Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(4):181-185
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000400002
With the purpose of identifying the social, demographic, pregnancy-related and medical care factors associated with maternal death, this study evaluated all deaths of women aged 10 to 49 years occurring in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, during 1992 and 1993. The data were obtained reviewing 1,013 death certificates, with 42 cases of identified maternal deaths. The data of these deaths were complemented with information from medical records, autopsies and also interviews with physicians from the hospitals where the death took place, and with the dead women's relatives. Almost two thirds (62%) of maternal deaths occurred among women aged 20 to 29 years and more than half of them were single. There was a higher number of deaths among caesarean deliveries than among vaginal ones. The majority of deaths occurred within the first three days of hospitalization and approximately 90% of hospital charges were sponsored by the National Health System (SUS).
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(3):165-167
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000300008
HELLP syndrome is a severe complication of preeclampsia that increases maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Two cases of recurrent HELLP syndrome are described, maternal death occurring in one of the cases. This study is a warning about the increased risk of HELLP syndrome in the next pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(7):415-419
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000700008
Twin pregnancy in which a normal fetus and a complete mole develop at the same time is a rare event. Clinical complications and malignancy are frequent in this type of disease.This report is about a case of a late diagnosis due to the presence of the fetus. The diagnosis was made when the pregnancy was interrupted and then confirmed by histopathological study and flow cytometry. The pregnancy was terminated transpelvically due to massive uterine hemorrhage. The post-molar follow-up showed the persistence of high levels of bhCG. The patient's complete recovery was achieved after the administration of methotrexate. The diagnosis, natural history, and procedures for this rare disease are discussed in view of this case.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(7):395-403
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000700005
Purpose: to establish a list of diseases promoting maternal death according to frequency. Methods: In 1996, 65,406 deaths were recorded in the City of São Paulo, 26,778 of which were of women. Of these, 4591 were within the 10-49 year age bracket. We analyzed the latter group, regarding at the field "Cause of Death" in the Death Certificate, trying to establish some correlation between the described pathology, and the pregnancy-puerperium cycle. We separated for a further study 293 Death Certificates, from which we selected, after hospital survey and/or home visits, a total of 119 positive cases for maternal death. The positive cases for maternal death were then tabulated, grouped and analyzed according to age and pathology, using the great medical care groups. Results: as regards the 119 positive cases for maternal death, we did not find any reference to the pregnancy-puerperium state in 53 of them (that is, 40.54% subnotifying). The cases were grouped according to pathology, where we found a predominance of eclampsia/pre-eclampsia cases (18.02%), followed by cases resulting from hemorrhagic complications in the third quarter and puerperium (12.61%), abortion complications (12.61%), puerperal infection (9.91%) and cardiopathies (9.91%). Conclusions: for the first time, we are publishing the Late Maternal Mortality Coefficient for the City of São Paulo, which was 51.33/100,000 born alive. However, we used for the official publication the Maternal Mortality Coefficient for death within up to 42 days of puerperium, which was, 48.03/100,000 born alive for the city of São Paulo. We should bear in mind that no correction factor should be applied to these figures since we have made an active search of cases.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(8):437-441
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000800002
Purpose:to compare the incidence of preterm labor and birth, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and low birth-weight newborns (< 2,500 g) between two groups of pregnant women (with or without BV). To verify the adequacy of including a regular prenatal BV investigation. Methods:a total of 217 women between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy (35 with BV and 182 without BV) were studied. The diagnosis of BV was established according to Amsel's criteria. The data were analyzed by the chi² test, Fisher's test, Mann-Whitney test and the relative risk. Results:the incidence of preterm labor, preterm birth, PROM and low birth-weight was statistically higher in the group of women with BV than in the control group (29.4% vs. 3.8%; 28.6% vs. 3.3%; 22.9% vs. 10.4%; 20.0% vs. 3.3%; respectively). The means of gestational age and birth-weight were significantly lower in the newborns from mothers with BV (265.8 days vs. 279.9 days; 2,958 g vs. 3,294 g, respectively). Conclusion:all perinatal complications studied were significantly associated with the presence of untreated BV during pregnancy. Therefore, the diagnosis and adequate treatment should be included in the routine prenatal assistance at Brazilian Obstetrics Services. Such measure may be effective in the reduction of these perinatal complications.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2006;28(8):467-472
