PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Jeanne S Sheffield

Publications and source records attributed to Jeanne S Sheffield.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effect of protease inhibitor therapy on glucose intolerance in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if protease inhibitor use was associated with increased glucose intolerance in our population of pregnant women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS: Women who were infected with HIV from January 1, 1998, to January 8, 2004, and who had a 1-hour and 3-hour glucola test were identified. Medical records were reviewed to obtain demographic characteristics and obstetric and laboratory data. Drug regimens at the time of glucola testing were determined. Human immunodeficiency virus-infected women were then matched 1:3 to HIV-noninfected gravidas by race, age, and year of delivery. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-one HIV-infected women had glucola results available. Twelve percent had an abnormal 1-hour glucola result and 3% had an abnormal 3-hour result. This was similar to the HIV-noninfected population. Forty-five percent of the HIV-infected cohort was on a protease inhibitor at the time of glucola testing. Protease inhibitor exposure had no effect on glucola test results. HIV infection itself also did not increase abnormal glucola test results. CONCLUSION: Glucose intolerance in this obstetric population was not associated with the diagnosis of HIV or with the use of protease inhibitors. Protease inhibitors should continue to be an option for the treatment of HIV in pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Valacyclovir prophylaxis to prevent recurrent herpes at delivery: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the efficacy of valacyclovir suppression in late pregnancy to reduce the incidence of recurrent genital herpes in labor and subsequent cesarean delivery. METHODS: A total of 350 pregnant women with a history of genital herpes were assigned randomly to oral valacyclovir 500 mg twice a day or an identical placebo from 36 weeks of gestation until delivery. In labor, vulvovaginal herpes simplex virus (HSV) culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specimens were collected. Vaginal delivery was permitted if no clinical recurrence or prodromal symptoms were present. Neonatal HSV cultures and laboratory tests were obtained, and infants were followed up for 1 month after delivery. Data were analyzed using chi2 and Student t tests. RESULTS: One hundred seventy women treated with valacyclovir and 168 women treated with placebo were evaluated. Eighty-two percent of the women had recurrent genital herpes; 12% had first episode, nonprimary genital herpes; and 6% had first episode, primary genital herpes. At delivery, 28 women (8%) had recurrent genital herpes requiring cesarean delivery: 4% in the valacyclovir group and 13% in the placebo group (P = .009). Herpes simplex virus was detected by culture in 2% of the valacyclovir group and 9% [corrected] of the placebo group (P =.02). No infants were diagnosed with neonatal HSV, and there were no significant differences in neonatal complications. There were no significant differences in maternal or obstetric complications in either group. CONCLUSION: Valacyclovir suppression after 36 weeks of gestation significantly reduces HSV shedding and recurrent genital herpes requiring cesarean delivery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2006

Recurrence of clinical chorioamnionitis in subsequent pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the role of clinical chorioamnionitis as an independent risk factor for recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy. METHOD: This was a historical cohort study of pregnant women who had their first and second deliveries at our institution between January 1988 and May 2005. The index pregnancy was restricted to those who delivered vaginally. Data were collected from a continuously updated obstetric database and included demographic and labor characteristics and neonatal outcomes. Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed clinically. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 23,397 women. During the index pregnancy, 10% of women developed chorioamnionitis. This group was significantly different from the rest of the cohort in terms of age, ethnicity, length of labor, epidural analgesia, use of internal monitors, and incidence of prolonged rupture of membranes. In the second pregnancy, 6% of those women again developed chorioamnionitis compared with 2% of women who did not have chorioamnionitis in the first pregnancy (odds ratio 2.93, 95% confidence interval 2.40-3.57). After adjusting for the above confounders, the increased risk of recurrence persisted (odds ratio 1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.49-2.30). CONCLUSION: Women delivering vaginally who were diagnosed with chorioamnionitis during their first pregnancy are at increased risk for chorioamnionitis in a subsequent pregnancy. This supports the concept that there may be a predisposition to chorioamnionitis that should be further investigated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Influenza and pneumonia in pregnancy.

