Fetal Diagnosis of Cardiac Rhabdomyoma, its Management and Outcome : P71

Objectives: This study analyses the long term cardiac and neurological outcome of patients with cardiac rhabdomyoma (CR) in order to allow comprehensive prenatal counselling. Because of the relative rarity of the disease, there is paucity of data concerning the outcome of patients with CR. Methods: A retrospective study including all cases with echocardiographic diagnosis of CR encountered between April 1986 and August 2006. Results: Of 24 CR patients identified, 7 were diagnosed in-utero at a gestational age (GA) between 28-35 weeks and 17 postnatally between 10 days and 5 years. 14 had multiple CR and 10 had one/two CR. The CRs were situated predominantly in the LV (70%), RV (52%) and IVS (48%) and to a lesser extent in the atria (13%) and pericardium (4%). Follow-up echocardiography in. 18'show\'ld complete postnatal regression of CR in 3, partial regression in 13 and no change in 2. Cardiac complications were encountered in 5 patients, 1 with WPW syndrome and SVT requiring anti-arrhythmic therapy, 1 with sub-aortic obstruction needing surgical intervention and 3 with occasional bouts of paroxysmal SVT. Long-term follow-up revealed tuberous sclerosis of Bourneville (TSB) as definite diagnosIs in 22 (92%), complicated by epilepsy in 16 (67%) and developmental delay in 14 (64%). Conclusions: CR generally regresses after birth and after the high risk perinatal period cardiac related problems are rare. The relatively poor neurodevelopmental outcome of the almost always associated TSB however should form a dominating aspect of the prenatal counselling of parents whose fetuses are diagnosed with this rare disease.

Estudo da Prevalência de Perturbações depressivas nos pacientes da consulta externa

Este trabalho de investigação tem como objectivo o estudo da prevalência das perturbações depressivas nos pacientes da consulta externa do H.A.N. – extensão Trindade, de 2004-2008. A amostra do estudo é constituída por 1499 sujeitos, sendo 317 com perturbações afectivas (34.4 %) do sexo masculino e (65.6%) do sexo feminino). A metodologia utilizada é do tipo prospectivo, em que o objectivo deste estudo é caracterizar um grupo: por sexo, idade, nível de escolaridade, profissão, etc., e neste sentido aproxima-se das pesquisas exploratórias visto que pode se dar uma fundamentação teórica, envolvendo pesquisas bibliográficas, com base nos livros, pesquisas de Internet, artigos científicos. A análise de dados foi efectuada através do programa SPSS (Statistical package for the social science base 15.0 for Windows Evaluation (version, 2008) Verificamos uma prevalência de perturbações afectivas de 21%, mais acentuada no sexo feminino (65.6%), com muitas perturbações comórbidas sobretudo relacionadas com o abuso de substâncias tóxicas. Essas comorbilidades têm maior expressão entre os sujeitos do sexo masculino. Verificamos ainda, uma tendência crescente de diagnóstico dessas perturbações ao longo dos cinco anos estudos. Entre as perturbações depressivas destaca-se o episódio depressivo com uma prevalência de 91.4%

Fetal MRI as complement to US in the diagnosis and characterization of anomalies of the genito-urinary tract.

The purpose of this study is to compare the accuracy of prenatal ultrasound (US) and prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and characterization of congenital abnormalities of the genito-urinary tract and to determine if the additional information obtained by MRI may influence the management of the fetus. We retrospectively evaluate 15 cases of congenital genito-urinary tract anomalies detected by prenatal US and with echographic inconclusive diagnosis. We compare the MRI findings with the US findings and the final diagnosis, obtained from neonatal outcomes, imaging studies and pathology records. Fetal US diagnosis was correct in 9 cases (60%) and MRI in 13 cases (86.7%). Prenatal MRI revealed additional information to US in 9 cases (60%), which modified the initial US diagnosis in 5 cases (33.3%) and changed the therapeutic approach in 5 fetuses (33.3%). Fetal MRI was better than US in cases of oligoamnios and in fetuses with genito-urinary pathology concerning the pelvic and perineum region. We believe that MRI should be considered as a complementary diagnostic method in cases of echographic suspicion of congenital pathology of the genito-urinary tract and inconclusive prenatal US.

