A. Reitter

Pregnancy complications in HIV-positive women: 11-year data from the Frankfurt HIV Cohort.

The aim of the study was to assess pregnancy complications in HIV‐positive women and changes in the rates of such complications over 11 years in the Frankfurt HIV Cohort.

Problems and challenges in the diagnosis of vertical infection with human cytomegalovirus (CMV): Lessons from two accidental cases

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is considered as the most common cause of congenital infection in humans and the overall burden for the public health system is rather high. About 1/10 of vertically infected newborns present or develop severe signs of cytomegalic inclusion disease (CID), with the classical triad of chorioretinitis, microcephaly and cerebral calcifications. However the most symptomatic cases are detected postnatal and methods of diagnostic virology raised the questions for the gold standard in laboratory screening. The current problems in diagnosis and therapy are outlined in two different cases: An acute primary CMV infection with no clinical signs of illness in both mother and child and a secondary CMV-infection resulting in necrotizing CMV encephalitis in the fetus. Beside virus detection in whole blood samples and other fluids, newly adopted laboratory assays like the destination of CMV-IgG avidity were necessary. Furthermore a serologic screening for pregnant women should be implicated routinely. Passive IgG treatment of the mother was helpful but the ultimate goal in prevention of congenital CMV infection is to develop a vaccine, which would be administered to seronegative women.

Delayed interval delivery in twin and triplet pregnancies: 6 years of experience in one perinatal center.

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to know the outcome of delayed-interval delivery for twin and triplet pregnancies at 22+0 to 25+0 weeks of gestation. Study design: A retrospective cohort of twin and triplet deliveries at the 23rd to 26th weeks of gestation were managed with delayed interval delivery from 2005 to 2011. Results: From 2005 until 2011, delayed delivery in five twin pregnancies and two triplet pregnancies were performed. The interval between delivery of the first fetus and the remaining twin/triplets was 1–18 days (mean, 9.7 days). In all cases, the first fetus was born vaginally. Survival of the first twin/triplet was 14.3%, whereas 57.1% of the second born twin/triplets survived. Birth weight gained due to delayed delivery was 131 g on average. No severe maternal complications were observed. When compared with a gestation age-matched group, where the delay was not possible, the delayed twin/triplet had a higher survival rate (57.1% vs. 0%, P=0.05). Conclusion: In multiple pregnancies with preterm delivery between completed 22 and completed 25 weeks of gestational age, delayed delivery seems to be a useful therapeutic option to achieve a better outcome of the remaining fetus or fetuses.

Does breech delivery in an upright position instead of on the back improve outcomes and avoid cesareans

To compare breech outcomes when mothers delivering vaginally are upright, on their back, or planning cesareans.

Clinical Hypnosis Before External Cephalic Version

Three to four percent of full-term singleton pregnancies present themselves as breech deliveries. External cephalic version (ECV) is a procedure to try to turn a breech fetus to cephalic by externally maneuvering the fetus through the maternal abdomen. This trial examines a clinical hypnosis intervention against standard medical care of women before ECV. A total of 78 women, who received a hypnosis intervention prior to ECV, had a 41.6% (n = 32) successful ECV, whereas the control group of 122, who had similar baseline characteristics, had a 27.3% (n = 33) successful ECV procedure (p < 0.05). This trial found that a relaxation technique with the help of clinical hypnosis was successful at increasing the likelihood of a successful ECV procedure.

How does HIV affect the reproductive choices of women of childbearing age

The majority of women living with HIV are of childbearing age and many of these women wish to have a family. As a result of advances in the treatment and management of HIV, more reproductive opportunities are now available to this group. However, women living with HIV may still require education and guidance in a range of reproductive situations, including avoiding pregnancy, seeking fertility treatment or having a child. HIV physicians should be aware of recent data and guidance on these situations--including areas where more data are required--and consider them when deciding on appropriate management for their patients.