Influenza is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality from febrile respiratory illness worldwide. Influenza in pregnant women has historically been associated with a higher rate of morbidity and mortality. Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the number one cause of death from an infectious disease. Although pregnant women do not get pneumonia more often than nonpregnant women, it can result in greater morbidity and mortality because of the physiologic adaptations of pregnancy. Pregnant patients who have either of these conditions require a higher level of surveillance and intervention.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2005

Tuberculosis in pregnancy.

There were approximately 2 million deaths worldwide from tuberculosis in 1997, 98% of them in developing countries. Factors implicated in the resurgence of tuberculosis in the United States in the late 80s and early 90s included increased immigration from countries with high prevalence, HIV infection, emergence of resistant strains, poverty, homelessness, drug abuse, and a decline in tuberculosis-related health services. With better control programs, cases began to decrease in 1993. In 1998, 18,361 cases of tuberculosis (6.8 per 100,000 population) were reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a 31% decrease from 1992. Pregnancy is not thought to change the course of tuberculosis; however, tuberculosis poses a risk to the pregnant woman and her fetus.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed2005

Postpartum sterilization choices made by HIV-infected women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if HIV-infected women made different choices for postpartum sterilization after implementation of the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol 076 (November 1, 1994) compared to before implementation. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study in which medical records were reviewed to obtain demographic, obstetric and HIV-related data from January 1993 through December 2002. HIV-infected women who completed a pregnancy by birth or abortion were divided into two comparison groups: "Pre-076" and "Post-076". The primary outcome was sterilization by postpartum tubal ligation.Results. Forty-two women (74%) in the Pre-076 group chose sterilization compared to 139 of 310 women (45%) in the Post-076 group (unadjusted OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.83, 6.47). Seventy-one percent of women younger than 21 years of age in the Pre-076 Group chose sterilization compared with only 35% of women younger than 21 years in the Post-076 group (p = 0.0136). Similarly, 78% of primiparous women chose sterilization after their first pregnancy in the Pre-076 group, compared to 14% in the Post-076 group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Since the implementation of PACTG 076 protocol in November 1994, fewer HIV-infected women chose postpartum sterilization. The typical woman who now chooses postpartum sterilization is less likely to be young or primiparous than those who chose sterilization before PACTG Protocol 076 implementation.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of pyelonephritis and the incidence of risk factors, microbial pathogens, and obstetric complications in women with acute antepartum pyelonephritis. METHODS: For 2 years, information on pregnant women with acute pyelonephritis was collected in a longitudinal study. All women were admitted to the hospital and treated with intravenous antimicrobial agents. We compared the pregnancy outcomes of these women with those of the general obstetric population received at our hospital during the same time period. RESULTS: Four hundred forty cases of acute antepartum pyelonephritis were identified during the study period (incidence 1.4%). Although there were no significant differences in ethnicity, pyelonephritis was associated with nulliparity (44% versus 37%, P = .003) and young age (P = .003). Thirteen percent of the women had a known risk factor for pyelonephritis. Acute pyelonephritis occurred more often in the second trimester (53%), and the predominant uropathogens were Escherichia coli (70%) and gram-positive organisms, including group B beta Streptococcus (10%). Complications included anemia (23%), septicemia (17%), transient renal dysfunction (2%), and pulmonary insufficiency (7%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of pyelonephritis has remained low in the era of routine prenatal screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria. First-trimester pyelonephritis accounts for over 1 in 5 antepartum cases. Gram-positive uropathogens are found more commonly as pregnancy progresses. Maternal complications continue, but poor obstetrical outcomes are rare.