Marie-Josée Bédard

Gestational Diabetes Insipidus: A Review of an Underdiagnosed Condition

OBJECTIVE To review the etiology, diagnosis, and management of diabetes insipidus during pregnancy. DATA SOURCES A search of the literature was performed in PubMed using key word searching and citation snowballing to identify articles published in English between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2008, on the subject of diabetes insipidus during pregnancy. Once the articles were identified, a thorough review of all results was conducted. Results and conclusions were compiled and summarized. STUDY SELECTION We reviewed 50 studies selected using the following key words: diabetes insipidus, pregnancy, arginine vasopressin, vasopressinase. CONCLUSION Gestational diabetes insipidus is underdiagnosed because polyuria is often considered normal during pregnancy. Clinicians caring for pregnant women should consider screening for gestational diabetes insipidus, because it could be associated with serious underlying pathology.

Preventable Obstetrical Interventions: How Many Caesarean Sections Can Be Prevented in Canada?

Public health authorities have been alarmed by the progressive rise in rates of Caesarean section in Canada, approaching one birth in three in several provinces. We aimed therefore to consider what were preventable obstetrical interventions in women with a low-risk pregnancy and to propose an analytic framework for the reduction of the rate of CS. We obtained statistical variations of CS rates over time, across regions, and within professional practices from MED-ÉCHO, the Quebec hospitalization database, from 1969 to 2009. Data were extracted from a recent systematic review of the cascade of obstetrical interventions to calculate the population-attributable fractions for each intervention associated with an increased probability of CS. We thereby identified expectant management (as an alternative to labour induction) and planned vaginal birth after CS as the leading strategies for potentially reducing rates of CS in women at low risk. For vaginal birth after CS, an increase to its 1995 level could lower the current CS rate of 23.2% (2009 to 2010) to 21.0%. Other alternatives to obstetrical interventions with a potential for lowering CS rates included non-pharmacological pain control methods (such as continuous support during childbirth) in addition to usual care, intermittent auscultation of the fetal heart (instead of electronic fetal monitoring), and multidisciplinary internal quality assessment audits. We believe, therefore, that the concept of preventable CS is supported by empirical evidence, and we identified realistic strategies to maintain a CS rate in Quebec near 20%.

Postpartum uterine wound dehiscence: a case report.

INTRODUCTION Late postpartum hemorrhage following a Caesarean section (CS) is uncommon. A partial or complete dehiscence of the lower segment CS incision is a rare but possible cause. CASE A 33-year-old woman underwent a lower segment CS for chorioamnionitis and failure to progress in labour at 40 weeks and 5 days of gestation. On the 43rd postpartum day, she developed heavy vaginal bleeding. Emergency laparotomy revealed a complete dehiscence of the lower uterine segment incision. A subtotal hysterectomy was performed to control the bleeding, and the postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION Dehiscence of a lower uterine segment incision is a rare but potentially dangerous cause of late postpartum hemorrhage.

3D Cohort Study: The Integrated Research Network in Perinatology of Quebec and Eastern Ontario.

Abstract Background The 3D Cohort Study (Design, Develop, Discover) was established to help bridge knowledge gaps about the links between various adverse exposures during pregnancy with birth outcomes and later health outcomes in children. Methods Pregnant women and their partners were recruited during the first trimester from nine sites in Quebec and followed along with their children through to 2 years of age. Questionnaires were administered during pregnancy and post‐delivery to collect information on demographics, mental health and life style, medical history, psychosocial measures, diet, infant growth, and neurodevelopment. Information on the delivery and newborn outcomes were abstracted from medical charts. Biological specimens were collected from mothers during each trimester, fathers (once during the pregnancy), and infants (at delivery and 2 years of age) for storage in a biological specimen bank. Results Of the 9864 women screened, 6348 met the eligibility criteria and 2366 women participated in the study (37% of eligible women). Among women in the 3D cohort, 1721 of their partners (1704 biological fathers) agreed to participate (73%). Two thousand two hundred and nineteen participants had a live singleton birth (94%). Prenatal blood and urine samples as well as vaginal secretions were collected for ≥98% of participants, cord blood for 81% of livebirths, and placental tissue for 89% of livebirths. Conclusions The 3D Cohort Study combines a rich bank of multiple biological specimens with extensive clinical, life style, and psychosocial data. This data set is a valuable resource for studying the developmental etiology of birth and early childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The relationship between script concordance test scores in an obstetrics-gynecology rotation and global performance assessments in the curriculum