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006000800005
PURPOSE: to assess human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) seroprevalence among pregnant women attended at Public Health Units in Goiânia-Goiás and some epidemiologic characteristics of the studied group. METHODS: from September/2003 to December/2004, 15,485 pregnant women were submitted to enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays (ELISA), to screen HTLV-I, using filter paper - dried blood in, and to confirm the infection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of whole blood was performed. The epidemiologic factors evaluated were: average age, age of 30 years and above, schooling less than nine years, marital status and number of pregnancies. The factors average age, age of 30 years and above, and schooling less than nine years were compared between the infected and non-infected pregnant group. Statistical analysis used Fisher's exact test and Student's t test. RESULTS: the found prevalence was 0.1%. The average age among the infected pregnant group was 26.4 years, 43.7% of them being 30 years old and above, and 62.5% with schooling less than nine years. The non-infected group showed an average age of 24.4 years, 15.4% of them being ³ 30 years old and above, and only 41.5% with schooling less than nine years. Significant statistical difference was noticed only regarding age of 30 years and above and schooling less than nine years. CONCLUSION: the study shows that HTLV-I seroprevalence among pregnant women in Goiânia during the studied period was 0.1%. It occurred more among pregnant women who were 30 years old and above and those with schooling of less than nine years.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2006;28(6):340-344
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006000600004
PURPOSE: the study the effects of maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy on placental maturation (calcifications) and the placental-uterine circulation, evaluated through umbilical and uterine Doppler. METHODS: prospective cohort study involving 244 pregnant women, 210 of them non-smokers and 34 smokers. Participants were submitted to four serial sonograms. The first was performed up to the 16th week of pregnancy to determine gestational age, and the other three at 28, 32 and 36 weeks for fetal biometry, evaluation of placental texture and Doppler studies of the uterine and umbilical arteries. Premature placental calcification was defined as grade III before 36 weeks. The chi2 and Fisher exact tests were used to compare placental grading, and the Mann-Whitney test to evaluate the resistance index of uterine and umbilical arteries. RESULTS: the frequency of grade III placenta and the resistance of the uterine arteries did not differ significantly between smokers and non-smokers, at all gestational ages. Umbilical artery Doppler was significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers at 32 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: no association was found between cigarette smoking and premature placental calcification. Smoking was associated with increased umbilical artery resistance at 32 weeks.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2006;28(6):324-330
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006000600002
PURPOSE: to compare the maternal factors, clinical aspects and perinatal results in placental abruption during two periods. METHODS: retrospective analysis of placental abruption cases that occurred from January 1, 1994 through December 31, 1997 (period 94-97), and from April 4, 2001 through March 3, 2005 (period 01-05), in singleton delivery with birthweight higher than 500 g and after 20 weeks of gestation. The following factors were analyzed: maternal age, previous obstetric history, prenatal care, premature rupture of membranes, obstetric and/or clinical intercurrent events, vaginal bleeding, uterine tonus, fetal anomaly, mode of delivery, hemoamnion and maternal complication (hysterectomy, uterine atony, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal failure, and maternal death), and the perinatal results. RESULTS: the rate of placental abruption was 0.78% (60 cases) in the period 94-97 (n=7692 deliveries), and 0.59% (51 cases) in the period 01-05 (n=8644 deliveries), without significant difference. A significant difference was observed between the periods 94-97 and 01-05 regarding mean number of previous gestations (3.5±2.4 and 2.6±1.8, p=0.04), patients without prenatal care (13.3 and 2.0%, p=0.03) and maternal intercurrences (38.3 and 64.7%, p=0.01). No significant difference was observed related to vaginal bleeding, tonus abnormalities and perinatal results, between the periods, but a higher proportion of hemoamnion in 94-97 was found when compared to 01-05 (28.3 and 11.8%, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: in spite of obstetrical advances, maternal complications and perinatal results were similar in the analyzed periods. The severity and the unexpected results emphasize the importance of prevention and adequate control of associated factors, when this pathology is approached.