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Medicine Aug 2018Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to examine the association between GDM and abnormal vaginal flora,... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to examine the association between GDM and abnormal vaginal flora, and the association between abnormal vaginal flora and adverse pregnancy outcomes.This was a prospective study of pregnant women who visited Xuanwu Hospital of the Capital Medical University (Beijing, China) between February and October 2015. All women were screened for GDM according to the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) recommendations. Vaginal secretions were sampled at 28 to 30 and 37 to 40 weeks. Microorganisms were examined.The women were 28.3 ± 2.6 years and their body mass index was 22.8 ± 1.4 kg/m. GDM was associated with higher frequencies of vulvovaginal candidiasis (22.6% vs 9.7%, P < .001), premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (22.6% vs 11.5%, P = .004), premature delivery (16.1% vs 5.5%, P = .02), chorioamnionitis/puerperal infection (19.4% vs 4.5%, P < .001), macrosomia (9.7% vs 4.0%, P = .04), neonatal hypoglycemia (5.4% vs 1.0%, P = .02), and neonatal referral (15.1% vs 6.5%, P = .008). Among healthy women, abnormal flora was associated with PROM (19.4% vs 7.5%, P = .02) and chorioamnionitis/puerperal infection (11.9% vs 0.8%, P < .001). Among women with GDM, abnormal flora was associated with PROM (32.1% vs 10.0%, P < .001), premature delivery (17.7% vs 6.3%, P = .04), and chorioamnionitis/puerperal infection (32.8% vs 2.5%, P < .001).The vaginal infection rate was higher in patients with GDM compared with healthy pregnant women. GDM and abnormal vaginal flora were both associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The vaginal Lactobacillus species were different between the 2 groups, which could contribute to the adverse outcomes.
Topics: Adult; China; Diabetes, Gestational; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 30142788
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011891 -
Stroke May 2018Peripartum strokes during delivery admissions are rare but have high maternal morbidity. Infections have been proposed as a possible stroke trigger. We hypothesized that...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Peripartum strokes during delivery admissions are rare but have high maternal morbidity. Infections have been proposed as a possible stroke trigger. We hypothesized that women who had infections diagnosed at the time of delivery admission would have higher risk of stroke during their delivery hospitalization.
METHODS
We conducted a case-control study using state inpatient administrative databases for California (2007-2011), Florida (2009-2011), and New York (2009-2011). Women whose admission included a vaginal or cesarean delivery, with a new diagnosis of stroke during the admission, were considered cases and were randomly matched to 3 in-state controls by age/admission year and presence and severity of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The primary exposure of interest was infection of any type present on admission. Secondary exposures included race/ethnicity, payer status, delivery method, and known vascular risk factors such as chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol abuse, hypercoagulable states, coagulopathies, and renal disease. We used multivariable conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association of infections and known vascular risk factors with stroke risk.
RESULTS
A total of 455 cases (mean age, 29.8), of whom 195 (42.9%) had hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, were matched with 1365 controls. Infection of any type present on admission increased the odds of stroke diagnosis during the admission (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-2.35). Risk was higher for genitourinary infections (adjusted odds ratio, 2.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-5.24) and sepsis (adjusted odds ratio, 10.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.15-20.0). The association between infection and stroke during delivery admission did not differ by the presence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
CONCLUSIONS
Infections present on admission increased stroke risk during delivery admissions in women with and without hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The results were driven by genitourinary infections and sepsis. Infections may be an underrecognized precipitant of peripartum stroke.
Topics: Adult; Black or African American; Asian; Blood Coagulation Disorders; California; Case-Control Studies; Cesarean Section; Delivery, Obstetric; Ethnicity; Female; Florida; Hispanic or Latino; Hospital Mortality; Hospitalization; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Logistic Models; Multivariate Analysis; New York; Odds Ratio; Peripartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Puerperal Disorders; Puerperal Infection; Pulmonary Embolism; Reproductive Tract Infections; Risk Factors; Sepsis; Stroke; Thrombophilia; Urinary Tract Infections; Venous Thrombosis; White People
PubMed: 29678837
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.020628 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Dec 2018
Topics: Anniversaries and Special Events; Female; History, 19th Century; Humans; Hungary; Obstetrics; Pregnancy; Puerperal Infection
PubMed: 30471890
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.10.036 -
Severe maternal morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19: The risk should not be downplayed.Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Jul 2020
Topics: Adult; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Critical Care; Female; Humans; Maternal Mortality; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Puerperal Infection; Respiration, Artificial; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2; Severity of Illness Index; Sweden
PubMed: 32386440
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13900 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2017Infectious morbidities contribute to considerable maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, including women at no apparent increased risk of infection. To reduce... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Infectious morbidities contribute to considerable maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, including women at no apparent increased risk of infection. To reduce the incidence of infections, antibiotics are often administered to women after uncomplicated childbirth, particularly in settings where women are at higher risk of puerperal infectious morbidities.
