A Case Report - Perinatal Journal
Transcription
A Case Report - Perinatal Journal
19 93 ISSN 1300-5251 PERINATAL JOURNAL Volume 14 / Issue 1 / 2006 The Official Publication of Turkish Perinatology Society On behalf of the Turkish Perinatology Society: Murat Yayla Managing Editor: Cihat fien www.perinataljournal.com Editor-in-Chief Cihat fien Associate Editors Murat Yayla Advisory Board Arif Akflit Figen Aksoy Tayfun Alper Hediye Arslan Sebahat Atar Gürel Tahsin Ayano¤lu Nazif Ba¤r›aç›k Gökhan Bayhan Yeflim Baytur Tugan Befle Faruk Buyru Fatma Nur Çakmak Ebru Çelik Nur Daniflmend Fuat Demirk›ran Özgür Deren Melahat Dönmez Semih Özeren Y›ld›z Perk Haluk Sayman Yunus Söylet Mekin Sezik Turgay fiener Cüneyt Taner Zeki Taner Mete Tan›r Alper Tanr›verdi Ayd›n Tekay Baflar Tekin Neslihan Tekin Beyhan Tüysüz Ahmet Yal›nkaya Murat Yurdakök Yakup Erata Ali Ergün Kubilay Ertan Eflatun Gökflin Bilgin Güratefl Melih Güven Ümit S. ‹nceboz Ayfle Kafkasl› Ömer Kandemir Hakan Kan›t Ömer K›lavuz Nilgün Kültürsay Arda Lembet Ercüment Müngen Engin Oral Lütfü Öndero¤lu Soner Öner Published three times a year • Publication local periodical Correspondence: Rumeli Caddesi 47/606, Niflantafl› 34371 ‹stanbul Phone: (0212) 224 68 49 • Fax: (0212) 296 01 50 e-mail: [email protected] www.perinataljournal.com Deomed Publishing • Ac›badem Cad. ‹smail Hakk› Bey Sok. 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New York: Springer; 1990. p. 112-9. — Chapter in a book: Sibai BM, Frangieh AY. Eclampsia. In: Gleicher N, editors. Principles and practice of medical therapy in pregnancy. 3rd ed. New York: Appleton&Lange; 1998. p. 1022-7. Figures and tables All illustrations (photographs, graphics, and drawings) accompanying the manuscript should be referred to as “figure”. All figures should be numbered consecutively and mentioned in the text. Figure legends should be added at the end of the text as a separate section. Each figure should be prepared as a separate digital file in “jpeg” format, with a minimum 300 dpi or better resolution. All illustrations should be original. Illustrations published elsewhere should be submitted with the written permission of the original copyright holder. 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Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Statement (if necessary) Perinatal Journal Volume 14 / Issue 1 / 2006 Contents Research Articles Case Reports Perinatal Outcome of Pregnancy on Over Age 40 Ali Gedikbafl›, Alpaslan Akyol, Varujan Ma¤ar, Cemal Ark, Yavuz Ceylan 1 Evaluation of the Prenatal Care Usage of Mothers Giving Birth at the Ministry of Health, Ankara Etlik Training and Research Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology Emine Dibek M›s›rl›o¤lu, Didem Aliefendio¤lu, Kibriya Fidan, Fatma Nur Çakmak, Ali Haberal 7 The Correlation of Thyroid Hormone Levels and Gestasional Weeks in Amniotic Fluid at Second Trimester Ahmet Kale, Nurten Akdeniz, Ebru Kale, Ahmet Yal›nkaya, Murat Yayla 14 Second Trimester Termination of Pregnancy: Comparing Intracervical Prostaglandin E2 (Dinoprostone) to Intravaginal Misoprostol Özgür Dündar, Ercüment Müngen, Levent Tütüncü, Murat Muhcu, Serkan Bodur, Yusuf Z. Yergök 19 The effect of sex on fetal ultrasound measurements: is it necessary sex-spesific nomograms? Yeflim Bülbül Baytur, Hasan Y›ld›z, Ali Özler, Ümit Sungurtekin ‹nceboz, Hüsnü Ça¤lar 26 Investigation of Folic Acid, Vitamin B12,Vitamin B6 and Homocysteine Levels in Preeclamptic Pregnancies Ahmet Kale, Ebru Kale, Nurten Akdeniz, Mahmut Erdemo¤lu, Ahmet Yal›nkaya, Murat Yayla 31 A Case of Non-Immun Hydrops Fetalis Due to Placental Chorioangioma Ener Ça¤r› Dinleyici, Neslihan Tekin, Mehmet Arif Akflit, Emine Dündar 37 Congenital large oropharyngeal immature teratoma Figen K›r fiahin, Gülengül Nadir Köken, Serhan Çevrio¤lu, Önder fiahin, Arif Saylan 40 Abruption placenta in adult Still’s disease with onset during pregnancy: A case report Cem Dane, Murat Yayla, Banu Dane, Ahmet Çetin 45 Prenatal diagnosis of osteogenes›s imperfecta: a case report ‹ncim Bezircio¤lu, Merve Biçer, Dilek Uysal, Seyran Yi¤it, Ali Balo¤lu 49 Cervical pregnancy: a case report Cüneyt Eftal Taner, Tolga M›zrak, Semih Mun, ‹rem fienyuva, Yi¤it Özgenç, Fatma Alt›ntaflo¤lu Çelimli 55 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 1 Perinatal Outcome of Pregnancy on Over Age 40 Ali Gedikbafl›, Alpaslan Akyol, Varujan Ma¤ar, Cemal Ark, Yavuz Ceylan Clinics of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ministery of Health Bak›rköy Training and Research Hospital for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, ‹stanbul Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the gestational data and complications of pregnant women above 40 years old. Methods: 337 pregnancies above 40 years were compared with 266 healthy pregnancies as control in our hospital in 2004. Gestational complications as chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, intrauterine fetal death, APGAR scores, incidence of premature birth, type of birth and birth weights, perinatal morbidity and the need of neonatal care unit of each group was compared. Results: Pregnancies above 40 years constituted % 1.6 of all pregnancies in 2004. Chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, intrauterine fetal death, APGAR scores below 7 on the 5th minute, incidence of premature birth, ceserean sectio and postnatal need of neonatal care unit was statistically higher in pregnancies above 40 years. Birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation was not significantly different between groups. Conclusion: Maternal and fetal complications occur in pregnancies above 40 years. We found similar rates about perinatal mortalite, intrauterine fetal death, neonatal death, preterm birth rate, low birth weight, preeclampsia and gestational hypertansion data for 40 years and older pregnant women as in the literature. More studies should be performed about antenatal and perinatal problems in older women and more guidelines should be developed about perinatal care. Keywords: Pregnancy beyond 40 years, gestational complications. 40 yafl üstü gebeliklerin perinatal sonuçlar› Amaç: Çal›flman›n amac› 40 yafl üstü gebelerin verilerini ve do¤um sonuçlar›n› de¤erlendirmektir. Yöntem: 2004 y›l›nda hastanemizde gerçeklefltirilen do¤umlar›n 337’si 40 yafl ve üstündeki gebelere ait olup, veriler preeklamp- si, süre¤en yüksek kan bas›nc›, rahim içi geliflme gerili¤i, rahim içi fetal ölüm, perinatal hastal›k ve yenido¤an yo¤un bak›m gereklili¤i, APGAR skorlar›, erken eylem ve do¤um, do¤um flekilleri ve tart›lar› aç›s›ndan incelenmifltir; elde edilen veriler, 40 yafl alt›nda rast gele seçilmifl 266 gebenin oluflturdu¤u kontrol grubunun bulgular› ile karfl›laflt›r›lm›flt›r. Bulgular: 40 yafl üstündeki do¤umlar tüm do¤umlar›m›z›n %1,6’s›n› oluflturmaktad›r. ‹leri yafl gebeliklerde süre¤en yüksek kan bas›nc›, preeklampsi, erken eylem ve do¤um, rahim içi fetal ölüm, sezaryen ile do¤um, beflinci dakika APGAR skorunun 7 ve alt›nda olmas› ve yenido¤an yo¤un bak›m gereklili¤i genç yafl grubuna göre istatistiksel olarak daha s›k gözlendi. Do¤um a¤›rl›¤› ve rahim içi geliflme gerili¤i aç›s›ndan istatistiksel olarak anlaml› fark bulunamad›. Sonuç: Tüm parametreler dikkate al›nd›¤›nda, 40 yafl üstü gebeliklerin %25’ inde anne veya fetal sorun geliflmifltir. Literatürdeki verilerle uyumlu olarak, 40 yafl ve üstündeki gebeliklerde perinatal ölüm, rahim içi fetal ölüm, yenido¤an ölümü, erken do¤um oran›, düflük do¤um a¤›rl›¤›, preeklampsi, gestasyonel yüksek kan bas›nc› daha s›k gözlendi. ‹leri yafl gebeliklerde sorunlar ve perinatal sonuçlar ile ilgili daha fazla çal›flma yap›lmal›, izlem protokolleri oluflturulmal›d›r. Anahtar Sözcükler: 40 yafl üstü gebelik, gebelik sorunlar›. Correspondence: Dr. Alpaslan Akyol, Sa¤l›k Bakanl›¤› Bak›rköy Kad›n Do¤um ve Çocuk Hastal›klar› E.A Hastanesi, Kad›n Hastal›klar› ve Do¤um Klini¤i, ‹stanbul e-mail: [email protected] 2 Gedikbafl› A et al., Perinatal Outcome of Pregnancy on Over Age 40 Introduction Recently it has been shown and highlighted that the neonatal morbidity and mortality rate of pregnant women at advanced age is similar to that of young population by a good prenatal monitoring and care.1 There are several studies about the impact of maternal age as a factor in pregnancy. Although recent studies are mainly concerned about the pregnancies over 35 years of age, there are several others, taking 40 and 45 ages as a threshold value.2,3,4 Today many women, particularly the ones in developed countries, delay childbearing beyond their 40 age due to social, economic and educational motives, which continue to become increasingly common in our daily life.5 Childbearing women over the age of 35 are defined with “advanced maternal age”2 while some other researchers define pregnancies over the age of 40 as “very advanced maternal age”.6 This group includes infertile cases treated by the infertility methods developed, specifically nulliparous cases.7,8 The age-related medical complications and chronic disorders are much higher in this group of pregnancies, which comprises the highest risk group. It has been reported that chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, low neonatal birth weight, malpresentation, premature delivery and fetal chromosome anomalies are higher in pregnancies at advanced maternal age.9,10 It has been also reported that prolonged labor, perinatal disease and death and cesarean section were more frequent in older pregnant women.9,10 However, there are some studies suggesting that there is no such a difference between old and young pregnant women in terms of perinatal outcomes.11,12 Methods A total of 344 pregnant women aged 40 years or over, who delivered in 2004 (between 01.01.2004 and 31.12.2004) at the Bak›rköy Training and Research Hospital for gynecology Obstetrics and Pediatrics affiliated with the T.R. Ministry of Health, was evaluated. Out of more than 20.000 deliveries in our hospital within this period, 267 cases under the age of 40 were randomized by their pregnancy monitoring findings, and included in the study as a control group. Miscarriages prior to the gestational week 24 and lower than 500 grams were excluded. Also excluded are multiple pregnancies after assisted reproductive technologies or natural reproduction. Perinatal mortality and morbidity rates related with complications during pregnancy and delivery, APGAR indexes, early labor (detection of pain or cervical aperture during examination), early delivery, presence of chronic hypertension, presence of preeclampsia and eclampsia were evaluated in 344 pregnant women in the study group in terms of gestational week at delivery, mode of delivery and birth weight. Data were assessed by comparison with the control group. A Kolmogroff-Smirnoff test was used to determine the normal distribution of data for statistical evaluation. Student’s t test was used to determine the differences between normally distributed data while chi-square (X2) and Mann-Whitney-U Test methods were used for determination of the differences between others. For statistical analysis, p<0.05 was considered significant. Results The mean age of our patients was 41 years (minimum 40, maximum 48) in the study group and 25 years (minimum 17, maximum 39) in the control group. Number of pregnancies (4,4 ± 2,4 vs. 2,0 ± 1,0; p=0,000) and number of deliveries (2,4 ± 1,8 vs. 0,7 ± 0,8; p=0,000) were higher in the study group, where the difference was statistically significant (Table 1). Table 1. Descriptive analysis of the group. Demographical data < 40 years (n: 267) Mean ± Std. deviation ≥ 40 years (n: 344) Mean ± Std. deviation p Age Number of pregnancy Number of delivery Number of living child Miscarriage 25,5 ± 4,7 2,0 ± 1,0 0,7 ± 0,8 0,7 ± 0,7 0,2 ± 0,5 41,1 ± 1,5 4,4 ± 2,4 2,4 ± 1,8 2,2 ± 1,6 0,8 ± 1,2 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 3 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 Preeclampsia was significantly higher in pregnant women over 40 years of age compared to the control group (9.3% n=32; 1.5% n=4, p=0.000) (Table 2). Similarly, chronic hypertension was also more frequent in the pregnant women at advanced age than in the younger women (2.5% n=43; 0.4% n=1, p=0.000) (Table 2). Table 2. Age-related complications of pregnancy and delivery during gestation. Preeclampsia and eclampsia Chronic hypertension› Intrauterine growth retardation Intrauterine fetal death Early labor Early delivery < 40 years (n: 267) (%) ≥ 40 years (n: 344) (%) p 4 (%1,5) 1 (%0,4) 14 (%5,2) 1 (%0,4) 3 (%1,1) 2 (%0,7) 32 (%9,3) 43 (%12,5) 23 (%6,7) 12 (%3,5 22 (%6,4) 29 (%8,4) 0,000 0,000 0,458 0,008 0,001 0,000 No statistically difference was found between two groups in intrauterine growth retardation (6.7% n=23; 5.2% n=14; p=0.458) (Table 2). Intrauterine fetal death was higher in pregnant women at advanced age, and the difference was statistically significant (0.4% n=1; 3.5% n=12, p=0.008) (Table 2). Preterm labor was higher in the study group than in the control group (6.4% n=22; 1.1% n=3; p=0.001) (Table 2). Based on this, preterm delivery was also higher in pregnancies at advanced age (8.4% n=29; 0.7% n=2; p=0.000) (Table 2). At advanced maternal ages, the preferred mode of delivery was mainly cesarean section. Delivery by cesarean section was significantly higher in study group compared to control group (44.8% n=154; 30.2% n=81; p=0.000) (Table 3). Motives and frequencies for cesarean section are shown at Table 4. Table 3. Distribution of mode of delivery by age groups Mode of delivery < 40 years (n:267) (grup içi oran %) ≥ 40 years (n:344) (grup içi oran %) Normal vaginal delivery 186 (%69.7) 190 (%55.2) C/S abdominals 81 (%30.3) 154 (%44.8) p 0.001 Table 4. Distribution of cesarean indications by age. Indication Malpresentation Fetal distress Abnormal labor progress Macrosomic baby (>4500gr) Ablatio placenta Placenta previa Previous cesarean and elective Primary infertility Old nulliparous Discrepancy between fetal head and maternal pelvis < 40 years (n) ≥ 40 years (n) 3 16 6 7 0 0 39 0 0 10 10 20 4 6 4 5 66 8 25 6 Table 5. Neonatal data. Demographic Characteristics < 40 years (n: 267) ≥ 40 years (n: 344) p Delivery week› Birth weight (gr) 40 hafta 3300 gr 39 hafta 3310 gr 0,000 0,492 Need for neonatal intensive care (rate in age group %) 16 (%6,0) 38 (%11,0) 0,029 Five-minute APGAR <7 (rate in age group %) 1 (%0.4) 14 (%4.2) 0,003 The gestational week at delivery was significantly lower in the study group (39 weeks in study group; minimum 24, maximum 42 weeks; 40 weeks in control group, minimum 32, maximum 42 weeks; p=0.000) (Table 5). No difference was found between the groups in birth weight (mean 3310 gr in study group, minimum 520 gr, maximum 5050 gr; mean 3300 gr in control group, minimum 1800, maximum 4570 gr, p=0.492) (Table 5). The five-minute APGAR scores were examined in order to evaluate the perinatal status of the neonate, and seven and six were the accepted threshold values. Based on this, lower APGAR values were higher at advanced maternal age (4.2% n=14; 0.4% n=1; p=0.003) (Table 5). Postpartum intensive care need and neonatal illnesses were higher in the group of advanced maternal age (11% n=38; 6% n=16, p=0.029) (Table 5). The statistical analyses carried out after combining all gestational data related with maternal, perinatal and fetal complications showed that frequency of complications was higher in the study group than in the control group (24,7% n=85; 9,4% n=25; p=0,000) (Figure 1). 