Informe del crucero BIC/SNP-1 8604-05 y diagnóstico de la situación de los recursos pelágicos a mayo 1986

Presenta los resultados más saltantes obtenidos en el crucero de evaluación de los recursos pelágicos, principalmente sardina y anchoveta, efectuado por el buque de investigación científica SNP-1 y tres bolicheras acompañantes con una duración de 36 días entre el área comprendida entre la frontera Norte y Callao.

Informe del crucero de evaluación acústica BIC/SNP-1, BIC/Humboldt 8805-07 y diagnóstico de la situación de los recursos pelágicos a julio 1988

Da a conocer los resultados del crucero de prospección acústico-pesquero y evaluación de los recursos pelágicos, efectuado por los buques de investigación científica del 11 de mayo al 13 de julio de 1988, en el área comprendida entre la frontera sur (Chile) a la frontera norte (Ecuador).

Estudo etiológico do corrimento genital nos pacientes atendidos na Delegacia de Saúde de São Domingos

Introdução. Estudos da etiologia do corrimento genital se apresentam como alternativa na tomada de decisão por parte dos médicos no que concerne ao diagnóstico e tratamento, tendo em conta que, a origem de corrimento genital é multifactorial e que as associações entre as diferentes infecções são frequentes, portanto, o diagnóstico e tratamento tornam-se fulcral devendo ser individualizados a fim de, diminuir o impacto que possa ocorrer quando se aplica um tratamento sindrómico. Este estudo teve como objectivo estudar a ocorrência do corrimento genital nos pacientes atendidos na Delegacia de Saúde de São Domingos. Metodologia. Realizou-se o estudo de 68 amostras de exsudado genital de pacientes atendidos na Delegacia de Saúde de São Domingos que apresentavam corrimento. Pretendeuse analisar algumas variáveis nomeadamente sexo dos pacientes, idade, estado em que se encontram (grávida ou não), Caracterização da flora microbiana mediante a coloração de gram, manifestações clínicas, resultados de cultivo, contagem de células (células epiteliais, leucócitos e eritrócitos). Os resultados foram tabulados utilizando como ferramenta a panilha Exel 2007 e SPSS versão 17.0, sendo, expressos em frequência absoluta e relativa. Fez-se o teste de correlação de Pearson, afim de, determinar a associação entre as diferentes variáveis. Também aplicou-se teste de Qui-quadrado (p> 0,05 ou seja p> 5 %) para saber se a associação entre casos de vulvovaginites com as manifestações clínicas apresentadas pelos pacientes é uma mera coincidência. Os resultados de diferentes tipos de células (células de descamação, leucócitos e eritrócitos) foram expressos em intervalo de confiança 95%. Resultados e Conclusão. Os resultados demostraram que aproximadamente 74% dos amostrados reportaram casos positivos referentes a estudo etiológico, sendo a maioria com idade compreendida entre 21 a 30 com o maior destaque para candidíase vaginal (N= 36; 53%), indo de acordo com estudos feitos em outros países. Em média os pacientes tinham 27 anos. Através desse estudo concluiu-se que a maioria das infecções vaginais diagnosticadas nos pacientes atendidos na delegacia com corrimento genital refere-se a candidíase vaginal, sendo portanto os pacientes em idade fértil as que apresentaram maior número de casos. Portando considera-se pertinente o auxílio laboratorial para o diagnostico das diferentes etiologias.

Operación Eureka XXVIII (12-13 Nov.1973) y la pesca de comprobación (14-17 Nov.1973), Diagnóstico del estado del stock de anchoveta en Noviembre de 1973

Expone la situación general del recurso anchoveta, su condición biológica, distribución, procesos de reagrupación de cardúmenes, accesibilidad para la pesca, su ambiente abiótico y un diagnóstico del estado del stock de la anchoveta.

