Melania M. Amorim

Congenital Brain Abnormalities and Zika Virus: What the Radiologist Can Expect to See Prenatally and Postnatally

Purpose To document the imaging findings associated with congenital Zika virus infection as found in the Instituto de Pesquisa in Campina Grande State Paraiba (IPESQ) in northeastern Brazil, where the congenital infection has been particularly severe. Materials and Methods From June 2015 to May 2016, 438 patients were referred to the IPESQ for rash occurring during pregnancy or for suspected fetal central nervous system abnormality. Patients who underwent imaging at IPESQ were included, as well as those with documented Zika virus infection in fluid or tissue (n = 17, confirmed infection cohort) or those with brain findings suspicious for Zika virus infection, with intracranial calcifications (n = 28, presumed infection cohort). Imaging examinations included 12 fetal magnetic resonance (MR) examinations, 42 postnatal brain computed tomographic examinations, and 11 postnatal brain MR examinations. Images were reviewed by four radiologists, with final opinion achieved by means of consensus. Results Brain abnormalities seen in confirmed (n = 17) and presumed (n = 28) congenital Zika virus infections were similar, with ventriculomegaly in 16 of 17 (94%) and 27 of 28 (96%) infections, respectively; abnormalities of the corpus callosum in 16 of 17 (94%) and 22 of 28 (78%) infections, respectively; and cortical migrational abnormalities in 16 of 17 (94%) and 28 of 28 (100%) infections, respectively. Although most fetuses underwent at least one examination that showed head circumference below the 5th percentile, head circumference could be normal in the presence of severe ventriculomegaly (seen in three fetuses). Intracranial calcifications were most commonly seen at the gray matter-white matter junction, in 15 of 17 (88%) and 28 of 28 (100%) confirmed and presumed infections, respectively. The basal ganglia and/or thalamus were also commonly involved with calcifications in 11 of 17 (65%) and 18 of 28 (64%) infections, respectively. The skull frequently had a collapsed appearance with overlapping sutures and redundant skin folds and, occasionally, intracranial herniation of orbital fat and clot in the confluence of sinuses. Conclusion The spectrum of findings associated with congenital Zika virus infection in the IPESQ in northeastern Brazil is illustrated to aid the radiologist in identifying Zika virus infection at imaging. (©) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Estado nutricional materno, ganho de peso gestacional e peso ao nascer

INTRODUCTION: Maternal nutritional status and gestational weight gain have been addressed because of their importance to fetal growth and birth weight. Inadequate birth weight is a major concern to public health given it has been associated with increasing morbidity-mortality during the first year of life and with increased risks of chronic diseases in adult life such as metabolic syndrome for cases of low birth weight and diabetes and obesity for macrossomic infants. The objective of this study was to describe a cohort of pregnant women according to their nutritional status, gestational weight gain, uterine artery notches, and birth weight. METHODS: A cohort of 115 pregnant women attending the Family Health Program in Campina Grande, PB, was evaluated every four gestational weeks. The initial maternal nutritional status was determined through the body mass index (kg/m2) and women were classified according to Atalah´s criteria for gestational age. Arterial resistance was assessed through Doppler velocimetry on the 20th week of pregnancy. RESULTS: overweight and obesity were observed in 27% of the sample whereas 23% were undernourished. A high incidence of excessive weight gain was found in the second (44%) and in the third quarter (45%). Birth weight distribution indicated that 10% were of low birth weight and there were 9% of macrossomic babies. A high prevalence of uterine artery diastolic notches of was observed.