Objectives: To determine the relationship between script concordance test scores obtained at the end of clerkship rotation in ob-gyn and global performance measures for the entire curriculum as expressed by a preclinical and clerkship score in the Dean’s Letter. The relationship also considered two other existing instruments. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on a convenience sample of 129 clerkship students. Three instruments (Script Concordance Test, Key-Features Examinations and In-Training Report) were used to assess clinical reasoning. Data were collected from four Montreal University Hospitals at the end of four consecutive obstetrics and gynecology rotations. The data pertaining to the Dean’s Letter were collected at the end of the clerkship training period. Results Cronbach’s alpha values were 0.67 for the script concordance test and 0.36 for Key Features Examinations. A significantly positive correlation was found between the preclinical (r = 0.260, p = 0.01) and clerkship (r = 0.232, p = 0.01) scores of the Deans Letter and the script concordance test. Regression analysis showed that the best predictor for the clerkship score of the Dean’s Letter was the script concordance test (r = 0.226, p = 0.014). Conclusions The script concordance test was associated with the scores in the Dean’s Letter in comparison with two other scales, which suggests that the test can be a useful tool for clinical educators who are engaged in the assessment of clinical reasoning, particularly in clerkship students. However, further work is required to establish this association.

Sublingual Nitroglycerine as a Tocolytic in External Cephalic Version: A Comparative Study

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of sublingual nitroglycerine as a tocolytic on the success rate of external cephalic version (ECV) in nulliparous and parous women. METHODS A retrospective case-controlled study of all ECV cases from February 1996 to February 2000 in a single centre. The rates of successful ECV were compared between women who had their ECV before February 1998 (control group), those who had their ECV after February 1998 and received 0.8 mg sublingual nitroglycerine spray as a tocolytic agent, and those who had their ECV after February 1998 and received no tocolytic agents. Nulliparous and parous women were studied separately. Data were collected for parity, gestational age, maternal age, placental localization, and side effects. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed for statistical comparison. RESULTS Of 150 women who had their ECV after February 1998, 120 (80%) received sublingual nitroglycerine (group 1: cases using 0.8 mg sublingual nitroglycerine spray as a tocolytic agent) and were compared to the 30 patients who did not receive sublingual nitroglycerine or other tocolytics after February 1998 (group 2) and to 137 patients who had their ECV before February 1998 (control group). Of the women who received sublingual nitroglycerine, 5 (4%) had hypotension and 7 (6%) had headaches and/or nausea. The rate of successful ECV was 27% in group 1 versus 30% in group 2 (p = 0.86) versus 28% in the control group (p = 0.88) for nulliparous patients, and 67% versus 80% (p = 0.30) versus 51% (p = 0.09) respectively for parous women. However, the success rate was increased overall in parous women after the introduction of nitroglycerine as a tocolytic for ECV in February 1998 (71% vs. 51%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION Although the success rate of ECV has increased in recent years, the use of sublingual nitroglycerine as a tocolytic was not associated with this higher success rate. A randomized, controlled trial is needed.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) perinatal transmission and risk of HPV persistence among children: Design, methods and preliminary results of the HERITAGE study

Perinatal route of transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) has been demonstrated in several small studies. We designed a large prospective cohort study (HERITAGE) to better understand perinatal HPV. The objective of this article is to present the study design and preliminary data. In the first phase of the study, we recruited 167 women in Montreal, Canada, during the first trimester of pregnancy. An additional 850 are currently being recruited in the ongoing phase. Cervicovaginal samples were obtained from mothers in the first trimester and tested for HPV DNA from 36 mucosal genotypes (and repeated in the third trimester for HPV-positive mothers). Placental samples were also taken for HPV DNA testing. Conjunctival, oral, pharyngeal and genital samples were collected for HPV DNA testing in children of HPV-positive mothers at every 3–6 months from birth until 2 years of age. Blood samples were collected in mother and children for HPV serology testing. We found a high prevalence of HPV in pregnant women (45%[95%CI:37–53%]) and in placentas (14%[8–21%]). The proportion of HPV positivity (any site) among children at birth/3-months was 11%[5–22%]. HPV was detected in children in multiple sites including the conjunctiva (5%[10–14%]). The ongoing HERITAGE cohort will help provide a better understanding of perinatal HPV.