Assistência de enfermagem aos recém nascidos com cardiopatias congénitas

O estudo do tema “Assistência de enfermagem aos recém-nascidos com cardiopatias congénitas (CC)”, constitui um grande desafio visto tratar-se de um tema ainda pouco explorado na área de enfermagem e sobre tudo em Cabo Verde. A escolha do tema deve-se ao fato de tratar-se de uma patologia que exige um cuidado rigoroso e dai a importância dos enfermeiros possuírem conhecimentos sólidos nessa área, devido a necessidade de prestar cuidados adequados e de perceber e interpretar os sinais que o recém-nascido (RN) demostra, ajudando desse modo num diagnostico precoce, onde através deste se pode oferecer a devida assistência e salvar a vida de um recém-nascido com cardiopatia congénita. Tendo em conta estes pressupostos surge o presente trabalho que tem por objetivo, identificar as principais limitações a assistência de enfermagem aos recém-nascidos com cardiopatia congénita no serviço de neonatologia do Hospital Batista de Sousa (H.B.S.). Para alcançar o objetivo utilizou-se a metodologia qualitativa do tipo exploratório com uma abordagem fenomenológica utilizando como instrumento de recolha de dados a entrevista estruturada que foi aplicado a seis (6) enfermeiras do serviço de neonatologia do H.B.S. Desta pesquisa pode-se constatar-se que o enfermeiro tem uma função fulcral no atendimento e assistência/prestação de cuidados dos RN com CC visto ser o profissional de saúde que está mais próximo, e que esta a maior parte do tempo junto do RN prestando cuidados adequados as suas necessidades. Os enfermeiros também têm grande importância na assistência aos familiares dos RN com CC, dando-lhes as informações adequadas sobre a patologia e capacitando-os a cuidar do RN após a alta hospitalar. Com a análise dos dados colhidos pode-se concluir que o serviço de neonatologia do HBS apresenta muitas limitações no atendimento aos RN com CC, nomeadamente grande défice no que diz respeito aos materiais necessários na assistência desses RN, o número de enfermeiros não é suficiente e bem como o espaço não é adequado para as exigências desse tipo de cuidado.

Trends in the prevalence, risk and pregnancy outcome of multiple births with congenital anomaly: a registry-based study in 14 European countries 1984-2007.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the public health consequences of the rise in multiple births with respect to congenital anomalies. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiological analysis of data from population-based congenital anomaly registries. SETTING: Fourteen European countries. POPULATION: A total of 5.4 million births 1984-2007, of which 3% were multiple births. METHODS: Cases of congenital anomaly included live births, fetal deaths from 20 weeks of gestation and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence rates per 10,000 births and relative risk of congenital anomaly in multiple versus singleton births (1984-2007); proportion prenatally diagnosed, proportion by pregnancy outcome (2000-07). Proportion of pairs where both co-twins were cases. RESULTS: Prevalence of congenital anomalies from multiple births increased from 5.9 (1984-87) to 10.7 per 10,000 births (2004-07). Relative risk of nonchromosomal anomaly in multiple births was 1.35 (95% CI 1.31-1.39), increasing over time, and of chromosomal anomalies was 0.72 (95% CI 0.65-0.80), decreasing over time. In 11.4% of affected twin pairs both babies had congenital anomalies (2000-07). The prenatal diagnosis rate was similar for multiple and singleton pregnancies. Cases from multiple pregnancies were less likely to be terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly, odds ratio 0.41 (95% CI 0.35-0.48) and more likely to be stillbirths and neonatal deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in babies who are both from a multiple pregnancy and affected by a congenital anomaly has implications for prenatal and postnatal service provision. The contribution of assisted reproductive technologies to the increase in risk needs further research. The deficit of chromosomal anomalies among multiple births has relevance for prenatal risk counselling.

Cerebellar cleft: confirmation of the neuroimaging pattern.

