Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(4):143-146
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(4):147-152
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000400002
PURPOSE: To assess medication adherence therapeutic during pregnancy in a sample of Brazilian women during the post-partum period. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the obstetric unit of a university hospital, Brazil, between August and November 2010. We recruited patients aged 18 years or more, with a gestational age of more than 22 weeks whose newborns weighed more than 500 g. Patients were excluded if they used sedatives or other mind-altering drugs. Data were collected after labor using a structured questionnaire containing questions about sociodemographic characteristics, medication use, number of previous pregnancies, contraceptive methods, prenatal care, and medication adherence. Medication adherence was assessed using the four-item Morisky medication adherence scale - MMAS-4, groups were compared by the Fisher exact Test and Kruskal-Wallis Test and Χ2 de Pearson Test. RESULTS: Mean age was 22.5 years (SD=6.5), and 53.8% of the pregnant women had initiated prenatal care during the first trimester of pregnancy. Of the 130 patients interviewed, 96.9% had used at least one prescribed drug during pregnancy, with an average of 2.8 drugs per patient. The major classes prescribed were antianemics (55.1%), analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and antipyretics (19.0%) and anti-infectives (7.2%). 71.6% took two to four drugs. Only 19.2% of patients were considered adherent. The variables that showed a negative influence on adherence were: higher level of education, having one's own income, earlier prenatal care and previous abortion. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that, although most of the patients used prescribed drugs during pregnancy, the rate of medication adherence was low, which indicates the need for further investigation about the impact of non-adherence during pregnancy and its causes.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(4):153-157
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000400003
PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of maternal complications, prematurity, fetal anthropometric parameters and conditions of the newborn on different degrees of chorioamnionitis. METHODS: We analyzed 90 placentas from deliveries performed at the General Hospital of Triângulo Mineiro Federal University with a diagnosis of inflammation in the anatomopathological exams. We reviewed the medical records to obtain relevant maternal and fetal information. The infections were classified as grade I - deciduitis; grade II - chorioamnionitis; grade III - chorioamnionitis and vasculitis; grade IV - neonatal sepsis and grade V - fetal death and pneumonitis. RESULTS: Among the pregnant women analyzed, 50.0% had no complications, 15.0% had ruptured membranes, 15.0% urinary tract infection, 7.5% hypertensive disorders, 7.5% transvaginal infection, 5.0% hematogenous infection, and 11.1% other complications. More than a half the neonates were males and 72.2% were born at term. Analysis of the degree of chorioamnionitis showed that 56.7% had grade I, 22.2% grade II, 4.4% grade III, 10.0% grade IV, and 6.7% grade V. Data were analyzed statistically by the Χ2 test for qualitative variables and by the Spearman test for correlation analysis. The higher grades of chorioamnionitis were observed in cases of maternal complications. We observed negative correlations between all parameters and the degree of fetal chorioamnionitis, which were significant regarding weight, length, thoracic circumference and Apgar score in the first and fifth minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The different patterns of chorioamnionitis were related to different maternal and fetal clinical features, affecting the life conditions of the newborn and the severity of morphological lesions found in stillbirths.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(4):158-163
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000400004
PURPOSE: To verify cervical length using transvaginal ultrasonography in pregnant women between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation, correlating it with the latent period and the risk of maternal and neonatal infections. METHODS: 39 pregnant women were evaluated and divided into groups based on their cervical length, using 15, 20 and 25 mm as cut-off points. The latency periods evaluated were three and seven days. Included were pregnant women with live fetuses and gestational age between 28 and 34 weeks, with a confirmed diagnosis on admission of premature rupture of membranes. Patients with chorioamnionitis, multiple gestation, fetal abnormalities, uterine malformations (bicornus septate and didelphic uterus), history of previous surgery on the cervix (conization and cerclage) and cervical dilation greater than 2 cm in nulliparous women and 3 cm in multiparae were excluded from the study. RESULTS: A <15 mm cervical length was found to be highly related to a latency period of up to 72 hours (p=0.008). A <20 mm cervical length was also associated with a less than 72 hour latency period (p=0.04). A <25 mm cervical length was not found to be statistically associated with a 72 hour latency period (p=0,12). There was also no significant correlation between cervical length and latency period and maternal and neonatal infection. CONCLUSION: The presence of a short cervix (<15 mm) was found to be related to a latency period of less than 72 hours, but not to maternal or neonatal infections.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(4):164-169
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000400005
