Transvaginal reduction of an interstitial heterotopic pregnancy with preservation of the intrauterine gestation

With use of transvaginal ultrasonographic guidance, cardiac activity in an interstitial heterotopic pregnancy at 7 weeks' gestation was terminated. The interstitial pregnancy resolved, and a healthy term infant was delivered. If an early diagnosis of an interstitial heterotopic pregnancy is made, selective reduction may allow preservation of the intrauterine gestation without surgery. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;176:1384-5.)     

Spontaneous bilateral tubal ectopic pregnancy and failed methotrexate therapy: A case report

Spontaneous bilateral ectopic pregnancy is extremely rare. An unsuspected case of spontaneous bilateral ectopic pregnancy with failure of single-dose methotrexate is presented. We question whether the recommended dose of methotrexate for unilateral ectopic pregnancy is adequate for bilateral tubal pregnancy.(Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:1545-6.)     

Hodgkin's disease during pregnancy: diagnostic and therapeutic management

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the possibility that women affected by Hodgkin's disease (HD) during their second or third trimester of pregnancy can safely carry their pregnancy to term. METHODS: From 1986 to 1997, 6 women came to our Center during the second trimester of pregnancy and were diagnosed as having HD. Three of these 6 patients were treated with chemotherapy before delivery and 3 of them were kept under observation and started treatment after delivery. RESULTS: All 6 women gave birth to a healthy female. CONCLUSIONS: The pregnancy does not worsen the course of the illness and does not compromise long-term clinical remission and recovery.     

Voluntary screening program for HIV in pregnancy. Cost effectiveness

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a voluntary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening program in pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Using a business decision theory analysis model, we estimated the outcomes and costs of the two possible decisions by our patients (test/no test). Patients with a positive HIV screen would undergo evaluation and possible prophylactic antiviral therapy. The model was utilized to evaluate the Naval Medical Center San Diego Program from 1995-1997. RESULTS: Prevalence of HIV in active duty Navy personnel during the years evaluated were 1995, 0.024%; 1996, 0.028%; and 1997, 0.022%. Patients screened for HIV during these years were 1995, 3,874; 1996, 3,924; and 1997, 4,127 (n = 11,925). Incidence of HIV seroprevalence in patients screened during the study period was zero. The number of patients declining HIV screening was: 1995, 10; 1996, 8; and 1997, 5. During the same period, reported HIV seroprevalence among pregnant patients in the United States was 1.5/1,000. CONCLUSION: HIV seroprevalence in our pregnant population (zero) was lower than expected, considering the national pregnancy prevalence and Navy prevalence. The expected number of cases of positive HIV screens was 17.8. The cost of the program for the study period was $103,748. The cost of care for one positive neonate ranges between $100,000 and $200,000.     

系统性红斑狼疮合并妊娠21例分析

目的 :探讨系统性红斑狼疮 (SL E)合并妊娠的恶化率、妊高征发生率及妊娠期处理。方法 :对 1997～ 2 0 0 0年收治的 2 1例 SL E合并妊娠的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 :SL E合并妊娠病情恶化率及妊高征发生率分别为 5 2 .4 %及33.3% ,与 SL E病情活动和缓解有关。结论 :SL E合并妊娠病情容易加重 ,也易并发妊高征 ,应加强妊娠期监测和处理。     

Ectopic pregnancy is not more likely following fresh vs frozen embryo transfer

PURPOSE: To determine if the risk of ectopic pregnancy is greater following frozen vs fresh embryo transfer (ET). METHODS: Retrospective review of pregnancy outcome from January 1, 1997 to November 30, 2003. Cryopreservation was used as a simple freezing method and one-step removal of cryoprotectant. The cycles consisted mostly of graduated estradiol and progesterone supplementation. RESULTS: The ectopic pregnancy rate in 1,445 clinical pregnancies from fresh ET was 2.6% vs 2.0% of 975 clinical pregnancies resulting from frozen ET. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the conclusions of two previous studies, the present study evaluating twice as many clinical pregnancies than the two aforementioned studies combined failed to show any greater risk of ectopic pregnancy when transfers were performed on day 3.     

Use of omeprazole during pregnancy--no hazard demonstrated in 955 infants exposed during pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the magnitude of possible fetal risks involved in maternal use of omeprazole during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Infants whose mothers used omeprazole during pregnancy were identified from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry. A total of 955 exposed infants born in 1995-1999 were identified: 863 of which were exposed in early pregnancy and 131 later in pregnancy and 39 who had been exposed both in early and late pregnancy. Delivery outcome was studied: presence of congenital malformations, perinatal survival, low birth weight, low Apgar score and hospitalization up to the end of 1997. RESULTS: No clear-cut indication of ill effects were seen. Five infants were stillborn and the rate of congenital heart defects was slightly increased, but both effects may be random. CONCLUSIONS: The present dataset and previously published data give no reason for concern after exposure for omeprazole during pregnancy.     

