Fetal distress Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(7):389-392
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000700004
Purpose: to report the personal experience with the use of the amnioinfusion technique in patients in labor presenting meconial amniotic fluid, and the incidence of complications, the meconium aspiration syndrome and of cesarean sections. Method: twenty patients at term and in labor with meconial amniotic fluid were evaluated retrospectively, at the delivery ward at two public institutions of Rio Grande do Sul. An initial infusion of 1.000 ml of normal saline solution at room temperature, at an infusion rate of 20-30 ml per minute was initiated and then reduced to 3 ml per minute. The liquid was drained by elevating the cephalic pole. Results: the procedure was feasible when a nasogastric catheter was used. None of the patients presented major complications related to the procedure. None of the neonates presented meconium below their vocal cords. The cesarean section rate was 3/20 (15%). Conclusion: the amnioinfusion is a low-cost and feasible technique that did not show any complication in this study.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(7):389-392
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000700004
Purpose: to report the personal experience with the use of the amnioinfusion technique in patients in labor presenting meconial amniotic fluid, and the incidence of complications, the meconium aspiration syndrome and of cesarean sections. Method: twenty patients at term and in labor with meconial amniotic fluid were evaluated retrospectively, at the delivery ward at two public institutions of Rio Grande do Sul. An initial infusion of 1.000 ml of normal saline solution at room temperature, at an infusion rate of 20-30 ml per minute was initiated and then reduced to 3 ml per minute. The liquid was drained by elevating the cephalic pole. Results: the procedure was feasible when a nasogastric catheter was used. None of the patients presented major complications related to the procedure. None of the neonates presented meconium below their vocal cords. The cesarean section rate was 3/20 (15%). Conclusion: the amnioinfusion is a low-cost and feasible technique that did not show any complication in this study.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(6):335-339
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000600006
Purpose: to study the sensitivity and specificity based on fetal oxygen saturation (SpO2) values and fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns during labor, for the prognosis of acidotic fetuses at birth. Patients and Methods: SpO2 values were obtained by fetal pulse oximetry technique. A fetal SpO2 value > or = 30% was considered normal, and an SpO2 which remained <30.0% for more than 10 min between contractions was considered abnormal. Fetal SpO2 and FHR tracings were obtained during the first and second stage of labor. FHR classification used in the study has been derived from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development19. Results: a total of 72 subjects were studied. The sensitivity and specificity, based on SpO2, were 61.5% and 96.6%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity and specificity based on FHR patterns were 69.2% and 66.1%. Positive and negative predictive values based on SpO2 were 80% and 91.9%, respectively, and based on FHR patterns were 31% and 90.7%, respectively. Conclusions: a good fetal SpO2 specificity for prognosis of acidotic fetuses at birth was found, if compared with FHR pattern specificity, whereas sensitivity was poor for both methods. However, the number of acidotic fetuses was too small to allow more conclusions
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(6):335-339
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000600006
Purpose: to study the sensitivity and specificity based on fetal oxygen saturation (SpO2) values and fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns during labor, for the prognosis of acidotic fetuses at birth. Patients and Methods: SpO2 values were obtained by fetal pulse oximetry technique. A fetal SpO2 value > or = 30% was considered normal, and an SpO2 which remained <30.0% for more than 10 min between contractions was considered abnormal. Fetal SpO2 and FHR tracings were obtained during the first and second stage of labor. FHR classification used in the study has been derived from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development19. Results: a total of 72 subjects were studied. The sensitivity and specificity, based on SpO2, were 61.5% and 96.6%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity and specificity based on FHR patterns were 69.2% and 66.1%. Positive and negative predictive values based on SpO2 were 80% and 91.9%, respectively, and based on FHR patterns were 31% and 90.7%, respectively. Conclusions: a good fetal SpO2 specificity for prognosis of acidotic fetuses at birth was found, if compared with FHR pattern specificity, whereas sensitivity was poor for both methods. However, the number of acidotic fetuses was too small to allow more conclusions
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(10):579-584
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999001000003