4 Gedikbafl› A et al., Perinatal Outcome of Pregnancy on Over Age 40 p=0.000 olarak bulundu 100 9 25 90 91 80 75 70 60 50 40 30 20 Var % 10 Yok 0 < 40 >= 40 Yafl grubu Figure 1. Overall gestational complications by the age group. Discussion We have chosen to study a patient population over 40 years of age as pregnancies beyond 40 years are increasing in frequency although there are several studies on pregnancies over 35 years. The trend of conceiving at an older age increases to continue, where the main underlying factors are socioeconomic status and developing infertility techniques. The rate of initial pregnancies between 30 and 44 years of age has been doubled since 1987 compared to the data in 1970 and 1979, which makes the overall rate of pregnancies at older age accounting for 16% of all pregnancies.13 Consistent with the literature, the majority of our cases was from the infertility group. Twenty-five of our cases (7.26%) were initial pregnancies aged over 40 years, and 18 of them were conceived with assisted reproductive technologies. The rate of pregnant women who delivered over 40 years of age was 1.67% in our group (337 of 20108 deliveries in 2004), which is consistent with the foreign literature.13 Göl et al found a pregnancy rate of 4.85% for pregnancies over 40 years of age.14 The diagnosis for preeclampsia was significantly higher in pregnant women aged over 40 years compared to the control group in our study. It is shown in the literature that preeclampsia peaked at second trimester in early advanced ages.15 Although the etiology of preeclampsia is not known in detail, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish an existing hypertension from a pregnancyinduced hypertension. Therefore, frequency of preeclampsia was not found increased in older pregnant women in some studies.16 Chronic hypertension was also found higher in older pregnant women, and a study by Gilbert reports that the chronic hypertension was five fold in nulliparous older women while it was eight fold in multiparous women.17 However, some studies suggest that the increased perinatal death in older pregnant women, and increased perinatal death and intrauterine fetal death can not be explained by the concomitant hypertension and pregnancy complications.10,12 Consistent with the literature, there was no difference between the groups in the intrauterine growth retardation. In a study by Abel et al18 low 5 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 birth rates were assessed rather than the growth, including the teenage pregnant women, and it has been reported that the neonatal birth weights were lower in pregnant women at early ages and advanced ages. bution of concerns by physicians and patients into the increasing number of operations is not known. Relative causes like “advanced maternal age-first pregnancy, precious pregnancy” increase the trend to operate.17 Intrauterine fetal death was higher in our study in consistency with the literature, and chromosomal and structural anomalies in the advanced ages are held responsible for the increased intrauterine death.17,19 As the maternal age increases, intrauterine loss is increased 2- fold in the pregnant women aged 30 years and over, and 3-4 fold in the ones aged 40 years and over.20 In the Gilbert study17 it has been indicated that neonatal complications were increased in older women, and rate of birth asphyxia, fetal growth retardation and intraventricular bleeding was higher. Similarly, we have found that the 5-minute APGAR scores were lower in pregnant women at advanced age, and the neonates of this group required neonatal intensive care more frequently, which can be considered secondary to the early deliveries caused by preeclampsia, being more common in this group of patients and other complications. Our data on early labor were consistent with the literature in pregnant women aged 40 years and over.17 Based on this, hospitalization and requirement for tocolytic treatment were more common in these women compared to the control group. Similarly, it was observed that pregnant women at advanced age delivered their babies one week before than the control group (mean gestational week; 39 in the study group vs. 30 in the control group). However, stimulation by oxytocin and particularly elective termination of pregnancy by cesarean delivery on request of the older women due to concerns about the delivery played an important role in this outcome.17 Delivery by cesarean section was higher in the pregnant women aged over 40 years.21 Among the most common causes are elective operation on request, previous history of cesarean operation, fetal distress and fetal head and maternal pelvis discrepancy. The most common cause was request for elective cesarean operation in nulliparous women while it was previous history of cesarean delivery in multiparous women. The rate of cesarean delivery was 44.8% in pregnant women aged 40 years and over, and 30.2% in the control group. Probably, one of the major motives is that in our hospital we offer cesarean section as an option for mode of delivery in nulliparous women aged over 40 years. In US, for women aged over 40 and 45 years, the rate of cesarean delivery was 22.3% and 31.7% respectively,22 and Göl et al14 listed malpresentation, abnormal labor progress and previous delivery by cesarean section as the most common causes in women aged over 40 years. The contri- Perinatal and postpartum complications were more frequent in women aged over 40 years in our study. In this group, chronic hypertension and preeclampsia, intrauterine fetal loss, early membrane rupture, early labor and early delivery were higher. Rate of cesarean delivery and need for neonatal intensive care was higher in women aged over 40 years, particularly together with early delivery. When all data about maternal, perinatal and fetal complications were combined and evaluated, we found that overall incidence of complications was higher in the study group aged over 40 years, and any maternal, perinatal or fetal complication was potential at a mean rate of 25% in such pregnancies. Therefore, pregnant women aged over 40 years should be informed of potential complications, and they should be monitored more frequently and attentively. References 1. Bianco A, Stone J, Lynch L, Lapinski R, Berkowitz G,Berkowitz RL. Pregnancy outcome at age 40 and older. Obstet Gynecol 1996; 87: 917-22. 2. Dildy GA, Jackson GM, Fowers GK, Oshiro BT, Varner MW, Clark SL. Very advanced maternal age: pregnancy after age 45. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996; 175: 668-74. 3. Hansen JP. Older maternal age and pregnancy outcome: a review of the literature. Obstet Gynecol Surv 1986; 41: 72642. 4. Adams MM, Oakley GP Jr, Marks JS. Maternal age and births in the 1980s. JAMA 1982 Jan 22-29; 247(4): 493-4. 5. Ziadeh S, Yahaya A. Pregnancy outcome at age 40 and older. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2001; 265: 30-3. 6 6. 7. 8. 9. Gedikbafl› A et al., Perinatal Outcome of Pregnancy on Over Age 40 Annual vital statistics, Part 4. O¨rebro, Sweden: Statistics Sweden; 2002. Sauer MV, Paulson RJ, Lobo RA. Pregnancy after age 50: application of oocyte donation to women after natural menopause. Lancet 1993; 341: 321-3 Sauer MV, Paulson RJ, Lobo RA. Pregnancy in women 50 or more years of age: outcomes of 22 consecutively established pregnancies from oocyte donation. Fertil Steril 1995; 64: 11-5 Lagrew DC Jr, Morgan MA, Nakamoto K, Lagrew N. Advanced maternal age: perinatal outcome when controlling for physician selection. J Perinatol 1996; 16: 256-60. 10. Windridge KC , Berryman JC (1999) Women’s experiences of giving birth after 35. Birth 26: 16-25. 11. Berkowitz GS, Skovron ML, Lapinski RH, Berkowitz RL. Delayed childbearing and the outcome of pregnancy.N England Journal of Medicine 1990; 322: 659-64. 12. Forman MR, Meirik O, Berendes HW, (1984). Delayed childbearing in Sweden. JAMA 252: 3135-9. 13. Center of Disease Control. Postponed childbearing-United States, 1970-1987. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1989; 38: 810-2. 14. Göl M, Ayd›n C, Guven CM, Yensel U, Karc› L, Baloglu A. Pregnancy outcome in women aged 40 or over. Gynecol Obstet Reprod Med 2003; 9: 176-9. 15. Bo Jacobsson, MD, PhD, Lars Ladfors, MD, PhD, and Ian Milsom, MD, PhD Advanced Maternal Age and Adverse Perinatal Outcome: Obstet Gynecol 2004; 104: 727–33 16. Beydoun, Hind MPH; Itani, Mohammad MBChB; Tamim, Hala PhD; Aaraj, Alia MD; Khogali, Mustafa MD; Yunis, Khalid MD; The National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network (NCPNN) Impact of Maternal Age on Preterm Delivery and Low Birthweight: A Hospital-Based Collaborative Study of Nulliparous Lebanese Women in Greater Beirut. Journal of Perinatology 2004; 24(4): 228-35. 17. Gilbert WM, Nesbitt TS, Danielsen B. Childbearing beyond age 40: pregnancy outcome in 24,032 cases. Obstet Gynecol 1999; 93: 9-14. 18. Abel EL, Kruger M, Burd L. Effects of maternal and paternal age on Caucasian and Native American preterm births and birth weights. Am J Perinatol 2002; 19(1): 49-54. 19. Muhieddine A.-F. Seoud, M.D., Anwar H. Nassar, M.D., Ihab M. Usta, M.D.,Ziad Melhem, M.D., Alia Kazma, M.S., and Ali M. Khalil, M.D. Impact of Advanced Maternal Age on Pregnancy Outcome American Journal of Perinatology, Volume 19, Number 1, 2002. 2002; 19: 01-8. 20. Cnattingius S, Forman MR, Berendes HW, Isotalo L.Delayed childbearing and risk of adverse perinatal outcome:a population-based study. JAMA 1992; 268: 886-90. 21. Dulitzki M, Soriano D, Schiff E, Chetrit A, Mashiach S,Seidman DS. Effect of very advanced maternal age on pregnancy outcome and rate of cesarean delivery. Obstet Gynecol 1998; 92: 935-9. 22. Ventura SJ, Martin JA, Taffel SM, Matthew TJ, Clarke SC. Advance report of final natality statistics, 1992. Hyattsville (MD): National Center for Health Statistics, 1994. Monthly Vital Statistics Report, Vol.43, no: 5 (Suppl) Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 7 Evaluation of the Prenatal Care Usage of Mothers Giving Birth at the Ministry of Health, Ankara Etlik Training and Research Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology Emine Dibek M›s›rl›o¤lu1, Didem Aliefendio¤lu1, Kibriya Fidan2, Fatma Nur Çakmak3, Ali Haberal2 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, K›r›kkale University, Ankara Ministry of Health Ankara Etlik Training and Research Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara 3Ministry of Health Ankara D›flkap› Training and Research Hospital for Pediatrics, Ankara 2 Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prenatal care usage of mothers giving birth at the Ministry of Health, Ankara Etlik Training and Research Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the influencing factors and the mother’s knowledge level regarding breastfeeding. Methods: All mothers giving birth during a 3-month period (n=502) were included in this sectional study. The responses provided to a questionnaire were evaluated with chi-square and t-tests for statistical analysis. Results: The percentage living in the city center or towns was 96.4% and 53.9% were primary school graduates with 87.1% not working. The rate of consanguineous marriage was 16.3% and this rate was higher in the group of mothers who were primary school graduates or illiterate than high school graduates (p<0.05). The number of pregnancies, births and living children was higher in the group with consanguineous marriages (p<0.05). When monitoring during the final pregnancy was checked, 95.6% had gone to a physician for a check-up at least once with 53.8% going for 6 or more follow-ups. The mother’s breastfeeding knowledge was also evaluated and 95.8 % knew that breastfeeding should start after birth. Conclusion: In conclusion, it is encouraging that a high percentage of mothers have gone for follow-ups at a health institution at least once during pregnancy. Because only half had an adequate number of follow-ups more emphasis on prenatal care is still needed. The high rate of birth and low educational level in the consanguineous marriage group indicates more should be done for training these women. Keywords: Prenatal care, consanguineous marriage, breast milk. Sa¤l›k Bakanl›¤› Ankara Etlik Do¤umevi ve Kad›n Hastal›klar› E¤itim ve Araflt›rma Hastanesinde do¤um yapan annelerin antenatal bak›m hizmetlerinden yararlanma durumunun de¤erlendirilmesi Amaç: Bu araflt›rma, Sa¤l›k Bakanl›¤› Ankara Etlik Do¤umevi ve Kad›n Hastal›klar› E¤itim ve Araflt›rma Hastanesinde do¤um yapan annelerin do¤um öncesi bak›m hizmetlerinden yararlanma durumlar›, bunu etkileyen faktörler ve anne sütü ile beslenme konusundaki bilgilerinin belirlenmesi amac›yla yap›lm›flt›r. Yöntem: Kesitsel nitelikteki bu çal›flmada, üç ayl›k süre içersinde do¤um yapan tüm anneler (n=502) çal›flmaya al›nm›flt›r. Annelerin anket formundaki sorulara verdikleri yan›tlar de¤erlendirmeye al›narak istatistiksel de¤erlendirmede ki-kare ve student’s t-testi kullan›lm›flt›r. Bulgular: Annelerin % 96.4’ü il merkezi ve ilçelerde yaflamakta olup % 53.9’u ilkokul mezunu ve % 87.1’i çal›flmamaktayd›. Akraba evlili¤i oran› % 16.3 olarak bulundu ve okur yazar olmayan veya 8 y›l alt›nda e¤itim alan annelerin akraba evlili¤i oran›, 8 y›l ve üzerinde e¤itim alanlara göre daha fazla idi (p<0.05). Ayr›ca, akraba evlili¤i olan annelerin grubunda gebelik say›s›, do¤um say›s› ve yaflayan çocuk say›s› daha fazlayd› (p<0.05). Son gebelik s›ras›ndaki izlemlerine bak›ld›¤›nda; % 95.6’s› kontrol amac›yla en az bir kez doktora baflvururken, 6 veya üstünde izlemi olanlar›n oran› % 53.8 idi. Annelerin bebek beslenmesi konusundaki bilgileri de¤erlendirildi¤inde; % 95.8’i do¤umdan hemen sonra süt vermeye bafllanmas› gerekti¤ini biliyordu. Sonuç: Annelerin gebelik s›ras›nda en az bir kez de olsa sa¤l›k kurulufluna baflvurma oran›n›n yüksek olmas› dikkat çekicidir. Ancak sadece yar›s›n›n yeterli say›da izleminin olmas›; do¤um öncesi izlemin sürdürülmesi için daha çok çaba gösterilmesi gerekti¤ini düflündürmektedir. Ayr›ca, akraba evlili¤i olan grupta do¤urganl›k oran›n›n yüksekli¤i ve e¤itim düzeyinin düflüklü¤ü bu grupta, e¤itimle ilgili daha çok çal›flma yap›lmas› gerekti¤ini de düflündürmektedir. Anahtar Sözcükler: Do¤um öncesi bak›m, akraba evlili¤i, anne sütü. Correspondence: Dr. Emine Dibek M›s›rl›o¤lu, K›r›kkale Üniversitesi T›p Fakültesi, Pediatri, K›r›kkale, Türkiye e-mail: [email protected] 8 Dibek M›s›rl›o¤lu E vet al., Evaluation of the Prenatal Care Usage of Mothers Introduction Raising healthy generations is possible by only benefiting enough from healthcare services and that is related to becoming conscious of the community about health. Because the healthcare services’ effectiveness is appreciated by the employability of the services that are offered, at first it is necessary that the healthcare services must be employable for everybody. Existence of the healthcare services and the incidence of usage are decisive in determining the level and the quality of maternity&children welfare services in community.1 As the indexes of maternity&children welfare in a country reflect the maternity&children welfare level in the community, they also reflect the country’s environmental conditions and the development status very well. That’s why the indexes of maternity&children welfare show parallelism with the development status of the countries. Being able to speak of communities’ real economic and social developments and composing a healthy society, health problems of the mothers and the children who are the most effected by the risk factors shall be taken in hand firstly and be healed.1,2 Because the health situations are not in the desired levels, as many developing countries, maternity&children welfare form one of the important and indispensable subjects of general health problems in our country too.” Mother death rate” which is one of the data in reflecting this level, changes from country to country and our country with the rate of 46.7 in one hundred, gets very behind about maternity&children welfare services. The first three reasons of mother deaths; bleedings (30.3%), pregnancy and puerperium toxemias (15.5%) and infections (9.6%) are among the preventable causes by the well-qualified follow-up of the pregnants in prenatal and postnatal periods.3,4 Antenatal care (ANC) in the first trimester and continuing with regular periods until the last of pregnancy, appreciating the mother and the fetus’ health situations and abrogating the health problems, reduces perinatal, maternal mortality and morbidity. Also with screening tests in the predefined terms, possible pregnancy complications can be determined and can take precautions. Thereby it is provided for mother passing a healthy pregnancy period and having a healthy baby. The babies who are delivered following a healthy pregnancy period and taking care in optimal conditions during the delivery are the basis of the community.5 Social structure of the community, the social values relating to found a family which is the smallest unit in community also concern society health closely. For example, when a family is founded, choosing the partner from the same blood relation shipped indivuals, that means inbreeding (consanguineus marriage) is still occurs as an important problem in our country. Consanguineus marriage, increases the incidence of especially the genetic diseases in community and therefore it has to be appreciated as an important factor which effects the society health.6 As a conclusion of these realities, at Ankara’s province center, in the hospital which the deliveries in Ankara are given by second frequently, this research has planned and applied in the purpose of following-up the mothers’ situation of using prenatal care cervices, the factors which effect that, relative marriage incidence and the effect on taking ANC and also discover their information about breastmilk. Methods In this cross-sectional qualified research, 502 mothers who have given birth in The Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology since last three months period are included. Questions figured in the predefined polls were asked to these mothers just after births and they were wanted to answer these questions with the face to face questionnaire technic. The questionnaire sample is at the end of this article. By the questions in this poll, mothers’ sociodemographic data, obstetric information and their knowledge about breastmilk are evaluated and beside their situation of benefiting from healthcare services related to their last pregnancy, by examining our hospital’s files, information about their follow-up is gathered. While analyzing the data, SPSS 10.0 package software has been used. Comparisons has been done with square and the student’s t tests and p value has been accepted as <0.05 for the statistical significance. 9 Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 Results Sociodemographic features of the mothers (n= 502) who are taken into the research are shown in Table 1. Their ages vary between 16 and 41, and the average pregnancy number was 2.1+1.4 (interval: 110), average delivery number was 1.7+0.9 (interval: 1-10). The data belong to mothers’ second pregnancy are shown in Table 2. 