Rhythmic variation in the rate of ectopic pregnancy throughout the year.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine whether the incidence of ectopic pregnancy follows a seasonal rhythm of occurrence. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis was performed on 15,639 pregnancies reported in a single department in 5.5 years (January 1992-June 1997). For each pregnancy the time of conception was estimated from medical records. Frequencies of conceptions that terminated in birth, spontaneous abortion, legally induced abortion, and ectopic pregnancy were distributed across the 12-month period. RESULTS: Total pregnancy showed a seasonal rhythm of occurrence, with peak values in March. The rate of ectopic pregnancy showed a rhythm with 2 peaks, in June and December. Nadirs were coincident with the peak and nadir of total conceptions and also with the equinoxes. Spontaneous abortions tended to show a rhythm the inverse of that of ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: These data show an influence of the seasons on the rate of ectopic pregnancy, which may have implications for both the understanding of ectopic pregnancy's causative mechanisms and its prevention.     

Exocervical pregnancy

A case of cervical pregnancy with implantation of the fertilized ovum on the exocervix is described. This pregnancy was mistaken for an endometriotic lesion and treated by simple surgical excision. Discussion is centered on etiology, predisposing factors and management. Received: 26 August 1996 / Accepted: 3 February 1997     

Generic Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) in Place of More Costly Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) for Routine Ovulation Induction

Purpose: A large part of infertility treatment involves the use of exogenous gonadotropins. The last decade has seen a progressive switch from human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), the original gonadotropin product, to progressively more costly products, primarily or exclusively containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Though obviously at least in part driven by marketing efforts of pharmaceutical companies, this switch has received relatively little scrutiny despite its obvious cost implications. We therefore investigated whether a switch back to a generic or less costly hMG-driven ovulation induction protocol would affect patient outcome after ovulation induction and, by implications, with other assisted reproductive technologies. Methods: We prospectively studied clinical pregnancy rates in a large number of consecutive ovulation induction cycles in a well-defined patient population (group 1) which, after October of 1997, had been switched from a predominantly FSH to an hMG-driven protocol, based on an institutional formulary change. Until a transition period (between July and September 1997), this patient population had been on a primarily FSH-driven protocol (between July 1996 and June 1997). In parallel, we evaluated a second patient population (group 2), which was managed by the same physicians outside of formulary requirements and remained almost exclusively on principally FSH-driven ovulation induction cycles. Results: FSH- and hMG-driven ovulation induction protocols did not differ in pregnancy outcome during the prospective study period. Group 1 patients, however, demonstrated a significant increase in pregnancy rates after the switch from FSH to hMG stimulation had taken place (P = 0.02), while group 2 patients demonstrated no change in pregnancy rate during the same time period. Conclusions: Generic hMG products do not adversely affect pregnancy rates in comparison to more costly FSH products in routine ovulation induction cycles and should be considered an appropriate alternative to more expensive FSH products.     

Influence of rest during pregnancy on birth weight in working women

OBJECTIVE: Birth weight in Sweden has increased during the past decades. We investigated whether rest provided by the combination of time off from work and social benefits among working pregnant women contributed to the observed changes. METHOD: A total of 7,459 consecutively delivered women in 1978, 1986, 1992, and 1997 at 2 delivery wards in southeastern Sweden were studied. RESULTS: Between 1978 and 1997, the average birth weight among the children of the women studied increased from 3,484 to 3,566 grams (P < .001). The in-crease in weight was most evident among infants born to women who were employed during pregnancy. The use of social benefits and increased rest during pregnancy did not significantly influence birth weight (P = .107), even after adjustment for gestational length, parity, smoking, age, and occupation. CONCLUSION: The continuous increase in infants' birth weight among pregnant women in this study did not correlate with rest periods in the form of leave supported by social benefit programs. The effects of social benefit programs on pregnancy outcome may thus be overrated and merits further research.     