Purpose: to evaluate the accuracy of maternal perception of fetal movements (MPFM) in diabetic pregnant women, using Apgar score at the 1st and 5th min of life, intrapartum fetal distress and neonatal hypoxia as parameters. Methods: two hundred and nine diabetic women evaluated at the High Risk Prenatal Care Clinic of the Women's Hospital (CAISM) were analyzed retrospectively between June 1988 and May 1996. All patients had MPFM records within three days before delivery, fetal heart rate recordings during labor, gestational age greater than 30 weeks and a complete neonatal evaluation. MPFM was classified as normal if seven movements were recorded in 60 min. Results: the sensitivity of the test was 23 and 29% for Apgar score <7 at the 5th min and intrapartum fetal distress, respectively, and close to 50% for neonatal hypoxia (45.5%). Specificity was near 95% for the three standards, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 80% for fetal distress, increasing to 97 and 98% for Apgar >7 at 5 min and neonatal hypoxia. Conclusions: MPFM is a useful test to identify diabetic women needing fetal evaluation with more complex techniques, given the high NPV, that indicates the capacity to separate the cases where the fetus is in good condition.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(10):579-584
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999001000003
Purpose: to evaluate the accuracy of maternal perception of fetal movements (MPFM) in diabetic pregnant women, using Apgar score at the 1st and 5th min of life, intrapartum fetal distress and neonatal hypoxia as parameters. Methods: two hundred and nine diabetic women evaluated at the High Risk Prenatal Care Clinic of the Women's Hospital (CAISM) were analyzed retrospectively between June 1988 and May 1996. All patients had MPFM records within three days before delivery, fetal heart rate recordings during labor, gestational age greater than 30 weeks and a complete neonatal evaluation. MPFM was classified as normal if seven movements were recorded in 60 min. Results: the sensitivity of the test was 23 and 29% for Apgar score <7 at the 5th min and intrapartum fetal distress, respectively, and close to 50% for neonatal hypoxia (45.5%). Specificity was near 95% for the three standards, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 80% for fetal distress, increasing to 97 and 98% for Apgar >7 at 5 min and neonatal hypoxia. Conclusions: MPFM is a useful test to identify diabetic women needing fetal evaluation with more complex techniques, given the high NPV, that indicates the capacity to separate the cases where the fetus is in good condition.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(4):261-268
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000400007
PURPOSE: to evaluate Doppler velocimetry of the ductus venosus as a noninvasive test of abnormal pH and gas analysis in preterm fetuses with "brain sparing reflex". METHODS: a cross-sectional study was performed. The studied population consisted of 48 pregnant women between the 25th and the 33rd week of gestation, whose fetuses presented brain sparing reflex (umbilical/cerebral ratio >1). The time elapsed between Doppler velocimetry and the birth (cesarean section under peridural anesthesia) was of up to 5 h. The following parameters were studied: S/A ratio of the ductus venosus, pH and base excess (BE) of fetal blood sample (collected from the umbilical vein immediately after birth). The S/A ratio of the ductus venosus was considered abnormal when superior to 3.6. The fetuses were classified according to the gas analysis result. They were considered abnormal when pH <7.26 and BE £ 6 mMol/L. Fisher's test was used for statistical analysis and considered significant when p £ 0.05. RESULTS: there was a significant correlation between umbilical blood gas analysis in preterm fetuses with brain sparing reflex and ductus venosus S/A ratio (p = 0.0000082; Fisher test). Ductus venosus Doppler velocimetry identified 10 of 14 fetuses with abnormal gas analysis. On the other hand, 32 of 34 fetuses with normal gas analysis were correctly identified. The sensitivity of the ductus venosus S/A ratio for the diagnosis of abnormal blood gas analysis was 71%, specificity 94%, false-negative rate 8%, false-positive rate 4%, positive predictive value 83% and negative predictive value 89%. Pretest likelihood, post-test posterior probability following a positive test result (post-test likelihood) and post-test posterior probability following a negative test result (post-test likelihood) were 31, 84 and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSION: the analysis of the ductus venosus S/A ratio is adequate for the diagnosis of abnormal blood gas analysis in preterm fetuses presenting brain sparing reflex.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2003;25(4):261-268
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032003000400007
PURPOSE: to evaluate Doppler velocimetry of the ductus venosus as a noninvasive test of abnormal pH and gas analysis in preterm fetuses with "brain sparing reflex". METHODS: a cross-sectional study was performed. The studied population consisted of 48 pregnant women between the 25th and the 33rd week of gestation, whose fetuses presented brain sparing reflex (umbilical/cerebral ratio >1). The time elapsed between Doppler velocimetry and the birth (cesarean section under peridural anesthesia) was of up to 5 h. The following parameters were studied: S/A ratio of the ductus venosus, pH and base excess (BE) of fetal blood sample (collected from the umbilical vein immediately after birth). The S/A ratio of the ductus venosus was considered abnormal when superior to 3.6. The fetuses were classified according to the gas analysis result. They were considered abnormal when pH <7.26 and BE £ 6 mMol/L. Fisher's test was used for statistical analysis and considered significant when p £ 0.05. RESULTS: there was a significant correlation between umbilical blood gas analysis in preterm fetuses with brain sparing reflex and ductus venosus S/A ratio (p = 0.0000082; Fisher test). Ductus venosus Doppler velocimetry identified 10 of 14 fetuses with abnormal gas analysis. On the other hand, 32 of 34 fetuses with normal gas analysis were correctly identified. The sensitivity of the ductus venosus S/A ratio for the diagnosis of abnormal blood gas analysis was 71%, specificity 94%, false-negative rate 8%, false-positive rate 4%, positive predictive value 83% and negative predictive value 89%. Pretest likelihood, post-test posterior probability following a positive test result (post-test likelihood) and post-test posterior probability following a negative test result (post-test likelihood) were 31, 84 and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSION: the analysis of the ductus venosus S/A ratio is adequate for the diagnosis of abnormal blood gas analysis in preterm fetuses presenting brain sparing reflex.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2000;22(8):503-510
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000000800006
Purpose: to analyze the relationship between the values of pH at birth, fetal surveillance examinatios and neonatal results. Methods: one thousand, three hundred and forty-six high-risk pregnancies were evaluated at the Fetal Surveillance Unit. The assessment of fetal well-being included cardiotocography, fetal biophysical profile and amniotic fluid index. After birth, the perinatal results (gestational age at birth, birth weight, Apgar scores at 1st and 5th minutes, umbilical cord pH at birth) were collected. To study the results, the patients were divided into four groups: G1 (pH <7.05), G2 (pH between 7.05 and 7.14), G3 (pH between 7.15 and 7.19) and G4 (pH > or = 7.20). Results: the abnormal patterns of cardiotocography were associated with pH at birth inferior to 7.20 (p = 0.001). Abnormal results of the fetal biophysical profile (<=4) were related to decrease in pH values at birth (p<0.001). The adverse neonatal outcomes were associated with acidosis at birth, and they were selected to be analyzed by the logistic regression model, showing that the odds ratio of each adverse neonatal outcome increases significantly when the values of pH at birth decrease. Conclusions: significant correlation was found between the values of pH at birth and adverse neonatal results, providing the possibility to estimate the risk of neonatal complications according to the pH values at birth.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2000;22(8):503-510
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032000000800006
Purpose: to analyze the relationship between the values of pH at birth, fetal surveillance examinatios and neonatal results. Methods: one thousand, three hundred and forty-six high-risk pregnancies were evaluated at the Fetal Surveillance Unit. The assessment of fetal well-being included cardiotocography, fetal biophysical profile and amniotic fluid index. After birth, the perinatal results (gestational age at birth, birth weight, Apgar scores at 1st and 5th minutes, umbilical cord pH at birth) were collected. To study the results, the patients were divided into four groups: G1 (pH <7.05), G2 (pH between 7.05 and 7.14), G3 (pH between 7.15 and 7.19) and G4 (pH > or = 7.20). Results: the abnormal patterns of cardiotocography were associated with pH at birth inferior to 7.20 (p = 0.001). Abnormal results of the fetal biophysical profile (<=4) were related to decrease in pH values at birth (p<0.001). The adverse neonatal outcomes were associated with acidosis at birth, and they were selected to be analyzed by the logistic regression model, showing that the odds ratio of each adverse neonatal outcome increases significantly when the values of pH at birth decrease. Conclusions: significant correlation was found between the values of pH at birth and adverse neonatal results, providing the possibility to estimate the risk of neonatal complications according to the pH values at birth.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(7):423-427
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000700003
Purpose: to evaluate the impact of birth time interval between twins in relation to the morbidity and mortality of the second newborn twin. Methods: this is a retrospective study of 50 women with twin pregnancy at the `Maternidade Pró-Matre de Vitória' who gave birth to 100 alive newborns through the vaginal canal, weighing each over 500 g and not having any major malformations. The newborns were separated into two groups: G1 (first twin) and G2 (second twin). The following criteria were considered to be indicative of newborn morbidity: asphyxia at birth, characterized by Apgar index lower than 7 in the first minute of life; respiratory distress syndrome detected by clinical and radiological findings, and hospitalization period longer than 4 days. In-hospital mortality was analyzed as well. Cut off was at every 5 minutes, up to 35 minutes, to study the time interval between the twin (deltat) delivery. A time-span (deltat) analysis was also carried out up to 5 minutes: 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, and 21-150 minutes. Results: there were no statistically significant differences between the second twin's morbidity/mortality in relation to the first, considering the aforesaid cutoff and time-span levels. Conclusion: delivery time interval between G1 and G2 did not influence the second twin's morbidity and mortality; however, in the assistance of the second twin's delivery, it is absolutely necessary to individualize the characteristics of each case, not allowing any anxiety to set in through untimely and potentially damaging procedures.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(7):423-427