Correlation of Cord Blood pH, Base Excess, and Lactate Concentration Measured With a Portable Device for Identifying Fetal Acidosis

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of portable lactate analyzers in identifying fetal acidosis by correlating arterial and venous lactate values from umbilical cord blood with lactate, pH, and base excess measurements from central laboratory analyzers. METHODS We performed a prospective study using arterial and venous cord blood from 52 women with a singleton fetus delivered at term. We evaluated the correlation between the cord blood lactate concentration measured using two of the same portable devices (Lactate Plus, Nova Biomedical) with the result from a central laboratory analyzer. Analyses of the correlation between arterial lactate concentration measured on the portable device with arterial pH and base excess were then performed. RESULTS We observed a median arterial pH of 7.24 (range 7.05 to 7.35) and a median arterial lactate concentration of 3.7 mmol/L (range 1.7 to 8.8 mmol/L). An excellent correlation was observed between lactate concentrations measured by the two portable devices (arterial R² = 0.98 and venous R² = 0.98), and between the portable device and the central laboratory analyzer (arterial R² = 0.94 and venous R² = 0.95). In our population, the optimal cut-offs to predict a pH < 7.20 or a base excess > -8.0 mmol/L were a lactate concentration of 4.9 mmol/L and 5.3 mmol/L, respectively, according to receiver operator characteristic analysis. With a lactate concentration > 4.9 mmol/L, the portable device had a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 90% to identify samples with an arterial pH < 7.20. CONCLUSION Cord blood lactate concentration measured with a portable device is a good predictor of cord blood base excess and pH. Future studies should be designed to correlate scalp blood lactate measurements with clinical outcomes.

Pituitary apoplexy in pregnancy: A case series and literature review

Background Severe headache during pregnancy is a challenging condition that may rarely imply endocrine disturbances. Rapid recognition of pituitary apoplexy is needed to improve pregnancy outcome. Objective To review and compare maternal and fetal outcomes after pituitary apoplexy. Methods Four cases of pituitary apoplexy during pregnancy in our centre are reported and literature review covering the past 54 years was performed. Results In the four cases presented and the 33 reported in the literature, most women presented with severe headaches and systemic symptoms. Overall, 42% were treated surgically, 31% received bromocriptine or cabergoline and 61% were given hormone replacement. No major obstetrical complication was reported and all babies were healthy. Conclusion Pituitary apoplexy is a rare cause of sudden and severe headache during pregnancy. Rapid identification of this condition with potentially associated endocrine disturbances is important to ensure maternal and fetal well-being. A multidisciplinary team approach seems to reduce morbidity and mortality.

A Rare Case of Severe Headache and Sudden-Onset Diabetes Insipidus During Pregnancy: Differential Diagnosis and Management of Lymphocytic Hypophysitis

ABSTRACT Objective: To present a case of lymphocytic hypophysitis (LH) during pregnancy. Methods: Clinical presentation before and after pregnancy and review of the pertinent literature are presented. Results: A 30-year-old woman, G3P2A0, presented at 30 weeks of gestation with headache, polyuria, and hypernatremia (156 mmol/L). Obstetrical history was significant for gestational diabetes mellitus, without previous infertility or autoimmune disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head revealed an enlarged pituitary gland measuring 16 mm with slight compression of the optic chiasm. A clinical diagnosis of LH was made upon laboratory findings of diabetes insipidus, adrenal insufficiency, and central hypothyroidism. The patient was treated with desmopressin, hydrocortisone, and levothyroxine. There was rapid regression of the pituitary enlargement within 10 days. At 38 weeks, the patient gave birth to a healthy baby girl weighing 3,950 g. Post-delivery, she breastfed normally and continued to experience...