Medical termination of pregnancy at 63 to 83 days gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a medical regimen for the termination of pregnancy within the gestational age range of 63 to 83 days. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Gynaecology department within a district general hospital. POPULATION: Women attending the pregnancy advisory clinic between June 1996 and December 1997. METHODS: The medical regimen used was mifepristone 200 mg orally followed after 36 to 48 h by misoprostol 800 microg administered vaginally. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The success rate of the medical termination of pregnancy regimen, where success was defined as achieving complete abortion without the need for secondary intervention by either surgical or repeat medical means. RESULTS: Primary medical termination of pregnancy was chosen by 253 (80.8%) of the 313 women and was successful in 239 (94.5%). Repeat medical treatment achieved completion of the abortion in a further three women (1.2%) and surgical evacuation of the uterus was required in 10 (4.0%). One woman declined further intervention after failed medical treatment but subsequently miscarried. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is effective for the termination of pregnancy for gestations of 63 to 83 days.     

Impact of the “physician factor” on pregnancy rates in a large assisted reproductive technology program: do too many cooks spoil the broth?

Objective: To determine whether in one program with unified treatment protocols, patients can expect varying treatment outcomes with different physicians.

Design: Retrospective data analysis.

Setting: University-affiliated infertility center with 14 physicians.

Patient(s): One thousand eight hundred fifty IVF cycles performed consecutively between August 1995 and June 1997.

Intervention(s): The pregnancy rate and implantation rate per ET were evaluated for individual physicians between August 1995 and June 1996 (phase I). Physicians with lower success rates underwent strict supervision from July 1996 to June 1997 (phase II).

Main Outcome Measure(s): Variations in success rates between physicians.

Result(s): The pregnancy rate varied among the physicians from 13.2%–37.4%, and the implantation rate varied from 4.4%–14%. Some physicians’ outcomes improved between phase I and phase II of the study, whereas others’ did not. The pregnancy and implantation rates varied significantly for some physicians, depending on whether they were responsible for the choice of stimulation protocol, supervision of cycle monitoring, or ET in their own or other physicians’ patients.

Conclusion(s): Outcomes of IVF vary depending on the treating physician. Lower than expected pregnancy and implantation rates usually are not caused by poor ET techniques alone, but appear to be disproportionately the consequences of poor cycle stimulation.     

Type III Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and pregnancy

We report a case of type III Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with a favourable outcome. We review the literature and do not consider that pregnancy in patients with type III Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome represents a high risk situation. Received: 6 September 1996 / Accepted: 2 June 1997     

Ultrasound guided embryo transfer significantly improves pregnancy rates in women undergoing oocyte donation.

OBJECTIVES: Recent reports suggest ultrasound (US) guided embryo transfer (ET) improves pregnancy rates. Using the ovum donation model to eliminate confounding variables, we assessed the impact of US guided ET on pregnancy rates, implantation rates, and multiple gestation rates. METHODS: All women who underwent IVF-ET cycles using donated oocytes from November 1997 to September 1998 (n = 137) were evaluated retrospectively. ET from November 1997 to April 1998 were performed without US, while all ET from May 1998 to September 1998 were performed using transvaginal or transabdominal US. ET was further categorized as easy or difficult. Difficult ET was defined as requiring at least two attempts and/or the presence of blood on the catheter and/or > 5 min. RESULTS: Pregnant patients (n = 73) were similar with respect to the number and morphology of the embryos transferred compared to non-pregnant patients (n = 65). US guidance significantly improved implantation and pregnancy rates in cycles with easy transfers [28.8 vs. 18.4% and 63.1 vs. 36.1%, respectively (P < 0.05)] without impacting multiple pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION: US guided ET is simple and reassuring and appears to significantly improve pregnancy outcomes in ovum donation cycles by optimizing the placement of embryos.     

Comparison of the frequency of selected gynecologic operations conducted as laparotomy and laparoscopy during 1993-1997]

The aim of the study was to compare frequency of four gynecological operations: myomectomy, tubal surgery, cystectomy and operative management of ectopic pregnancy, performed by laparotomy or laparoscopy, by the same team of surgeons. In the years 1994-1997 in Division of Reproduction Poznań University Medical School 647 cystectomies, 208 myomectomies, 68 tuboplasties and 50 surgical treatments of ectopic pregnancy were done. Among 973 operations--684 (70.3%) were performed by laparoscopy. There was a gradual tendency in increasing endoscopic procedures. Comparing the year 1994 and 1997 percentage of operations performed by laparoscopy significantly changed: In tuboplasty from 83% to 95%, cystectomy from 35.9% to 80.3%, ectopic pregnancy from 61.5% to 91.7% and myomectomy from 52.7% to 61.5%. Patient hospital stay decreased significantly after laparoscopic procedures (from 5.1 days to 3.25 days). During the study period open surgery followed laparoscopy only in 8 cases (1.1%) because of complications or technical difficulties. CONCLUSION: 1. Operative laparoscopy is a safe and effective procedure, in many cases replacing open surgery. 2. Shortening of hospital stay and recovery period after laparoscopy is one of the main advantages of this method of treatment.     

