Gestational malaria: HELLP syndrome mistaken diagnosis

Malaria is one of the most important parasitic infections in Mexico and Latin America. Here we report a case of a 21 year-old female with 38.4 weeks of pregnancy and previous hospitalization due to malaria. Showing a thick drop negative test she was referred to Mexico City Hospital de la Mujer with presumptive diagnosis of preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. During her stay in ICU she developed malarial paroxysm and Plasmodium vivax was identified, conducting to specific therapy.     

Treatment with amniopatch of premature rupture of membranes after first-trimester chorionic villus sampling

OBJECTIVE: To assess the amniopatch procedure when premature rupture of membranes occurs after first-trimester chorionic villus sampling (CVS). STUDY DESIGN: From May 2001 to June 2004, the amniopatch procedure was offered in cases of premature rupture of membranes after CVS when severe oligohydramnios was present (largest vertical pocket < 2 cm) and persistent (more than 1 week). RESULTS: The amniopatch was placed in five pregnancies at 12-18 weeks of gestation, resulting in amniotic fluid restoration in all but one pregnancy. In three pregnancies, fetal demise was observed at 1, 2 and 36 days after the procedure. The last procedure resulted in a healthy newborn. CONCLUSION: Although the amniopatch restored normal amniotic fluid levels in all cases, 4 of the 5 cases resulted in fetal demise.     

Physical principles, methodology, consistency, and safety in Doppler assessment of the fetal-placental circulation

Introduction of Doppler ultrasound in obstetrical practice has changed both management and understanding of several diseases that put at risk women and them fetuses. To establish necessary basics and correctly apply this technique, this review will focus in physical principles, acquisition methods, consistency, and safety issues of Doppler ultrasound, in order to improve precision, accuracy and interpretation of this methodology.