Use of misoprostol prior to hysteroscopy in postmenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To compare results of diagnostic hysteroscopy in postmenopausal women using misoprostol for cervical ripening. DESIGN A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (Canadian Task Force classification Ib). SETTING Hospital Barão de Lucena, Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco. PATIENTS One hundred-twenty postmenopausal women. INTERVENTION Postmenopausal women received 200 microg of vaginal misoprostol or placebo before hysteroscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Variables measured were procedure time, frequency of hysteroscopy carried out in each group (misoprostol and placebo), degree of pain during procedure, need for dilation, side effects, and complications of hysteroscopy. The chi2, Fishers exact, and Mann-Whitney tests were used and considered significant when alpha error was <5%. There were similarities between the groups in age (p = .09), body mass index (p = .55), time since menopause (p = .52), and genital bleeding (p = .52). Pain during the procedure, as measured by visual analog scale, was less severe in the misoprostol group than in the placebo group (median of 05 vs 07, p = .02), but there were similarities in duration (2.4 min vs 2.0 min, p = .3), pain during procedure and biopsy (p = .74 vs p = .19), need for dilation (p = .66), side effects, and complications. There were no differences in severity of post-procedure pain. CONCLUSIONS Previous use of misoprostol reduced pain severity during hysteroscopy.

Risk factors for pregnancy in adolescence in a teaching maternity in Paraíba: a case-control study

PURPOSE To identify factors associated with gestation in adolescence in a State of the northeast of Brazil. METHODS A case-control study in the ratio of one 10 to 19-year-old adolescent (case) for two 20 to 35-year-old women (controls), with a total of 168 cases and 337 controls. The variables analyzed were: schooling, marital status, origin, family income per capita in Brazilian currency, paid job, mothers schooling, and presence of adolescents father at home. Reproductive variables such as age at the first intercourse, mothers history of adolescence pregnancy, gynecological appointments before the pregnancy, knowledge, access and use of contraceptive methods were also included in the analysis. RESULTS The following variables were associated with gestation in adolescence: schooling lower than eight years, lack of a regular mate, and maternal history of adolescence gestation. Also, the age at the first intercourse was significantly lower among the adolescents and that they had a lower rate of gynecological appointments. Knowledge of hormonal methods and access to contraceptive methods were also less frequent among the adolescents. After the multiple logistic regression analysis, risk factors for pregnancy at adolescence were: low schooling (OR=2.3; CI 95%=1.3-3.8), age at the first intercourse lower than 15 years old (OR=3.6; CI 95%=2.2-5.7), history of maternal pregnancy at adolescence (OR=2.6; CI 95%=1.7-3.4). The history of previous gynecological appointments (OR=0.3; CI 95%=0.2-0.4) and the use of hormonal methods (OR=0.6; CI 95%=0.4-0.9) were protecting variables. CONCLUSIONS The main factors associated with pregnancy in adolescence were: the adolescents low schooling, maternal history of adolescence gestation, lack of previous gynecological appointments and lack of access to contraceptive methods.

Sublingual vs. vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor

Objective: To compare sublingual with vaginal misoprostol for the induction of labor. Methods: This double‐blind clinical trial randomized 150 women to receive every 6 h 25 μg of sublingual misoprostol and vaginal placebo or 25 μg of vaginal misoprostol and sublingual placebo. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were analyzed and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated. The significance level was 5%. Results: Vaginal delivery rates were 57% in the sublingual group and 69% in the vaginal group (RR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.6–1.1). There were 11 cases of fetal distress in the sublingual group and 4 cases in the vaginal group (RR, 2.7; 95% CI, 0.9–8.2). There were no significant differences in the number of doses needed, interval between first dose and delivery, incidence of contractility disturbances, or neonatal results. Conclusion: The administration of misoprostol 25 μg by the sublingual route was neither more effective nor safer than the same dose administered vaginally.

Misoprostol prior to inserting an intrauterine device in nulligravidas: a randomized clinical trial