95.4% of the mothers (n= 480) are at least one time, 71.3% of them (n= 358) are 4 times or more and 53.8% of them (n= 270) are 6 times or more than taken medical examination during their pregnancy. Also 94.4% of the mothers have at least one time ultrasonography and 91.4% of them has been found normal. Triple screening tests has been applied to 30.2% of the mothers and risky results have been gained in the 0.6%. Hepatitis B surface antigen (Hbs Ag) examination has done to 574% of the mothers and antigen positiveness has been stated in the 0.6%. In 25 (5%) of the mothers who don’t have any problems before pregnancy, gestational diabetes has been stated and in 38 of them (7.6%), hypertension has been stated. Relative marriage incidence was 16.3%. The comparison of making a relative marriage (n= 82) and not making a relative marriage (n= 420) are shown in Table 3. • A statistical significant relation has been stated between the education level of mother and making a relative marriage. While the relative marriage incidence is 19.7% in the group who are uneducated and have taken education under 8 years, this incidence is 10.4% among the ones who have taken 8 years and more education and this difference was significant (p=0.004). • In the group which has made relative marriages, the average pregnancy number was 2.4+1.4, the delivery number was 2.0+1.9 and the living children number were 1.7+0.9, in the ones who did not make relative marriages the average pregnancy number was 2.0+1.3, the delivery number was 1.7+0.8 and the living children number were 1.5+0.8 and the difference between the groups was significant (in turn; p=0.027, p=0.008, p=0.043). • There has not been found a statistical difference according to mothers’ age, state of business, settling area, the time has passed since the last pregnancy and the follow-up number during the last pregnancy (p=0.043). When the information of the mothers about the babies’ nutrition was investigated, it has been found that the 95.8% knew it has to be started to Table 1. The sociodemographic features of mothers. Özellikler Age • 18 and under • 19-24 • 25-29 • 30-34 • 35 and above Marriage term • 0-5 years • 6-10 years • 11-15 years • 16-20 years • 21 years and more Education level • Not literate • Under 8 years educated • More than 8 years educated or high school graduate • Bachelor degree Mother’s state of business • Not working • Unskilled worker • Technician • Licence owner Father’s occupation • Not working • Unskilled worker • Teknisyen • Licence owner Settling area • Province center • District • Village Time has passed since the last pregnancy • Under 2 years • Above 2 years • First pregnancy Living children number Number Percent 31 201 161 81 28 6.2 40.0 32.1 16.1 5.6 319 121 48 12 2 63.6 24.1 9.5 2.4 0.4 9 311 155 27 1.8 61.9 30.9 5.4 437 28 9 28 87.1 5.6 1.8 5.6 16 359 87 40 3.1 71.5 17.4 8.0 262 222 18 52.2 44.2 3.6 61 211 230 22.5 77.5 45.8 1.6+0.8 (average:1-6) Table 2. The follow-ups during the last pregnancy. Follow-up number •0 • 1-5 • 6 or more Having USG during the pregnancy Appling screening tests (triple screening test) Looking up for HBs Ag Way of giving delivery • Normal spontaneous delivery • Cesarean section (C/S) n % 22 210 270 474 152 288 4.4 41.8 53.8 94.4 30.2 57.4 351 151 69.9 30.1 10 Dibek M›s›rl›o¤lu E vet al., Evaluation of the Prenatal Care Usage of Mothers Table 3. Comparison between the ones made consanguineous marriage (CM) and did not make CM. Age Not make CM (n:420) Make CM (n:82) 190 140 90 42 21 19 0.451 257 163 63 19 0.004 366 54 71 11 0.255 220 200 42 40 0.427 49 170 201 12 41 29 0.129 19 167 232 3 41 38 0.517 2.0+1.3 1.7+ 0.8 1.5+0.8 2.4+1.4 2.0+0.9 1.7+0.9 0.027 0.008 0.043 • 24 and under (n:232) • 25-29 (n:161) • 30 and above (n:109) Education level • Uneducated or under 8 years (n:320) • 8 years and more (n:182) State of business • Not working (n:437) • Working (n:65) Settling area • Province Center (n:262) • District or village (n:240) Time has passed since the last pregnancy • Under 2 years (n:61) • Above 2 years (n:211) • First Pregnancy (n:230) Follow-up numbers during last pregnancy •0 (n:22) • 1-5 (n:210) • 6 or more (n:270) Pregnancy number Delivery number Living children number nurse just after the delivery and 94% of them knew that giving brestmilk is necessary at least for 4-6 months. Discussion Each year, almost 520 thousand women die from problems based on pregnancy. These deaths can occur in prenatal, during delivery or postnatal terms and most of them are preventable reasons. Because of that in addition to the prenatal care, giving delivery in suitable conditions and postnatal care are important too.5,7,8 Although pregnancy is a physiological period, because of the pathological circumstances can develop easily, it is important to follow-up in regular periods. ANC is the follow-up of mother and fetus during the whole pregnancy term in regular periods with medical examination and recommendations by educated health personnel. Quality and number of prenatal care follow-up is highly important. World Health Organisation announces that in developing countries, antenatal follow-up 4 times is enough for pregnants who have not any risk fac- p tors.9 In our studies, 71.3% of mothers have gotten antenatal care 4 or more times. The ministry of health made at least 6 times of antenatal follow-up necessary, made arrangements about giving delivery with the help of a health personnel and in healthy conditions and also recommended at least 3 times of follow up during the puerperal period.10 It is stated that the 95.4% of mothers who joined our studies have consulted to a hospital at least once during the pregnancy. This percentage is more than the other percentages which have been stated from our country. For example; in last 5 years, incidence of women which gave delivery consulted to a health personnel at least once is found as 81%, depends on Turkey’s Population and Health Research data.11 In a study like this made in Gaziantep, this percentage is reported as 75.9%.12 American Academy of Pediatrics and ACOG 1992 (American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologist) recommends at least 6 times of prenatal follow-ups.7 In our studies percentage of pregnants who had 6 times or more follow-ups has been found as % 53.8.It’s seen that this incidence Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 is also more than the others belong to the previous studies. For example, in a study made in Erzurum, it is stated that the incidence of pregnants who had 6 or more times follow-ups during their pregnancy is 18.7%.13 Antenatal care varies from country to country and while this rate is 98% in developed countries it decreases until 68% in developing countries.14 The region that lived plays an important role in reaching the prenatal care. In Turkey while women living in cities are taking ANC at least one time, this rate is decreases to 65% in women living in rural area.11 Furthermore, it is reported that there is differences in benefiting from prenatal care according to demographic characteristics. It is determined young mothers are more desirous in taking prenatal care than mothers at 35 age or above. As number of deliveries increases care taking rate decreases. Benefiting from prenatal care increases also with the increase in mother’s educational level.11 But, in our studies, it could not be set a relation between rate of prenatal care and this factors. 80% of mothers included in our study are below 30 years of age therefore, our study group is constituted from young mothers who are having a few number of children. It is considered that this condition can cause that. Early diagnosing of pregnancies at risk and giving the appropriate care reduces morbidity and mortality of both mother and baby. Blood pressure monitorization, blood and urine analysis are quite important in determining diseases that risking pregnancy and baby such as preeclampsia and gestationel diabetes. It is recommended to make gestational diabetes screening between 24th-28th pregnancy weeks to all of the pregnants.7,9,14 In our study, gestational diabetes is determined in 5% and hypertension in 7.6% of our patients. It is reported that gestational diabetes incidence varies from 1.2% to 6.5% and hypertension is seen in 5% to 10% of pregnancies in studies performed in different regions of our country.15, 16 Ultrasonography is quite important in evaluating the fetus morphology.7,9 According to data from Turkey’s Population and Health Investigation 2003 it is reported that ultrasonography is made at least one time in 91% of mothers taking ANC.11 It is seen in our study that ultrasonography is made at least for one time during pregnancy period in 94.4% of mothers. It is frequently applied to ultrasonography in higher rates than other diagnose or scan aimed investigations. The reasons for preference of 11 ultrasonographic investigation in higher rates are; family considers ultrasonography as the most important investigation among the others, willingness to learn the sex of baby, doctor's prefer to comfort his patient, feeling himself in confidence and besides those also doctor’s aiming to earn money. In our study, HBs antigen positivity rate is found 1.04% (screening is made on 288 pregnant). This rate is found as 7.3% in a study made previously in Sanl›urfa.17 Our country takes place in a medium endemic region about Hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B has a more risk in developing chronicity when taken in the earlier period of life. All pregnant women must be screened routinely because of that reason and passive Hepatitis B Immunoglobuline must be injected and active immunization (Hepatitis B vaccine) must be applicated to newborn delivered from Hbs Ag (+) mothers.7,9,17 According to data from Turkey’s Population and Health Investigation 2003 average number of live deliveries is 3.5 in women who are at the end of fertility period.11 In our study average number of children is found (1.6+0.8) and it is lower than the Turkey average. The reason for that lower value can be mothers included in our study were younger and didn’t come to the end of fertility period yet. Rate of consanguineous marriage is above 20%. For example, in our two big cities, in Konya and Istanbul these rates are determined as 23.2% and 24.8% respectively.6,18 This rate is found lower (16.3%) in our study and it is indicative that consanguineous marriage rates are high in mothers having low education level. Consanguineous marriage is quite important because of linkage of genetic diseases from generation to generation and increase in the number of diseased individuals. Similar rates are preserved in spite of regional differences, consanguineous marriage is related to education and it is seen in high rates in mothers having low education level. Furthermore, in our study, it is seen that fertility rates are higher in consanguineous marriage group in spite of that there is no difference between age averages of two groups. Increased number of delivery, effects directly the health of the mother, in the other side every child added to family will effect the health of the other children indirectly because of his or her effect on distribution of income. Supporting of education of girls who will become mothers in the 12 Dibek M›s›rl›o¤lu E vet al., Evaluation of the Prenatal Care Usage of Mothers future, will show a parallel relationship with the reducing in consanguineous marriages and will be a great step in having a healthy community. Breastfeeding is the first choice in baby nutrition and can meet all the needs of the baby. Nutrition with mother milk is ideal for babies especially in first months because it ensures adequate growing and important in protection from infections. American Academy of Pediatrics offers breastfeeding up to one year, moreover, offers as longer as breastfeeding as how low is the mother's social and economical level.19 In the study of Dallar et al it is determined that 90% of mothers are knowing that breastfeeding is a must in first 4 – 6 months.19 This rate is found high (94%) similarly in our study. Furthermore, it is understood that again in a high rate (95.8%) mothers are having information about the requirement of immediate starting of breastfeeding after delivery. This rate is found 42% in a study made by Cin et al20 Being high of these rates can be related to fact that mothers are informed about mother milk in our hospital and this continues uninterrupted. In conclusion, high application rates of mothers to the health institution at least one time during pregnancy is attracting attention. But, it indicates that more effort have to be spent when we consider that only half of the women have adequate followings, benefiting from health services because of social security and majority are residing in city or peripheral towns where hospital are found. Because, decreasing of perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity can be possible with growing healthy generation; existence of a social security system covering all of the health expenses, giving the easy and easy-reachable health service, increasing the education level and improving the ANC. Additionally, informing the mothers about mother milk and causing them to use is very important in order to make breastfeeding become widespread and continuous. References 1. Kaya S. Sa¤l›k bak›m hizmetlerinin kullan›labilirli¤i. Toplum ve Hekim 1995; 66:101-106. 2. Mihçiokur S, Ak›n A. Dünya’da ve Türkiye’de anne ölümleri. Sa¤l›k ve Toplum 1998; 8: 37-44. 3. TC. Sa¤l›k Bakanl›¤› Ana Çocuk Sa¤l›¤› ve Aile Planlamas› Genel Müdürlü¤ü Ana ve Çocuk Ölümlerini Önleme Projesi, 2005. 4. Türkiye’de Anne-Çocuk durum analizi, T.C Hükümeti-UNICEF iflbirli¤i program›, Ankara, 1996:129-136. 5. Ak›n A, Özvar›fl fiB. Ana Sa¤l›¤› ve Aile Planlamas›. Bertan M, Güler Ç (ed): Halk Sa¤l›¤› Temel Bilgiler. Ankara, Günefl Kitabevi, 1995;119-155. 6. Baksu A, Ç›¤sar MS, Göker N, Kartal S, Hergin CE. Akraba evlili¤i yapan kad›nlarda e¤itim düzeyi, evlilik yafl› ve do¤urganl›k oranlar›. fiEH T›p Bülteni 2000; 3: 35-40. 7. Öndero¤lu L. Prenatal bak›m. Temel Yenido¤an Sa¤l›¤›, Ertogan F, Arsan S (ed), Öncü Ltd, Ankara 1999:1-7. 8. Boz DG, Öztürk Y. Sivas Do¤umevi Hastanesinde do¤um yapan kad›nlar›n do¤um öncesi bak›m ve do¤uma iliflkin bilgi ve davran›fllar›n›n de¤erlendirilmesi. Erciyes Üniversitesi Sa¤l›k Bilimleri Dergisi 2003; 12: 62-68. 9. Altunyurt S. Do¤um öncesi bak›m. 22-24 Eylül 2005 III. Ulusal Ana Çocuk Sa¤l›¤› Kongre Kitab› 79-81. 10. T.C Sa¤l›k Bakanl›¤›, Sa¤l›k Projesi Genel Koordinatörlü¤ü. T.C. Sa¤l›k Bakanl›¤› veri toplama ve bildirim formlar› kullan›m k›lavuzu, Ankara 1996: 21-23. 11. Türkiye Nüfus ve Sa¤l›k Araflt›rmas› 2003. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Nüfus Etütleri Enstitüsü, Sa¤l›k Bakanl›¤› Ana Çocuk Sa¤l›¤› ve Aile Planlamas› Genel Müdürlü¤ü, Devlet Planlama Teflkilat› ve Avrupa Birli¤i, Ankara, Türkiye, 2004. 12. Bozkurt A‹, fiahinöz S, Özç›rp›c› B, Özgür S. Gaziantep’te sa¤l›k ocaklar›na herhangi bir nedenle baflvuran 15-49 yafl evli kad›nlar›n do¤um öncesi, do¤um ve do¤um sonras› bak›m alma durumu ve etkileyen faktörlerin de¤erlendirilmesi. Erciyes T›p Dergisi 2001; 23: 59-67. 13. K›l›ç D. Erzurum il Merkezinde 15-49 Yafl Grubu Annelerin Sa¤l›k Ocaklar› Taraf›ndan Verilen Ana Çocuk Sa¤l›¤› Hizmetlerini Kullanma Durumlar› ve Etkileyen Faktörler. Atatürk Üniversitesi Hemflirelik Yüksekokulu Halk Sa¤l›¤› Hemflireli¤i Anabilim Dal›, Yüksek Lisans Tezi, 1998. 14. Günay T. Do¤um öncesi bak›mda durum. 22-24 Eylül 2005 III. Ulusal Ana Çocuk Sa¤l›¤› Kongre Kitab›: 89-92. 15. Harma M, Harma M, Kafal› H, Öksüzler C, Demir N. ‹lk Antenatal Muayenede Yap›lan Glukoz Tarama Testinin De¤eri. Perinatoloji Dergisi 2003; 11: 37-40. 16. Erata Y E. Preeklampsi: tan›-tedavi. 26-30 Ekim 2003, IX. Ulusal Perinatoloji Kongre Kitab›: 28-32. 17. Harma M, Harma M, Kafal› H, Güngen N, Demir N. Gebelerde Hepatit B Tafl›y›c›l›¤› ve Yenido¤ana Vertikal Geçifl. Perinatoloji Dergisi 2003; 11: 29-32. 18. Demirel S, Kaplano¤lu N, Acar A, Bodur S, Paydak F. The frequency of consanguinity in Konya, Turkey and its medical effects. Genetic Counseling 1997; 8: 295-301. 19. Dallar Y, Er P, Ifl›klar Z. Annelerin bebek beslenmesi konusuna iliflkin bilgi, tutum ve davran›fllar›. Ege Pediatri Bülteni 2002; 9:175-180. 20. Cin A, Özkaya B, Ergin S, Yaprak I, Kansoy S, Engindeniz E. 0-24 ayl›k bebek beslenmesi ve annelerin anne sütü ile bebek beslenmesine iliflkin bilgi-tutum ve davran›fllar›. Optimal T›p Dergisi 2000; 13:3-9. 13 Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 Questionnaire Form A SURVEY ON MOTHERS AND CHILDREN REGARDING MOTHER & CHILD HEALTH 1) No: …………………… 2) Mother’s age : …………………… 1) 18 years or less 2) 19-24 years 3) 25-29 years 4) 30-34 years 5) 35 years and older 3) Mother’s level of education: 1) Illiterate 2) Able to reads and write 3) Primary School 4) Secondary School 5) High School 6) College 4) Place of residence (city/district/village): …………………… 5) Baby’s gender: 1) Girl 2) Boy 6) Mother’s profession: 1) Housewife 2) Unqualified employee 3) Technician 4) Employee, holder of bachelor’s degree 7) Father’s profession: 1) Unemployed 2) Unqualified employee 3) Technician 4) Employee, holder of bachelor’s degree 8) Duration of marriage: …………………… years 1) 0-5 years 2) 6-10 years 3) 11-15 years 4) 16-20 years 5) 21 years and longer 9) Number of pregnancies: …………………… 10) Number of deliveries: …………………… 11) Interval with the last pregnancy: …………………… 1) First pregnancy 2) Less than 2 years 3) 2 years and longer 12) Number of miscarriages?:…………………… 13) Number of children?: …………………… 14) How many times have you been checked during the pregnancy?: …………. 