained seronegative, 29.45% were seropositive, and there was direct evidence of seroconversion in six cases. Acute toxoplasmosis was suspected in 185 cases, maternal parasitemia was detected in five cases and positive amniotic fluid in one case. Congenital infection was excluded in all infants followed, based on the absence of ultrasound findings in utero, lack of clinical symptoms at birth, negative Western blotting (WB) at birth and 3 months later, and descending serology for a year. CONCLUSION: Overall, 29.45% of the pregnant women followed were seropositive, 3.3% with suspected acute toxoplasmosis, and in 0.02% cases there was evidence of maternofetal transmission. The protocol tested allowed differentiation between acute and latent toxoplasmosis, safe management of the cases at risk and assisted in avoidance of unwarranted pregnancy terminations.     

Effect of successive single-gestation pregnancies on the course of maternal human immunodeficiency virus disease and perinatal transmission

Objective: This study was undertaken to examine the effect of successive pregnancies over a 3-year period on the course of maternal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the rate of perinatal transmission of HIV.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 32 pregnancies in 14 known HIV-infected women vs. a matched control group of HIV-infected women who had been pregnant only once was done.Results: The multiple-pregnancy group was similar to the single-pregnancy group for age, race, duration of known HIV infection, initial CD(4) count, and date of first pregnancy. The delivery data were similar as well. The CD(4) counts in the multiple-pregnancy group fell from 595 to 460, while counts in the single-pregnancy group fell comparably from 669 to 638, both over 37 months (P = 0.1476). Five of 5 second-born infants of known serostatus vs. 8 of 21 first-born infants were HIV-infected (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Successive pregnancies do not alter the course of HIV infection in asymptomatic women followed up to 3 years. The infants of second pregnancies of known HIV-infected women may be at higher risk for perinatal transmission.     

Pregnancy and childbirth course after IVF-ET patients admitted to KMMP ICZMP on Lodz between 1996-2002

THE AIM: The evaluation of pregnancy course and the birth body weight of the infants from the women, which got pregnant as a result of IVF-ET procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 72 female patients admitted to KMMP ICZMP in ?ód? between January 1996 and December 2002 were put to the analysis (group I). The control group consisted of 400 random chosen female patients admitted to the Clinic during the examined period (group II). The course of the pregnancy, childbirth and the birth body weight of infants in both groups since 23rd week of the pregnancy were analysed. Mean age of the female patients in group I amounted 32 years (22-42), and in the group II 26 years (17-37). For the purposes of statistic analyse the test chi 2 was used. RESULTS: In group I the patients presented significantly elder population then in the group II. The multiple pregnancies in the group I presented 32% and they occurred significantly more often then in the group II (2%). In the group I significantly statistically more often the cholestase (6.9%), the imminent premature childbirth (36%), the premature amniorrhoea (20.8%), the premature childbirth (22%), the isthmo--cervicalis insufficiency (6.9%) and the inhibition of the intrauterine foetus growth (11%) were affirmed. Statistically significantly more often the childbirth was ended with Caesarean section in the group I (47.2%) then in group II (17.8%). The infants with birth body weight less than 2500 g statistically significantly more often were born from group I (36.4%) then from group II (8.6%). CONCLUSION: 1. The pregnancy and childbirth course after IVF-ET is burden with bigger risk of obstetric pathology occurrence. 2. The pregnant women after IVF-ET are more often giving birth to the infants with low birth body weight.     

Epstein-Barr virus infection during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome

OBJECTIVES: To study the association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody status in early pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes including fetal death, length of gestation and fetal weight and length at birth. DESIGN: Nested control study. SETTING: Population based health registers. POPULATION: The source population comprised 35,940 pregnant women. Cases were all (280) women with fetal death and a random sample of 940 women with a live born child. METHOD: Information on pregnancy outcome was obtained from the Norwegian Medical Birth Registry. Serum samples from the first trimester were tested for EBV antibodies. In women seronegative for EBV, further serum from late pregnancy was analysed to detect seroconversion. Main outcome measures Vital status, length of gestation, weight and length at birth. RESULTS: There was no association between EBV antibody status and fetal death. Women with significant EBV reactivation had a significantly shorter duration of pregnancy, and associated lighter babies, compared with women without significant reactivation (stillborn: 176 vs 197 days, P=0.16, and live born: 271 vs 279 days, P=0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Significant reactivation of EBV infection during pregnancy may influence pregnancy duration.     