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000700003
Purpose: to evaluate the impact of birth time interval between twins in relation to the morbidity and mortality of the second newborn twin. Methods: this is a retrospective study of 50 women with twin pregnancy at the `Maternidade Pró-Matre de Vitória' who gave birth to 100 alive newborns through the vaginal canal, weighing each over 500 g and not having any major malformations. The newborns were separated into two groups: G1 (first twin) and G2 (second twin). The following criteria were considered to be indicative of newborn morbidity: asphyxia at birth, characterized by Apgar index lower than 7 in the first minute of life; respiratory distress syndrome detected by clinical and radiological findings, and hospitalization period longer than 4 days. In-hospital mortality was analyzed as well. Cut off was at every 5 minutes, up to 35 minutes, to study the time interval between the twin (deltat) delivery. A time-span (deltat) analysis was also carried out up to 5 minutes: 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, and 21-150 minutes. Results: there were no statistically significant differences between the second twin's morbidity/mortality in relation to the first, considering the aforesaid cutoff and time-span levels. Conclusion: delivery time interval between G1 and G2 did not influence the second twin's morbidity and mortality; however, in the assistance of the second twin's delivery, it is absolutely necessary to individualize the characteristics of each case, not allowing any anxiety to set in through untimely and potentially damaging procedures.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(7):431-438
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000700004
Purpose: to evaluate the association between the presence of diastolic notch in the maternal uterine arteries, and the histopathological changes of the uteroplacental vessels. Methods: transversal study of 144 women with single pregnancy interrupted by cesarean section between 27 and 41 weeks. In this sample, 84 had pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and the other 60 were normal. In this group, Doppler study of both uterine arteries and placental bed biopsy was performed. Results: of the total of 144 patients, 88 patients (61%) had a biopsy fragment that was considered representative of the placental bed. The diastolic notch was present in 40 patients (70%) of the total of cases with inadequate physiologic alterations and absent in 28 patients (90%) of the total of cases with physiologic alterations (p=0.0000). The Doppler study showed 70% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 44% positive predictive value and 97% negative predictive value. The association between bilateral diastolic notch of uterine arteries and acute atherosis in the placental bed was also significant (24 out of 25 cases -- p=0.000). The Doppler study showed 96% sensitivity, 70% specificity, 26% positive predictive value and 99% negative predictive value, while for arteriolosclerosis its results were 80% sensitivity, 55% specificity, 17% positive predictive value and 96% negative predictive value. Conclusions: the diastolic notch in the maternal uterine is a safe indicator of pathological vessel alteration in the placental bed. The adequate trophoblast migration into the myometrium, revealed by physiologic changes, results in the absence of bilateral diastolic notch of the maternal uterine arteries.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2001;23(7):431-438
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000700004
Purpose: to evaluate the association between the presence of diastolic notch in the maternal uterine arteries, and the histopathological changes of the uteroplacental vessels. Methods: transversal study of 144 women with single pregnancy interrupted by cesarean section between 27 and 41 weeks. In this sample, 84 had pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and the other 60 were normal. In this group, Doppler study of both uterine arteries and placental bed biopsy was performed. Results: of the total of 144 patients, 88 patients (61%) had a biopsy fragment that was considered representative of the placental bed. The diastolic notch was present in 40 patients (70%) of the total of cases with inadequate physiologic alterations and absent in 28 patients (90%) of the total of cases with physiologic alterations (p=0.0000). The Doppler study showed 70% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 44% positive predictive value and 97% negative predictive value. The association between bilateral diastolic notch of uterine arteries and acute atherosis in the placental bed was also significant (24 out of 25 cases -- p=0.000). The Doppler study showed 96% sensitivity, 70% specificity, 26% positive predictive value and 99% negative predictive value, while for arteriolosclerosis its results were 80% sensitivity, 55% specificity, 17% positive predictive value and 96% negative predictive value. Conclusions: the diastolic notch in the maternal uterine is a safe indicator of pathological vessel alteration in the placental bed. The adequate trophoblast migration into the myometrium, revealed by physiologic changes, results in the absence of bilateral diastolic notch of the maternal uterine arteries.
