Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 06-01-2015;37(6):266-271
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005254
To investigate the relationship between sexual function and quality of life in
pregnant women living in two cities of Northeastern Brazil.
The sample consisted of 207 pregnant women. The data were collected through a
questionnaire containing questions about socio-demographic, gynecological and
obstetrical data, body and sexual knowledge. Quality of life was assessed by
applying the Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI Ferrans and Power).
Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (IFSF). Data
were statistically analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon
tests.
The pregnant women studied had a median age of 30 years (quartile 26-33 years)
and were approximately at the 26th gestational week. A significant
decrease in the monthly frequency of sexual relations of the couple was observed,
with a median of 12 to 4 times per month (Z=-10.56; p<0.001). Sexual
dysfunction was detected in 35.7% of the pregnant women studied, whose quality of
life was lower when compared to women with unchanged sexual function (Z=-2.9;
p=0.004).
The results of this study show that sexual dysfunction negatively affected the
quality of life of pregnant women, and this should be an important aspect for
review during prenatal consultations.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 05-01-2015;37(5):229-232
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005295
To compare the frequency of an ASCUS Pap Smear result in pregnant and
non-pregnant women, stratified by age group.
We analyzed the results of 1,336,180 cytopathologyc exams of Pap smears performed
between 2000 and 2009 (ten years) with the purpose of screening for cervical
carcinoma. Comparisons were made between pregnant and non-pregnant women, and the
sample was stratified into three age groups (20-24, 25-29 and 30-34 years). The
χ2 test was used and the magnitude of association was determined by
the by Odds Ratio (OR) with the 95% confidence interval (95%CI).
A Total of 447,489 samples were excluded on the basis of the criteria adopted,
for a total final sample of 37,137 pregnant women and 851,554 non-pregnant women.
An ASCUS result was detected in 1.2% of cases, with a significant difference
between pregnant and non-pregnant women in the age groups of 20-24 years (OR=0.85;
95%CI 0.75-0.97) and 25-29 years (OR=0.78; 95%CI 0.63-0.96). There was no
difference in the group between 30-34 years (OR=0.76; 95%CI 0.57-1.03).
This study suggested that non-pregnant women have a higher frequency of ASCUS,
most evident in the age group of 20 to 29 years. The collection of cervical cancer
screening should not be a compulsory part of the prenatal routine.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 04-01-2015;37(4):164-171
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005186
To identify the factors associated with weight retention after pregnancy.
A cohort study was performed with 145 women receiving maternity care at a hospital in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, aged 19 to 45 years, between weeks 38 and 42 of pregnancy. The patients were evaluated at one month, three months, and six months after delivery. Student's t-test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare groups, as indicated; correlations were assessed with Pearson's and Spearman's tests, as indicated; to identify and evaluate confounders independently associated with total weight loss, a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed and statistical significance was set at p≤0.05.
There was a significant positive association between total weight gain - and a negative association with physical exercise during pregnancy - with total weight loss. Higher parity, inter-pregnancy interval, calorie intake, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), weight gain related to pre-pregnancy BMI, presence and severity of depression, and lack of exclusive breastfeeding were directly associated with lower weight loss. Among nominal variables, level of education and marital status were significantly associated with total weight loss.
In the present study, lower weight retention in the postpartum period was associated with higher educational attainment and with being married. Normal or below-normal pre-pregnancy BMI, physical activity and adequate weight gain during pregnancy, lower parity, exclusive breastfeeding for a longer period, appropriate or low calorie intake, and absence of depression were also determinants of reduced weight retention.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 03-01-2015;37(3):133-139
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005132
To determine fetal heart rate (FHR) responses to maternal resistance exercise for the upper and lower body at two different volumes, and after 25 minutes post-exercise.
Ten pregnant women (22-24 weeks gestation, 25.2±4.4 years of age, 69.8±9.5 kg, 161.6±5.2 cm tall) performed, at 22-24, 28-32 and 34-36 weeks, the following experimental sessions: Session 1 was a familiarization with the equipment and the determination of one estimated maximum repetition. For sessions 2, 3, 4 and 5,FHR was determined during the execution of resistance exercise on bilateral leg extension and pec-deck fly machines, with 1 and 3 sets of 15 repetitions; 50% of the weight load and an estimated repetition maximum. FHR was assessed with a portable digital cardiotocograph. Results were analyzed using Student's t test, ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni (α=0.05; SPSS 17.0).
FHR showed no significant differences between the exercises at 22-24 weeks (bilateral leg extension=143.8±9.4 bpm, pec-deck fly=140.2±10.2 bpm, p=0.34), 28-30 weeks (bilateral leg extension=138.4±12.2 bpm, pec-deck fly=137.6±14.0 bpm, p=0.75) and 34-36 weeks (bilateral leg extension=135.7±5.8 bpm, pec-deck fly=139.7±13.3 bpm, p=0.38), between the volumes(bilateral leg extension at 22-24 weeks: p=0.36, at 28-30 weeks: p=0.19 and at 34-36 weeks: p=0.87; pec-deck fly at 22-24 weeks: p=0.43, at 28-30 weeks: p=0.61 and at 34-36 weeks: p=0.49) and after 25 minutes post-exercise.
Results of this pilot study would suggest that maternal resistance exercise is safe for the fetus.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 02-01-2015;37(2):64-70
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005115
To determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and to identify the main factors associated with seroreactivity in pregnant women cared for at two reference centers in a city in Northeast Brazil.