143例妊娠期梅毒患者妊娠结局及婴幼儿结局研究

Objective?To improve the management quality of syphilis during pregnancy in the region. Methods?Data of pregnant women with syphilis infection were collected in Baoshan District of Shanghai from Jan 2013 to Dec 2019. According to the titer classification of rapid plasma regain (RPR) of the first medical visit, all the pregnant women were divided into high titer group and low titer group, and their pregnancy and infant outcome were analyzed. According to the treatment, all the cases were divided into standard treatment group and non-standard treatment group, to analyze the outcome of pregnancy and infants. Results?A total of 143 cases of pregnant women infected with syphilis were collected. The prevalence was 0.23%. Their average age was (29.71±5.52) years old. Only 36.36% of them were Shanghai residents. The education level of the patients showed that 42.66% of all were lower than junior high school, 35.66% were senior high school, 21.68% were Bachelor`s degree or more. The prevalence of pregnant women infected with syphilis were rising during the seven years (P<0.05).The prevalence of obstetric complications of the high titer group was higher than the low titer group (P<0.05). The prevalence of obstetric complications of the standard treatment group was lower than the non-standard treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusion?It should be strengthen that the quality of management and follow-up of pregnant women with syphilis infection and their infants.     

Assessing the clinical utility of in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 serodiscordant couples: report of 113 consecutive cycles

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility and safety of in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) serodiscordant couples. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University-based practice. PATIENT(S): HIV-1 seropositive men and seronegative women undergoing IVF-ICSI.IVF-ICSI, HIV testing of female partner and infants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): IVF performance, pregnancy rates, and HIV-1 seroconversion rate. RESULT(S): We initiated 113 IVF cycles in 61 serodiscordant couples. Due to poor ovarian response, 11.5% of cycles were canceled. The number of oocytes collected per retrieval was 17.11 +/- 9.52 (2 to 47), yielding 13.90 +/- 8.12 (1 to 42) mature oocytes suitable for ICSI, and 9.34 +/- 5.45 (0 to 24) normal fertilized oocytes. We transferred 3.54 +/- 1.09 (1 to 6) embryos. The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 44.8% per embryo transfer (ET); ongoing/delivered pregnancy rate was 36.5% per ET, with a 57.1% multiple gestation rate. Cumulatively, 50.8% of couples achieved a successful pregnancy through IVF-ICSI, 54.1% when including frozen ET cycles. There were no HIV-1 seroconversions in patients or delivered babies. CONCLUSION(S): HIV-1 serodiscordant couples who undergo IVF-ICSI to avoid disease transmission experience high rates of success, but also encounter complications from assisted reproductive technology similar to traditional patients. The best candidates appear to be younger women without strong risk factors for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.     

Periconceptional exposure to contraceptive pills and risk for Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: There are some studies which analyzed the relationship between prenatal exposure to oral contraceptives (OCs) and Down syndrome, with conflicting results even in women using OCs and conceiving at different intervals after discontinuing the use of contraceptive pills. We analyzed the risk for Down syndrome in infants of women who become pregnant while taking OC. STUDY DESIGN: We used the data from the Spanish Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECEMC). The ECEMC is a case-control study and surveillance system. For each malformed infant (case), the next non-malformed infant of the same sex born in the same hospital is selected as a control subject, from whom the collaborating physicians collected the same data as for the malformed infant. For the present study, we used two different approaches. First, the pair-matching analysis. Second, a case-control using the rest of the total of 17,183 controls from the ECEMC database with specified data on maternal use of OCs and maternal age. To control for maternal age, we used a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The results show an increased risk of 2.8-fold for infants with Down syndrome in women younger than 35 years of age if the mother became pregnant while she was taking OCs. We did not observe this result for women older than 34 years of age. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the risk for Down syndrome in infants born to mothers with less than 35 years of age (as a group) who became pregnant while taking OCs is near the risk for Down syndrome of mothers with more than 34 years of age, women who are candidates for prenatal diagnosis. Thus, based on our results, one may consider the possibility of offering prenatal diagnosis for Down syndrome to young women who became pregnant while taking OCs.     

Bioelectrical impedance analysis in the clinical management of preeclamptic women with edema

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to correlate bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) with the clinical course of preeclampsia with edema. DESIGN: 440 pregnant women with apparently normal, single pregnancy participated in this longitudinal study. Anthropometric measurements and BIA were performed during pregnancy and postpartum period. RESULTS: All of the measurements were completed in 333 of the women; 279 of the women had a normal pregnancy (control group). The remaining 54 women developed edema during the third trimester of pregnancy. Of these, 40 women had only edema, and 14 women had edema followed by hypertension and/or proteinuria (preeclampsia group). The BIA index (the height squared divided by resistance) in the control group increased significantly towards late pregnancy, compared to that in early pregnancy. The indexes in the edema group were significantly higher during the third trimester compared to those of the control group at the same gestational week. The index in the preeclampsia group was higher relative to that in the control group. Moreover, a substantial increase in the index preceded the development of edema in the cases in which pregnancy was terminated due to deterioration of preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that BIA is a useful method for monitoring longitudinal changes in total body water in pregnant women, and that BIA may be a powerful predictor of deterioration of preeclampsia preceded by edema.