Placental weight and birth weight to placental weight ratio in monochorionic and dichorionic growth-restricted and non-growth-restricted twins

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the placental weight and birth weight/placental weight ratio for intrauterine growth-restricted and non-intrauterine growth-restricted monochorionic and dichorionic twins. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of placentas from twin pregnancies. Placental weight and the birth weight/placental weight ratio were compared in intrauterine growth-restricted and non-intrauterine growth-restricted monochorionic and dichorionic twins. The association between cord insertion type and placental lesions in intrauterine growth-restricted and non-intrauterine growth-restricted monochorionic and dichorionic twins was also investigated. RESULTS: A total of 105 monochorionic (intrauterine growth restriction=40; non-intrauterine growth restriction=65) and 219 dichorionic (intrauterine growth restriction=57; non-intrauterine growth restriction=162) placentas were analyzed. A significantly lower placental weight was observed in intrauterine growth-restricted monochorionic (p=0.022) and dichorionic (

Perinatal outcome of fetal weight discordance with positive end-diastolic flow in umbilical artery Doppler in twin pregnancy

OBJETIVOS: Comparar resultados perinatais entre gemelares, com dopplervelocimetria da artéria umbilical (AU) com fluxo diastólico presente (FDP), discordantes (GD) e concordantes (GC) em relação ao peso estimado fetal (PEF) e de acordo com a corionicidade. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, caso-controle, desenvolvido na Clínica Obstétrica HCFMUSP entre janeiro 2005 e dezembro 2015. Para cada GD, foram selecionados 2 controles de GC, pareados pela idade gestacional do parto (IG) e corionicidade. Critérios de inclusão: discordância PEF >= 20%, Doppler da artéria umbilical (AU) com fluxo diastólico presente, ausência de malformação ou cromossomopatias, diamniótica, fetos vivos na primeira avaliação, ausência de complicações da monocorionicidade, parto na instituição. Resultados perinatais considerados: peso no nascimento, IG no parto, internação na unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) neonatal, tempo de internação na UTI, suporte ventilatório (VM), hemorragia periventricular (HIPV), hipoglicemia (HG), icterícia (Ic), enterocolite necrosante (EN), sepse (Sp), óbito perinatal. Foram comparados os resultados perinatais dos fetos maiores e menores entre os grupos GD e GC. O resultado perinatal do feto menore foi comparado de acordo com a presença ou ausência de restrição de crescimento fetal (RCF). RESULTADOS: Selecionados 14 GD e 28 GC monocoriônicos (MC), e 38 GD e 76 GC dicoriônicos (DC). Fetos menores MC GD apresentaram maior TI (30,60 ± 20,19 vs 10,68 ± 11,64 dias, P= 20%, UA Doppler with positive end-diastolic flow, absence of fetal malformation or chromosomal abnormalities, known chorionicity, diamniotic pregnancies, both fetuses alive at the first assessment, absence of monochorionic (MC) complications, delivery in our institution. The perinatal outcomes considered were: birth weigh (BW), length of hospital stay (LOS), admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), length of NICU stay, need for ventilator support, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), hypoglycemia (Hp), jaundice (JD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NE), sepsis (SP), intrauterine and neonatal death. Perinatal outcome of the smaller and larger twin comparisons between FwD with FwC were analyzed according to chorionicity. In addition, perinatal outcome from smaller twin was compared between FwD with FwC with and without fetal growth restriction (FGR). RESULTS: A total of 14 pregnancies with FwD and 28 with FwC of MC twin and 38 pregnancies with FwD and 76 with FwC of dichorionic (DC) twin were selected. According to chorionicity, in MC FwD group, the smaller twin presented presented longer LOS (30.60 ± 20.19 vs 10.68 ± 11.64 days, P < 0.001), higher frequency of SP (21.4% vs 0%; P=0.032; OR=23.42) and JD (78.6% vs 28.6%; P=0.003; OR=9.17) compared to smaller FwC twin; whereas in DC FwD group, smaller twin presented higher frequency of SP (10.5% vs 1.3%; P=0.042; OR=8.82), Hp (15.8% vs 3.9%; P=0.003; OR=4.56), NE (5.3% vs 0%; P=0.044; RC=20.63) and JD (57.9% vs 28.9%, P=0.003; OR=3.38) compared to smaller FwC twin. FGR in the smaller MC twin was observed in 71.4% (n=10) and in the smaller DC twin, 55.3% (n=21). Twin pregnancies without FGR had similar frequency of neonatal morbidity in discordant and concordant groups, excepted for the lower BW in FwD DC twins (2167.35 vs 2339.68g, P=0.026). CONCLUSION: Regardless chorionicity, perinatal morbidity is increased in the smaller discordant twin with UA Doppler with positive end-diastolic flow, compared to concordant smaller twin. Probably the FGR is responsible to complicate the perinatal outcome of smaller discordant twi