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 561 pregnant women at two high-risk prenatal reference centers in a city in Northeast Brazil. All women were interviewed using an epidemiological questionnaire and had their blood samples collected for the following serological tests: anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM (ELISA), IgG avidity test, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 18.0 for Windows, calculating odds ratio, confidence interval of 95% and with the level of significance set at 5%.
Seroreactivity for toxoplasmosis was detected in 437 women (77.0%), susceptibility in 124 (22.1%) and active infection in 5 (0.9%). There was no significant association between seroreactivity for toxoplasmosis and age, location, income, education, availability of sewage, number of pregnancies or gestational age. The variables significantly associated (p≤0.05) with seroreactivity were multiparity (p=0.03) and living with stray dogs (p=0.01).
This study identified high seroreactivity for toxoplasmosis among patients seen during prenatal care, as well as factors associated with seroreactivity. Appropriate guidelines about primary preventive measures should be emphasized and quarterly serological monitoring is recommended for pregnant women in this city and elsewhere in the Northeast of Brazil.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 12-01-2014;36(12):541-547
DOI 10.1590/So100-720320140005051
To identify the profile of use of medication during the first trimester of pregnancy with emphasis on safety assessment and on the adoption of folic acid and ferrous sulfate by pregnant women attended at a Basic Health Unit in Brazil.
This was a cross-sectional study nested in a cohort of pregnant women. Medications were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC), and their safety was evaluated according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). The adoption of ferrous sulfate and folic acid was investigated according to the protocol set forth by the Brazilian Ministry of Health.
The survey included 212 pregnant women, 46.7% of whom were taking medications at the time of pregnancy diagnosis, and 97.6% used medication during the first trimester after diagnosis. The highest percentage of self-medication occurred before the beginning of prenatal care (64.9%). According to the FDA criteria, there was a high level of exposure to D and X risk drugs before the beginning of prenatal care (23.0%), which was also observed for drugs not recommended by ANVISA (36.5%). Of the surveyed sample, 32.5% did not follow the protocol of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. In all, 67.9% of pregnant women had inadequate drug exposure. There was a difference between the proportions of drugs used according to the ATC, and the main anatomical groups identified were the drugs that act on blood and blood-forming organs, and anti-infective medications for systemic use. When pregnancy was diagnosed, the use of a large number of medications that act on the genitourinary system and sex hormones (16.2%) was identified, such as oral contraceptives, a fact probably related to the percentage of unplanned pregnancies (67.0%), on the same occasion 4 pregnant women used folic acid and 3 used ferrous sulphate.
The present results show that a large number of medications are used during pregnancy. Even if there was little exposure to drugs at the time of diagnosis, there is an overuse of potentially risky medications and self-medication during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 11-01-2014;36(11):509-513
DOI 10.1590/S0100-720320140005024
To evaluate the influence of maternal obesity on pregnancy, childbirth, and neonatal outcomes.
A cross-sectional study with 298 postpartum women. Information was obtained through interviews and access to patients' medical records. The patients were divided into three groups according to their pre-gestational body mass index: normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥30.0 kg/m2). Data are reported as adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) following multinomial logistic regression analysis to account for confounding variables.
Compared to pregnant women with normal body mass index, overweight women had greater chances of having cesarean delivery, odds ratio (OR) of 2.2 and 95%CI 1.3–3.9, and obese women even more (OR=4.2; 95%CI 2.1–8.1). The chances of gestational diabetes increased in the Overweight (OR=2.5; 95%CI 1.1–5.6) and Obese groups (OR=11.1; 95%CI 5.0–24.6). The occurrence of hypertensive syndrome was also higher in overweight (OR=3.2; 95%CI 1.2–8.1) and obese pregnant women (OR=7.5; 95%CI 2.9–19.1). Major postpartum hemorrhage only showed greater values in the obese women group (OR=4.1; 95%CI 1.1–15.8). Regarding the newborns, the probability of a low Apgar score at first minute was higher in the Obese Group (OR=5.5; 95%CI 1.2–23.7) and chances of macrosomia were higher in the Overweight Group (OR=2.9; 95%CI 1.3–6.3). Data regarding neonatal hypoglycemia were not conclusive.
Excessive weight (overweight and obesity) during pregnancy increases the chance of maternal complications (gestational diabetes, hypertensive syndrome, and major postpartum hemorrhage) and neonatal outcomes (cesarean delivery, macrosomia, and low Apgar score).
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 10-03-2014;36(10):436-441
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005105
Pregnant women have a 2-3 fold higher probability of developing restless legs syndrome (RLS – sleep-related movement disorders) than general population. This study aims to evaluate the behavior and locomotion of rats during pregnancy in order to verify if part of these animals exhibit some RLS-like features.
We used 14 female 80-day-old Wistar rats that weighed between 200 and 250 g. The rats were distributed into control (CTRL) and pregnant (PN) groups. After a baseline evaluation of their behavior and locomotor activity in an open-field environment, the PN group was inducted into pregnancy, and their behavior and locomotor activity were evaluated on days 3, 10 and 19 of pregnancy and in the post-lactation period in parallel with the CTRL group. The serum iron and transferrin levels in the CTRL and PN groups were analyzed in blood collected after euthanasia by decapitation.
There were no significant differences in the total ambulation, grooming events, fecal boli or urine pools between the CTRL and PN groups. However, the PN group exhibited fewer rearing events, increased grooming time and reduced immobilization time than the CTRL group (ANOVA, p<0.05).
These results suggest that pregnant rats show behavioral and locomotor alterations similar to those observed in animal models of RLS, demonstrating to be a possible animal model of this sleep disorder.