[Delivery in 2003: what medicalisation? Delivery in a hospital birthing home].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Frydman.
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Pregnancy is controlled primarily, though not exclusively, by a delicate equilibrium between locally acting growth factors and cytokines, some under steroid control. The hypothesis considered here is that stress is able to influence the equilibrium between cytokines and thus lead to abortions or implantation failure. We thus detailed the studies on that topic in order to explore the psycho-neuro-immunological mechanisms concerned. The duration of stress, the patient's strategy for coping with this and the social context might be able to produce some opposite immunological effects. Thus, the link between stress and the immunological events induced is complex, and much care is needed for such patients.
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists are effective and safe in preventing premature LH surges, a leading cause of cycle cancellation or failure during assisted conception. Two studies assessed two administration regimens for cetrorelix (as Cetrotide): the multiple-dose (MD, 0.25 mg/day, n = 1066) and single-dose (SD, 3 mg, n = 541) protocols. Patient outcomes were very similar: >90% reached criteria for human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration and underwent oocyte retrieval; embryo transfer was performed in 83-84%; failure to retrieve oocytes was rare (0.8%); on average, 11 follicles > or =10 mm in diameter were seen on the day of HCG administration. The SD protocol was associated with higher numbers of oocytes retrieved and available for insemination, although the numbers of embryos obtained or transferred were comparable. A total of 251 and 121 pregnancies were reported in the MD and SD groups respectively. Pregnancy rates per embryo transfer were 27 and 28% respectively. Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurred in <1% of cycles. Twelve per cent of patients reported local reactions to injections in the MD group, compared with 8% in the SD group; none was serious or led to discontinuation. Seventy-three per cent of patients in the SD group received only one injection. These two studies therefore show that the single-dose cetrorelix protocol offers equal efficacy and safety to the MD regimen, while having the advantage of requiring only one injection in most patients.
A prospective randomized feasibility study was carried out on 10 patients undergoing IVF treatment using a single-dose LHRH antagonist protocol (cetrorelix, Cetrotide) with clomiphene citrate in combination with either human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) (n = 5) or recombinant human FSH (rFSH) (n = 5). Both treatment-groups, HMG and rFSH, were comparable with regard to age (33.2 +/- 2.6 versus 34.4 +/- 4.0 years) BMI (23.2 +/- 2.6 versus 22.7 +/- 1.6) and cause of infertility. They yielded comparable results concerning gonadotrophin dose (19.8 +/- 8.7 versus 17.0 +/- 8.9), stimulation days (6.5 +/- 2.0 versus 5.8 +/- 1.9) and live births (one versus two). No premature LH surge (LH >10 IU/ml and progesterone >1 ng/ml) occurred. The overall baby take-home rate was 30%. In a small number of patients, cetrorelix could be shown to effectively prevent premature LH surges in stimulation protocols combining clomiphene with gonadotrophins with an excellent baby take-home rate per started cycle of 30%.
BACKGROUND: Pregnancy occurring after pelvic arterial embolization for postpartum hemorrhage is rare. The harmlessness of this procedure for subsequent pregnancies is poorly documented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight pregnant women with a history of arterial embolization were followed up with fetal growth and Doppler assessment. RESULTS: Fetal growth and umbilical Doppler findings remained normal in all cases. CONCLUSION: Embolization, a life-saving and fertility-preserving procedure, does not seem to affect subsequent pregnancies.
Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), in which the pregnancy is located in the scar of a previous Caesarean section, is a rare situation that carries a high risk of uterine rupture. Improved ultrasound imaging allows early diagnosis of this condition, but there is no standard management. We report the first case of CSP associated with a normal intrauterine pregnancy. Potassium chloride administered under transvaginal ultrasonographic guidance terminated cardiac activity in the CSP. The CSP resolved, and a healthy infant was delivered at 36 weeks. When the diagnosis is early and the patient asymptomatic, surgery can be avoided, the CSP can be terminated selectively and the intrauterine pregnancy thereby preserved.
