Isabelle Boucoiran

Screening for preeclampsia using first-trimester serum markers and uterine artery Doppler in nulliparous women

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the screening accuracy of pregnancy hypertensive disorders by maternal serum biomarkers and uterine artery Doppler in the first trimester. STUDY DESIGN Prospectively enrolled nulliparous women had uterine artery Doppler and serum measured at 11-13 weeks. Maternal characteristics, uterine artery Doppler, and serum placental biomarkers (pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, Inhibin-A, placental protein 13, A disintegrin and metalloprotease 12, free β-hCG, placental growth factor) were recorded. RESULTS Among 893 women, 20 (2.2%) had gestational hypertension developed and 40 (4.5%) had preeclampsia developed, including 9 (1.0%) early-onset preeclampsia and 16 (1.8%) severe preeclampsia. A combined screening model with clinical characteristics, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, Inhibin-A, and placental growth factor could detect 75% of early-onset preeclampsia at a 10% false-positive rate. After adjustment for clinical variables, uterine artery Doppler, placental protein 13, and A disintegrin and metalloprotease 12 did not improve the diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION A combination of clinical characteristics and first-trimester maternal serum biomarkers (pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, Inhibin-A, and placental growth factor) provides an accurate screening for early-onset preeclampsia in nulliparous women.

Vulvovaginitis: Screening for and Management of Trichomoniasis, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, and Bacterial Vaginosis

OBJECTIVE To review the evidence and provide recommendations on screening for and management of vulvovaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis. OUTCOMES OUTCOMES evaluated include the efficacy of antibiotic treatment, cure rates for simple and complicated infections, and the implications of these conditions in pregnancy. EVIDENCE Published literature was retrieved through searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library in June 2013 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g., vaginitis, trichomoniasis, vaginal candidiasis) and key words (bacterial vaginosis, yeast, candidiasis, trichomonas vaginalis, trichomoniasis, vaginitis, treatment). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. There were no date limits, but results were limited to English or French language materials. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline to May 2014. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, and national and international medical specialty societies. VALUES The quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1). Summary Statements 1. Vulvovaginal candidiasis affects 75% of women at least once. Topical and oral antifungal azole medications are equally effective. (I) 2. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is defined as 4 or more episodes per year. (II-2) 3. Trichomonas vaginalis is a common non-viral sexually transmitted infection that is best detected by antigen testing using vaginal swabs collected and evaluated by immunoassay or nucleic acid amplification test. (II-2) 4. Cure rates are equal at up to 88% for trichomoniasis treated with oral metronidazole 2 g once or 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. Partner treatment, even without screening, enhances cure rates. (I-A) 5. Current evidence of the efficacy of alternative therapies for bacterial vaginosis (probiotics, vitamin C) is limited. (I) Recommendations 1. Following initial therapy, treatment success of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is enhanced by maintenance of weekly oral fluconazole for up to 6 months. (II-2A) 2. Symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis treated with topical azoles may require longer courses of therapy to be resolved. (1-A) 3. Test of cure following treatment of trichomoniasis with oral metronidazole is not recommended. (I-D) 4. Higher-dose therapy may be needed for treatment-resistant cases of trichomoniasis. (I-A) 5. In pregnancy, treatment of symptomatic Trichomonas vaginalis with oral metronidazole is warranted for the prevention of preterm birth. (I-A) 6. Bacterial vaginosis should be diagnosed using either clinical (Amsels) or laboratory (Gram stain with objective scoring system) criteria. (II-2A) 7. Symptomatic bacterial vaginosis should be treated with oral metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. Alternatives include vaginal metronidazole gel and oral or vaginal clindamycin cream. (I-A) 8. Longer courses of therapy for bacterial vaginosis are recommended for women with documented multiple recurrences. (I-A).

Normal serum concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone in a population of fertile women in their first trimester of pregnancy

BACKGROUND Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels are used to evaluate the ovarian reserve. AMH serum concentrations have recently been studied among women attending fertility centers, and among women with regular menstrual cycles but normative values have not been established among fertile women: the objective of this study was to establish those values. METHODS This prospective cross-sectional study included 340 healthy fertile women attending a single centre, aged between 15 and 50 years. The women were all in the first trimester of pregnancy, had no serious medical history and attended the abortion service of the University Hospital of Nice, France. Serum AMH was measured using a second-generation AMH enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Median AMH concentration was 2.42 ng/ml (25-75 percentiles 1.19-4.12). The relationship between AMH concentration and age was best fitted by a polynomial function. Serum AMH values rose until age 29 years and then showed a significant decline (R(2)= 0.289, P < 0.001). Normative values for serum AMH were established in different age groups between 15 and 50 years. CONCLUSIONS We established the normative values for serum AMH in a population of French fertile women in their first trimester of pregnancy.

Spatula-assisted deliveries: a large cohort of 1065 cases

OBJECTIVE To analyze neonatal and maternal complications of operative vaginal delivery using spatulas. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a retrospective observational study of 1065 consecutive spatula-assisted deliveries at Nice University Hospital from 2003 through 2006, excluding stillbirths and breech deliveries. After univariate analysis, we performed logistic regression analysis to assess risk factors for severe perineal injuries and vaginal lacerations. RESULTS The success rate was 98.2%. Vaginal tears occurred in 23.7% of patients. The rate of third and fourth degree perineal injuries was 6.2%. No severe neonatal complication directly related to extraction was noted. Nulliparity, shoulder dystocia and absence of episiotomy were independently associated with an elevated risk of anal sphincter damage. Nulliparity and absence of episiotomy were significantly and independently associated with an increased incidence of vaginal tears. CONCLUSION Rates of perineal injuries, failure and neonatal complications observed with spatulas were similar to those reported in the literature with other instruments for operative vaginal delivery.