1) Never 2) Once 3) 2-3 times 4) 4-5 times 5) 6 times and more 15) Have you been subject to ultrasound examination?: 1) Yes, and the result is normal 2) Yes, and the result is not normal 3) No. 16) Have you been subject to triple test?: 1) Yes, and the result is positive 2) Yes, and the result is negative 3) No 17) Have you develop diabetes mellitus?: 1) Yes 2) No 18) Have you developed hypertension?: 1) Yes 2) No 19) Has HbsAg been examined?: 1) Yes, and the result is positive 20) Type of delivery: 1) Normal 2) C/S 2) Yes, and the result is negative Weight at delivery : ……………………...gr 21) When should you start breast feeding?: ……………………… 22) For how long should you continue breast feeding?: ……………………… 3) No 14 Perinatoloji Dergisi • Cilt: 14, Say›: 1/Mart 2006 The Correlation of Thyroid Hormone Levels and Gestasional Weeks in Amniotic Fluid at Second Trimester Ahmet Kale1, Nurten Akdeniz1, Ebru Kale2, Ahmet Yal›nkaya1, Murat Yayla1 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbak›r 2Clinics of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Haseki Hospital, Istanbul 1 Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine thyroid hormone levels of amniotic fluid and correlate with gestasional ages. Methods: 125 pregnant women underwent amniocentesis procedure for prenatal diagnosis were inclueded in study between May 2004 and May 2005. Thyroid hormone levels were analyzed with using Roche E170 Modular analytics (Hitachi, Japan) system. Statistical analyses were performed by using One-Way Anova test. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of patients was 34.5 ± 5.6 (21-40) The mean gestational age of patients who underwent amniocente- sis was 17.88 ± 1.58 (16-20) Karyotype analysis of all patients was normal. Amniotic fluid levels of total and free T4 increased progressively with gestasional age (p< 0.001). Although total T3 , free T3 and TSH levels did not increase with gestasional age (p>0.05). Conclusion: The levels of thyroxine (T4) hormone in amniotic fluid was higher than T3 and TSH hormones. The need of thyrox- ine (T4) hormone increased with gestasional age. Keywords: Thyroid hormone, amniotic fluid, gestational age. Ikinci trimester amniotik s›v› tiroid hormon düzeyleri ile gestasyonel hafta aras›ndaki iliflki Amaç: Amniosentez uygulanan gebelerin amnion mayilerindeki tiroid hormon düzeylerini ölçmek ve bu de¤erlerin gestasyonel hafta ile olan iliflkisini de¤erlendirmek. Yöntem: Çal›flmaya, May›s 2004 ile May›s 2005 tarihleri aras›nda prenatal tan› amac›yla, klini¤imizde amniosentez yap›lan top- lam 125 gebe dahil edildi. Tiroid hormon analizleri, 1ml amnion s›v›s›nda, Roche E170 Modular analytics (Hitachi, Japan) cihaz› ile, Roche marka ticari kit kullan›larak gerçeklefltirildi. Veriler, istatistiksel olarak One-Way Anova testi kullan›larak karfl›laflt›r›ld›, p<0.05 de¤eri istatistiksel anlaml› olarak kabul edildi. Bulgular: Çal›flmaya al›nan hastalar›n ortalama yafl›, 34.5 ± 5.6 (21-40) y›l idi. Amniosentez uygulanan olgular›n ortalama gebelik haftas›, 17.88 ± 1.58 (16-20) olarak bulundu. Tüm hastalarn amniosentez sonucu normal karyotip olarak tesbit edildi. Olgular›n amnion s›v›s›ndaki total T4 ve serbest tiroksin (f T4) seviyeleri, gestasyonel hafta art›kça progresif olarak art›fl gösterdi (p< 0.001). Buna karfl›l›k total T4 , serbest triiodotronin (f T4) ve TSH seviyeleri gestasyonel hafta ile birlikte progresif olarak art›fl göstermedi (p>0.05). Sonuç: Amnion s›v›s›ndaki tiroksin (Tv) hormonun miktar›n›n, T4 ve TSH’a göre daha fazla oldu¤unu bulduk ve bu hormona olan ihtiyac›n gebelik haftas› artt›kça belirginleflti¤ini düflünüyoruz. Anahtar Sözcükler: Tiroid hormon, amnion s›v›s›, gestasyonel hafta. Correspondence: Dr. Ahmet Kale, Dicle Üniversitesi T›p Fakültesi, Kad›n Hastal›klar› ve Do¤um Anabilim Dal›, 21280 Diyarbak›r e-mail: [email protected] 15 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 Introduction Thyroid hormones that accelerate tissue growth synthesis through DNA and RNA synthesis are necessary for normal growth and development. Thyroid hormones are responsible for dendritic and axonal development, synaptogenesis, neuronal migration, myelinization, and cerebral differentiation in fetal period.1 Thyroid follicles and T4 synthesis was detected in 10 week-fetus. As from 10th week, a growth in fetal serum TSH, T4 and Thyroid binding globulin levels was detected. Total and free T4 level reaches the adolescent levels in 36th week. On the fourth hour following the birth, serum T3 and T hormones reach the peak level. Since iodotironin deiodinaz activity was high in placenta, transforming T3 and T4 into the inactive metabolites T3 and T4, TSH, T3 and T4 trespass to the fetus at low level.3 4 The purpose of this study was to determine thyroid hormone levels of amniotic fluid and correlate with gestational ages. povidine iodine, accompanied by the ultrasonography, transabdominal amniocentesis was applied. Punctures were performed by single usage spinal injectors varying 20-22 gauge. Thyroid hormone analysis were studied in first two mP amnion fluid before amnion fluid necessary for cytogenetic analysis was taken. Total T3 and T4 free triiodothyronine (f T3), free thyroxine (f T4) and thyroid stimulant hormone (TSH) analysis were performed by Roche E170 Modular analytics (Hitachi, Japan) system, Roche commercial kit. The cases were divided into 5 groups for amniocentesis. Group I; 16th pregnancy week (n=25), group II; 17th pregnancy week (n=25), group III 18th pregnancy week (n= 25), group IV 19th pregnancy week (n=25), group V, 20th pregnancy week (n=25). During the pregnancy, the patients with thyroid or systemic diseases weren’t included into the study. All data were transferred to the software and this study was analyzed prospectively. Statistical analyses were performed by using One-Way ANOVA test. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Methods 125 pregnant women underwent amniocentesis procedure for prenatal diagnosis were included in study between May 2004 and May 2005. All 16-20 weeks pregnants who are suggested amniocentesis accepted this suggestion. Before amniocentesis, both mother and father filled and signed amniocentesis approval form. Pregnancy age was measured by Toshiba SSH-140A, 3.5 MHz convex probe colored Doppler ultrasonography device, according to the BPD (biparietal diameter) and AC (abdominal circumference) measurements. After abdominal cleaning and cleaning of probe with Results 125 pregnant women underwent amniocentesis procedure for prenatal diagnosis, were included in study between May 2004 and May 2005. The mean age of patients was 34.5 ± 5.6 (21-40). The mean gestational age of patients who underwent amniocentesis was 17.88 ± 1.58 (16-20). A Positive triple test applied to 82 cases (65.6), advanced age to 20 cases (16%), maternal anxiety to 18 cases (14.4%), and amniocentesis applied to 5 cases because of mal obstetric anamnesis. Karyotype analysis of all patients was normal. Tablo 1. Thyroid hormone values in amnion fluid, varying with gestational week. Thyroid hormone levels Total T3 (ng/ml) Total T4 (ug/ml) Free T3 (ng/dl) Free T4 (ng/dl) (TSH) (uIU/ml) 16th week Group 1 17th week Group 2 18th week Group 3 19th week Group 4 20th week Group 5 P* 0,49±0,15 0,78±0,18 0,068±0,004 0,13±0,032 0,42±0,15 0,51±0,18 1,02±0,17 0,069±0,001 0,28±0,05 0,38±0,1 0,51±0,15 1,06±0,23 0,080±0,002 0,27±0,16 0,37±0,15 0,45±0,14 1,36±0,25 0,073±0,002 0,31±0,06 0,36±0,13 0,52±0,16 1,42±0,41 0,070±0,005 0,34±0,03 0,43±0,14 >0.05 <0.001 >0.05 <0.001 >0.05 16 Kale A et al., The Correlation of Thyroid Hormone Levels and Gestasional Weeks in Amniotic Fluid at Second Trimester Rajatipi et al7 observed the presence of the thyroid hormone receptors in fetus lung, on 13th gestational week. This situation proves that thyroid hormones have a role in fetal lung development in early gestational weeks. Total T3 and T4 free triiodothyronine (f T3), free thyroxine (f T4) and thyroid stimulant hormone (TSH) values varying according to the gestational weeks, are shown in Table 1. Amniotic fluid levels of total and free T4 increased progressively with gestational age (p<0.001) (Figure 1). Although total T3, free T3 and TSH levels did not progressively increase with gestational age (p>0.05) (Figures 2 and 3). Fetal thyroid gland isn’t functional until 12th week. Fetus is under the influence of maternal thyroid hormones within the first trimester.8 Pop et al9 showed that the level of free T4 in early gestational period are strong indicators for motor and mental development of the infant after the birth. Discussion Clinical and experimental researches proved that thyroid hormones are essential for normal cerebral development in early fetal period and that has specific effects on olfactory bulbus, in sub ventricular zone of cerebral cortex, and in hippocampus.1-4 It affects thyroid hormones, mitochondrial energy metabolism in short and long term.5 It affects the lipid distribution of fetal thyroid hormones and bone differentiation in histological level.6 Fetal thyroid hormones are also increased in cases of vaginal delivery, prolongation of the second gestation period, fetal umbilical fetal distress, painting amnion fluid by meconium, and forceps and vacuum usage that the fetus is exposed to the intrauterine stress.10,11 Ward et al12 noted that maternal cardiac diseases, preeclampsia, HIV infection, diabetes mellitus have no effect on fetal thyroid hormones. 2,0 1,5 1,0 ,5 95% Cl Total T4 (ug/ml) Free T4 (ng/dl) 0,0 16,00 17,00 18,00 19,00 20,00 Gestational weeks Figure 1. Total T4 and free thyroxin levels in amnion fluid, varying with gestational week 17 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 ,7 ,6 ,5 4 ,3 95% Cl ,2 Total T3 (ng/ml) ,1 Free T3 (ng/dl) 0,0 16,00 17,00 18,00 19,00 20,00 Gestational weeks Figure 2. Total T3 and free thyroxin levels in amnion fluid, varying with gestational week. ,6 95% Cl TSH (ulU/mL) ,5 4 ,3 ,2 16,00 17,00 18,00 19,00 20,00 Gestational weeks Figure 3. Thyroid stimulant hormone TSH level in amnion fluid, varying with gestational week A growth in fetal serum TSH, T4 and thyroid binding globulin levels occurs. TH, T4 and T3 lev- els reach the peak level in second trimester and they tend to decrease until the next term. In last 18 Kale A et al., The Correlation of Thyroid Hormone Levels and Gestasional Weeks in Amniotic Fluid at Second Trimester trimester, T4 and TSH levels are higher than maternal levels however total T4 and T3 are lower. For Fetal thyroid hormone metabolism, second and third trimesters are critical transition period.13 Polk et al14 showed that total T4, and free T4 levels are augment along with gestational weeks and serum T3 levels are low. Klein et al15 observed that fetal serum T4, free T4 and thyroid binding globulin levels are in a significant increase between 26th and 33rd gestational weeks, as from 34th gestational week; there isn’t any change in these parameters. Sack et al determined that amniotic fluid T4 levels are progressively elevated before 20th week, however T3 levels didn’t give a progressive increase.16 In our study, total T4 levels and free thyroxin (f T4) levels in amniotic fluid increased progressively between 16 and 20th gestational weeks (p<0.001). Although total T3 , free T3 and TSH levels did not increase with gestational week (p>0.05) In fetal period, normal cerebral development, fetal bone and lung differentiation and similar cases that thyroid hormones influence, thyroxin (T4) hormone is effective and the need for this hormone increased as gestational weeks go by. Although T3, free T3 and TSH levels did not progressively increase with gestational age, their presence in amnion fluid make us think that they contribute to the fetal development. 1. References Lavado-Autric R, Auso E, Garcia-Velasco JV, Arufe Mdel C, Escobar del Rey F, Berbel P. Early maternal hypothyroxinemia alters histogenesis and cerebral cortex cytoarchitecture of the progeny. J Clin Invest 2003; 111: 1073-82. mouse brain. Neurosci Lett 2000; 280: 79 82. 5. Wrutniak-Cabello C, Casas F, Cabello G. Thyroid hormone action in mitochondria. J Mol Endocrinol 2001; 26: 67-77. 6. Geloso JP, Hemon P, Legrand J, Legrand C, Jost A. Some aspects of thyroid physiology during the perinatal period. General and Comparative Endocrinology Gen Comp Endocrinol 1986; 10: 191-7. 7. Rajatapiti P, Kester MH, de Krijger RR, Rottier R, Visser TJ, Tibboel D. Expression of glucocorticoid, retinoid, and thyroid hormone receptors during human lung development. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005; 90: 4309-4314. 8. Calvo RM, Jauniaux E, Gulbis B, Asuncion M, Gervy C, Contempre B, Morreale de Escobar G. Fetal tissues are exposed to biologically relevant free thyroxine concentrations during early phases of development. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002; 87: 1768 1777. 9. Pop VJ, Kuijpens JL, van Baar AL, Verkerk G, van Son MM, de Vijlder JJ, Vulsma T, Wiersinga WM, Drexhage HA, Vader HL. Low maternal free thyroxine concentrations during early pregnancy are associated with impaired psychomotor development in infancy. Clin Endocrinol 1999; 50: 149 155. 10. Fukuda S. Correlation between function of the pituitary thyroid axis and metabolism of catecholamines by the fetus at delivery. Clin Endocrinol 1987; 27: 331–338. 11. Chan LY, Leung TN, Lau TK Influences of perinatal factors on cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2001; 80: 1014-8. 12. Ward LS, Kunii IS, de Barros Maciel RM. Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in cord blood are not influenced by non-thyroidal mothers’ diseases. Sao Paulo Med J 2000; 118:144-7. 13. Hume R, Simpson J, Delahunty C, van Toor H, Wu SY, Williams FL, Visser TJ. Human fetal and cord serum thyroid hormones: developmental trends and interrelationships. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004; 89: 4097-103. 14. Polk DH. Thyroid hormone metabolism during development. Reprod Fertil Dev 1995; 7: 469-77. 2. Thorpe-Beeston JG, Nicolaides KH, McGregor AM. Fetal thyroid function. Thyroid 1992; 2: 207-17. 3. Roti E, Gnudi A, Braverman LE. The placental transport, synthesis and metabolism of hormones and drugs which affect thyroid function. Endocr Rev 1983; 4: 131-49. 15. Klein AH, Oddie TH, Parslow M, Foley TP Jr, Fisher DA. Developmental changes in pituitary-thyroid function in the human fetus and newborn. Early Hum Dev 1982; 6: 321-30. 4. Hadj-Sahraoui N, Seugnet I, Ghorbel MT, Demeneix B. Hypothyroidism prolongs mitotic activity in the post-natal 16. Sack J, Fisher DA, Hobel CJ, Lam R. Thyroxine in human amniotic fluid. J Pediatr 1975; 87: 364-8. Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 19 Second Trimester Termination of Pregnancy: Comparing Intracervical Prostaglandin E2 (Dinoprostone) to Intravaginal Misoprostol Özgür Dündar, Ercüment Müngen, Levent Tütüncü, Murat Muhcu, Serkan Bodur, Yusuf Z. Yergök Clinics of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Haydarpafla Educational Hospital, Gülhane Military Medicine Academy of Medicine, Istanbul Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency and safety of intracervical prostaglandin E2 (dinoprostone) and intravaginal misoprostol in second trimester termination of pregnancy. Methods: Forty cases in which pregnancy were terminated by dinoprostone and 63 cases of pregnancy termination using misoprostol were evaluated retrospectively. The dinoprostone group received 0.5 mg prostaglandin E2 intracervically. Misoprostol was used intravaginally in a dose of 200 µg every 6 h with a maximum of five doses. The success rate, induction to abortion interval and the incidence of side effects were analyzed for both groups. Statistical analysis was performed using independent samples t test, Pearson X2 and Fisher’s exact test, where appropriate. A p value <0.05 were considered significant. Results: The pregnancy was terminated within 48 hours in 60 of 63 patients (95.2 %) in the misoprostol group and in 31 of 40 patients (77.5%) in the dinoproston group; the rate of pregnancy termination in the misoprostol group was signifacantly higher than that of the dinoproston group (p=0.01; OR, 5.81; %95 CI, 0.46-2.18). While womitting-nausea rate was significantly higher in the dinoproston group, (p=0.01; OR, 0.09; %95 CI, 0.01-0.79) there were no significant differences in the rates of incomplete abortion, diarrhea, febril morbidity, bleeding, transfusion and cervical laceration between the two groups. Conclusion: Misoprostol is an effective, easy to use, safe and cheap drug then dinoprostone for termination of second trimester pregnancy. Keywords: Second trimester, pregnancy termination, misoprostol, dinoprostone. ‹kinci trimester gebelik sonland›r›lmas›nda intraservikal prostaglandin E2 (dinoproston) ve intravaginal misoprostolün etkinli¤inin araflt›r›lmas› Amaç: ‹kinci trimester gebelik sonland›r›lmas›nda intraservikal prostaglandin E2 (dinoproston) ve intravaginal misoprostolün etkinli¤ini araflt›rmak. Yöntem: Çal›flmaya 1995-2006 tarihleri aras›nda, Klini¤imizde 14-28 gebelik haftalar›nda maternal veya fetal nedenlerle gebelik sonland›rma endikasyonu al›p, intraservikal PGE2 (dinoproston) uygulanan 40 hasta ve intravaginal misoprostol uygulanan 63 hasta dahil edildi. Misoprostol 200 µg, vaginal olarak, 6 saat aralarla maksimum 5 doz uyguland›. Dinoproston (prostaglandin E2) 0.5 mg intraservikal uyguland›. 