We recently described the neuroimaging and clinical findings in 6 children with cerebellar clefts and proposed that they result from disruptive changes following prenatal cerebellar hemorrhage. We now report an additional series of 9 patients analyzing the clinical and neuroimaging findings. The clefts were located in the left cerebellar hemisphere in 5 cases, in the right in 3, and bilaterally in one child who had bilateral cerebellar hemorrhages as a preterm infant at 30 weeks gestation. In one patient born at 24 weeks of gestation a unilateral cerebellar hemorrhage has been found at the age of 4 months. Other findings included disordered alignment of the folia and fissures, an irregular gray/white matter junction, and abnormal arborization of the white matter in all cases. Supratentorial abnormalities were found in 4 cases. All but 2 patients were born at term. We confirm the distinct neuroimaging pattern of cerebellar clefts. Considering the documented fetal cerebellar hemorrhage in our first series, we postulate that cerebellar clefts usually represent residual disruptive changes after a prenatal cerebellar hemorrhage. Exceptionally, as now documented in 2 patients, cerebellar clefts can be found after neonatal cerebellar hemorrhages in preterm infants. The short-term outcome in these children was variable.

Screening for foetal malformations: performance of routine ultrasonography in the population of the Swiss Canton of Vaud.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity of ultrasonography in screening for foetal malformations in the pregnant women of the Swiss Canton of Vaud. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study over a period of five years. METHOD: We focused our study on 512 major or minor clinically relevant malformations detectable by ultrasonography. We analysed the global sensitivity of the screening and compared the performance of the tertiary centre with that of practitioners working in private practice or regional hospitals. RESULTS: Among the 512 malformations, 181 (35%) involved the renal and urinary tract system, 137 (27%) the heart, 71 (14%) the central nervous system, 50 (10%) the digestive system, 42 (8%) the face and 31 (6%) the limbs. Global sensitivity was 54.5%. The lowest detection rate was observed for cardiac anomalies, with only 23% correct diagnoses. The tertiary centre achieved a 75% detection rate in its outpatient clinic and 83% in referred patients. Outside the referral centre, the diagnostic rate attained 47%. CONCLUSIONS: Routine foetal examination by ultrasonography in a low-risk population can detect foetal structural abnormalities. Apart from the diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities, the results in the Canton of Vaud are satisfactory and justify routine screening for malformations in a low-risk population. A prerequisite is continuing improvement in the skills of ultrasonographers through medical education.

Arythmies foetales : extrasystoles et tachycardies supraventriculaires [Fetal arrhythmias: premature atrial contractions and supraventricular tachycardia]

Une arythmie foetale complique 1 à 2% des grossesses et présente dans 10% des cas un risque majeur de morbidité et de mortalité pour le foetus. Les arythmies les plus fréquentes sont les extrasystoles supraventriculaires (ESSV). Elles sont bénignes et se résolvent spontanément mais nécessitent un suivi visant à exclure un passage en tachycardie supraventriculaire (TSV). Les TSV sont plus rares mais sont fréquemment compliquées de décompensation cardiaque et d'anasarque. Heureusement, elles sont traitables in utero par pharmacothérapie. Nous rapportons ici notre expérience entre 2003 et 2005 avec de telles pathologies : parmi les 26 foetus adressés au Centre de cardiologie du CHUV, à Lausanne, et présentant des ESSV et/ou une TSV, aucun n'a souffert de complication sérieuse. Six ont bénéficié d'un traitement par sotalol en raison de TSV. Fetal arrhythmias form a complicating factor in 1-2% of all pregnancies and in 10% of those cases morbidity or even mortality is encountered. The most frequent occurring arrhythmias are premature atrial contractions (PAC). These are usually benign phenomena which resolve spontaneously, but require some follow-up to exclude the development of supraventricular tachycardias (SVT). SVTs are rare but are frequently complicated by fetal congestive heart failure or even fetal death. Timely prenatal pharmacotherapeutic intervention is generally advised to return to an adequate heart rate, preferably sinus rhythm. This study reports on the local experience with these forms of pathologies: of the 26 fetuses encountered with PAC or/and SVT between 2003 and 2005, none experienced serious complications, while 6 required pharmacotherapeutic intervention with sotalol.

Diagnostic value of MRI for the detection of suspected placental invasion: Does it depend on observers' experience?