Lung ultrasound vs. chest computed tomography for pregnant inpatients with COVID-19

OBJETIVO: Comparar a ultrassonografia pulmonar (USG) e a tomografia de tórax (TC) a partir de alterações pulmonares identificadas em gestantes internadas por infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2. MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo realizado no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, no período de junho a setembro do ano de 2020. Foram incluídas 39 gestantes internadas com COVID-19 submetidas à avaliação pulmonar por meio da TC e da USG, com intervalo máximo de 48 horas entre os exames. O tórax foi dividido em 6 regiões por hemitórax (2 anteriores, 2 laterais e 2 posteriores). A USG avaliou a presença das linhas B > 2, linhas B coalescentes e consolidação, e a TC, a presença do espessamento interlobular, vidro fosco e consolidação. A pontuação (escore) foi atribuída mediante o pior achado alterado por quadrante e o derrame pleural foi avaliado. As gestantes foram divididas em dois grupos conforme a necessidade do uso de oxigênio (O2) suplementar. Os exames de imagem foram comparados de acordo com os achados alterados por quadrante e segundo o escore pulmonar. Também foi realizada a avaliação do desempenho de cada método na predição da necessidade do uso de O2 suplementar. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se uma correlação significativa entre os escores obtidos pelos dois métodos (rICC = 0,946; p15, linhas B coalescentes e presença de consolidação foram preditoras da necessidade do uso de O2 suplementar. Já a TC teve como preditores o escore pulmonar >16 e a consolidação. CONCLUSÃO: Há correlação significativa entre os escores obtidos pela USG e pela TC em gestantes internadas com COVID-19. A USG teve desempenho tão satisfatório quanto a TC na avaliação do escore pulmonar levando em conta a necessidade do uso de O2OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare to compare lung ultrasound (LUS) and computed tomography (CT) in the assessment of pregnant women with COVID-19. METHOD: This study was conducted at Hospital das Clinicas, Sao Paulo University, from June to September 2020 and this is a prospective study comprising 39 pregnant inpatients with COVID-19 who underwent pulmonary assessment with CT and US with a maximum span of 48 hours between the exams. The thorax was divided into 12 regions and assessed in terms of the following: the presence of B-lines (> 2), coalescent B-lines, consolidation, and pleural effusion on LUS; presence of interlobular thickening, ground glass, consolidation, and pleural effusion on CT. The two methods were scored by adding up the scores from each thoracic region. Pregnant women were separated into two groups according to the need for oxygen (O2). Performance analyses and accuracy of prediction were done about severity disease. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between the scores obtained by the two methods (rICC = 0.946; p<0.001). They were moderately in agreement concerning the frequency of altered pulmonary regions (weighted kappa = 0.551). In LUS, a score over 15, coalescent B-lines, and consolidation were predictors of the need for O2, whereas the predictors in CT were a lung score over 16 and consolidation. The two methods, US (p<0.001) and CT (p<0.001), were fairly accurate in predicting the need for oxygen (O2) (AUC= 0.915 and 0.938 respectively). CONCLUSION: In pregnant women, lung US and CT of the chest are of similar accuracy in assessing lungs affected by COVID-19 and can predict the need for O