OBJECTIVES
To assess whether routine administration of prophylactic antibiotics to women after normal (uncomplicated) vaginal birth, compared with placebo or no antibiotic prophylaxis, reduces postpartum maternal infectious morbidities and improves outcomes.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 August 2017), LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (22 August 2017) and reference lists of retrieved studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We planned to include randomised or quasi-randomised trials evaluating the use of prophylactic antibiotics versus placebo or no antibiotic prophylaxis. Trials using a cluster-randomised design would have been eligible for inclusion, but we found none.In future updates of this review, we will include studies published in abstract form only, provided sufficient information is available to assess risks of bias. We will consider excluded abstracts for inclusion once the full publication is available, or the authors provide more information.Trials using a cross-over design are not eligible for inclusion in this review.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors conducted independent assessment of trials for inclusion and risks of bias. They independently extracted data and checked them for accuracy, resolving differences in assessments by discussion. They evaluated methodological quality using standard Cochrane criteria and the GRADE approach.We present the summaries as risk ratios (RRs) and mean difference (MDs) using fixed- or random-effect models. For one primary outcome we found considerable heterogeneity and interaction. We explored further using subgroup analysis to investigate the effects of the randomisation unit. All review authors discussed and interpreted the results.
MAIN RESULTS
One randomised controlled trial (RCT) and two quasi-RCTs contributed data on 1779 women who had uncomplicated vaginal births, comparing different antibiotic regimens with placebo or no treatment. The included trials took place in the 1960s (one trial) and 1990s (two trials). The trials were conducted in France, the USA and Brazil. Antibiotics administered included: oral sulphamethoxypyridazine or chloramphenicol for three to five days, and intravenous amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in a single dose one hour after birth. We rated most of the domains for risk of bias as high risk, with the exception of reporting bias and other potential bias.The quality of evidence ranged from low to very low, based on the GRADE quality assessment, given very serious design limitations of the included studies, few events and wide confidence intervals (CIs) of effect estimates.We found a decrease in the risk of endometritis (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.83, two trials, 1364 women,very low quality). However, one trial reported zero events for this outcome and we rate the evidence as very low quality. There was little or no difference between groups for the risk of urinary tract infection (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.05 to 1.19, two trials, 1706 women,low quality), wound infection after episiotomy (reported as wound dehiscence in the included trials) (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.96, two trials, 1364 women, very low quality) and length of maternal hospital stay in days (MD -0.15, 95% CI -0.31 to 0.01, one trial, 1291 women, very low quality). Cost of care in US dollar equivalent was 2½ times higher in the control group compared to the group receiving antibiotics prophylaxis (USD 3600: USD 9000, one trial, 1291 women). There were few or no differences between treated and control groups for adverse effects of antibiotics (skin rash) reported in one woman in each of the two trials (RR 3.03, 95% CI 0.32 to 28.95, two trials, 1706 women, very low quality). The incidence of severe maternal infectious morbidity, antimicrobial resistance or women's satisfaction with care were not addressed by any of the included studies.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Routine administration of antibiotics may reduce the risk of endometritis after uncomplicated vaginal birth. The small number and nature of the trials limit the interpretation of the evidence for application in practice, particularly in settings where women may be at higher risk of developing endometritis. The use of antibiotics did not reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections, wound infection or the length of maternal hospital stay. Antibiotics are not a substitute for infection prevention and control measures around the time of childbirth and the postpartum period. The decision to routinely administer prophylactic antibiotics after normal vaginal births needs to be balanced by patient features, childbirth setting and provider experience, including considerations of the contribution of indiscriminate use of antibiotics to raising antimicrobial resistance. Well-designed and high-powered randomised controlled trials would help to evaluate the added value of routine antibiotic administration as a measure to prevent maternal infections after normal vaginal delivery.
Topics: Amoxicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Chloramphenicol; Clavulanic Acid; Delivery, Obstetric; Endometritis; Episiotomy; Female; Humans; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Pregnancy; Puerperal Infection; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sulfamethoxypyridazine; Surgical Wound Infection; Urinary Tract Infections
PubMed: 29190037
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012137.pub2 -
BMJ Case Reports Jun 2021Although ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is classically considered a puerperal pathology, it can also occur in nonpuerperal settings such as endometritis, pelvic...
Although ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is classically considered a puerperal pathology, it can also occur in nonpuerperal settings such as endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, Crohn's disease, pelvic or gynaecological surgeries and thrombophilia. Hypercoagulation conditions such as antiphospholipid syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, factor V Leiden and protein C and S deficiency are all recognised risk factors. It is also a known complication during pregnancy often presenting with fever and lower abdominal pain within weeks after delivery. Its incidence is exceedingly rare, occurring in 0.05% of all pregnancies that result in live births and peaking around 2-6 days after delivery. Its preferential involvement of the right ovarian vein may be explained by the compression of the inferior vena cava and the right ovarian vein due to dextrorotation of the uterus during pregnancy. Furthermore, antegrade flow of blood and multiple incompetent valves in the right ovarian vein favours bacterial infection. Complications may include sepsis and thrombus extension to the inferior vena cava or left renal vein and rarely, pulmonary embolism. The authors present the case of a 27-year-old woman with lower abdominal pain 5 weeks after an elective caesarean section. Although the diagnosis of postpartum endometritis was initially considered, a CT suggested a right OVT. She commenced treatment with low-molecular weight heparin. A high index of clinical suspicion is required in order to establish the diagnosis of this rare cause of abdominal pain, which can mimic an acute abdomen.