48 saat içinde gebeli¤i sonlanmayan olgularda yöntem baflar›s›z kabul edildi. Her iki grubun 48 saatlik süreçte gebelik sonlanmas›ndaki baflar› oranlar› ile komplikasyon ve yan etkiler karfl›laflt›r›ld›. ‹statistiksel de¤erlendirmede student t, Fisher’s exact ve X2 testleri kullan›ld›. p de¤erinin 0.05’den küçük olmas› anlaml› kabul edildi. Bulgular: Misoprostol uygulanan birinci gruptaki 63 hastan›n %95.2’inde (60 hasta), intraservikal dinoproston uygulanan 40 hastan›n %77.5’inde (31 hasta) gebelik 48 saat içinde sonland›; misoprostol grubunda gebelik sonlanma oran›, dinoproston grubuna göre anlaml› olarak daha yüksekti (p=0.01; OR, 5.81; %95 CI, 0.46-2.18). Bulant›-kusma, dinoproston grubunda anlaml› olarak daha yüksek oranda gözlenirken ( p=0.01; OR, 0.09; %95 CI, 0.01-0.79), tam olmayan düflük, diyare, febril morbidite, kanama, transfüzyon ve servikal y›rt›k yönünden gruplar aras›nda anlaml› farkl›l›k yoktu. Sonuç: ‹kinci trimester gebeliklerin sonland›r›lmas›nda intravajinal misoprostol kullan›m›n›n, dinoproston kullan›m›na göre daha etkin ve güvenli oldu¤u sonucuna var›ld›. Anahtar Sözcükler: ‹kinci trimester, sonland›rma, misoprostol, dinoproston. Correspondence: Dr. Özgür Dündar, GATA Haydarpafla E. H., Kad›n Hastal›klar› ve Do¤um Klini¤i, T›bbiye Cad. 34668 Üsküdar-‹stanbul e-mail: [email protected] 20 Dündar Ö et al., Second Trimester Termination of Pregnancy Introduction In first trimester termination of pregnancy dilatation and curettage (D&C) are used generally. In second trimester termination of pregnancy surgical intervention can be used. However the process is more complicated in second trimester pregnancies since fetal-placental structures are dilated, bleeding is increased and cervix is maturated and a special experience is required in this subject. On account of these reasons prostaglandins (PG) are preferred in second trimester terminations of pregnancy rather than surgical intervention nowadays with the usage of prostaglandins (Prostaglandin E and S).1 Another frequently used method is oxytocin hormone which is used in different doses intravenously. Misoprostol peptic is a synthetic PGE1 (15-deoksi-16-hidroksi-16-methyl analog) analog used in treatment of ulcer2. It is used as per oral (PO), rectal and vaginal methods. It does not require special conditions for to be preserved, and can be preserved for years.2 It is used in abortion induction, maturation of cervix, postpartum bleeding control and parturition induction due to its effects of uterus contracting and cervix maturating.2 Misoprostol PO can be determined after two minutes it is taken.3 and leads to contraction in uterus.4 It does not lead to hypertension.5 Prostaglandins are agents which can be used in vaginal and intracervical ways for provision of pre-induction cervical maturation in second trimester termination of pregnancy.1 Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, dinoproston) is used as intracervical. PGE2 requires endocervical application and it is so expensive and difficult to preserve since it is easily inactivated in normal room conditions.6 Methods 40 patients in whom PGE2 (dinoproston) had been applied and 63 patients in whom intravaginal misosprostol who had been applied pregnancy termination indications in their 14-28 pregnancy weeks due to maternal or fetal reasons in our Clinic between 1995 and 2006 were included in the study. The group in which misoprostol has been used was evaluated as Group 1 and the other applied dinoproston was evaluated as Group 2. data relating to the patients was obtained by examining patient files in the clinic archive retrospectively. Both groups of patient was passed through a full systemic and gynecologic examination after hospitalized and routine blood analyses and obstetric ultrasonography USG) were applied. In addition, fibrinogen, bleeding time, coagulation time and protrombine time were examined in inutero ex fetuses. Cases with severe lung and kidney disease, decompensate heart failure, placenta previa, hydramnios, myoma, glocom, prostaglandin sensitivity, severe asthma, inflammatory intestinal disease, and those who passed caesarian or operations which may cause uterine scar were not included in the study. The patients for whom dinoproston was applied was brought in lithotomic position. After vulva and vagina were disinfected, cannula is pushed until internal osmium by putting specially prepared cannula on the injector. While the gel was given to cervical channel slowly cannula was backed out. Special attention was paid in order to prevent gel to extend internal osmium and to be given in vagina. After the process the cases in which discourse was not started were evaluated by touching again. 1% oxytocin infusion was used in those bishop score is above 6 and the repeat of the process was applied in score below 6 and the technique was considered as successful in patients whose pregnancy terminated in 48 hours. In cases bishop score does not extend 6 despite 2 doses of intracervical PGE2 application and in cases whose pregnancy did not terminated in 48 hours, the method was considered as unsuccessful. In the groups for which misoprostol was applied 200 µg misoprostol (Cytotec tablet 200 µg, Searle®) serum was softened with physiological and located on vagina posterior fornix in lithotomic position and maximum 5 doses were applied in 6 hour intervals. In cases whose pregnancy did not terminated in 48 hours, the method was considered as unsuccessful. After the process patients were passed from fever, pulse, tension arterial controls in every 15 minutes during the first 2 hours, in every one hour in following 8 hours and in every 4 hour until the pregnancy terminated. After fetus and its supplements were discharged cavity control was applied in patients for whom a suspicion about whether the process was completed. Lactation inhibition was applied in patients whose pregnancy terminated and the patients were followed up. After 24 hours the patients who had no problem were discharged from the hospital and called for a control after 3-6 weeks. 21 Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 Age, parity, pregnancy week, USG data, reason of pregnancy termination, application hour of the method, amount of the medicine applied, blood count after and before abortus, average duration of termination of the pregnancy and complications were determined and recorded. Diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, sensitivity in nozzles, fever above 38 °C, febril mobidity were considered as abnormal. Induction-abortion duration was defined as the duration beginning from the first misoprostol and dinoproston application until abortion. Induction-abortion durations, successful abortion rates fulfilled between 12-24 hour, 24-36 hour and 36-48 hour, incidence of adverse effects were compared between the groups. Statistical analyses of the data were performed with SPSS 11.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences Chicago, USA) package program which has been prepared for Windows. Statistical calculations were performed with Student’s t test, Fisher's exact and X2 tests. p values below 0.05 in were considered as statistically meaningful. Results Ages of 103 patients participated in the study differ between 17 and 41. Average age of two groups was 26.28±5.10. Average age of the patients participated in the first group of the study was determined as 26.73±4.86, and the average age of patients in second group as 25.57±5.41. There is not any meaningful difference between two groups in terms of age, gravida, parity and gestational week. Demographic characteristics of both groups were indicated in Table 1. Majority of cases were composed of 21-25 age group (43.7%), second frequent age group was 2630 age group (30.1%), and the third frequent was 31-35 age group (11.6%). The least number of cases are composed of the groups of 36 and above ages (%7.8). This sequence in total number of Table 1. Demographic characteristics of the groups. Maternal age Gravida Parity Pregnancy week Group 1 Group 2 p 26.73±4.86 2.01±0.97 1.05±1.02 18.01±3.52 25.57±5.41 1.75±0.97 0.75±0.98 18.02±3.02 0.19 0.11 0.78 0.99 Note: Values are stated as average ± standard deviation patients is founded as the same if two groups are evaluated separately. All cases were in 14-28 weeks of pregnancy according to examination and ultrasonography results. Average pregnancy week of the patients in the first group was determined as 18.01±3.52, and average pregnancy week of the patients in the first group determined as 18.02±3.02. When distribution of the patients according to pregnancy week, majority of cases was composed of those in 14-16 weeks of their pregnancy (39.8%). Second frequent was composed of those in 17-19 weeks of their pregnancy (34.9%). The least number of cases was determined in 26-28 week pregnancy terminations (3.9%). This sequence in total number of patients is founded as the same if two groups are evaluated separately. When the patients are evaluated according to their parities, nullipar ones constitute the majority (43.7%), primiparas comes second (29.1%), and multiparas come third (27.2%). This sequence is founded as the same if two groups are evaluated separately. When indications of termination of pregnancy were investigated in patients inutero exitus comes first (59.2%), cases with fetal anomaly come second (29.1%). Indications of termination of pregnancy in both groups were stated in Table 2. In 95.2% (60 patients) of 63 patients in the first group for whom misoprostol was applied preg- Table 2. Distribution of patients according to indications of termination of pregnancy. Group 1 Group 2 Total Indications n % n % n % ‹nutero exitus Fetal anomaly Anhidramnios Rubella infection Severe preeclampsia 32 21 10 — — 50.8 33.3 15.9 — — 29 9 — 1 1 72.5 22.5 — 2.5 2.5 61 30 10 1 1 59.2 29.1 9.7 1 1 n: Number of cases 22 Dündar Ö et al., Second Trimester Termination of Pregnancy nancy terminated in 48 hours. In one of three cases in which this application was considered as unsuccessful pregnancy terminated after 13 dose misoprostol 200 µg given with intervals and in one another pregnancy terminated after 18 doses misoprostol 200 µg. In the third case in which the method was unsuccessful pregnancy terminated after oxytocin infusion. Pregnancy terminated in 48 hour in 77.5% (31 patients) of 40 patients for whom intracervical dinoproston was applied. In nine patients this method was recognized as unsuccessful pregnancy was terminated by applying extraamniotic rivanol. When the success rates of both methods are compared success of misoprostal group has a statistically meaningful difference compare to dinoproston group (p=0.01; OR, 5.81; 95% CI, 0.46-2.18). In dinoproston group pregnancy of 19 patients terminated in the first 24 hours after a single dose of intracervical dinoproston without any need to another process, pregnancy of 9 patients terminated in 48 hours following a dose of intracervical dinoproston, pregnancy of 3 patients terminated after oxytocin infusion following two doses of intracervical dinoproston. In 4 among 31 patients whose pregnancy terminated cavity control was applied with curette due to the incompletion of discharge. In the group which used misoprostol, pregnancy of 60 patients among 63 terminated in 24 hours with no necessity to another process, oxytocin infusion was applied for 3 patients as additional process. Cavity control was applied with curette due to the incompletion of discharge for 6 patients in the first group. Minimum 1 and maxium 18 tablets were used in the patients for whom misoprostol was applied. Misoprostol dose applied was found in average as 3.14±2.70 tablet (628±540 mg). Misoprostol dose used in the first 12 hour duration when misoprostol was found statistically meaningful compare to dinoprostol was determined as 1.5±0.51 tablet (300±102 mg). When the rates of termination of pregnancy in the first 24 hour are compared between two groups there was a statistically meaningful difference in misoprostol group (p=0.01; OR, 4.25; 95% CI, 1.7810.15). Success rates of groups in 24 hour durations are stated in Table 3. Any severe complication did not appear in the patients of both groups. Minor complications appeared are indicated in Table 4. In our study minor complication appeared in 8 (12.7%) among 63 patients used minoprostol and 15 (37.5%) among 40 patents used dinoproston. There was determined a statistically meaningful difference in complication arte appeared in dinoproston group compare to misoprostol group (p=0.03; OR, 0.242; 95% CI, 0.091-0.646). While nausea/vomiting appeared in only one patient among those in the Table 3. Distribution of patients according to termination of pregnancy indications Group 1 Group 2 Duration n % n % p OR 95% CI 0-24 0-48 50 60 79.4 95.2 19 31 47.5 77.5 0.01 0.01 4.25 5.81 1.78-10.15 0.46-2.18 n: Number of cases Table 4. Distribution of complications according to the groups Group 1 Group 2 Complications n % n % p 95% CI OR Nausea/Vomiting Incomplete abortion Diarrhea Fever > 38° Bleeding Transfusion Cervical rupture 1 6 — — 1 1 — 1.6 9.5 — — 1.6 1.6 — 6 4 2 1 1 1 1 15 7.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 0.01 1.0 0.15 0.39 1.0 1.0 0.39 0.01-0.79 0.25-3.59 0.98-1.13 0.98-1.08 0.04-10.35 0.04-10.35 0.98-1.08 0.09 0.95 1.05 1.03 0.63 0.63 1.03 n: Number of cases Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 first group, nausea/vomiting appeared in six among patients in the second group. When the complaint of nausea/vomiting is evaluated between both groups the rate of appearance in dinoproston groups was determined as a statistically meaningful difference (p=0.01; OR, 0.091; 95% CI, 0.011-0.791). Antiemetic was given to all patients who complain about nausea/vomiting. These complaints of the patients remained in tolerable levels with symptomatic treatment. The complaint of diarrhea appeared in a patient in dinoproston group which started after two hours from the process and continued for 24 hours. A similar complication did not appear in any patient in the misoprostol group. 500 cc bleeding happened in one patent from each group after discharge. When the patients complained about bleeding after discharge were examined again, retention was determined in placental tissues and cavity was cleaned with curette, blood transfusion was applied in these patients. In one of the patients included in the second group fever above 38 °C appeared, a similar complication did not occur in any of the patients in the first group. Antipyretic treatment was applied in the patient suffered from high fever and the fever did not continue in this patient. Cervical injury appeared in one of the patients applied intracervical dinoproston. This process was applied to this patient who is 17 week nullipara due to inutero exitus. Cervical laceration and rupture were determined in the patient who suffered from bleeding after discharge. Cervical rupture was sutured duly. Discussion In parallel with improvements in diagnosis of fetal anomaly there appears an increase in second trimester terminations of pregnancy. There is not already a consensus opinion concerning the most ideal method for termination of second trimester pregnancies. Advantages and disadvantages are declared in methods compare to each other used in the studies about this issue.1,4,6 While determining the most appropriate method, cheapness, easiness of application, efficiency, shortness of duration pregnancy termination, lowness of number and tolerability of its complications are important desired criteria. In addition to them special conditions and counter indications, and experiences and preferences of doctors who will apply the method should also be taken into consideration. 