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic value of specific MR features for detection of suspected placental invasion according to observers' experience.Methods and Materials: Our study population included 25 pregnant women (mean age 35.16) investigated by prenatal MRI. In twelve out of them placental invasion was histopathologically proven, the 13 other women (52%) without placental invasion served as control group. Multiplanar T1- and T2-weighted sequences had been performed mostly without IV contrast injection (1.5 T). MR examinations of the two groups were rendered anonymous, mixed, then independently and retrospectively reviewed by two senior and two junior radiologists in view of 8 MR features indicating placentar invasion including the degree. Results were compared with surgical diagnosis (placenta normal/increta/accreta/percreta). Interobserver agrement between senior and junior readers were calculated. Stepwise logistic regression and receiver operating (ROC) curvers were performed.Results: Demographics between the two groups were not statistically different. Overall sensitivity and specificity for detecting placentar invasion was 90.9% and 75.0% for senior readers, and 81.8% and 61.8% for junior readers respectively. The most significant MR features indicating placentar invasion were T2 hypointense placental bands, followed by placenta praevia, focally interrupted myometrial border, posterior placental insertion, and heterogeneous placental signal. For each of the evaluated MR features the interobserver agreement kappa between the two senior readers was superior than that between the junior readers, ranging from bad (<0.4) to good (0.4-0.75).Conclusions: MRI can be a reliable and reproducible tool for detection of suspected placentar invasion, however very variable according to the observers' experience.

Physical activity and pregnancy: cardiovascular adaptations, recommendations and pregnancy outcomes.

Regular physical activity is associated with improved physiological, metabolic and psychological parameters, and with reduced risk of morbidity and mortality. Current recommendations aimed at improving the health and well-being of nonpregnant subjects advise that an accumulation of > or =30 minutes of moderate physical activity should occur on most, if not all, days of the week. Regardless of the specific physiological changes induced by pregnancy, which are primarily developed to meet the increased metabolic demands of mother and fetus, pregnant women benefit from regular physical activity the same way as nonpregnant subjects. Changes in submaximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)) during pregnancy depend on the type of exercise performed. During maternal rest or submaximal weight-bearing exercise (e.g. walking, stepping, treadmill exercise), absolute maternal VO(2) is significantly increased compared with the nonpregnant state. The magnitude of change is approximately proportional to maternal weight gain. When pregnant women perform submaximal weight-supported exercise on land (e.g. level cycling), the findings are contradictory. Some studies reported significantly increased absolute VO(2), while many others reported unchanged or only slightly increased absolute VO(2) compared with the nonpregnant state. The latter findings may be explained by the fact that the metabolic demand of cycle exercise is largely independent of the maternal body mass, resulting in no absolute VO(2) alteration. Few studies that directly measured changes in maternal maximal VO(2) (VO(2max)) showed no difference in the absolute VO(2max) between pregnant and nonpregnant subjects in cycling, swimming or weight-bearing exercise. Efficiency of work during exercise appears to be unchanged during pregnancy in non-weight-bearing exercise. During weight-bearing exercise, the work efficiency was shown to be improved in athletic women who continue exercising and those who stop exercising during pregnancy. When adjusted for weight gain, the increased efficiency is maintained throughout the pregnancy, with the improvement being greater in exercising women. Regular physical activity has been proven to result in marked benefits for mother and fetus. Maternal benefits include improved cardiovascular function, limited pregnancy weight gain, decreased musculoskeletal discomfort, reduced incidence of muscle cramps and lower limb oedema, mood stability, attenuation of gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational hypertension. Fetal benefits include decreased fat mass, improved stress tolerance, and advanced neurobehavioural maturation. In addition, few studies that have directly examined the effects of physical activity on labour and delivery indicate that, for women with normal pregnancies, physical activity is accompanied with shorter labour and decreased incidence of operative delivery. However, a substantial proportion of women stop exercising after they discover they are pregnant, and only few begin participating in exercise activities during pregnancy. The adoption or continuation of a sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy may contribute to the development of certain disorders such as hypertension, maternal and childhood obesity, gestational diabetes, dyspnoea, and pre-eclampsia. In view of the global epidemic of sedentary behaviour and obesity-related pathology, prenatal physical activity was shown to be useful for the prevention and treatment of these conditions. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm the association between physical activity and outcomes of labour and delivery.