Prenatal Ultrasound Screening for Fetal Anomalies and Outcomes in High-Risk Pregnancies due to Maternal HIV Infection: A Retrospective Study

Objective. To assess the prevalence of prenatal screening and of adverse outcome in high-risk pregnancies due to maternal HIV infection. Study Design. The prevalence of prenatal screening in 330 pregnancies of HIV-positive women attending the department for prenatal screening and/or during labour between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2012, was recorded. Screening results were compared with the postnatal outcome and maternal morbidity, and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) was evaluated. Results. One hundred of 330 women (30.5%) had an early anomaly scan, 252 (74.5%) had a detailed scan at 20–22 weeks, 18 (5.5%) had a detailed scan prior to birth, and three (0.9%) had an amniocentesis. In seven cases (2.12%), a fetal anomaly was detected prenatally and confirmed postnatally, while in eight (2.42%) an anomaly was only detected postnatally, even though a prenatal scan was performed. There were no anomalies in the unscreened group. MTCT occurred in three cases (0.9%) and seven fetal and neonatal deaths (2.1%) were reported. Conclusion. The overall prevalence of prenatal ultrasound screening in our cohort is 74.5%, but often the opportunity for prenatal ultrasonography in the first trimester is missed. In general, the aim should be to offer prenatal ultrasonography in the first trimester in all pregnancies. This allows early reassurance or if fetal disease is suspected, further steps can be taken.

Mode of birth in twins: data and reflections

Abstract Our primary objective was to compare neonatal and maternal outcomes in women with twin pregnancies, beyond 32 weeks, having a planned vaginal birth or a planned caesarean section (CS). This was a retrospective cohort study from a single tertiary centre over nine years. 534 sets of twins ≥32 + 0 weeks of gestation were included. 401 sets were planned vaginally and 133 sets were planned by CS. We compared a composite adverse perinatal outcome (perinatal mortality or serious neonatal morbidity; five minute APGAR score ≤4, neurological abnormality and need for intubation) and a composite maternal adverse outcome (major haemorrhage, trauma or infection) between the groups. There were no significant differences. Given the similarity of these results with several other larger studies of twin birth, we sought to look at reasons why there is still a rising rate of CS for twin births. We further make suggestions for keeping this rate to a sensible minimum. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The largest randomised controlled study comparing planned vaginal birth with planned CSs for lower risk twins between 32 and 39 weeks of gestation, showed no added safety from planned CS. However, in most of the Western countries this conclusion has failed to increase the number of planned vaginal births for lower risk twins. What do the results of this study add? This observational study from a single tertiary centre provides external validation of the twin trial results in a practical day-to-day setting. It also provides insights as to how planned vaginal birth can be developed and maintained, with a key focus on safety and maternal participation in decision making. It does focus on consent and providing accurate data. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? There are good grounds to encourage vaginal birth for low-risk twin pregnancies. The trend of rising caesarean rates in low-risk twin pregnancies worldwide will erode important skills for the conduct of vaginal births without any clear benefit for mothers or babies. The current situation demands careful thought about implementing innovative training opportunities for younger obstetricians. Finally, we need intelligent responses to many non-evidence-based factors which can drive clinical practice.

Intermittierendes Fieber und Unterbauchschmerzen rechts postpartal – eine lebensgefährliche Erkrankung

Eine 33-jährige II-G, I-P suchte am 6. postoperativen Tag nach sekundärer Sectio die Notfallambulanz aufgrund Fieber und rechtsseitiger Unterbauchschmerzen auf. Die sekundäreSectiocaesareawaraufgrund eines Geburtsstillstandes in der Eröffnungsphase (Muttermund 8 cm) erfolgt. Der postoperative Verlauf gestaltete sich komplikationslos, und die Patientin wurde am 4. postoperativen Tag beschwerdefrei entlassen. Der Schwangerschaftsverlauf war unauffällig gewesen. AnamnestischbestandenkeineVorerkrankungen, imKindesalterwar eineAp-

Familiäre Holoprosencephalie – Späte Diagnose trotz Wiederholungsfall

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a serious malformation of the central nervous system which occurs between the 18th and 28th day of gestation. HPE can appear in different manifestations within one family. The diagnosis of HPE can be performed in an early sonographic scan between the 12th and the 14th week of gestation, according to the guidelines for the examination of the foetal nervous system. The history of a pregnant woman with a previous birth of a foetus with cerebral malformation and having a partner with minor signs for HPE justifies an intensified sonographic examination and molecular analysis. An amniocentesis was done just for the basic analysis, not for further genetic testing. However, it is very important to have information about a recurrency risk for every subsequent pregnancy.