Caroline L. Stella

Diagnosis and management of atypical preeclampsia-eclampsia.

Preeclampsia, eclampsia, and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome are major obstetric disorders that are associated with substantial maternal and perinatal morbidities. As a result, it is important that clinicians make timely and accurate diagnoses to prevent adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with these syndromes. In general, most women will have a classic presentation of preeclampsia (hypertension and proteinuria) at > 20 weeks of gestation and/or < 48 hours after delivery. However, recent studies have suggested that some women will experience preeclampsia without > or = 1 of these classic findings and/or outside of these time periods. Atypical cases are those that develop at < 20 weeks of gestation and > 48 hours after delivery and that have some of the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia without the usual hypertension or proteinuria. The purpose of this review was to increase awareness of the nonclassic and atypical features of preeclampsia-eclampsia. In addition, a stepwise approach toward diagnosis and treatment of patients with these atypical features is described.

Preeclampsia: Diagnosis and management of the atypical presentation

Preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome remain as major obstetric problems that plague a large percentage of women resulting in an equally large percentage of maternal and perinatal morbidities. It is important that a clinician makes the most accurate diagnosis possible to prevent these adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. In general, most women will have a classical presentation of preeclampsia (hypertension and proteinuria) at >20 weeks gestation and <48 hours postpartum. However, recent studies have suggested that some women will develop preeclampsia without the classical findings. The purpose of this review is to increase awareness of the non-classical and atypical features of preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome and their respective management. Atypical cases are those that develop before 20 weeks, beyond 48 hours postpartum and those that present with some of the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia without the usual hypertension or proteinuria. By formulating a rational stepwise approach towards diagnosis, we may prevent the costly consequence of a missed diagnosis and its eventual possible fatalities.

The diagnostic dilemma of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome in the obstetric triage and emergency department : lessons from 4 tertiary hospitals

OBJECTIVE We report a series of occurrences of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)/hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in pregnancy that emphasizes early diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN Fourteen pregnancies with TTP (n = 12) or HUS (n = 2) were studied. Analysis focused on clinical and laboratory findings on examination, initial diagnosis, and treatment. RESULTS There were 14 pregnancies in 12 patients; 2 cases of TTP were diagnosed as recurrent. Five women were admitted to the emergency department (ED), and 7 patients were admitted to an obstetrics triage. Patients who were evaluated by an obstetrician were treated initially for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets syndrome/preeclampsia, whereas patients who were seen in the ED had a diagnosis that is commonplace in the ED (panic attack, domestic violence, gastroenteritis). Latency from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis ranged from 1-7 days. Plasmapheresis treatments in early gestation resulted in favorable maternal-neonatal outcome. Maternal and perinatal mortality rates were 25% each. CONCLUSION TTP/HUS is a challenging diagnosis in obstetric triage and ED areas. We propose a management scheme that suggests how to triage patients for early diagnosis in pregnancy.

The Coexistence of Gestational Hypertension and Diabetes: Influence on Pregnancy Outcome

Gestational hypertension (GHTN) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are both insulin resistance states. Perinatal outcome of GHTN or GDM alone are well established, but their combined effect on pregnancy outcome is underinvestigated. Our objective was to determine if pregnancies complicated by GHTN/GDM have higher rates of morbidity. We identified nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies delivering at 37 to 40 weeks of gestation from 1995 to 2004 from a database. Outcomes of pregnancies complicated by GHTN only, GDM only, or combined GHTN/GDM were compared with controls. Data analysis included the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis H test, and analysis of variance. Multivariate analysis was used to adjust for confounders. Of 14,880 patients, there were 11,349 controls, 2604 GHTN, 728 GDM, and 199 GHTN/GDM. After controlling for covariates, GHTN significantly increased cesarean section (C/S) rate (odd ratio [OR], 1.62; confidence interval [CI], 1.47 to 1.78), rates of admittance to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and birth of large for gestational age (LGA) infants. GDM significantly increased C/S (OR, 1.42; CI 1.21 to 1.66), rates of NICU admission (OR, 1.32; CI, 1 to 1.75), birth of LGA (OR, 1.51; CI 1.14 to 1.98), and macrosomic infants (OR, 1.53; CI, 1.12 to 2.08). Rates of LGA infants (OR, 1.85; CI, 1.19 to 2.86) and C/S (OR, 2.03; CI, 1.52 to 2.71) were significantly increased with GHTN/GDM. We concluded that GHTN or GDM is associated with increased rates of adverse outcomes. Their coexistence further increases adverse perinatal outcomes.

Thrombophilia and adverse maternal-perinatal outcome.

A recent review of the literature on thrombophilia and adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) reveals contradictory findings. We have limited our review of literature mostly to the most recent decade. On the basis of our review, screening for thrombophilias with a history of APO (preeclampsia, abruptio placenta, intrauterine growth restriction, and fetal loss) is not clear. There are retrospective and prospective studies that recommend testing for genetic and acquired markers of thrombophilia for those with the enumerated APO. The rationale for such recommendation is to use heparin prophylaxis in subsequent pregnancies. However, this recommendation is not based on randomized trials. Hence, a randomized double-blinded controlled trial is urgently needed to evaluate the benefit of heparin during pregnancy in women with a history of APO in association with thrombophilia.

HELLP syndrome: an atypical presentation

HELLP syndrome without proteinuria or hypertension is rare. We present the case of a 33-year-old primigravid who initially was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. The patient was readmitted with a diagnosis of subcapsular hematoma and eventually diagnosed with HELLP syndrome with a sequela of hepatic rupture.