PURPOSE: To describe the maternal and perinatal outcomes after the use of 12.5 µg of sublingual misoprostol for labor induction in women with term pregnancy and a live fetus. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, open and non-randomized clinical trial during the period from July to December 2009. We included 30 pregnant women with an indication for labor induction at term, carrying a live fetus, with a Bishop score of six or less, cephalic presentation, estimated fetal weight of less than 4,000 g and an amniotic fluid index greater than five. We excluded women with a previous uterine scar, non-reassuring fetal status, congenital anomalies, multiple pregnancy, intrauterine growth restriction, genital bleeding, and contraindications of vaginal delivery. A tablet of 12.5 µg sublingual misoprostol was administered every six hours, until the beginning of labor, with the maximum of eight doses. RESULTS: Labor was successfully induced in 90% of pregnant women. The mean interval between the first dose and the onset of uterine contractions and delivery was 14.3±11.7 hours and 25.4±13 hours, respectively. The frequency of vaginal delivery was 60%. Uterine tachysystole occurred in two pregnant women, being reversed in both cases without the need for cesarean section. Meconium-stained amniotic fluid was observed in four patients, and an Apgar score of less than 7 at five minutes in only one newborn. CONCLUSION: Maternal and perinatal outcomes were favorable after induction of labor with sublingual misoprostol at a dose of 12.5 µg every six hours. However, controlled trials are needed to compare this regimen with other doses and routes of administration.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(4):170-174
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000400006
PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of lacrimal dysfunction during pregnancy comparing it to non-pregnant women and to correlate these findings with obstetric history. METHODS: We interviewed 150 pregnant and 150 non-pregnant women for symptoms of dry eyes and obstetric history. Both groups underwent Schirmer I testing and responded to a questionnaire on dry eye symptoms. Patients with collagen diseases, medications associated with dryness of mucous membranes, hepatitis C infection and AIDS, previous intraocular inflammation and eye surgery were excluded. Data were analyzed by the Χ2 and Fisher tests when the data were nominal and by the Student´s t-test and Mann-Whitney test when numerical. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: The two groups did not differ in symptoms of lacrimal dysfunction. The results of Schirmer's test were equal in both groups for the right eye (p=0.3) and left eye (p=0.3). However, pregnant women had a higher prevalence of at least one dry eye (p=0.004). The occurrence of dry eye in both groups (patients and controls) was associated with a greater number of full-term pregnancies/patient (p=0.04) but not with pregnancy time (p=0.5) or number of abortions (p=0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women suffer more from lacrimal dysfunction than non pregnant women; in both groups the prevalence of tear dysfunction is more elevated in women with higher parity.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(4):175-183
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000400007
PURPOSE: To associate the quality of life with the nutritional status of climacteric women. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on a sample of 200 climacteric women aged 40 to 65 years who responded to a 24-hour food recall and to questions about socioeconomic factors and current, previous and family medical history. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio were used for anthropometric evaluation. To assess the quality of life, we applied the MRS-menopause rating scale. RESULTS: The average BMI and waist circumference were 30.1 kg/m² (obesity grade 1) and 99 cm (very increased risk for cardiovascular disease), respectively. Increased protein consumption and decreased fiber, calcium and vitamin D intake were detected. The most prevalent disease was hypertension, 48.5% of the women studied were taking medication for cardiovascular disease and 23% were taking antidepressant medications. Regarding quality of life, significant results related to BMI as well as blood pressure were found. CONCLUSIONS: A nutritional intervention aiming to correct or improve food consumption and anthropometric profile may result in health benefits for climacteric women. The prevalence of obesity, associated with a poorer quality of life, morbidity and mortality underscores the need for a feeding re-education program during the climacteric.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(4):184-188
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000400008
PURPOSE: To produce age-related nomograms for ovarian antral follicle count (AFC) in infertile women. METHODS: It was done a cross-sectional study of patients attended in the center of assisted reproduction Fêmina, from March 2010 to October 2011. The patients were submitted to transvaginal ultrasonography from day 2 to day 4 of their menstrual period. Patients included were between 21 to 45 years old, with regular menses, two healthy ovaries, without any evidence of endocrinopathies and who gave written informed consent. Patients excluded were smokers, with galactosemia or ovarian cysts, with antecedents of liver disease, ovarian surgeries or who were treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In order to check the evolution of the AFC in relation to patient age, we used the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th percentiles. Linear regression was carried out using these percentiles, permitting us to determine the effect of age on the CFA. RESULTS: A total of 172 patients with a mean age of 32.7 years were included in the trial. The male and tubal factors were the main causes of infertility, accounting for 65% of cases. The age-related nomogram for the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th percentiles of AFC revealed that changes were best fitted by a linear function. The percentiles that showed the highest correlations were 25 (r=-0.9; p<0.001), 50 (r=-0.9; p<0.001) and 75 (r=-0.9; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: A nomogram was constructed correlating age with the different AFC percentiles in infertile women without endocrinopathies. This showed a linear pattern of decline in AFC with age in all percentiles. These nomograms could provide a reference guide for the clinician. However, future validation, with longitudinal data, still is needed.