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Spontaneous resolution of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to estimate the rate of spontaneous resolution of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnancy and to evaluate factors associated with its resolution. METHODS: A cohort of women enrolled in a large multicenter randomized bacterial vaginosis antibiotic trial (metronidazole versus placebo) that, when randomly allocated, had asymptomatic C trachomatis diagnosed by urine ligase chain reaction (from frozen archival specimens) between 16(0/7) and 23(6/7) weeks were included. The urine ligase chain reaction is a highly accurate predictor of genital tract chlamydial infection. A follow-up ligase chain reaction was performed between 24(0/7) and 29(6/7) weeks. RESULTS: A total of 1,953 women were enrolled in the original antibiotic trial; 1,547 (79%) had ligase chain reaction performed both at randomization and follow-up. Women receiving antibiotics effective against Chlamydia between randomization and follow-up or having symptomatic Chlamydia infection were excluded (26 women). Of the 140 women (9%) who were diagnosed as positive via the initial ligase chain reaction assay, 61 (44%) had spontaneous resolution of Chlamydia by the follow-up ligase chain reaction assay. Factors associated with spontaneous resolution included older age (P = .02), more than 5 weeks from randomization to follow-up (P = .02), and a greater number of lifetime sexual partners (P = .02). Using a logistic regression model, maternal age and a greater-than-5-week follow-up interval remained significant; for every 5-year increase in maternal age, the odds of a positive result on the ligase chain reaction test at follow-up decreased by 40% (odds ratio 0.6; 95% confidence interval 0.4-0.9). Race, substance abuse, parity, and treatment with metronidazole were not associated with spontaneous resolution. Gram stain score and vaginal pH at randomization and follow-up also were not associated. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of asymptomatic C trachomatis in pregnancy was 9%; infection resolved spontaneously in almost half of these women. The association of older age and increasing time interval to spontaneous resolution of Chlamydia is consistent with a host immune-response mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Clinical presentation of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to review the presentation and management of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pregnant women. METHODS: This was a chart review of pregnant patients who were diagnosed with MRSA between January 1, 2000, and July 30, 2004. Data collected included demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, culture results, and pathogen susceptibilities. Patients' pregnancy outcomes were compared with the general obstetric population during the study period. RESULTS: Fifty-seven charts were available for review. There were 2 cases in 2000, 4 in 2001, 11 in 2002, 23 in 2003, and 17 through July of 2004. Comorbid conditions included human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (13%), asthma (11%), and diabetes (9%). Diagnostic culture was most commonly obtained in the second trimester (46%); however 18% of cases occurred in the postpartum period. Skin and soft tissue infections accounted for 96% of cases. The most common site for a lesion was the extremities (44%), followed by the buttocks (25%), and breast (mastitis) (23%). Fifty-eight percent of patients had recurrent episodes. Sixty-three percent of patients required inpatient treatment. All MRSA isolates were sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, vancomycin, and rifampin. Other antibiotics to which the isolates were susceptible included gentamicin (98%) and levofloxacin (84%). In comparison with the general obstetric population, patients with MRSA were more likely to be multiparous and to have had a cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Community-acquired MRSA is an emerging problem in our obstetric population. Most commonly, it presents as a skin or soft tissue infection that involves multiple sites. Recurrent skin abscesses during pregnancy should raise prompt investigation for MRSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Urinary tract infection in women.

Urinary tract bacterial infections are common in women. Moreover, they tend to recur throughout life and in the same relatively small group of women. In most cases, bladder and renal infections are asymptomatic and manifest by demonstrating coincidental bacteriuria. In some instances, however, especially with frequent sexual activity, pregnancy, stone disease, or diabetes, symptomatic cystitis or pyelonephritis develops and antimicrobial therapy is indicated. In most cases, cystitis is easily managed with minimal morbidity. When acute pyelonephritis develops in an otherwise healthy woman, however, consideration for ureteral obstruction is entertained. If her clinical response to proper therapy is not optimal, then imaging studies are indicated. Pregnancy is a common cause of obstructive uropathy, and severe renal infections are relatively common. Because they usually arise from preexisting covert bacteriuria, experts recommend screening and eradication of these silent infections as a routine prenatal practice.