Associação entre espessura da pele e densidade óssea em mulheres adultas

FUNDAMENTOS: Osteoporose acomete principalmente mulheres em menopausa e idosos, predispondo a fraturas que geram morbidade, mortalidade e custos ao sistema de saúde. Como o colágeno dérmico diminui paralelamente à redução da massa óssea com o envelhecimento, a medida da espessura da pele pode ser indício do risco de osteoporose. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a correlação entre densidade óssea e espessura da pele do dorso das mãos de mulheres adultas. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal envolvendo mulheres adultas atendidas em ambulatório de hospital universitário submetidas à densitometria óssea, que foram avaliadas individualmente e mensurada, por paquímetro, a espessura da pele no dorso das mãos, além de investigados demais fatores de risco para osteoporose. RESULTADOS: Avaliaram-se 140 pacientes. A média (±dp) de idade foi de 57 (±11) anos; a média da espessura da pele do dorso das mãos foi de 1,4 (±0,4) mm. Houve correlação entre as medidas das mãos direita e esquerda (R=0,9; p<0,01). Observou-se correlação direta entre as espessuras de pele do dorso das mãos e as densidades ósseas lombares e femorais (p<0,01). Tais resultados permaneceram consistentes mesmo quando ajustados pelas covariáveis: idade, fototipo, índice de massa corpórea, tabagismo, uso de corticoide oral, uso de anti-inflamatório oral e tempo de menopausa. Osteoporose se associou inversamente com a espessura da pele das mãos (Odds Ratio=0,10; p<0,03). CONCLUSÃO: Espessura da pele correlacionou-se, independentemente, com a densidade óssea, sugerindo simultaneidade dos eventos. Sinais cutâneos podem contribuir para a estratificação de risco não invasiva desses pacientes, e colaborar na identificação e tratamentos precocesBACKGROUND: Osteoporosis mainly affects menopausal women and the elderly, predisposing these individuals to fractures that result in morbidity, mortality and costs to the healthcare system. Since dermal collagen reduces in parallel with a decrease in bone mass with aging, skin thickness may be indicative of a risk of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the correlation between bone density and skin thickness on the backs of the hands of adult women. METHODS: A cross sectional study involving adult women attending a university hospital outpatient clinic who were interviewed individually and submitted to bone densitometry and measurement of skin thickness on the backs of their hands using skinfold calipers. Other risk factors for osteoporosis were also investigated. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were evaluated. Mean age (± standard deviation) was 57 ± 11 years. Mean skin thickness on the backs of the hands was 1.4 ± 0.4 mm. There was a correlation between the right and left hands (R = 0.9; p<0.01). A direct correlation was found between skin thickness on the backs of the hands and bone density at the lumbar spine and femur (p<0.01). These results remained consistent even following adjustment for the covariables of age, skin phototype, body mass index, smoking, use of oral corticoids, anti-inflammatory use and time since menopause. Osteoporosis was inversely associated with the thickness of the skin on the back of the hands (odds ratio = 0.10; p<0.03) CONCLUSION: An independent correlation was found between skin thickness and bone density, suggesting that these events occur simultaneously. Skin signs may represent a non-invasive method of stratifying risk in these patients, helping identify cases requiring early treatmentFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Patient perceptions about anesthesia and anesthesiologists before and after surgical procedures

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Anesthesiologist-patient relationships are established preoperatively and intraoperatively. These are opportunities for providing correct information about anesthesia/anesthesiologists, thereby improving outcomes. The aim here was to evaluate patients' perceptions about anesthesiologists before anesthesia and to identify whether the anesthetic care would change such perceptions. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cross-sectional study using data obtained in 2007-2008, at a tertiary university hospital. METHODS: 518 patients aged 16 years or over were interviewed before and after anesthesia exposure. A questionnaire was used to determine patient characteristics and perceptions of anesthesia/anesthesiologists. RESULTS: The patients were 16-89 years of age and 59.8% had attended elementary school. 79.1% said that anesthesiologists were specialized physicians. Anesthesiologists' roles were associated with loss of consciousness (35.5% pre-anesthesia; 43.5% post-anesthesia), pain relief (29.7% pre-anesthesia, 31.7% post-anesthesia), vital sign monitoring (17.6% pre-anesthesia, 35% post-anesthesia; P < 0.05); and drug administration (10.8% pre-anesthesia, 43.9% post-anesthesia; P < 0.05). The level of confidence in the physician was rated high (82.2% and 89.8% pre- and post-anesthesia, respectively; P < 0.05) or intermediate (5.8% and 6.6% pre- and post-anesthesia, respectively; P < 0.05). The care provided by anesthesiologists was classified as: elucidating (52.8%), encouraging (52.6%), neutral (10.2%) and careless (0.8%). CONCLUSION: Patients' perceptions of anesthesiologists' roles were fairly good, but improvements in this relationship still need to be pursued, to achieve better outcomes. Anesthetic care was important in providing information, confidence and reassurance among patients, regarding their perceptions. Anesthesiologists should not miss opportunities to provide excellent professional care for patients, thereby improving anesthesia outcomes and their image