STUDY QUESTION How effective is the vaginal administration of misoprostol in dilating the cervix prior to inserting an intrauterine device (IUD) in nulligravidas? SUMMARY ANSWER The use of misoprostol at a dose of 400 µg administered vaginally 4 h prior to IUD insertion increased the ease of insertion and reduced the incidence of pain during the procedure, although the frequency of cramps increased following misoprostol use. WHAT IS KNOWN AND WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS Misoprostol has been widely used in Obstetrics and Gynecology; however, its usefulness and efficacy in facilitating IUD insertion in nulligravidas have yet to be established. The present study shows that the benefits of misoprostol use prior to IUD insertion include facilitating insertion and reducing pain during the procedure; therefore, weighing up the benefits encountered against the only negative side effect (cramps prior to insertion), these results suggest that misoprostol use should become standard practice to facilitate IUD insertion in nulligravidas. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE DURATION A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING METHODS Nulligravid women of reproductive age were submitted to IUD insertion between July 2009 and November 2011 at the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. A total of 179 women were randomly allocated to two groups: 86 to receive 400 µg of misoprostol vaginally 4 h prior to IUD insertion and 93 to receive placebo. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated as measures of relative risk, together with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The number needed to treat (NNT) and the number needed to harm (NNH) were also calculated. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Significant differences were found between the groups for all the immediate end points studied, with less difficulty in inserting the IUD [RR = 0.49 (23/86 versus 51/93); 95% CI: 0.33-0.72; P = 0.00005], a lower risk of dilatation <4 mm [RR = 0.48 (24/86 versus 54/93); 95% CI: 0.33-0.70; P = 0.0001], a reduction in moderate-to-severe pain at IUD insertion [RR = 0.56 (32/86 versus 62/93]; 95% CI: 0.41-0.76; P = 0.00008), as well as a lesser likelihood of experiencing a disagreeable or very disagreeable sensation [RR = 0.49(29/86 versus 64/93); 95% CI: 0.35-0.68; P = 0.000004] in the group that was given misoprostol compared with the group that received placebo. There was no significant difference between the groups in relation to complications during IUD insertion. There were no cases of uterine perforation in either group. The frequency of cramps was 40% higher in the misoprostol group. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The present study showed a positive balance between the benefits and risks of the use of misoprostol; however, it is not feasible to conclude that its use is imperative prior to IUD insertion in nulligravidas and IUD insertion should not be canceled when the medication is unavailable. WINDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS In view of its effect in promoting cervical dilatation, misoprostol may be used prior to IUD insertion both in nulligravidas and in any women with cervical stenosis irrespective of parity. STUDY FUNDING This study was funded by the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof Fernando Figueira. COMPETING INTERESTS None.

Risk factors for macrosomia in newborns at a school-maternity in northeast of Brazil

OBJECTIVE to determine the frequency of macrosomia in babies born alive at a reference obstetric service, and its association with maternal risk factors. METHODS a transversal descriptive study, including 551 women at puerperium, hospitalized at Instituto de Saúde Elpídio de Almeida, in Campina Grande (PB), Brazil, from August to October, 2007. Women, whose deliveries had been assisted at the institution, with babies born alive from one single gestation and approached in the first postpartum day, were included in the study. The nutritional and sociodemographic maternal characteristics were analyzed, and the ratio of macrosomia (birth weight >or=4.000 g) and its association with maternal variables were determined. Macrosomia was classified as symmetric or asymmetric according to Rohrers index. Statistical analysis has been done through Epi-Info 3.5 software; the prevalence ratio (PR) and the confidence interval at 95% (CI 95%) were calculated. The research protocol was approved by the local Ethics Committee and all the participants signed the informed consent. RESULTS the mean maternal age was 24.7 years old, and the mean gestational age was 38.6 weeks. Excessive gestational weight gain was observed in 21.3% of the pregnant women, and 2.1% of the participants had a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (gestational or clinic). A ratio of 5.4% of macrosomic newborns was found, 60 were asymmetric. There was no significant association between macrosomia, mothers age and parity. There was an association between macrosomia and overweight/obesity in the pre-gestational period (PR=2.9; CI 95%=1.0-7.8) and at the last medical appointment (PR=4.9; CI 95%=1.9-12.5), excessive weight gain (PR = 6.9; CI 95%:2.8-16.9), clinical or gestational diabetes (PR = 8.9; CI 95%:4.1-19.4) and hypertension (PR=2.9; CI 95%=1.1-7.9). The factors that persisted significantly associated with macrosomia in the multivariate analysis were the excessive weight gain during the gestation (RR=6.9; CI 95%=2.9-16.9) and the presence of diabetes mellitus (RR=8.9, CI 95%=4.1-19.4). CONCLUSIONS considering that excessive gestational weight gain and diabetes mellitus were the factors more strongly associated with macrosomia, it is important that precocious detection measurements and adequate follow-up of such conditions be taken, aiming at preventing unfavorable perinatal outcomes.

Combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia and maternal intrapartum temperature during vaginal delivery: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND We determined the association between combined spinal-epidural (CSE) anaesthesia and an increase in maternal intrapartum temperature and intrapartum fever. METHODS A randomized, open clinical trial was performed with 70 pregnant women, 35 receiving CSE and 35 receiving only non-pharmacological methods of pain relief during delivery. Association between CSE and changes in the patients temperature, the risk of maternal fever, and other maternal and perinatal outcomes was determined at a 5% significance level. Number needed to harm (NNH) was calculated for maternal fever. RESULTS Patients receiving CSE anaesthesia during vaginal delivery experienced a significant increase in intrapartum temperature and five (14%) developed fever, whereas no cases occurred in the group receiving only non-pharmacological methods of pain relief (P=0.027). None of the women who developed fever received antibiotics or were submitted to further investigation; however, all progressed without complication. No case of chorioamnionitis or any maternal or neonatal infection was detected. NNH for maternal fever was 7.0 (95% confidence interval: 3.8-51.9). CONCLUSIONS The use of CSE is associated with a significant increase in maternal temperature and in the incidence of intrapartum maternal fever. However, the increase in maternal temperature does not appear to provoke any deleterious effects on the mother or child.

Vaginal Misoprostol Prior to Diagnostic Hysteroscopy in Patients of Reproductive Age: A Randomized Clinical Trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess pain during and after diagnostic hysteroscopy in patients of reproductive age according to use of vaginal misoprostol. DESIGN A randomized, triple-masked, controlled clinical trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING Diagnostic center at Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco-Brazil. PATIENTS A total of 45 women of reproductive age underwent diagnostic anesthesia-free hysteroscopy. INTERVENTIONS In all, 400 mg of vaginal misoprostol or placebo was administered to randomized patients before diagnostic hysteroscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The clinical trial was interrupted in patients receiving misoprostol because of significant vaginal bleeding precluding the procedure (p = .0006). No significant difference existed in pain scores between the groups. Vaginal bleeding was the main side effect occurring in 11 patients of the misoprostol group. No vaginal bleeding occurred in the placebo group (p = .00002). CONCLUSION In the doses used, vaginal misoprostol induced vaginal bleeding and precluded diagnostic hysteroscopy in patients of reproductive age that limits continuation of this line of research. Further studies are needed to reassess the use of the drug in patients of this age group.

Factors associated with severe maternal morbidity and near miss in the São Francisco Valley, Brazil: a retrospective, cohort study

BackgroundMaternal mortality remains a major public health issue worldwide, with persistent high rates prevailing principally in underdeveloped countries. The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors for severe maternal morbidity and near miss (SMM/NM) in pregnant and postpartum women at the maternity ward of the Dom Malan Hospital, Petrolina, in northeastern Brazil.MethodsA retrospective, cohort study was conducted to evaluate the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of the women. Patients who remained hospitalized at the end of the study period were excluded. Risk ratios (RR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated as a measure of relative risk. Hierarchical multiple logistic regression was also performed. Two-tailed p-values were used for all the tests and the significance level adopted was 5%.ResultsA total of 2,291 pregnant or postpartum women receiving care between May and August, 2011 were included. The frequencies of severe maternal morbidity and near miss were 17.5% and 1.0%, respectively. Following multivariate analysis, the factors that remained significantly associated with an increased risk of SMM/NM were a Cesarean section in the current pregnancy (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 2.0 – 3.3), clinical comorbidities (OR: 3.4; 95% CI: 2.5 – 4.4), having attended fewer than six prenatal visits (OR: 1.1; 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.69) and the presence of the third delay (i.e. delay in receiving care at the health facility) (OR: 13.3; 95% CI: 6.7 – 26.4).ConclusionsThe risk of SMM/NM was greater in women who had been submitted to a Cesarean section in the current pregnancy, in the presence of clinical comorbidities, fewer prenatal visits and when the third delay was present. All these factors could be minimized by initiating a broad debate on healthcare policies, introducing preventive measures and improving the training of the professionals and services providing obstetric care.