BACKGROUND: Hypogastric artery ligation is a therapeutic option for severe post-partum haemorrhage. Little is known about the outcomes of subsequent fertility and pregnancy. We studied these parameters in women who required hypogastric artery ligation for severe post-partum haemorrhage in our institution over a 13-year period. METHODS: All patients who required hypogastric artery ligation for severe intractable post-partum haemorrhage from January, 1989 to April, 2001 were included. Data were retrieved from medical files and telephone interviews. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients required hypogastric artery ligation during the study period. Seventeen patients had 21 pregnancies with 13 term deliveries, two ectopic pregnancies, three miscarriages, and three abortions. Twenty-eight patients did not want a new pregnancy and one patient refused the interview. Twenty-three (34%) patients were lost to follow up. None of the patients suffered subsequent infertility and pregnancy was achieved in <12 months once planned. Pregnancy outcomes were normal. Fifty-four percent had vaginal deliveries. Three patients suffered a threatened post-partum haemorrhage that was easily treated medically. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest reported series of pregnancies following hypogastric artery ligation. Hypogastric artery ligation for post-partum bleeding >1 l appears to be a safe procedure that does not impair subsequent fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Pelvic arterial embolization is a safe, effective life-saving procedure in post-partum haemorrhage, but little information is yet available about its impact on menstruation and fertility. METHODS: A cohort of 28 women who underwent pelvic embolization for post-partum haemorrhage in our tertiary centre was studied. Patients were contacted by telephone to obtain long-term outcome for menstruation, clinical signs of estrogen insufficiency, desire for fertility and subsequent pregnancies. RESULTS: We found no menstrual abnormalities or signs of early menopause among the 17 patients we were able to reach. Six women expressed a clear desire for subsequent pregnancies. Five patients reported a total of six pregnancies (one biochemical pregnancy, one early miscarriage and four deliveries). The four patients with complete gestations gave birth to healthy babies, but post-partum haemorrhage recurred for all and led to two hysterectomies. No undesired pregnancies occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Embolization in post-partum haemorrhage appears to be a safe procedure that does not impair subsequent menstruation and fertility. Recurrence of severe post-partum haemorrhage may occur at subsequent deliveries.
OBJECTIVE: Report our psychoanalyst experience in clinical practice of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). METHODOLOGY: Between January 1999 and July 2001, 230 couples attended a multidisciplinary PGD consultation and the information meeting that preceded it. Eighty-six of these couples met the team's psychoanalyst during a private encounter (either as couples or individually, depending on their preference). RESULTS: The development of this technique was capital for couples at risk who, prior to PGD, had often suffered a termination of pregnancy and who may have a child who was seriously ill. Whether they were carriers or affected by the disease, PGD gave them the possibility to react to their condition. Those who have repeatedly been subjected to a painful experience were given the opportunity to play an active part in their own medical history. CONCLUSION: Beyond the scientific claims of this method, PGD contributes to the healing process of distressed couples and responds to their quest for recognition. We believe that this evolution in preventative medical practice, seen as a positive development, must necessarily lead to a number of ethical as well as psychoanalytical considerations, discussions and interrogations.
OBJECTIVE: To report the birth of the first infant conceived after preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) performed on frozen-thawed embryos in our PGD center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three couples (C1, C2 and C3) who had frozen embryos from a previous in vitro fertilization attempt were enrolled in our PGD program. Embryos were thawed one day before the biopsy procedure for the couples C1 and C3 and the day of the biopsy for the couple C2. The single cell genetic analysis was performed by a multiplex PCR for the couple C1 and by fluorescent in situ hybridization for the couples C2 and C3. The embryos transfers were carried out on the third or fourth day. RESULTS: Out of ten thawed embryos, eight were biopsied and five were transferred during three embryos transfers. Two biochemical and one ongoing pregnancy were obtained yielded one birth. CONCLUSIONS: PGD may be offered to couples at risk of transmission of a serious and incurable genetic disease and having frozen embryos.
OBJECTIVE: To study obstetrical factors leading to very preterm delivery (between 24 and 28 weeks) and to relate these factors to neonatal outcome and psychomotor development at two years. STUDY DESIGN: Among 144 infants born alive before 28 weeks of gestation at a single perinatal center between January 1993 and December 1996, we analyzed the influence on neonatal outcome and on psychomotor development at 24 months of a variety of perinatal and neonatal factors. Psychomotor development at two years was classified as: normal, borderline, or moderately or severely handicapped. RESULTS: During the study period, 114 women delivered live infants before 28 weeks' gestation: 87 singletons, 25 sets of twins, 1 set of triplets and 1 set of quadruplets. All 144 live-born infants received neonatal resuscitation: 50 died before discharge. At two years of age, 6 of the 94 survivors were lost to follow-up. Assessments of the psychomotor development of the other 88 was normal for 52%; borderline for 20%, moderately handicapped for 20%, and severely handicapped for 8%. Multivariate analysis found that two factors affected survival: birthweight and fetal heart rate. (The 42% of infants with a birthweight below 700 g survived versus 83% above 900 g, P<0.001, OR=5.2, 95% CI (confidence interval) [2.4-11.2].) CONCLUSION: These data show the influence of perinatal factors on the outcome of very preterm infants; birthweight and fetal heart rate are strongly correlated with survival. Gestational age is a good predictor of psychomotor development at two years.
Interstitial duplications of chromosomal region 1q are rarely seen. We report the first prenatal diagnosis of pure partial trisomy 1q. The fetus was karyotyped for polyhydramnios, micrognathia, and flexion of fingers of both hands. Conventional and molecular cytogenetics showed a de novo direct duplication of the chromosomal region 1q23.1q31.1 leading to a partial trisomy 1q. At autopsy, the fetus showed Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) and camptodactyly. The main histological finding was a decreased number of motoneurons with apoptotic features in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. A literature review and our observations suggest that genetic material mapping to chromosome 1q25 could be responsible for PRS with distal arthrogryposis when this is in triple dose.
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate pregnancy outcome and mid- and long-term prognosis of cases with nuchal translucency > or =4 mm and normal karyotype. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 160 cases who presented with a nuchal translucency > or =4 mm when the CRL was between 45 and 84 mm was undertaken. Cystic hygromas were excluded. When the karyotype was normal a detailed anomaly scan was performed at 20 to 24 weeks followed by serial ultrasound examination. Clinical examination of the neonates was performed by a paediatrician. Long-term follow-up was completed through a questionnaire filled in by parents, GPs and paediatricians. RESULTS: 160 fetuses had an NT > or =4 mm. 44.3% had an abnormal karyotype. Of the 55.7% with normal karyotypes, 74 % did not show any abnormalities on follow-up ultrasound scan. Mid- and long-term outcome was known in 91% of the cases. 6.4% had a malformation diagnosed only at birth. Among the normal neonates, 11.1% are considered to have a significant neurological handicap or orthopaedic problems at 12 to 72 months of age. CONCLUSION: In an unselected population, NT > or =4 mm is associated with a high incidence of chromosomal and non chromosomal abnormalities. Even when the fetal karyotype and serial ultrasound examinations are considered to be normal, the risk of fetal malformation and developmental delay should not be underestimated.
Interstitial deletions of chromosomal region 9q are rarely seen. We report the first prenatal diagnosis of a de novo interstitial deletion 9q. The fetus was karyotyped for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Conventional and molecular cytogenetics showed female karyotype with a de novo deletion of the chromosomal region 9(q22.2q31.1) leading to a partial monosomy 9q. At autopsy, the fetus showed growth retardation, dysmorphy, and a female pseudohermaphroditism. These results suggest that a gene(s) for genital development reside in chromosomal region 9q22.2q31.1.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To search for a marker that could aid in earlier diagnosis of bowel injury after gynecologic surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective case study with prospective controls (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Fourteen women with bowel injuries and 50 controls with no postoperative complications. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bowel injury occurred in 14 (2.4/1000) of 5901 gynecologic procedures. Of these, eight were recognized intraoperatively and treated immediately. In six women C-reactive protein levels were markedly increased (>100 mg/L) relative to control patients (p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Systematic postoperative assessment of C-reactive protein in patients at high risk for bowel injury may help identify this complication earlier in the postoperative period.
OBJECTIVES: This study has two objectives: firstly, to find out what are the women's views about home birth, and secondly to perform a review of the perinatal risk associated with home birth. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 121 women in three maternity hospitals and a Medline search was performed using the following keywords: home delivery, hospital delivery, risk factor, perinatal transfer. RESULTS: Fifty two percent of these women think that home delivery "should or could be offered" (group I), 22% think that it "should never be offered" (group II); finally 26% "do not know" whether it should or not be offered (group III). The level of maternity care, educational standards, nationality, parity, annual income, age, location of the place of residence, do not modify the rate of women belonging to group I. Thirty four percent of women who have heard about complications happening during delivery think that home delivery "should never be offered" while 13% of women who have never heard of complications during delivery stated that it should never be offered (p = 0.024). Even if it is not significant the number of women belonging to group II increases with educational standards and maternal age. Most women believed that hospital delivery is safer, more restful, that pain relief is better, but also stated that it is more impersonal than home delivery. CONCLUSION: In this study more than one out of two women believed that home delivery "should or could be offered". Nevertheless, 22% stated that home delivery "should never be offered". The level of opposition to home delivery seems to increase with the level of information about potential obstetrical complications. A study should be designed to confirm this statement. The analysis of perinatal risks related to home delivery shows that two conditions should be fulfilled in order to allow home delivery: a careful selection, with validated risk factor, to eliminate high risk pregnancies, and clear and complete information on the small but real risk of perinatal transfer.
BACKGROUND: There is strong evidence that locally secreted cytokines control the implantation process and can cause implantation failure. Uterine flushing fluids were analysed to determine their concentrations of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We began by flushing the uterine cavities of 33 infertile patients on day 26 of two consecutive cycles. The concentrations of LIF (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and TNF (by bioassay) were significantly correlated during these cycles (r = 0.762, P = 0.0001 and r = 0.822, P = 0.001 respectively) and hence reliable. Then, after a reference flushing of 30 infertile patients, we followed the outcome of their first consecutive cycle of ovarian stimulation, which preceded either IVF or intrauterine insemination. A total of 10 patients became pregnant. The median concentration of LIF was 0 pg/ml (range: 0-177) and of TNF was 0 U/ml (range: 0-6.17) among those who became pregnant, and 203 pg/ml (range: 0-1620) and 2.14 U/ml (range: 0-16) respectively among those who did not. The LIF concentration was significantly lower in the pregnant group (P = 0.0013). CONCLUSION: A low concentration of LIF in the uterine flushing fluid at day 26 was predictive of subsequent implantation. Use of this procedure should increase the number of IVF attempts yielding successful pregnancies and also lead to corrective therapies.
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of an antifibrotic treatment by a combination of pentoxifylline (PTX) and tocopherol (vitamin E) in patients with a thin endometrium who were enrolled in an oocyte donation programme. METHODS: Eighteen oocyte recipients who failed to develop a pre-ovulatory endometrial thickness of at least 6 mm after receiving vaginal micronized estradiol were enrolled in the study. The patients received a combination of PTX (800 mg/day) and vitamin E (1000 IU/day) for 6 months. The main outcome measurements were the change in endometrial thickness and the pregnancy and delivery rates after treatment. RESULTS: Endometrial thickness increased significantly (P <0.001), with a mean of (+/-SD) 4.9 +/-0.6 mm before and 6.2 +/- 1.4 mm after treatment, with 72% (13/18) of patients being good responders. Five patients either did not respond to the treatment or responded only slightly. Three patients, of which two had received previous radiotherapy, became spontaneously pregnant, and two became pregnant after embryo transfer. Three patients did not have embryo transfer. A total of four babies were delivered. The pregnancy rate was thus 33% and the delivery rate 27%. CONCLUSION: Treatment by combination of PTX and vitamin E appears to improve the pregnancy rate in patients with a thin endometrium by increasing the endometrial thickness and improving ovarian function. This was especially noticeable in patients who had previously received total body irradiation.