Cystitis↗
PubMed2004

Morbidity that is associated with curettage for the management of spontaneous and induced abortion in women who are infected with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the morbidity that is associated with curettage for the management of abortions in women who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus compared with women who were not infected with human immunodeficiency virus. STUDY DESIGN: Women who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus (cases) and who underwent curettage for the management of scheduled and unscheduled abortions in the first half of pregnancy between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 2002, were identified. Women who were not infected with human immunodeficiency virus (control subjects) were matched 3:1 to cases for gestational age, type of abortion, and year of procedure. Medical records were reviewed to obtain demographic characteristics, gestational age, abortion characteristics, and procedure-related complications. Chi-squared test, Student t test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Seventy-one women who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus (cases) and 213 women who were not infected with human immunodeficiency virus (control subjects) who underwent curettage during the study period were evaluated. Forty-eight cases (68%) and 146 control subjects (69%) underwent a scheduled curettage. Twenty-three cases (32%) and 66 control subjects (31%) underwent an unscheduled curettage for spontaneous or incomplete abortion. No significant differences were seen in age, gravidity, or parity. There were significantly more black women in the HIV-infected cohort (P < .001), which was representative of our human immunodeficiency virus population. The mean gestational age in the cases was greater than in the control subjects (10.9 +/- 4.2 weeks of gestation vs 9.2 +/- 3.1 weeks of gestation; P = .004). Procedure-related complications occurred in 10 of the women (14%) who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus who underwent curettage, compared with 9 of the women (4%) who were not infected with human immunodeficiency virus (P = .004). With the use of logistic regression, complication rates were unaffected by the difference in gestational age. Infectious complications did not differ between the 2 groups (P = .435). CONCLUSION: There was a higher rate of procedure-related complications among women who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus and who underwent curettage for management of spontaneous and induced abortions. There was no increase in infectious morbidity in the women who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed2004

Sepsis and septic shock in pregnancy.

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients in the United States. Improvements in the critical care management of septic shock have led to a decrease in the mortality rate in the past decade. Septic shock in obstetric patients is rare. Pregnant women as a group are younger and have fewer comorbid conditions. Though little is known regarding the treatment of sepsis and septic shock in pregnancy, the same principles and treatment modalities discussed in this article should govern the management of pregnant women.

Female↗
PubMed2004

Thyrotoxicosis and heart failure that complicate pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: When untreated, Graves' thyrotoxicosis has profound cardiovascular effects, although it rarely causes heart failure in otherwise healthy patients. Preliminary observations suggest that pregnant women are the exception. To further elucidate this association, we studied both immediate and long-term outcomes in women who had thyrotoxicosis and heart failure during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed clinical outcomes of pregnant women with Graves' disease and heart failure at our institution from 1974 through 2001. Women with other underlying heart disease were excluded. A standardized antithyroid regimen and serial echocardiography and/or chest radiography were performed. RESULTS: The 13 women with thyrotoxicosis and heart failure were either noncompliant with antithyroid therapy or had no medical care during pregnancy. Six women had heart failure before fetal viability; decompensation was precipitated by hemorrhage, sepsis, or both. The other 7 women were in the last trimester when heart failure developed; in 4 women, the heart failure was precipitated by severe preeclampsia-eclampsia and in 2 women was precipitated by sepsis. Overall, 11 of 13 women had an underlying obstetric event. In follow-up of 11 women from 2 to 25 years, resolution of cardiomyopathy was confirmed after successful treatment of thyrotoxicosis. CONCLUSION: Normal pregnancy mimics and amplifies some of the hyperdynamic cardiovascular changes that are caused by thyrotoxicosis. When they occur simultaneously, there is usually a compensated high-output state. In some women, however, common pregnancy complications that include hemorrhage with associated anemia, sepsis, and severe preeclampsia-eclampsia will precipitate heart failure. The immediate treatment of heart failure and the correction of precipitating pregnancy factors usually results in good outcome. Long-term follow-up confirmed that thyrotoxic cardiac dysfunction is reversible with successful antithyroid therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Tetanus in pregnancy.