Repeated measures of placental growth factor, placental protein 13, and a disintegrin and metalloprotease 12 at first and second trimesters for preeclampsia screening.

OBJECTIVE To determine the utility of cross-trimester repeated measures of placental protein 13 (PP13), A disintegrin and metalloprotease 12 (ADAM12), and placental growth factor (PlGF) for preeclampsia (PE) screening. STUDY DESIGN A prospective cohort study of 893 nulliparous women who had serum sampling at 11 to 14 and 18 to 22 weeks. Biomarker levels were adjusted on maternal characteristics and gestational age. The accuracy and validity of maternal characteristics with single and repeated markers to predict PE were evaluated. RESULTS First-trimester PlGF was the best biomarker for PE (mean: 0.85 multiples of the expected median [MoM]) and early onset PE (0.79 MoM). First-trimester screening performances were not significantly improved by second-trimester markers. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65 to 0.81) with first-trimester PlGF and 0.71 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.80) with first- and second-trimester PlGF (p = 0.301). CONCLUSION Repeated measures of PlGF, ADAM12, and PP13 at second trimester did not improve PE screening compared with first-trimester measures.

Predicting Perinatal Outcome from Prenatal Ultrasound Characteristics in Pregnancies Complicated by Gastroschisis

Introduction: The objective of the study was to establish the predictive value of prenatal ultrasound markers for complex gastroschisis (GS) in the first 10 days of life. Material and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study over 11 years (2000-2011) of 117 GS cases, the following prenatal ultrasound signs were analyzed at the last second- and third-trimester ultrasounds: intrauterine growth restriction, intra-abdominal bowel dilatation (IABD) adjusted for gestational age, extra-abdominal bowel dilatation (EABD) ≥25 mm, stomach dilatation, stomach herniation, perturbed mesenteric circulation, absence of bowel lumen and echogenic dilated bowel loops (EDBL). Results: Among 114 live births, 16 newborns had complex GS (14.0%). Death was seen in 16 cases (13.7%): 3 intrauterine fetal deaths, 9 complex GS and 4 simple GS. Second-trimester markers had limited predictive value. Third-trimester IABD, EABD, EDBL, absence of intestinal lumen and perturbed mesenteric circulation were statistically associated with complex GS and death. IABD was able to predict complex GS with a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity of 91%, a positive predictive value of 47% and a negative predictive value of 92%. Discussion: Third-trimester IABD adjusted for gestational age appears to be the prenatal ultrasound marker most strongly associated with adverse outcome in GS.

Oxidative conditions prevail in severe IUGR with vascular disease and Doppler anomalies.

Abstract Objective: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and prenatal exposure to oxidative stress are thought to lead to increased risks of cardiovascular disease later in life. The objective of the present study was to document whether cord blood oxidative stress biomarkers vary with the severity of IUGR and of vascular disease in the twin pregnancy model in which both fetuses share the same maternal environment. Methods: This prospective cohort study involved dichorionic twin pairs, with one co-twin with IUGR. Oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in venous cord blood samples from each neonate of 32 twin pairs, and compared, according to severity of IUGR (IUGR <5th percentile), Doppler anomalies of the umbilical artery and early onset IUGR (in the second trimester) of the growth restricted twin. Results: Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins (oxLDL) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were increased proportionally in cases of severe IUGR. OxLDL concentrations were also increased in cases of IUGR with Doppler anomaly. Conclusion: Our data indicate that severe IUGR, is related to a derangement in redox balance, illustrated by increased venous cord blood oxidative stress biomarkers concentrations. Severe IUGR and IUGR with abnormal Doppler can be translated into conditions with intense oxidative stress.

Guidelines for the Care of Pregnant Women Living With HIV and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal Transmission: Executive Summary

OBJECTIVE This guideline reviews the evidence relating to the care of pregnant women living with HIV and the prevention of perinatal HIV transmission. Prenatal care of pregnancies complicated by HIV infection should include monitoring by a multidisciplinary team with experts in this area. OUTCOMES OUTCOMES evaluated include the impact of HIV on pregnancy outcome and the efficacy and safety of antiretroviral therapy and other measures to decrease the risk of vertical transmission. EVIDENCE Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed and The Cochrane Library in 2012 and 2013 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (HIV, anti-retroviral agents, pregnancy, delivery) and key words (HIV, pregnancy, antiretroviral agents, vertical transmission, perinatal transmission). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies published in English or French. There were no date restrictions. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline to June 2013. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies. VALUES The quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1).

Délivrance de la contraception d’urgence aux mineures dans les pharmacies françaises

OBJECTIVE The goal of this work was to evaluate the application in French pharmacies of the decree n 2002-39 relating to the delivery of the emergency contraception to minors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Four selected minors carried out an anonymous investigation in 53 randomised pharmacies in the town of Nice (south of France). RESULTS The cost-free delivery of the emergency oral contraception was refused to minors by 37.7% of pharmacies. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our article highlights the remaining problems, five years after the decree, with the delivery of the emergency contraception. It seems necessary to explain to all the professionals of information, drugs delivery and treatments relating to the contraception or abortive methods the importance of their roles and the respect of their legal obligations.

A Case Series of Third-Trimester Raltegravir Initiation: Impact on Maternal HIV-1 Viral Load and Obstetrical Outcomes

The use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to a marked reduction in the incidence of perinatal transmission of HIV. With ART, it is possible for the viral load to be reduced to undetectable levels during pregnancy. However, some patients (eg, those with poor adherence or those who acquired HIV during pregnancy) may still exhibit high viral loads by the third trimester. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of raltegravir in a combination ART regimen in a series of 11 cases in which women presented with high viral loads in the third trimester of pregnancy.