Patient perceptions about anesthesia and anesthesiologists before and after surgical procedures

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A relação anestesiologista-paciente é estabelecida no pré-operatório e intraoperatório, oportunidades que proporcionam informações corretas sobre anestesia/anestesiologista, melhorando seus resultados. O objetivo foi avaliar a percepção dos pacientes sobre o anestesiologista antes da anestesia e se os cuidados anestésicos poderiam mudar essa percepção. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo prospectivo transversal com dados em 2007-2008, em hospital universitário terciário. MÉTODOS: Foram entrevistados 518 pacientes com 16 anos ou mais antes e depois da exposição à anestesia. Um questionário determinou as características do paciente e da percepção da anestesia/anestesiologista. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes tinham entre 16 e 89 anos e 59,8% possuíam ensino fundamental, 79,1% responderam que o anestesiologista é um médico especializado. O papel do anestesiologista foi associado à perda de consciência (35,5% pré-anestesia, 43,5% pós-anestesia), alívio de dor (29,7% pré-anestesia, 31,7% pós-anestesia), monitorização dos sinais vitais (17,6% pré-anestesia, 35% pós-anestesia; P < 0,05), e administração de medicamentos (10,8% pré-anestesia, 43,9% pós-anestesia; P < 0,05). O nível de confiança no médico foi considerado alto (82,2% e 89,8% no pré e pós-anestesia, respectivamente, P < 0,05) ou intermediário (5,8% e 6,6% no pré e pós-anestesia, respectivamente, P < 0,05). A assistência prestada pelo anestesiologista foi classificada como: elucidativa (52,8%), encorajadora (52,6%), indiferente (10,2%) e displicente (0,8%). CONCLUSÃO: A percepção sobre o papel do anestesiologista foi satisfatória, mas as melhorias nessa relação ainda são necessárias para se conseguirem melhores resultados. O atendimento anestésico foi importante para a informação, confiança e segurança do paciente sobre essa percepção. O anestesiologista não deve perder oportunidades de exercer excelentes cuidados profissionais para os pacientes, melhorando os resultados de sua anestesia e sua imagem.CONTEXT and OBJECTIVE: Anesthesiologist-patient relationships are established preoperatively and intraoperatively. These are opportunities for providing correct information about anesthesia/anesthesiologists, thereby improving outcomes. The aim here was to evaluate patients' perceptions about anesthesiologists before anesthesia and to identify whether the anesthetic care would change such perceptions. DESIGN and SETTING: Prospective cross-sectional study using data obtained in 2007-2008, at a tertiary university hospital. METHODS: 518 patients aged 16 years or over were interviewed before and after anesthesia exposure. A questionnaire was used to determine patient characteristics and perceptions of anesthesia/anesthesiologists. RESULTS: The patients were 16-89 years of age and 59.8% had attended elementary school. 79.1% said that anesthesiologists were specialized physicians. Anesthesiologists' roles were associated with loss of consciousness (35.5% pre-anesthesia; 43.5% post-anesthesia), pain relief (29.7% pre-anesthesia, 31.7% post-anesthesia), vital sign monitoring (17.6% pre-anesthesia, 35% post-anesthesia; P < 0.05); and drug administration (10.8% pre-anesthesia, 43.9% post-anesthesia; P < 0.05). The level of confidence in the physician was rated high (82.2% and 89.8% pre- and post-anesthesia, respectively; P < 0.05) or intermediate (5.8% and 6.6% pre- and post-anesthesia, respectively; P < 0.05). The care provided by anesthesiologists was classified as: elucidating (52.8%), encouraging (52.6%), neutral (10.2%) and careless (0.8%). CONCLUSION: Patients' perceptions of anesthesiologists' roles were fairly good, but improvements in this relationship still need to be pursued, to achieve better outcomes. Anesthetic care was important in providing information, confidence and reassurance among patients, regarding their perceptions. Anesthesiologists should not miss opportunities to provide excellent professional care for patients, thereby improving anesthesia outcomes and their image.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Placental weight and birth weight to placental weight ratio in monochorionic and dichorionic growth-restricted and non-growth-restricted twins

