Archives of gynecology and obstetrics
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According to current definition, peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disorder in which left ventricular dysfunction and symptoms of heart failure occur in the last month of pregnancy. It has been reported that the incidence of PPCM is 1 in 3,000-4,000 live births. The pathogenesis is poorly understood, however, infectious, immunologic, and nutritional causes have been hypothesized. ⋯ Effective treatment reduces mortality rates and increases the number of women who fully recover left ventricular systolic function. The prognosis is poor in patients with persistent cardiomyopathy. Subsequent pregnancies are often associated with recurrence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
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Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. · Feb 2010
Isotretinoin exposure and pregnancy outcome: an observational study of the Berlin Institute for Clinical Teratology and Drug Risk Assessment in Pregnancy.
Apart from thalidomide, retinoids like isotretinoin are the strongest teratogens in humans known today. The overall risk of birth defects is estimated as up to 30% after exposure during embryogenesis. In spite of well established pregnancy prevention programs, pregnancies still occur during isotretinoin therapy in many countries including Germany. A detailed investigation of the incidence and outcome of these pregnancies would fill an important gap. ⋯ Inadvertent isotretinoin exposure during the first 2 weeks post conception does not necessarily require discussion of termination of pregnancy, as the risk of major birth defects appears to be much lower than it becomes beyond this period. Nevertheless, additional efforts are required to improve the effectiveness of contraception while on isotretinoin treatment considering psycho-social aspects such as improved self-confidence, unexpected new partnership and sexual activity and incorrect perception of infertility.
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Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. · Feb 2010
Case ReportsA rare cause of perinatal asphyxia: maternal carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication has serious adverse effects to the mother and fetus and a result of intrauterine hypoxia, it leads to fetal death or severe neurological sequelae. In this article, a preterm infant who was acutely exposed to CO at the 33rd weeks of gestation before delivery was presented. The baby was delivered by emergent cesarean section at the 34th weeks of gestation due to findings of fetal distress and he had severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy leading to death. Results and treatment modalities of CO poisoning during pregnancy were reviewed.
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Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. · Feb 2010
Observer accuracy and reproducibility of visual estimation of blood loss in obstetrics: how accurate and consistent are health-care professionals?
To evaluate the observer accuracy and intra-observer test-retest reliability of visual estimation of blood loss by midwives and obstetricians. ⋯ Visual estimations were inaccurate by health-care professionals who have a tendency to overestimate. Experience did not appear to have a confounding effect on accuracy. Further training in visual assessment skills is necessary in order to improve the clinicians' estimation.
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Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. · Feb 2010
Case ReportsRight lower quadrant pain and postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis. Uncommon but not forgotten.
Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is an uncommon, life-threatening complication of the postpartum period. Symptoms of OVT include lower abdominal and flank pain associated with fever, tachycardia, and nausea and vomiting. ⋯ The clinical presentation of OVT can be very similar to that of acute appendicitis and should always be included in the differential diagnosis of right lower quadrant pain in the female patient. Modern imaging techniques enable confirmation of the diagnosis when OVT is suspected.