Hospitalizations during pregnancy among managed care enrollees

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of hospitalizations during pregnancy, the reason for hospitalization, the length of stay, and the associated costs. METHODS: We analyzed data from a national managed care organization and determined the occurrence of hospitalizations for 46,179 women who had a live birth or a pregnancy loss in 1997. RESULTS: Overall, 8.7% of women were hospitalized during their pregnancy. Of these, 5.7% were hospitalized and discharged while pregnant, 0.8% experienced extended stays before a live birth or pregnancy loss, and 2.1% experienced pregnancy loss. Hospitalizations were more common among younger women, women with multiple gestations, and women in the northeastern United States. Women who had a live birth were primarily hospitalized for preterm labor (24%), hyperemesis (9%), hypertension (9%), kidney disorders (6%), and prolonged premature rupture of membranes (6%). Charges totaled over $36 million. CONCLUSION: Antenatal hospitalizations are common.     

Ursodeoxycholic acid in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. A retrospective study of 19 cases

OBJECTIVE: We studied the clinical and biological effects and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). METHODS: All cases of ICP treated with ursodeoxycholic acid in our department from January 1st, 1991 to May 31st, 1997 were reviewed. RESULTS: Forty-three patients had ICP, of whom 19 received ursodeoxycholic acid. The first symptoms appeared after a mean of 29.7 weeks of pregnancy (WP). Treatment was started after a mean of 32 WP, and lasted a mean of 28.5 days. Fourteen patients showed a clinical improvement on UDCA, and 11 showed a biological improvement. Two had a biological deterioration with increased liver enzyme concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Ursodeoxycholic acid appears to be an effective treatment for ICP, but further studies are needed to confirm its safety in pregnancy.     

Postpartum contraceptive use among adolescent mothers

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of repeat pregnancy and method continuation rate at 12 months postpartum in young women who chose either depot medroxyprogesterone acetate or oral contraceptives (OCs) as contraception. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 122 postpartum women younger than 18 years of age who delivered between January 8, 1997 and December 31, 1997. Patients choosing depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (n = 76) and OCs (n = 46) were accrued for 12 months and were followed-up for a minimum of 12 months. Main outcome measures were median contraceptive method continuation and the incidence of repeat pregnancy at 12 months postpartum. RESULTS: There was no difference in mean age at delivery (P =.47), parity (P =.84), or gravidity (P =.78) between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and OC users. At 12 months postpartum, 27.4% of OC users and 55.3% of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate users were still using contraception. Median time to contraceptive discontinuation was longer for those choosing depot medroxyprogesterone acetate compared with OCs (17.8 vs 7.4 months, respectively, P =.002). The overall incidence of repeat pregnancy at 12 months postpartum was 10.6%. Among OC and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate users, respectively, 24% and 2.6% became pregnant again, producing a relative risk (RR) of 9.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1, 39.2) for repeat pregnancy among OC users. The mean time to repeat pregnancy (this was reported instead of the median time whenever the pregnancy rate had not reached 50% at the end of the follow-up period) was longer for depot medroxyprogesterone acetate compared with OC users (17.1 months vs 13.2 months, respectively, P <.001). CONCLUSION: Adolescent mothers using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injection for contraception have a higher method continuation rate and a lower incidence of repeat pregnancy at 12 months postpartum than those selecting OCs during the same period.     

Maternal life events and adverse pregnancy outcomes: lessons from the Auvergne ectopic pregnancy registry

OBJECTIVE: To investigate stressful maternal life events as candidate risk factors for ectopic pregnancy. DESIGN: Population-based registry study. SETTING: Auvergne ectopic pregnancy registry (France). PATIENT(S): Women (n = 641) registered between 1997 and 2000. INTERVENTION(S): Standard treatment of ectopic pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Based on the Psychiatric Epidemiology Life Events Scale, we analyzed the nonresponse bias, the confounding effects of sociobehavioral factors associated with both life events and ectopic pregnancy, and the potential buffering effects of socio-cultural variables. A multivariate model was constructed to test the association between life events and ectopic pregnancy, adjusting for identified confounders and testing interactions. RESULT(S): The primary hypothesis that life events might be independent risk factors for ectopic pregnancy was not confirmed in this study, which nevertheless illustrated the numerous biases and measurement problems confronting association studies of life events with adverse pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION(S): Recommendations are made for future studies on life events and adverse pregnancy outcomes to avoid most selection, information, and confounding biases. Methodological improvements are needed for measurement of life events to develop measures that more closely consider the consequences of stress and the mechanisms of buffering.