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the placental weight and birth weight/placental weight ratio for intrauterine growth-restricted and non-intrauterine growth-restricted monochorionic and dichorionic twins. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of placentas from twin pregnancies. Placental weight and the birth weight/placental weight ratio were compared in intrauterine growth-restricted and non-intrauterine growth-restricted monochorionic and dichorionic twins. The association between cord insertion type and placental lesions in intrauterine growth-restricted and non-intrauterine growth-restricted monochorionic and dichorionic twins was also investigated. RESULTS: A total of 105 monochorionic (intrauterine growth restriction=40; non-intrauterine growth restriction=65) and 219 dichorionic (intrauterine growth restriction=57; non-intrauterine growth restriction=162) placentas were analyzed. A significantly lower placental weight was observed in intrauterine growth-restricted monochorionic (p=0.022) and dichorionic (p<0.001) twins compared to non-intrauterine growth-restricted twins. There was no difference in the birth weight/placental weight ratio between the intrauterine growth restriction and non-intrauterine growth restriction groups for either monochorionic (p=0.36) or dichorionic (p=0.68) twins. Placental weight and the birth weight/placental weight ratio were not associated with cord insertion type or with placental lesions. CONCLUSION: Low placental weight, and consequently reduced functional mass, appears to be involved in fetal growth restriction in monochorionic and dichorionic twins. The mechanism by which low placental weight influences the birth weight/placental weight ratio in intrauterine growth-restricted monochorionic and dichorionic twins needs to be determined in larger prospective studies

Type II and III Selective Fetal Growth Restriction: Perinatal Outcomes of Expectant Management and Laser Ablation of Placental Vessels

OBJECTIVES: To describe the perinatal outcomes of type II and III selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) in monochorionic-diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies treated with expectant management or laser ablation of placental vessels (LAPV). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of cases of sFGR that received expectant management (type II, n=6; type III, n=22) or LAPV (type II, n=30; type III, n=9). The main outcomes were gestational age at delivery and survival rate. RESULTS: The smaller fetus presented an absent/reversed “a” wave in the ductus venosus (arAWDV) in all LAPV cases, while none of the expectant management cases presented arAWDV. The median gestational age at delivery was within the 32nd week for expectant management (type II and III) and for type II LAPV, and the 30th week for type III LAPV. The rate of at least one twin alive at hospital discharge was 83.3% and 90.9% for expectant management type II and III, respectively, and 90% and 77.8% for LAPV type II and III, respectively. CONCLUSION: LAPV in type II and III sFGR twins with arAWDV in the smaller fetus seems to yield outcomes similar to those of less severe cases that received expectant management

Parameters Associated with Adverse Fetal Outcomes in Parvovirus B19 Congenital Infection

<div><p>Abstract Objective To investigate the clinical and sonographic parameters associated with adverse fetal outcomes in patients with congenital parvovirus B19 infection managed by intrauterine transfusion. Methods This was a single-center retrospective study conducted from January 2005 to December 2016 that assessed patients with singleton pregnancies with fetal parvovirus infection confirmed by a polymerase chain reaction of the amniotic fluid or fetal blood samples who underwent at least one intrauterine transfusion. The maternal characteristics, sonographic findings and parameters related to intrauterine transfusion were compared between the two groups (recovery/non-recovery), who were categorized based on fetal response after in-utero transfusions. Progression to fetal death or delivery without fetal recovery after the transfusions was considered nonrecovery and categorized as an adverse outcome. Results The final analysis included ten singleton pregnancies: seven of which were categorized into the recovery group and three of which into the non-recovery group. The baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. All fetuses were hydropic at the time of diagnosis. No significant differences related to sonographic or intrauterine transfusion parameters were identified between the groups; however, the nonrecovery group tended to have an increased number of sonographic markers and lower fetal hemoglobin and platelet levels before the transfusion. Conclusion We were unable to firmly establish the clinical or sonographic parameters associated with adverse fetal outcomes in patients with parvovirus infection managed with intrauterine transfusions; however, edema, placental thickening and oligohydramnios may indicate greater fetal compromise and, subsequently, adverse outcomes. However, further studies are necessary, mainly due to the small number of cases analyzed in the present study.</p></div