Tetanus remains a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. It is caused by the release of two toxins produced by Clostridium tetani, a noninvasive gram-positive anaerobic bacillus. Tetanospasmin is taken up by the neuronal end plates and prevents neurotransmitter release at the synaptic junction. This leads to spasms and is irreversible. Recovery requires the formation of new neurons and may take months. Generalized muscle spasm, respiratory compromise, and autonomic dysfunction are all common clinical manifestations. Diagnosis is based mainly on history and clinical examination. The management of the pregnant woman is similar to the nonpregnant individual. The main objectives are prompt prevention of further toxin absorption, wound debridement, antibiotic therapy, and aggressive supportive care. Primary and secondary prevention protocols are important worldwide because tetanus is a preventable disease. The tetanus toxoid vaccine can be given in pregnancy.

Clostridium tetani↗
PubMed2003

Acyclovir prophylaxis to prevent herpes simplex virus recurrence at delivery: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most common viral sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Perinatal transmission of the virus to the fetus or neonate is a major concern in affected pregnancies. Our objective was to systematically review published data to estimate the effect of prophylactic acyclovir provided to pregnant women near term on the rate of recurrent genital herpes at delivery; the number of cesarean deliveries performed for clinical HSV recurrences or prodromal symptoms; and the prevalence of HSV virologic detection at delivery. DATA SOURCES: Our search included MEDLINE (1966-March 2003), LILACS, EMBASE, conference proceedings, abstracts from scientific forums and bibliographies of published articles with the following medical headings: acyclovir, pregnancy, Herpes viridae, and Herpesviridae. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Prospectively designed criteria included randomized, clinical trials detailing the use of acyclovir in pregnancy for women with HSV published in either abstract or article form. Five trials with a total enrollment of 799 patients were included in the analysis. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: The studies were reviewed independently by three of the authors. With RevMan software, a fixed-effects model was used to calculate a summary odds ratio (OR) comparing the effect of treatment with placebo. Acyclovir prophylaxis beginning at 36 weeks' gestation was effective in reducing clinical HSV recurrences at the time of delivery (OR 0.25; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.15, 0.40), cesarean deliveries for clinical recurrence genital herpes (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.13, 0.67), total HSV detection at delivery (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.04, 0.31), and asymptomatic HSV shedding at delivery (OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.02, 0.39). CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis indicate that prophylactic acyclovir beginning at 36 weeks' gestation reduces the risk of clinical HSV recurrence at delivery, cesarean delivery for recurrent genital herpes, and the risk of HSV viral shedding at delivery.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2003

State laws regarding prenatal syphilis screening in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and pattern of state laws or regulations regarding prenatal syphilis serologic screening in the United States in 2001. STUDY DESIGN: We surveyed the United States for existing laws and regulations regarding serologic screening for syphilis during pregnancy. Testing was compared with 2000 state rates of syphilis in women and newborn infants, with states that had syphilis high morbidity areas, and with national 2000 and 2010 objectives for rates of syphilis. RESULTS: Forty-six of the 50 states (90%) and the District of Columbia have laws regarding antenatal syphilis screening. Thirty-four of the 46 statutes (76%) mandate one prenatal test, usually at the first prenatal visit or early in pregnancy. Twelve laws (26%) include third-trimester testing for all or high-risk women. The presence of high morbidity areas, incidence of early syphilis in women, and rates of congenital syphilis are associated with increasing frequency of legislated antepartum screening. CONCLUSION: Only 90% of states have statutes that require antepartum syphilis screening, and there is variation in the content of the statutes about the number and timing of tests. States with a heavy burden of infectious syphilis in women tend to require more prenatal testing.

Female↗