Topics: Adult; Cesarean Section; Female; Humans; Ovary; Pregnancy; Thrombosis; Vena Cava, Inferior; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 34172481
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-243872 -
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases 2021Cryptococcal meningitis is a common opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients and other immunocompromised people. Pregnancy, which is a state of relative...
Cryptococcal meningitis is a common opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients and other immunocompromised people. Pregnancy, which is a state of relative immunosuppression, can also be a risk factor for the development of cryptococcal meningitis. We report a clinical case of a 41-year-old woman who developed a severe meningeal syndrome after an otherwise normal pregnancy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytochemical analysis presented hypoglycorrhachia, high protein levels, and pleocytosis. Cryptococcal antigen tested positive in serum and CSF, and was identified in the CSF culture. The diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was confirmed, and antifungal induction therapy was started with liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine. After clinical improvement, induction therapy was discontinued, and the patient was discharged under maintenance therapy with fluconazole. While under antifungal maintenance therapy, the patient presented worsening of symptoms and a new brain magnetic resonance showed the development of multiple cryptococcoma. Despite sterile CSF cultures, there was a deterioration of the cytochemical parameters. The diagnosis of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome was assumed, and after initiation of corticotherapy, the patient improved considerably. This is a rare case of cryptococcal meningitis in a puerperal woman with a challenging management.
PubMed: 34123444
DOI: 10.1155/2021/6665624 -
Nutrients Feb 2022Anemia is a very common occurrence during pregnancy, with important variations during each trimester. Anemia was also considered as a risk factor for severity and...
Anemia is a very common occurrence during pregnancy, with important variations during each trimester. Anemia was also considered as a risk factor for severity and negative outcomes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. As the COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant threat for pregnant women in terms of infection risk and access to care, we developed a study to determine the impact of nutritional supplementation for iron deficiency anemia in correlation with the status of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In a case-control design, we identified 446 pregnancies that matched our inclusion criteria from the hospital database. The cases and controls were stratified by SARS-CoV-2 infection history to observe the association between exposure and outcomes in both the mother and the newborn. A total of 95 pregnant women were diagnosed with COVID-19, having a significantly higher proportion of iron deficiency anemia. Low birth weight, prematurity, and lower APGAR scores were statistically more often occurring in the COVID-19 group. Birth weight showed a wide variation by nutritional supplementation during pregnancy. A daily combination of iron and folate was the optimal choice to normalize the weight at birth. The complete blood count and laboratory studies for iron deficiency showed significantly decreased levels in association with SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Puerperal infection, emergency c-section, and small for gestational age were strongly associated with anemia in patients with COVID-19. It is imperative to screen for iron and folate deficiency in pregnancies at risk for complications, and it is recommended to supplement the nutritional intake of these two to promote the normal development and growth of the newborn and avoid multiple complications during pregnancy in the COVID-19 pandemic setting.
Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; COVID-19; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Iron Deficiencies; Pandemics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35215486
DOI: 10.3390/nu14040836 -
IDCases 2022Obstetric tetanus is defined as a infection that occurs during pregnancy or within six weeks of delivery. In Peru, there are no reports of obstetric tetanus cases. Here...
Obstetric tetanus is defined as a infection that occurs during pregnancy or within six weeks of delivery. In Peru, there are no reports of obstetric tetanus cases. Here we report a sixth case of obstetric tetanus in a puerperal woman who underwent curettage for postpartum hemorrhage, despite immunization against tetanus.
PubMed: 35855941
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2022.e01568 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Dec 2024Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading global cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis, stillbirth, and puerperal sepsis. While intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP)...
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading global cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis, stillbirth, and puerperal sepsis. While intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is a currently available GBS disease prevention strategy, IAP is programmatically complex to implement, precluding use in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, 2% of stillbirths are attributable to GBS infection. Two maternal GBS vaccines are in late-stage clinical development. However, licensure of a maternal GBS vaccine does not translate into reduction of disease. We conducted 28 in-depth interviews with pregnant people, lactating people, and community members across two counties in Kenya to better understand the attitudes and informational needs of primary vaccine beneficiaries. We identified two emerging themes from the data. The first focused on antecedents to maternal GBS vaccine acceptability. The most common antecedents focused on the vaccine's ability to protect the baby and/or the mother, followed by community sensitization before the vaccine was available. The second key theme focused on questions that would need to be addressed before someone could accept a maternal GBS vaccine. Three key categories of questions were identified, including vaccine safety compared to vaccine benefits, who gets the vaccine, and how the vaccine works. Realizing the potential benefits of a future GBS maternal vaccine will require a multifactorial approach, including ensuring that communities are aware of GBS-related harms as well as the safety and effectiveness of a maternal GBS vaccine. Our study contributes to informing this multifactorial approach by elucidating the attitudes and concerns of key populations.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Pregnant Women; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Kenya; Lactation; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcal Vaccines; Stillbirth
PubMed: 38345050
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2314826