23 Extraamniotic rivanol, prostaglandin F2 alpha or saline infusion, laminaria and mifeptriston, gemeprost, dinoproston, misoprostol were used in second trimester termination of pregnancy processes until now.7-10 In the study we obtained 77% success in 40 patients we used intracervical dinoproston. This rate was meaningfully low compare to success rate in patients for whom misoprostol was used. Failure rate of our study in dinoproston group was found higher than the studies which had been published in the literature before. Mungen et al. has reported 5.45% failure in patients with second and third primester pregnancies with the combination of intracervical dinoproston and oxytocin infusion.11 Karaman et al. has declared 5.5% failure in 20-36 week pregnant women with the same method.12 Gedikoglu et al. has reported that the process was failed only in one patient among 30 postterm patients (3.33%) on whom they applied the same procedure, and they determined 8.8% failure in 45 inutero exitus cases with second trimester pregnancy with this method.13 Yilmaz et al has declared failure only in one case among 13 term pregnant women.14 Some studies were published which were applied by combining with some other abortive methods than oxytocin infusion in order to increase the efficiency of intracervical dinaproston. Rath and Kunt reported that they obtained 97.5% success in 42 patients by combining intracervical dinaproston with extraamniotic PGF2-alpha and oxytocin.15 The usage of misoprostol for the first time was declared by Lehair et al who has used it as intravaginal in termination of second trimester death fetuses. As a result of these studies; it was reported that misoprostol is in high efficiency, minor adverse effect was determined and it did not lead to any complication.16 Bugalho et al declared that average termination duration as 14.3 hour and success rate in termination of pregnancies as 88.6% in their study held in 132 pregnant women with legal abortion by using 800-1600 µgr intravaginal misoprostol.17 In another study about second trimester termination of pregnancy which was held by using misoprostol due to intrauterine death 157.4 µgr misopostol intravaginal was used in average, average termination duration was reported as 13.2 hour and success rate as 77.8%.18 Contrarily in the study held by Yapar et al by using five different methods in second trimester termination of pregnancy; it was found that 24 exraamniotic ethacridin, intravenous oxytocin and balloon insertion are more efficient than intracervical PGE2 gel and vaginal misoprostol. In this study, success rate of misoprostol group was reported as 77.5%.19 In our study on the other hand, pregnancy was terminated in 48 hours in 95.2% (60 patients) among 63 patients in the first group for whom misoprostol was applied and 77.5% (31 patients) among 40 patients in the second group for whom intracervical dinoproston was applied and success rate between pregnancy termination of two groups showed a statistically meaningful difference. Misoprostol is used as oral, vaginal, sublingual, buccal and rectal methods. Absorption becomes more effective in sublingual usage of misoprostol and it reaches to high concentrations in blood in a short time. Vaginal solubility and vaginal absorption happen slowly in vaginal usage of misoprostol, and so misoprostol effect takes longer. Tang et al reported that termination rate in the first 24 hour is higher in vaginal usage of misoprostol compare to oral and sublingual usage and termination rates in 48 hours are the same in their study on second trimester termination of pregnancy.20 In another study it was indicated that vaginal usage of misoprostol is more effective in parturition induction compare to its oral and sublingual usage.21 Any severe complication did not observed in any of the patients we included in the study. We calculated observed minor complications as 12.7% in the first group we have applied misoprostol and as 37.5% in the second group we have applied intracervical dinoproston. The most frequently observed complication in the patients who use misoprostol was rest placenta (9.5%), and the second two minor complications observed only in one patient were nausea/vomiting and bleeding, on the other hand the most frequently observed complication in the group which used dinoproston was nausea/vomiting (15%). In addition some other complications observed rest placenta 7.5%, diarrhea 2.5%, fever above 38°C 2.5%, bleeding 2.5% and cervical rupture 2.5% also occurred. Complications and rates exhibited in some studies held with intracervical dinoproston before are similar with our study. Karaman has reported infection and bleeding happened with this method.12 Gedikoglu has reported nausea/vomiting.13 Rath and Khun reported uterine in addition to them.15 The complications observed in the Dündar Ö et al., Second Trimester Termination of Pregnancy group we have used misoprostol are similar with the complications observed the studies held with misoprostol before.7,16,17 Usage of misoprostol which can be easily provided as a method to terminate undesired pregnancies without control of a gynecologist is found so dangerous. For this reason some measures required to prevent usage of misoprostol out of control of a gynecologist should be taken. Conclusion Findings in our study and the results of researches conducted before indicate that misoprostol is a method required to be preferred firstly as a cheap, easily applicable, efficient and safe in case second trimester pregnancies need to terminated. Intracervical dinoproston is considered as a method which should not be consulted in the first plan in termination of second trimester pregnancies since its success rate is low, it is expensive, required to be combined with oxytocin despite its advantages like being noninvasive and easily applicable. References 1. Ramsey PS RK. Misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analog, for prelabor ripening of the unfavorable uterine cervix. Fetal Mat Med Rev 1996: 217-27. 2. Collins PW. Misoprostol: discovery, development and clinical applications. Med Res Rev 1990; 10:149-72. 3. El-Rafaey H,Hinshaw K, Templeton A. The abortifacient effect of misoprostol in the second trimester. Hum Reprod 1993; 8: 1744-6. 4. Norman JE, Thong KJ, Baird DT. Uterine contractility and induction of abortion in early pregnancy by misoprostol and mifepristone. Lancet l99l; 338: l233-6. 5. Pregnancy and childbirth Module. In: Keirse MJNC, Renfrew MJ, Neilson JP, Crowther C, editors. Cochrane Database of systematic Reviews. The Cochrane Collaboration, Issue 2. Oxford: Update software, 1995: Review Nos 2974, 2999, 5352. 6. Miller AM, Rayburn WF, Smith CV. Patterns of uterine activity after intravaginal prostaglandine E2 during preinduction cervical ripening. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991; 165:10069. 7. Mohamed Nabil MG, Bassam A el H. Second-trimester termination of pregnancy by extra-amnioic prostaglandin F2 alfa or endocervical misoprostol. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1998; 77: 429-32. 8. Daskalakis GJ, Mesogitis SA, Papantoniou NE, Moulopoulos GG, Papapanagiotou AA, Antsaklisa AJ. Misoprostol for second trimester pregnancy termination in women with prior caesarean section. BJOG 2005; 112: 97-9. 9. Yongyoth H, Boonsri C, Piyaporn P. A randomised controlled trial of 6 and 12 hourly administration of vaginal misop- Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 25 rostol for second trimester pregnancy termination. BJOG 2005; 112: 1297-1301. lication in cases of intrauterin fetal death. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1985; 23: 387-94. 10. Chung YP, Hwa HL, Ko TM. Laminaria and sulprostone in second trimester pregnancy termination of fetal abnormalities. Int J Obstet Gynaecol 1999; 65: 47-52. 16. Lehair J, Lemarie P, Helleringer M, Manini P. Expulsion of arrested pregnancy product in the second trimester using a prostaglandin E1 analog administered intravaginally. Apropos of 12 cases. Rev Fr Gynecol Obstet 1989; 84: 19-23. 11. Müngen E, Yergök YZ, Ertekin AA, Bilgin H, Ülgenalp ‹. ‹ntraservikal dinoproston (PGE2) jel ile 2. ve 3. trimester gebeliklerde serviksin olgunlaflmas› ve/veya eylem indüksiyonu. Jinekoloji Obstetrik Dergisi 1994; 4: 173-7. 12. Karaman Afi, Uran B, Erler A, Vural AH. Gebeli¤in sonland›r›lmas›nda ‹ntraservikal dinoproston (PGE2) jeli ve intraamniyotik hipertonik NaCl solüsyonu ile yap›lan karfl›lflt›rmal› bir çal›flma. Jinekoloji ve Obstetrik Dergisi 1992; 6: 148-53. 13. Gediko¤lu V, ‹nan A, Bulgur M, Yücesoy ‹, Baysal C, Karaosmano¤lu S. ‹ntraservikal PGE2 jel aplikasyonu ile servikal olgunlaflma ve travay indüksiyonu. Jinekoloji ve Obstetrik Dergisi 1994; 8: 46-50. 14. Y›lmaz H, Çapano¤lu R. Do¤um indüksiyonu için prostaglandin jel uygulamas›. Jinekoloji ve Obstetrik Dergisi 1992; 6: 174-6. 15. Rath W, Khun W. Cervical ripening and induction of labor by intracervical and extra-amniotic prostaglandin gel app- 17. Bugalho A, Bique C, Almedia L, Bergstrom S. Pregnancy interruption by vaginal misoprostol. Gynecol Obstet Invest 1993; 34: 226-9. 18. Merrell DA, Koch MA. Induction of labour with intravaginal misoprostol in the second trimesters of pregnancy. S Afr Med J 1995; 85: 1088-90. 19. Yapar EG, Senöz S, Ürkütür M, Bat›o¤lu S, Gömen O. Second trimester pregnancy termination including Fetal death: comparison of five different methods. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1996; 69: 97-102. 20. Tang OS, Lau WNT, Chan CCW, Ho PC. A prospective randomised comparison of sublingual and vaginal misoprostol in second trimester termination of pregnancy. BJOG 2004; 111: 1001–05. 21. Bartusevicius A, Barcaite E, Nadisauskiene R. Oral, vaginal and sublingual misoprostol for induction of labor. Int J Gynecol and Obstet 2005; 91: 2-9. 26 Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 The Effect of Sex on Fetal Ultrasound Measurements: Is It Necessary Sex-Spesific Nomograms? Yeflim Bülbül Baytur, Hasan Y›ld›z, Ali Özler, Ümit Sungurtekin ‹nceboz, Hüsnü Ça¤lar Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa Abstract Objective: To investigate the effect of gender differences on fetal ultrasound measurements like biparietal diameter, head cir- cumference, abdominal circumference, femur length and estimated fetal weight. Methods: Between 2002 and 2005, 548 women admitted to our obstetrics department were enrolled in the study. 637 ultra- sound examination including biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length were performed by 4 different investigators in these women. Fetal weight was estimated using the Hadlock 4 formula. Ultrasound measurements were recorded for each gestational week. The differences in ultrasound measurements between male and female fetuses were investigated using Student t-test. P<0,05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The birth weight was not different between female and male fetuses (3311 ± 518 and 3269 ± 522 gr, respectively) (p>0.05). Femur length and abdominal circumference was significantly higher in male fetuses than females between 15 and 22 weeks of gestation, whereas estimated fetal weight were significantly higher in female fetuses than males between 27-30 weeks of gestation (p<0.05). Furtermore, head circumference was significantly higher in males than females between 35 and 38 weeks of gestation. Other measurements were not different between males and females (p>0.05). Conclusion: The use of sex-spesific nomograms may obtain to evaluate fetal growth and also making accurate diagnosis for intrauterine growth restriction and macrosomia. It may be useful to repeat this preliminary study in a large and heterogenous population. Keywords: Gender differences, estimated fetal weight, head circumference, abdominal circumference, ultrasound. Cinsiyetin fetal ultrason ölçümleri üzerine etkisi: cinsiyete özgü büyüme e¤rileri gerekli mi? Amaç: Fetusun cinsiyetinin, biparietal çap, kafa çevresi, abdomen çevresi, femur uzunlu¤u ve tahmini fetal a¤›rl›k gibi fetal ultra- son ölçümleri üzerine etkisini araflt›rmak. Yöntem: 2002-2005 y›llar› aras›nda, obstetri ve perinatoloji poliklini¤imize rutin kontrol amac›yla baflvuran 15-40 hafta aras›nda 548 gebe çal›flmaya dahil edildi. Bu gebelerde 637 fetal ultrason, biparietal çap, kafa çevresi, abdomen çevresi ve femur uzunlu¤unu içerecek flekilde, dört farkl› araflt›rmac› taraf›ndan yap›ld›. Tahmini fetal a¤›rl›k hesaplamas›nda ultrasonografinin program›nda yer alan Hadlock 4 formülü kullan›ld›. Her gebelik haftas› için fetal ölçümler kaydedildi. 15. haftadan 40. haftaya kadar yap›lan tüm ölçümler 15-22. hafta, 23-26 hafta, 27-30 hafta, 31-34 hafta, 35-38 hafta, 39-40 haftalar aras›nda gruplanarak karfl›laflt›r›ld›. Fetal ölçümlerin k›z ve erkek fetuslar aras›nda farkl›l›k gösterip göstermedi¤i Student t- testi kullan›larak karfl›laflt›r›ld›. P<0.05 istatistiksel olarak anlaml› kabul edildi. Bulgular: K›z ve erkek bebeklerin do¤um a¤›rl›¤› aras›nda bir fark yoktu (s›ras›yla 3311 ± 518 ve 3269 ± 522 gr) (p>0.05). 1522. gebelik haftalar› aras›nda k›z fetuslarda femur uzunlu¤u ve abdomen çevresi erkek fetuslara göre anlaml› ölçüde k›sa iken, 27-30. gebelik haftalar› aras›nda tahmini do¤um a¤›rl›¤› k›z fetuslarda, erkek fetuslara göre anlaml› ölçüde fazla, 35-38. gebelik haftalar›nda ise kafa çevresi erkek fetuslarda k›z fetuslara göre anlaml› ölçüde fazla idi (p<0.05). Di¤er ölçümlerde k›z ve erkek fetuslar aras›nda istatistiksel olarak anlaml› bir fark saptanmad›. Sonuç: K›z ve erkek fetuslar için farkl› büyüme e¤rilerinin kullan›lmas›, intrauterin büyümenin do¤ru de¤erlendirilmesini için önerilir. Bir ön çal›flma olarak planlanan bu çal›flman›n, daha genifl ve daha heterojen bir hasta Anahtar kelimeler: Cinsiyet farkl›l›¤›, tahmini fetal a¤›rl›k, bafl çevresi, abdominal çevre, ultrason. Correspondence: Dr. Yeflim Bülbül Baytur, Celal Bayar Üniversitesi T›p Fakültesi, Kad›n Hastal›klar› ve Do¤um Anabilim Dal›, Manisa e-mail: [email protected] 27 Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 Introduction Biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL) are used to measure the estimated birth weight (EBW) and evaluate intrauterine fetal maturation.1 These measurements are used for fetal maturation estimation as well as intrauterine growth retardation (IGR) and pathologies like macrosomia.1,2-5 Some of the researchers are trying to estimate the fetal weight by using maternal weight, length, parity and the sex of the fetus as well as ultrasound monitoring.6-9 It is a known fact that male fetuses are taller, heavier and have larger cranial diameter in comparison to the female fetus.10-12 Some contends that this difference is begun as from the early gestational weeks.10,13 And also, for female and male infants, the length and weight growth is accelerated in different timetables of intrauterine period.14 The purpose in this study is to investigate the effect of gender differences on fetal ultrasound measurements like BPD, HC, AC, FL and EBW. Methods Between 2002 and 2005, 548 women admitted to our obstetrics department were enrolled in the study and 637 ultrasonography monitoring were performed. The reason for ultrasonography monitoring is to implement fetal measurement for triple scanning, and second level detailed USG, routine uterine artery Doppler, fetal growth follow up or amnion fluid assessment. Any of the patients didn’t get involved to ultrasonographic examination without indications. The gestational week was estimated by the latest menstrual period, if not know, by the first trimester ultrasonography. The patients with endocrinal disorders, preeclampsia, hypertensive, smoking, fetal anomalies, preterm gestation, were excluded from the study. Ultrasonographic scanning was made by 2 different ultrasonic device (Siemens Sonoline Sienna, Siemens Medical System, Erlangen, Germany and Voluson 730 Expert, General Electric, Kretz Ultrasound Systems, Austria) 2-7 megahertz frequency range, using convex probe, conducted by 4 scanner. Biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circum- ference, at thalamus level, calvarium skull circumference except the soft tissues, transverse abdomen section that umbilical vein intersects with portal vein and the distance from proximal edge to femoral cervix in proximity to the distal metaphysis are measured in a way that includes only ossified sections.15 TDA was measured through Hadlock 4 formula in the ultrasonic device. The sex of the fetuses, which was determined antenatally, was confirmed after the gestation. All measurement between 15th and 40th weeks, were grouped in 15-22, 27-30, 31-34, 35-38, 39-40th weeks and compared. Statistical research was performed by using SPSS (SPSS for windows, version 13.0, USA) software. The difference between ultrasonic measurements of the male and female fetuses and that of their birth weight was researched using Student-t test, and the relation between birth weight and fetal measurements was analyzed by Pearson Correlation Analysis. P<0,05 was considered statistically significant. Results All measurements, birth weight and basal values were shown as average ± standard deviation (SD). The mean age of patients was 28.3 ± 5.3 and 28 ± 4.8. 49. 8% of the fetuses were male, 50.2% were female. 48.6% of the pregnant women delivered the fetus by cesarean, 51.4% delivered with vaginal modality. There wasn’t a significant difference between male and female birth weights (consecutively 331 ± 518 and 3269 ± 522 gr) (p>0.05). 548 women admitted to our obstetrics department were enrolled in the study and 637 ultrasonography monitoring were performed. The dispersion of the ultrasonic scanning numbers to the gestational weeks is shown in Figure 1. Between 15th and 22nd gestational weeks, FL and AC were comparatively short in female fetuses, between 27 and 30th gestational weeks, EBW was significantly greater than male fetuses, between 35 and 38th gestational weeks, HC was significantly greater in male fetuses than the female fetuses (Table 1). In other measurements, no sta- 28 Baytur YB et al., The Effect of Sex on Fetal Ultrasound Measurements: Is It Necessary Sex-Spesific Nomograms? 70 60 50 40 30 20 Count 10 0 15.00 19.00 17.00 23.00 21.00 27.00 25.00 35.00 31.00 29.00 33.00 39.00 37.00 Week Figure 1. Dispersion of the ultrasonic scanning numbers to the gestational weeks (n = measurement). tistical difference between male and female fetuses has been found. Considering the relation between birth weight and fetal measurements, there is a slight but significant correlation between fetal measurements in male and female fetuses and birth weight (Table 2). Discussion It is a known fact that male fetuses are taller, heavier and have larger cranial diameter in comparison to the female fetus.10-12 These natal measurement differences between male and female infants are theoretically depended on different growth rates in intrauterine period. The growth rate of the male and female fetuses differs in intrauterine period, according to their gestational weeks.14 The femoral length and weight growth of the female infants are more symmetrical and their legs that are growing faster, enable that the pon- deral indexes are lower.14 In another study, noted that the sex of the fetus influence on BPC, HC and FU and that it should be appropriate to use as an independent variable for estimating weight. Supporting this opinion, noted that the measurements of female infants are lower than that of the male infants as from the early periods of the pregnancy.16-18 In our study, despite the male fetuses grew faster than female fetuses in early gestational weeks, EBW of the female fetuses outstrips the EBW of the male fetuses in early trimester period, following gestational weeks this difference closed down. Since the measurement differences between male and female fetuses in early gestational weeks, may have effect on the results of the triple scanning tests, these differences are important. In contrary to our study, Schwarzler et al17 found that all measurements except FL were dif- 29 Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 Table 1. BPD, FL, AC, HC and EBW measurements for male and female fetus (*p value indicates the ones that are statistically significant). Week 15-22 (n=196) 23-26 (n=76) 27-30 (n=72) 31-34 (n=102) 35-38 (n=137) 39-40 (n=52) BPD (mm) Female Male p 48.6±7.4 49.2±6.2 0.241 59.8±5.4 60.3±4.4 0.278 76.7±6.5 72±4.9 0.460 82.3±4.2 81.3±7.4 0.596 89.1±4.1 89.1±3.3 0.206 94.5±2.7 94.1±3.3 0.284 FL (mm) Female Male p 33.2±6.6 33.9±5.3 0.017* 42.4±3.9 42.3±3.1 0.609 53.5±7.3 54.1±4.8 0.118 62.2±3.9 63±3.5 0.482 69.9±3.4 70.7±3.4 0.766 76.1±2.7 74.6±3.6 0.962 AC (mm) Female Male p 158±26 160±20 0.026* 197±15 209±18 0.561 249.7±29.8 242.8±19 0.113 280.3±19.5 287±18.4 0.482 326±45.3 322.5±19.7 0.275 345.5±17.5 353.1±16.8 0.649 HC (mm) Female Male p 184±25 186±18 0.052 223±20 224±24 0.563 272±25.4 268±19.5 0.745 304.7±19.6 302.7±21.1 0.590 318±18 327±13.1 0.004* 340.7±11.1 339±9.8 0.578 EBW (gr) Female Male p 395±166 407±123 0.354 684±140 695±178 0.387 1403±517 1236±289 0.006* 2005±347 2063±303 0.284 2914±533 2986±336 0.193 3684±394 3547±296 0.504 ferent between 15th and 40th gestational week. Hindmarsh et al10 observed low risk group single pregnancy cases, between 20-30 weeks and found that the sex of the fetus influence HC, on the other hand, AC is greater in male fetus than female fetus however FL wasn’t changed. In the extent of these studies which were performed in different geographical areas, the ethnic particularities may affect the results. In fact, studies showed that ethnic origin and geographical territory have effects on the growth rate of the fetus.19 Moreover, the weight, length, parity which was supposed to influence the weight of the fetus, are exluded from our study and their influence should be examined. Schild et al.20 developed a special formula for estimating the ultrasonographic fetal weight and claimed that it contains lower fault tolerances comparing to other methods. In our study, no difference between male and female weight estimations. But, there isn’t ant significant difference between birth weights within our study group. Eventually, it is natural not to find any difference in intrauterine period. Changing climate, nutrition, and living conditions are anthropologically changing the human kind. In this extent, that fact that female fetuses are delivered in smaller size compared to the male fetuses, may be a new research subject. Table 2. Relation between birth weight and fetal measurements for male and female fetus (r = correlation coefficient, p = significance). EBW BPD FL AC HC Female r=216 p=0.003 r=180 p=0.01 r=177 p=0.01 r=185 p=0.01 r=160 p=0.03 Male r=199 p=0.009 r=185 p=0.01 r=160 p=0.03 r=194 p=0.01 r=157 p=0.04 30 Baytur YB ve ark., Cinsiyetin Fetal Ultrason Ölçümleri Üzerine Etkisi: Cinsiyete Özgü Büyüme E¤rileri Gerekli mi? The significant but slight effects of the ultrasonographic measurements for estimating the fetal weight strengthen the opinions that are claiming the inadequacy of the ultrasonographic scanning in order to estimate the birth weight. Consequently, the sex of the fetus may be influencing the measurements in some gestational weeks. But, since there are many factors including maternal, genetic, ethnic and geographical differences that influence the growth of the fetus, fetal maturation should be evaluated in single case basis, and serial measurements should be preferred instead of single measurements. Using different growth curves for female and male fetuses may ensure the exact evaluation of intrauterine growth and be useful for diagnosing intrauterine growth retardation and macrosomia. It would be appropriate to repeat this study, which was planned as preliminary and single centered, on larger and heterogeneous patient group. Conclusion Using different growth curves for female and male fetuses may ensure the exact evaluation of intrauterine growth and be useful for diagnosing intrauterine growth retardation and macrosomia. We think that it would be appropriate to repeat this study, which was planned as preliminary and single centered, on larger and heterogeneous patient group. 1. References Ville Y, Nyberg DA. Growth, Doppler, and Fetal Assessment.In: Nyberg DA, McGahan JP, Pretorius DH, Pilu G(Ed). Diagnostic Imaging of Fetal Anomalies. Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams&Wilkins; 2003; p: 31-58. 2. Harding K, Evans S, Newnham J. Screening for the small fetus: a study of the relative efficacies of ultrasound biometry and symphysiofundal height. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 1995; 35: 160-4. 3. Hadlock FP, Deter RL, Harrist RB, Park SK. Fetal head circumference: relation to menstrual age. AJR 1982; 138: 64953. 4. Hadlock FP, Harrist RB, Sharman RS, Deter RL, Park SK. Estimation of fetal weight with the use of head, body and fe- mur measurements- a prospective study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1985; 151: 333-7. 5. Shepard MJ, Richards VA, Berkowitz RL, Warsof SL, Hobbins JC. An evaluation of two equations for predicting fetal weight by ultrasound. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1982; 142: 4754. 6. Pang MW, Leung TN, Sahota DS, Lau TK, Chang AM. Customizing fetal biometric charts. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2003; 22(3): 273-6. 7. Gardosi J, Chang A, Kalyan B, Sahota D, Symonds EM. Customised antenatal growth charts. Lancet 1992; 339: 283-7. 8. Gardosi J, Mongelli M, Wilcox M, Chang A. An adjustable fetal weight standard. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1995; 6: 168-74. 9. Owen P, Farrell T, Hardwick JC, Khan KS.Relationship between customised birthweight centiles and neonatal anthropometric features of growth restriction. BJOG 2002; 109(6): 658-62. 10. Hindmarsh PC, Geary MP, Rodeck CH, Kingdom JP, Cole TJ. Intrauterine growth and its relationship to size and shape at birth. Ped Research 2002; 52: 263-8. 11. Cogswell ME, Yip R. The influence of fetal and maternal factors on the distribution of birth weight. Semin Perinatol 1995; 19: 222-40. 12. Copper RL, Goldenberg RL, Cliver SP, Dubard MB, Hoffman HJ, Davis RO. Anthropometric assessment of body size differences of full-term male and female infants. Obstet Gynecol 1993; 81: 161-4. 13. Pedersen JF. Ultrasound evidence of sexual difference in fetal size in first trimester. BMJ 1980; 281: 1253. 14. Lampl M, Jeanty P. Timing is everything: a reconsideration of fetal growth velocity patterns identifies the importance of individual and sex differences. Am J Hum Biol 2003; 15(5): 667-80. 15. Bowerman RA, Nyberg DA. Normal fetal anotomic survey. In: Nyberg DA, McGahan JP, Pretorius DH, Pilu G(Ed). Diagnostic Imaging of Fetal Anomalies. Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams&Wilkins; 2003; p: 1-30. 16. Schwarzler P, Bland JM, Holden D, Campbell S, Ville Y. Sex-spesific antenatal growth charts for uncomplicated singleton pregnancies at 15-50 weeks. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2004; 23: 23-9. 17. Wald N, Cuckle H, Nanchahal K, Turnbull AC. Sex difference in fetal size in pregnancy. BMJ 1986; 292: 137. 18. Davis RO, Cutter GR, Goldenberg RL, Hoffman HJ, Cliver SP, Brumfield CG. Fetal biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length. A comparison by race and sex. J Reprod Med 1993; 38: 201-6. 19. Nasrat H, Bondagji NS. Ultrasound biometry of Arabian fetuses. Int J Gynecol Obstet 2005; 88: 173-8. 20. Schild RL, Sachs C, Fimmers R, Gembruch U, Hansmann M. Sex-spesific fetal weight prediction by ultrasound. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2004; 23: 30-5. Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 31 Investigation of Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 and Homocysteine Levels in Preeclamptic Pregnancies Ahmet Kale1, Ebru Kale2, Nurten Akdeniz1, Mahmut Erdemo¤lu1, Ahmet Yal›nkaya1, Murat Yayla3 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyabak›r 3Clinics of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Haseki Hospital, ‹stanbul 1 Abstract Objective: To investigate the relationship between preeclampsia and serum folic acid, serum B12, plasma vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5’-phosphate) and plasma homocysteine levels. Methods: 100 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 74 healthy pregnant women were included in the study from September 2004 to August 2005. Serum vitamin B12, folic acid and plasma vitamin B6 and homocysteine levels were measured in all patients at their third trimester of pregnancy. Results: Vitamin B12 serum levels in the preeclamptic and the control group were similar (117.44±42.03 pg/ml in the preeclamptic group and 136.07±59.01 pg/ml in the control group, p>0.05 ). Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5’-phosphate) plasma levels in preeclampsia group were lower than control group (6.40±2.91µg/l in preeclampsia group and 11.15±5.76 µg/l in the control group p<0.001). Folic acid serum levels in the preeclampsia group were lower (5.43±3.08 ng/ml in the control, 8.00±5.1 ng/ml, in the preeclamptic group, p<0.001). Homocysteine plasma levels were significantly higher in the preeclampsia group than control group (10.50±6.21 µmol/L in the preeclamptic group and 6.54.±2.64 µmol/L in the control group, p<0.001). Conclusion: High homocysteine level and low folic acid and vitamin B6 levels play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Keywords: Preeclampsia, homocysteine, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12. Preeklamptik gebelerde folik asit, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 ve homosistein düzeylerinin araflt›r›lmas› Amaç: Preeklampsi ile serum folik asit, serum vitamin B12, plazma vitamin B6 (piridoksal 5 fosfat) ve plazma homosistein düzey- leri aras›ndaki iliflkinin araflt›r›lmas›. Yöntem: Eylül 2004-A¤ustos 2005 tarihleri aras›nda, klini¤imize baflvuran ve preeklampsi tan›s› alan 100 gebe ile herhangi bir medikal problemi olmayan 74 sa¤l›kl› gebe çal›flmaya dahil edildi. Bütün hastalardan gebeli¤in 3. trimesterinde serum vitamin B12, serum folik asit, plazma vitamin B6 ve plazma homosistein konsantrasyonlar› ölçüldü. Bulgular: Vitamin B12 serum düzeyleri preeklampsi ve kontrol gruplar› aras›nda benzerdi (s›ras› ile; 117.44±42.03 pg/ml, 136.07±59.01 pg/ml, p>0.05). Vitamin B6 (piridoksal 5 fosfat) plazma düzeyi preeklampsi grubunda kontrol grubuna göre düflük bulundu (s›ras› ile; 6.40±2.91 µg/l, 11.15±5.76 µg/l, p<0.001). Folik asit serum düzeyi preeklampsi grubunda daha düflük saptand› (s›ras› ile; 5.43±3.08 ng/ml, 8.00±5.1 ng/ml, p<0.001). Homosistein plazma düzeyi ise preeklampsi grubunda kontrol grubuna göre anlaml› oranda yüksekti (s›ras› ile; 10.50±6.21 µmol/L, 6.54±2.64 µmol/L, p<0.001). Sonuç: Yüksek homosistein konsantrasyonu ile düflük folik asit ve vitamin B6 düzeyleri preeklampsinin patogenezinde rol oyna- yabilir. Anahtar Sözcükler: Preeklampsi, homosistein, folik asit, vitamin B6 (piridoksal 5 fosfat), vitamin B12. Correspondence: Dr. Ahmet Kale, Dicle Üniversitesi T›p Fakültesi, Kad›n Hastal›klar› ve Do¤um Anabilim Dal›, 21280 Diyarbak›r e-mail: [email protected] 32 Kale A et al., Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 and Homocysteine Levels in Preeclamptic Pregnancies Introduction Homocysteine is an aminoacid that forms during methionine metabolism. Homocysteine blood levels are affected by genetic or many acquired factors. The lack of enzymes added to the homocysteine metabolism or the cofactors necessary for its metabolism (folate, B6 vitamin, B12 vitamin) cause hyperhomocysteinemia.1 Mc Cully was the first to suggest that high homocysteine leads to atherosclerotic and thrombotic complications.2 Further studies showed disorder in endothelium dependant relaxation in various isolated artery preparations incubated with homocysteine.3 The placental vascular changes in preeclamptic patients: due to similar changes to those of atherosclerotic patients, various studies have been done to investigate the relationship between preeclampsia and homocysteine, vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5'phospate), vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, and it was shown in these studies that preeclamptic patients have higher homocysteine levels than healthy pregnant women, and that there are changes in parallel to this in vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5’-phosphate), vitamin B12 and folic acid levels.4,5 The objective of this study is to research whether there is any difference between preeclamptic pregnant women and healthy normotensive pregnant women through the comparison of serum folic acid, serum vitamin B12, plasma vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5’-phosphate) and plasma homocysteine levels. Methods This study was performed prospectively on a total of 174 normotensive healthy pregnant women and pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia who do not use any medication other than the iron preparation and do not smoke and who contacted the Clinics of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University between September 2004 and August 2005. Ethical approval was received to perform the study. Furthermore, approval was also received from all patients that their participation in the study is voluntary. Preeclamptic pregnant women were classified as the study group and healthy pregnant women as the control group. The preeclampsia classification was done according to ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) criteria.6 Blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg and proteinuria > 300 mg/dl in the 24 hour urine sample was considered to be mild preeclampsia; blood pressure ≥ 160/110 mmHg and proteinuria (5 gr/more than 24 hours), oliguria (500 ml/less than 24 hours), headache, sight impairment, pain in the right upper quadrant, liver function failure, and thrombocytopenia were considered severe preeclampsia criteria. In addition to the obstetric evaluation and laboratory examination in the 3rd trimester of gestation, blood was taken from all patients into EDTA tubes for homocysteine and vitamin B6 (pyridoxal5’-phosphate) analysis, and into plain gel tubes for folic acid and vitamin B12 analysis. After all samples were centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 10 minutes, plasma was allocated for homocysteine and vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5’-phosphate) and serum for folic acid and vitamin B12. The samples acquired were stored in the dark and at -24ºC until the day of the study. Homocysteine levels were studied using a DPC brand "Immulate 2000 Homocysteine" kit (reference range 5.0-12 µmol/L), on the Immulate 2000 apparatus (DPC, Los Angeles) using the immunoassay method. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5’phosphate) levels were studied using a Recipe brand "ClinRep Complete Kit for vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5’phosphate) in Plasma and Whole Blood" kit (reference range 8.627.2 µg/l), on the HPLC apparatus (Schimadzu, Japan) using the chromatographic method. Folic acid levels were studied using a Roche brand kit (reference range 3.1-17.5 µg/l), on the E170 system (Roche, Los Angeles) using the chemiluminescence immunoassay method. Vitamin B12 levels were studied using a Roche brand kit (reference range 30-2000 pg/ml), on the E170 system (Roche, Los Angeles) using the chemiluminescence immunoassay method. The student t test SPSS 10.0 for Windows computer program was used in the statistical analysis of data, and p<0.05 was accepted statistically significant. Results A total of 174 cases were included in the study of which 100 were preeclampsia cases (Group 1) and 74 were healthy pregnancy cases (Group 2). 33 Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 Table 1. The demographic, hematological and biochemical parameters of the groups and the weights of the newborn. Parameters Age Gravida Parity Systolic (mm/Hg) Diastolic (mm/Hg) Gestational week White blood cell ( / mL) Hemoglobin (g/dL) Hematocrit (%) Trombosis (K/uL) LDH (U/L) AST (U/L) ALT(U/L) Albumin (g/L) Proteinuria (mg/dL) Apgar 1 Apgar 5 Weight at birth (g) Preeclampsia (Average and SD) Healthy pregnancy (Average and SD) P 30.28±6.40 5.00±3.54 3.37±3.34 158.30±16.57 96.45±11.74 34.15±4.09 13.812±5.0 11.3±2.0 38.68±5.91 215.2±103 509.2±395.7 94.39±20.30 67.73±17.82 2.76±0.60 365.3±189.1 4.65±2.65 6.42±3.05 2228.50±88.86 29.70±5.59 4.90±3.40 3.02±3.13 113.78±11.66 71.48±8.55 38.06±1.29 11.577±3.3 11.6±1.5 34.56±4.08 270±62 202.2±88.9 20.06±7.74 17.62±7.28 3.28±0.36 14.0±6.1 6.01±1.94 8.13±1.46 3245.54±398.68 p>0.05 p>0.05 p>0.05 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 p>0.05 p>0.05 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 *p<0.001 *Statistically significant. Cases were separated into two groups: preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women. In group 1 cases (n=100), mild preeclampsia was predicted in 74 cases (74%) and severe preeclampsia in 26 cases (26%). The demographic, hematological and biochemical parameters, and newborn weights and first and 5th minute Apgar scores of the cases are shown in Table 1. No statistically significant difference was predicted between the age, gravid, parities between both groups (p>0.05). The week of delivery, birth weight, first and 5th minute apgar scores between both groups were statistically significant (p<0.001). group (respectively, 10.50±6.21 µmol/L, 6.54±2.64 µmol/L, p<0.001) (Diagram 4) (Table 2). No statistical difference could be predicted between the preeclampsia and control groups in terms of vitamin B12 serum level (respectively, 117.44±42.03 pg/ml, 136.07±59.01 pg/ml, p>0.05) (Diagram 1). Endothelial damage plays a role in the etiology of preeclampsia. It leads to vascular endothelial damage at high homocysteine levels. Therefore, the relationship between high homocysteine levels and preeclampsia has been shown in various studies.6 De Vries et al have predicted that 24% of preeclamptic patients also have high homocysteine.8 It is considered that high homocysteine levels may also make vascular endothelia in preeclamptic patients more sensitive towards oxidasive stress.9 In their study, Kassab et al have predicted that high homocysteine leads to maternal hypotension, proteinuria, renal damage, intrauterine developmental retardation, and increased fetal mortality.10 Patrick et al have shown that decreased folic acid and B12 levels cause high homocysteine concentrations in preeclamptic patients.11 In their The vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5’-phosphate) plasma level was found to be low in the preeclampsia group in comparison to the control group (respectively, 6.40±2.91 µg/l, 11.15±5.76 µg/l p<0.001) (Diagram 2). Folic acid serum level was found to be lower in the preeclampsia group (respectively, 5.43±3.08 ng/ml, 8.00±5.1 ng/ml, p<0.001) (Diagram 3). And the homocysteine plasma level was found to be at a significantly high ratio in the preeclampsia group in comparison to the healthy pregnancy Furthermore, no statistical difference could be predicted in terms of the vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folic acid and homocysteine serum levels of mild and severe preeclamptic patients (p>0.05). Discussion Homocysteine is methionine’s non-essential amino acid derivative. High plasma homocysteine levels are a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction, vascular disease, aterosclerosis.1-5 34 Kale A et al., Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 and Homocysteine Levels in Preeclamptic Pregnancies 160 %95 CI vitamin B12 (pg/ml) 150 140 130 120 110 100 N= 100 Preeclampsia (n=100) 74 Control (n=74) Diagram 1. Vitamin B12 levels of the group of preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women. study, Gürbüz et al have shown that there is a prevalent degree of high homocysteine concentration in preeclamptic patients, and that high homo- cysteine concentrations are in parallel with the bad prognosis of preeclampsia.12 Calle et al have stated that vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5’-phosphate) and vita- 14 %95 CI vitamin B6 (µg/l) 12 10 8 6 4 N= 100 Preeclampsia (n=100) 74 Control (n=74) Diagram 2. Vitamin B6 levels of the group of preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women. 35 Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 10 %95 CI folic acid (ng/ml) 9 8 7 6 5 4 N= 100 Preeclampsia (n=100) 74 Control (n=74) Diagram 3. Folic acid levels of the group of preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women. min B12 play a role in the homocysteine metabolism, and that the administration of these vitamins during the term of gestation with a diet prevent complications such as spontaneous low intrauterine developmental retardation, preeclampsia, intrauterine morbidity linked to gestation.13 In their 13 %95 CI homosistein (µmolg/L) 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 N= 100 Preeclampsia (n=100) 74 Control (n=74) Diagram 4. Homocysteine levels of the group of preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women. 36 Kale A et al., Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 and Homocysteine Levels in Preeclamptic Pregnancies study, while predicting homocysteine levels as higher in the preeclampsia pregnancy group in comparison to the healthy pregnancy group, Üstüner et al have predicted that serum folic acid levels are low and have stated that it is necessary to correct the lack of nutritional folic acid during the antenatal term.14 The lack of folic acid in pregnant women receiving folic acid treatment in the second and third trimester of gestation was predicted to be less in comparison to those not receiving the treatment. Thence, with the consideration that 30% of preeclamptic gestations will repeat, it is suggested that folic acid treatment be started to observe the homocysteine level in preeclamptic pregnant women and to prevent its repetition in subsequent pregnancies.15,16 According to data from this study, plasma homocysteine concentrations being predicted as higher and folic acid and vitamin B6 levels as lower in preeclamptic pregnant women in comparison to healthy pregnant women gives rise to the thought that high homocysteine concentration and low folic acid and vitamin B6 levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. If preeclampsia and high homocysteine level are predicted together during the gestational term, we believe that it is necessary to inform the patient in terms of possible risks and to closely monitor the gestation. 1. References Kang SS, Zhou J, Wong PWK, Kowalisyn J, StrokoschG. Intermediate homocysteinemia: a termolabile variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Am J Hum Genet 1988, 43: 414-21. 2. Mc Kully KS. Vascular pathology of homocysteinaemia: implications for the pathogenesis of arterioslerosis. Am J Pathol 1969; 56: 111-28. 3. Lang D, Hussain SA, Lewis MJ. Homocysteine inhibits endothelium-dependent relaxation in isolated aortic rings. Br J Pharmacol 1997; 120: 145-7. 4. Sanchez SE, Zhang C, Rene Malinow M, Ware-Jauregui S, Larrabure G, Williams MA. Plasma folate, vitamin B(12), and homocyst(e)ine concentrations in preeclamptic and normotensive Peruvian women. Am J Epidemiol 2001; 153: 474-80. 5. Herrmann W, Hubner U, Koch I, Obeid R, Retzke U, Geisel J. Alteration of homocysteine catabolism in pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome and placental insufficiency. Clin Chem Lab Med 2004; 42: 1109-16. 6. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist. ACOG practice bulletin. Diagnosis and management of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2002; 77: 67-75. 7. Raijmakers MT, Zusterzeel PL, Steegers EA, Peters WH. Hyperhomocysteinaemia: a risk factor for preeclampsia? Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2001; 95: 226-8. 8. De Vries JI, Dekker GA, Huijgens PC, Jakobs C, Blomberg BM, van Geijn HP. Hyperhomocysteinemia and protein S deficiency in complicated pregnancies. Brit J Obstet Gynecol 1997; 11: 1248-54. 9. Powers RW, Evans RW, Majors AK, Ojimba JI, Ness RB, Crombleholme WR, Roberts JM. Plasma homocysteine concentration is increased in preeclampsia and is associated with evidence of endothelial activation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998; 179: 1605-11. 10. Kassab SE, Abu-Hijleh MF, Al-Shaikh HB, Nagalla DS. Hyperhomocysteinemia in pregnant rats: Effects on arterial pressure, kidneys and fetal growth. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2005 Jul 25 Epub ahead of print. 11. Patrick TE, Powers RW, Daftary AR, Ness RB, Roberts JM. Homocysteine and folic acid are inversely related in black women with preeclampsia. Hypertension 2004; 43: 1279-82. 12. Gurbuz A, Karateke A, Mengulluoglu M. Elevated plasma homocysteine levels in preeclampsia and eclampsia. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 2004; 87: 1656. 13. De Usandizaga R, Sancha M, Magdaleno F, Herranz A, Cabrillo E. Homocysteine, folic acid and B-group vitamins in obstetrics and gynaecology. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2003; 107: 125-34. 14. Üstüner I, Sönmezer M, Cengiz B, Kahraman K, Elhan A, Söylemez F. Serum Folik Asit, Vitamin B12 ve Plazma Homosistein Düzeylerinin Preeklampsi ile ‹liflkisi. Klinik Bilimler & Doktor Kad›n Do¤um 2005; 11: 78-82. 15. De la Calle M. Hiperhomocisteinemia Preeclampsia Tesis Doctoral. Madrid, 2000. 16. A. Rajkovic, P.M. Catalano and M.R. Malinow, Elevated homocysteine levels with preeclampsia. Obstet. Gynecol 1997; 90: 168-71. 37 Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 A Case of Non-Immun Hydrops Fetalis Due to Placental Chorioangioma Ener Ça¤r› Dinleyici1, Neslihan Tekin1, Mehmet Arif Akflit1, Emine Dündar2 Department of Pediatrics, 2Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Osmangazi University, Eskiflehir 1 Abstract Choriangioma of the placenta occurs in 1% of pregnancies but it is an extremely rare condition to be large enough to threat viability of fetus or newborn due to nonimmune hydrops. A 3500 g female infant was born to a 32 year-old-woman at 36 weeks of gestation by caeserean section. Pregnanacy was complicated by polyhydramnios and preterm PROM. Apgar scores were 2 and 3 at first and 5th minutes, she had pallor, generalised edema, ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, disseminated maculopapular rash and cardiac failure. Laboratory examination revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis, and increased number of erythroblasts in peripheral blood film and consumption coagulopathy. She died at 40th hours of age. Placental weight was 920 g and histopathological examination revealed a large chorioangioma. The pathophysiology of hydrops fetalis due to choriangioma and proper management during pregnancy are discussed. Keywords: Placental choriangioma, non-immune hydrops fetalis. Plasental korioanjioma ba¤l› non-immün hidrops fetalis olgusu Plasental korioanjiom tüm gebeliklerin %1’de görülmekle birlikte fetus ve yenido¤anda fatal seyirli non-immün hidrops fetalise yol açabilmektedir. 3500 gram a¤›rl›¤›nda k›z bebek, 32 yafl›ndaki polihidramniosu ve erken membran rupturü olan annenin 1. gebeli¤inde 36. gestasyon haftas›nda sezaryen ile, 2-3 apgar ile do¤du. Soluk görünümde olan hastada jeneralize ödem, hepatosplenomegali, yayg›n makülopapüler döküntüleri ve kalp yetnezli¤i bulgular› saptand›. Laboratuar incelemesinde anemi, trombositopeni, lökositoz, periferik yaymada normoblastlarda belirgin art›fl ve dissemine intravasküler koagülasyon saptanan hasta takibinin 40. saatinde eksitus oldu. Plasenta a¤›rl›¤› 920 g olup, histopatolojik inceleme plasental koriyoanjiom ile uyumlu idi. Bu çal›flmada koriyoanjioma ba¤l› hidrops patofizyolojisi ve gebelikteki tedavi yaklafl›mlar› tart›fl›lm›flt›r. Anahtar Sözcükler: Plasentak korioanjiom, non-immün hidrops fetalis. Background Hydrops is generally a common end stage for a variety of diseases that share any of the three underlying mechanisms. These are the conditions that lead to congestive heart failure or conditions with obstructed lymphatic flow or decrease in plasma osmotic pressure and increase in capillary permeability.1 In the past, most cases of hydrops were due to erythroblastosis from Rh alloimmunization, now non-immune hydrops makes up 7687% of all cases.2 Incidence of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) at delivery ranges from 1 in 830 to 1 in 4600.3 Although chorioangiomas are the most common benign tumor of placenta, hydrops fetalis due to chorioangioma is a rare condition that resulted Correspondence: Dr. Ener Ça¤r› Dinleyici, Osmangazi Üniversitesi T›p Fakültesi, Çocuk Sa¤l›¤› ve Hastal›klar› Anabilim Dal›, Eskiflehir e-mail: [email protected] 38 Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 from fetal cardiac failure because of hyperdynamic circulation and anemia.4-6 We present such a case of hydrops fetalis with a review of the literature in order to emphasize the importance of follow-up in chorioangioma-detected cases. Case A 3500 g female infant was born to a 32-yearold unregistered gravida 1, para 0 mother at 36 weeks gestation by caesarean section. Pregnancy was complicated by polyhydramnios and premature rupture of membranes. Apgar scores were 2 and 3 at 1st and 5th minutes, respectively. In umbilical cord blood, pH was 7.18, base deficit was –10.5. On physical examination weight was 3500 g, length was 47 cm, head circumference was 35 cm. She had pallor, generalized edema and ascites. Cardiovascular system revealed tachycardia and short systolic murmur in left parasternal area. Liver was 4 cm and spleen was 3 cm palpable below the costal margin. Disseminated maculopapular rash was observed over the trunk and limbs. Laboratory examination revealed hemeglobine 11.8 g/dl, platelets 55000/mm3 and leucocyto- sis 91100/mm3 with increased number of normoblasts (60%) in peripheral blood film. Blood glucose 31 mg/dl, total bilirubin was 14.9 mg/dl with a rise in direct bilirubin of 12,02 mg/dl. AST was 785 IU/L, ALT 143 IU/L, BUN 9 mg/dl, Cr 0.4 mg/dl PT 160’’, PTT 82’’, Fibrinogen 63 mg/dl. In urinalysis 3+ proteinuria, 2+ bilirubinemia were detected. Chest X-ray demonstrated cardiomegaly with a cardiothoracic index of 0.70. She died at 40th hour of birth. In pathological evaluation placental weight was 920 g. At dissection, a mass 9x6x5 cm in diameters was seen in maternal surface of the placenta. It was purplish-red in color and well demarcated from surrounding parenchyma. Microscopically the tumor was composed of numerous blood vessels capillary in type and supported by loose, scanty fibrous stroma. No areas of necrosis, calcification or myxoid change were identified (Figure 1). Discussion Chorioangioma is a benign and common neoplasm of placenta that does not metastasize.6 Fetal complications such as hydramnios, congestive Figure 1. Numerous capillary sized vessels are separated by inconspicuous stroma (Hematoxyline and Eosin x200). 39 Dinleyici EÇ et al., A Case of Non-Immun Hydrops Fetalis Due to Placental Chorioangioma heart failure, anemia, and prematurity and growth retardation were rarely described.4,7-8 Among these complications hydramnios is the most frequently reported one. When anemia develops which is severe enough to cause high output cardiac failure, fetal cardiomegaly, and hydrops can be expected. Development of anemia can be either due to hemodilution or destruction of the red blood cells in such cases.9 Our case had congestive heart failure with cardiomegaly, hepatomegaly, edema and ascites with a hemoglobin level of 11 g/dl. Consumptive coagulopathy was also present in our case with disseminated purpuric rash and prolonged PT and PTT, low fibrinogen value and reduced number of platelets. It was suggested that trapped red cells and platelets in the vascular channels of chorioangiomas resulted in consumptive coagulopathy and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia.10 management alternative in patients with large chorioangioma.13 If diagnosis cannot be made in utero or in utero treatment fails, fluid restriction with diuretics and blood transfusion is administered for the treatment of neonatal cardiac failure. Consumptive coagulopathy can be managed by fresh frozen plasma, and platelet transfusions. Life expectancy is low among non-immun hydrops fetalis cases, early in utero diagnosis of placental chorioangiomas and management will improve prognosis. 2. Santolaya J, Alley D, Jaffe R et al. Antenatal classification of hydrops fetalis. Obstet Gynecol 1992: 79: 256-9. In most of the reported cases, it was emphasized that the size was important for the development of fetal hydrops.7,11 However Jauniaux et al.,12 evaluated 9 cases of chorioangiomas which in those cases the diameter of the tumors ranged between 3 and 10 cm, only one case was complicated by non immun hydrops. They concluded that the vascularization of the tumor is a pivotal determinant factor for the development of complications not the size. If the tumor is avascular no specific complications are expected. Our patient had a large placenta weighing 920 g with a large chorioangioma, which was 9x6x5 cm in size. It was also associated with increased vascularity. 3. Hill LM. Non-immune hydrops. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2001; 1: 248-55. 4. Haak MC, