Fetal death Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(6):419-423
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000600006
PURPOSE: to evaluate the perinatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by oligohydramnios, not due to premature rupture of membranes (PRM), diagnosed until the 26th week of gestation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we analyzed retrospectively the cases of oligohydramnios that occurred from January 1994 to December 2000, and were diagnosed until the 26th week of gestation. Oligohydramnios was present when the amniotic fluid index was less or equal to 5.0 cm. After diagnosis the patients were followed-up with serial ultrasound evaluation, with emphasis on the maintenance of the oligohydramnios state. When remission of the oligohydramnios occurred, patients remained in the study. Cases due to PRM, fetal death detected on the first examination and the women who gave birth in another institution were excluded from the study. Concerning the patients, the presence of clinical and obstetric diseases was investigated. As regards the newborns, we evaluated birth weight, time of admission/death, occurrence of death or malformations. RESULTS: twenty-seven cases of oligohydramnios were analyzed. Thirteen fetuses had congenital anomalies, and among them, eight had anomalies of the urinary tract, four of the nervous system and one had cystic hygroma. Fourteen patients had a clinical or an obstetric disease, mainly hypertension (10 cases). In addition, we found three cases of placenta previa and one case of thyropathy. There were thirteen fetal deaths and fourteen neonatal deaths. CONCLUSION: oligohydramnios not due to PRM, occurring in the second trimester of gestation, independent of the etiology or the presence of congenital anomalies, was associated with a fatal perinatal result.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(6):419-423
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000600006
PURPOSE: to evaluate the perinatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by oligohydramnios, not due to premature rupture of membranes (PRM), diagnosed until the 26th week of gestation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we analyzed retrospectively the cases of oligohydramnios that occurred from January 1994 to December 2000, and were diagnosed until the 26th week of gestation. Oligohydramnios was present when the amniotic fluid index was less or equal to 5.0 cm. After diagnosis the patients were followed-up with serial ultrasound evaluation, with emphasis on the maintenance of the oligohydramnios state. When remission of the oligohydramnios occurred, patients remained in the study. Cases due to PRM, fetal death detected on the first examination and the women who gave birth in another institution were excluded from the study. Concerning the patients, the presence of clinical and obstetric diseases was investigated. As regards the newborns, we evaluated birth weight, time of admission/death, occurrence of death or malformations. RESULTS: twenty-seven cases of oligohydramnios were analyzed. Thirteen fetuses had congenital anomalies, and among them, eight had anomalies of the urinary tract, four of the nervous system and one had cystic hygroma. Fourteen patients had a clinical or an obstetric disease, mainly hypertension (10 cases). In addition, we found three cases of placenta previa and one case of thyropathy. There were thirteen fetal deaths and fourteen neonatal deaths. CONCLUSION: oligohydramnios not due to PRM, occurring in the second trimester of gestation, independent of the etiology or the presence of congenital anomalies, was associated with a fatal perinatal result.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2000;22(7):413-419
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000000700003
Purpose: to analyze maternal complications and perinatal results of triplet pregnancies. Method: retrospective study of maternal and perinatal data on all triplets weighing >500 g delivered in a period of 8 years at Maternidade Escola de Vila Nova Cachoeirinha. Results: between 1990-1998, 18 women gave birth to triplets, representing 1 in every 2,060 deliveries. The main complications were preterm delivery (94.4%) and preeclampsia (44.4%) and 83.3% of these patients needed hospitalization before delivery, for 1-50 days, most in order to inhibit preterm labor. Cesarean section was performed in 88.9%, the mean gestational age at birth was 34.2 weeks (+ 1.8), mean weight 1,827 g (+ 421), 20.4% weighed <1,500 g and 75.9% weighed 1,500-2,499 g. Birth weight discrepancy (> 25%) occurred in 38.9% of these pregnancies and 35.2% of the 54 fetuses were small for gestational age. Eighty-six percent of live-born infants had neonatal morbidity and 3.7% had evident congenital anomalies. Perinatal mortality was 16.7%, 7.4% due to intrauterine demise and 9.3% due to neonatal death. The mean duration of hospitalization in the neonatal ward was 18.5 days; late neonatal sepsis was the main cause of death. Conclusion: triplet pregnancies had high a incidence of obstetric complications, demanded prolonged maternal hospitalization and ended almost always in surgical delivery. Intrauterine and neonatal death rates were high, neonatal morbidity was detected in almost all live-born infants and their hospitalization was long, exposing these prematures to infection, their main cause of death. Triplet pregnancies carry high maternal and fetal risks and should be managed at tertiary facilities.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2000;22(7):413-419
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000000700003
Purpose: to analyze maternal complications and perinatal results of triplet pregnancies. Method: retrospective study of maternal and perinatal data on all triplets weighing >500 g delivered in a period of 8 years at Maternidade Escola de Vila Nova Cachoeirinha. Results: between 1990-1998, 18 women gave birth to triplets, representing 1 in every 2,060 deliveries. The main complications were preterm delivery (94.4%) and preeclampsia (44.4%) and 83.3% of these patients needed hospitalization before delivery, for 1-50 days, most in order to inhibit preterm labor. Cesarean section was performed in 88.9%, the mean gestational age at birth was 34.2 weeks (+ 1.8), mean weight 1,827 g (+ 421), 20.4% weighed <1,500 g and 75.9% weighed 1,500-2,499 g. Birth weight discrepancy (> 25%) occurred in 38.9% of these pregnancies and 35.2% of the 54 fetuses were small for gestational age. Eighty-six percent of live-born infants had neonatal morbidity and 3.7% had evident congenital anomalies. Perinatal mortality was 16.7%, 7.4% due to intrauterine demise and 9.3% due to neonatal death. The mean duration of hospitalization in the neonatal ward was 18.5 days; late neonatal sepsis was the main cause of death. Conclusion: triplet pregnancies had high a incidence of obstetric complications, demanded prolonged maternal hospitalization and ended almost always in surgical delivery. Intrauterine and neonatal death rates were high, neonatal morbidity was detected in almost all live-born infants and their hospitalization was long, exposing these prematures to infection, their main cause of death. Triplet pregnancies carry high maternal and fetal risks and should be managed at tertiary facilities.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(2):103-107
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000200005
PURPOSE: to study the causes and associated factors of fetal death. METHODS: epidemiological descriptive study, composed of 190 cases of fetal loss amongst 11,825 pregnant women that gave birth at the two only hospitals (Casa de Saúde Divino Espírito Santo and Hospital Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora) of Caratinga City, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the period from January 1, 1995 to April 30, 2000. The variables were the number of pregnancies, the timing of the pregnant women at the time of hospitalization, the occurrence of fetal death in relation to delivery and the cause of fetal death. Since there were no comparative groups, tables, percentages and arithmetical means were applied, following the guidelines of the Course of Statistics, of the "Universidade Federal de São Paulo". RESULTS: among the 189 pregnant women with fetal death, 77 were primigravidal and 76 had already been pregnant 2 to 5 times. The gestational age in 113 women was from 20 to 37 weeks. In relation to parturition, the fetal loss occurred during the antepartum period in 164 of 190 dead fetuses. The most frequently noticed death causes were: abruptio placentae in 35 cases, fetal anomaly in 12 cases, and hypertension syndrome in 8 cases. Nervertheless, there was no explanation for the etiology of 117 cases of fetal death. CONCLUSION: stillbirth has frequently been observed among the primigravidae (40.74%), in preterm period (59.79%), and in the antepartum period (86.31%). Among fetal death causes, the most frequent was a abruptio placentae (18.42%), and in 61.57% of the cases the fetal death could not be explained.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(2):103-107
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000200005
PURPOSE: to study the causes and associated factors of fetal death. METHODS: epidemiological descriptive study, composed of 190 cases of fetal loss amongst 11,825 pregnant women that gave birth at the two only hospitals (Casa de Saúde Divino Espírito Santo and Hospital Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora) of Caratinga City, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the period from January 1, 1995 to April 30, 2000. The variables were the number of pregnancies, the timing of the pregnant women at the time of hospitalization, the occurrence of fetal death in relation to delivery and the cause of fetal death. Since there were no comparative groups, tables, percentages and arithmetical means were applied, following the guidelines of the Course of Statistics, of the "Universidade Federal de São Paulo". RESULTS: among the 189 pregnant women with fetal death, 77 were primigravidal and 76 had already been pregnant 2 to 5 times. The gestational age in 113 women was from 20 to 37 weeks. In relation to parturition, the fetal loss occurred during the antepartum period in 164 of 190 dead fetuses. The most frequently noticed death causes were: abruptio placentae in 35 cases, fetal anomaly in 12 cases, and hypertension syndrome in 8 cases. Nervertheless, there was no explanation for the etiology of 117 cases of fetal death. CONCLUSION: stillbirth has frequently been observed among the primigravidae (40.74%), in preterm period (59.79%), and in the antepartum period (86.31%). Among fetal death causes, the most frequent was a abruptio placentae (18.42%), and in 61.57% of the cases the fetal death could not be explained.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(3):159-165
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000300005
Purpose: to evaluate the diagnostic difficulties, treatment and outcome in cases of acute liver failure of pregnancy. Methods: seven patients with acute liver failure of pregnancy, managed during the past 4 years, were studied with emphasis on presenting symptoms, laboratory findings, clinical course, maternal complications and fetal outcome. Results: the mean age was 25.8 years (two were primigravidas), and the mean gestational age at onset was 30.1 weeks. The final diagnosis was acute fatty liver of pregnancy in four cases and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in three cases. Anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice and encephalopathy were the main clinical findings. Two maternal deaths occurred: one due to hepatic failure, while waiting for transplantation, and another due to hepatic failure associated with coagulopathy and major intra-abdominal bleeding after liver biopsy. One patient with acute fatty liver of pregnancy underwent a successful liver transplantation one year ago (after chronification of her disease). The remaining four cases had complete resolution of the disorders after delivery and supportive measures. Maternal and fetal mortalities were 28.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Conclusion: from this initial experience, we conclude that acute liver failure of pregnancy is a serious disease, with high maternal-fetal mortality, and that early recognition of this illness, referral to tertiary liver centers, and prompt interruption of gestation are, together, very important for the success of the treatment.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(3):159-165
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000300005
Purpose: to evaluate the diagnostic difficulties, treatment and outcome in cases of acute liver failure of pregnancy. Methods: seven patients with acute liver failure of pregnancy, managed during the past 4 years, were studied with emphasis on presenting symptoms, laboratory findings, clinical course, maternal complications and fetal outcome. Results: the mean age was 25.8 years (two were primigravidas), and the mean gestational age at onset was 30.1 weeks. The final diagnosis was acute fatty liver of pregnancy in four cases and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in three cases. Anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice and encephalopathy were the main clinical findings. Two maternal deaths occurred: one due to hepatic failure, while waiting for transplantation, and another due to hepatic failure associated with coagulopathy and major intra-abdominal bleeding after liver biopsy. One patient with acute fatty liver of pregnancy underwent a successful liver transplantation one year ago (after chronification of her disease). The remaining four cases had complete resolution of the disorders after delivery and supportive measures. Maternal and fetal mortalities were 28.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Conclusion: from this initial experience, we conclude that acute liver failure of pregnancy is a serious disease, with high maternal-fetal mortality, and that early recognition of this illness, referral to tertiary liver centers, and prompt interruption of gestation are, together, very important for the success of the treatment.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(7):465-468
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000700009
The differential diagnosis of hemorrhages during the third trimester of pregnancy due exclusively to obstetrical causes includes: abruptio placentae, low insertion of placenta (placenta previa with subtypes), rupture of the uterus, rupture of the marginal placental sinus and rupture of the vasa previa. The three first diagnoses occur more frequently, their epidemiological factors are better known and therefore, have an easier diagnosis. It is common for obstetricians with long practical experience, as well as for ultrasonographers specialized in fetal medicine and who thoroughly know their theory, not to have ever been exposed to practical obstetrical cases of vasa previa or their rupture. The reason to write this article was the fact that, during the past 32 years, we have been working constantly and uninterruptedly in obstetrical practice and we have seen only one case of rupture of vasa previa during labor, which killed the fetus. Initially, we investigated the issue in obstetrical textbooks having no luck whatsoever, except for a couple of lines on the subject. Carrying out our search in depth, we were able to learn that, even though a rarity, today's literature on the subject suggests that it is possible to have a diagnosis for this morbid entity during gestation, and to solve the problem by making the cesarian section mandatory in these cases, leading to a significant reduction in the actual fetal mortality figures which, according to experts, vary between 33 and 100%.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(7):465-468
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000700009
The differential diagnosis of hemorrhages during the third trimester of pregnancy due exclusively to obstetrical causes includes: abruptio placentae, low insertion of placenta (placenta previa with subtypes), rupture of the uterus, rupture of the marginal placental sinus and rupture of the vasa previa. The three first diagnoses occur more frequently, their epidemiological factors are better known and therefore, have an easier diagnosis. It is common for obstetricians with long practical experience, as well as for ultrasonographers specialized in fetal medicine and who thoroughly know their theory, not to have ever been exposed to practical obstetrical cases of vasa previa or their rupture. The reason to write this article was the fact that, during the past 32 years, we have been working constantly and uninterruptedly in obstetrical practice and we have seen only one case of rupture of vasa previa during labor, which killed the fetus. Initially, we investigated the issue in obstetrical textbooks having no luck whatsoever, except for a couple of lines on the subject. Carrying out our search in depth, we were able to learn that, even though a rarity, today's literature on the subject suggests that it is possible to have a diagnosis for this morbid entity during gestation, and to solve the problem by making the cesarian section mandatory in these cases, leading to a significant reduction in the actual fetal mortality figures which, according to experts, vary between 33 and 100%.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2002;24(9):617-622
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032002000900008
Purpose: to study the influence of the prenatal care, fetal and maternal factors on the stillbirth rates of a university hospital from the south of Brazil. Methods :a case-control study of the cases of stillbirth occurred before the beginning of labor, from March 1998 to June 2001, at the Hospital Geral of Caxias do Sul University. The controls were selected among live newborns. The analysis of the quality of the prenatal care was based on the criteria established by the Programa de Humanização do Pré-natal e Nascimento of the Brazilian Health Ministry (2000). To evaluate possible risk factors for stillbirth we used the odds ratio (OR). Other confounding factors were evaluated by logistic regression. Results: preterm delivery was more prevalent in the cases of stillbirth (31.7+4.7 vs 38.6+0.9). The average birth weight among the stillborns was 1,705 g (+837 g), while in the controls it was 3,080 g (+576 g). Prenatal care was observed in 81.5% of the stillbirths and in 91.6% of the control group. The initial analysis showed that three factors were associated with stillbirth: inadequate prenatal care (43.6 vs 23.4%), history of previous stillbirth (6.6 vs 0.9%) and maternal age (27+7.9 years vs 24+6.4 years). Nevertheless, after adjustment of these variables through logistic regression, only the maternal age maintained its association with the stillbirth rates. Conclusions: in the present study, the strongest factor associated with the occurrence of stillbirth was the increase in maternal age.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2002;24(9):617-622
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032002000900008
Purpose: to study the influence of the prenatal care, fetal and maternal factors on the stillbirth rates of a university hospital from the south of Brazil. Methods :a case-control study of the cases of stillbirth occurred before the beginning of labor, from March 1998 to June 2001, at the Hospital Geral of Caxias do Sul University. The controls were selected among live newborns. The analysis of the quality of the prenatal care was based on the criteria established by the Programa de Humanização do Pré-natal e Nascimento of the Brazilian Health Ministry (2000). To evaluate possible risk factors for stillbirth we used the odds ratio (OR). Other confounding factors were evaluated by logistic regression. Results: preterm delivery was more prevalent in the cases of stillbirth (31.7+4.7 vs 38.6+0.9). The average birth weight among the stillborns was 1,705 g (+837 g), while in the controls it was 3,080 g (+576 g). Prenatal care was observed in 81.5% of the stillbirths and in 91.6% of the control group. The initial analysis showed that three factors were associated with stillbirth: inadequate prenatal care (43.6 vs 23.4%), history of previous stillbirth (6.6 vs 0.9%) and maternal age (27+7.9 years vs 24+6.4 years). Nevertheless, after adjustment of these variables through logistic regression, only the maternal age maintained its association with the stillbirth rates. Conclusions: in the present study, the strongest factor associated with the occurrence of stillbirth was the increase in maternal age.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2002;24(8):527-533
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032002000800005
Purpose: to analyze the perinatal results of patients submitted to a 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during prenatal care at the Instituto Materno-Infantil de Pernambuco (IMIP), according to three different criteria. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted involving 210 pregnant patients attended at the IMIP, who were tested by a 100 g OGTT and had a singleton, topic pregnancy, without history of diabetes or glucose intolerance before pregnancy, and who delivered at the IMIP. The patients were classified into one of the following categories according to the levels found by OGTT: controls, mild hyperglycemia, Bertini's group, Carpenter's group and the National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG). These classes were then compared and association between the categories and preeclampsia, large for gestational age (LGA) newborns, rate of cesarean delivery, stillbirth, and mean birth weight was investigated. Results: the frequency of gestational diabetes was 48.1, 18.1, and 9% according to Bertini's, Carpenter and Coustan's and NDDG criteria, respectively, and mild hyperglycemia was present in 10.5%. Age of patients increased with a higher degree of carbohydrate intolerance. The groups did not differ regarding frequency of LGA, C-section, stillbirths, and birth weight. There was an increased frequency of preeclampsia among women with hyperglycemia and gestational diabetes according to Carpenter and Coustan's criteria. Conclusions: prevalence of gestational diabetes varied between 9 and 48% according to the different criteria, but maternal and perinatal results did not differ significantly among the groups. Strict diagnostic criteria can determine overdiagnosis without improvement of perinatal outcome.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2002;24(8):527-533
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032002000800005
Purpose: to analyze the perinatal results of patients submitted to a 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during prenatal care at the Instituto Materno-Infantil de Pernambuco (IMIP), according to three different criteria. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted involving 210 pregnant patients attended at the IMIP, who were tested by a 100 g OGTT and had a singleton, topic pregnancy, without history of diabetes or glucose intolerance before pregnancy, and who delivered at the IMIP. The patients were classified into one of the following categories according to the levels found by OGTT: controls, mild hyperglycemia, Bertini's group, Carpenter's group and the National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG). These classes were then compared and association between the categories and preeclampsia, large for gestational age (LGA) newborns, rate of cesarean delivery, stillbirth, and mean birth weight was investigated. Results: the frequency of gestational diabetes was 48.1, 18.1, and 9% according to Bertini's, Carpenter and Coustan's and NDDG criteria, respectively, and mild hyperglycemia was present in 10.5%. Age of patients increased with a higher degree of carbohydrate intolerance. The groups did not differ regarding frequency of LGA, C-section, stillbirths, and birth weight. There was an increased frequency of preeclampsia among women with hyperglycemia and gestational diabetes according to Carpenter and Coustan's criteria. Conclusions: prevalence of gestational diabetes varied between 9 and 48% according to the different criteria, but maternal and perinatal results did not differ significantly among the groups. Strict diagnostic criteria can determine overdiagnosis without improvement of perinatal outcome.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2002;24(2):107-112
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032002000200006
Purpose: to analyze the effects of prenatal and perinatal complications and the neurological development of surviving twins when the other had died in utero. Methods: fourteen cases of twin pregnancies where one of the twins had died during the pregnancy were analyzed. These patients gave birth between 1988 and 1994 and were subsequently followed-up by the Department of Obstetrics, Pathology Division, at the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo. Data from prenatal and perinatal records as well as findings from the deceased twins' autopsies were analyzed. In 1996, requests were made for the children to have a neurological examination as part of the study. The examination included developmental assessment and pathological signs in the motor, sensory and sensitivy areas and superior cortical functions such as praxis and agnosia. Results: ten of the fourteen contacted subjects complied with the request for neurological examination. Of the ten examined children only one had abnormal neurological findings, presenting a light degree of spastic paresis of the left leg. The pregnancy evaluation showed five cases of monochorionic placenta and one case of monoamnionic pregnancy; six of the fourteen cases reached full-term. In six cases (42.8%) one of the fetus died during the second trimester and in the other they died during the third trimester. Only one newborn, who had Apgar 0 at the first minute, developed neurological sequelae. Conclusion: the neurological problem of one fetus may be a consequence of the perinatal complications that this fetus developed. The other newborns did not develop sequelae, possibly because of the conservatory management, trying to make the pregnancy reach 32 weeks or more, thus decreasing the complications of preterm delivery.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2002;24(2):107-112
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032002000200006
Purpose: to analyze the effects of prenatal and perinatal complications and the neurological development of surviving twins when the other had died in utero. Methods: fourteen cases of twin pregnancies where one of the twins had died during the pregnancy were analyzed. These patients gave birth between 1988 and 1994 and were subsequently followed-up by the Department of Obstetrics, Pathology Division, at the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo. Data from prenatal and perinatal records as well as findings from the deceased twins' autopsies were analyzed. In 1996, requests were made for the children to have a neurological examination as part of the study. The examination included developmental assessment and pathological signs in the motor, sensory and sensitivy areas and superior cortical functions such as praxis and agnosia. Results: ten of the fourteen contacted subjects complied with the request for neurological examination. Of the ten examined children only one had abnormal neurological findings, presenting a light degree of spastic paresis of the left leg. The pregnancy evaluation showed five cases of monochorionic placenta and one case of monoamnionic pregnancy; six of the fourteen cases reached full-term. In six cases (42.8%) one of the fetus died during the second trimester and in the other they died during the third trimester. Only one newborn, who had Apgar 0 at the first minute, developed neurological sequelae. Conclusion: the neurological problem of one fetus may be a consequence of the perinatal complications that this fetus developed. The other newborns did not develop sequelae, possibly because of the conservatory management, trying to make the pregnancy reach 32 weeks or more, thus decreasing the complications of preterm delivery.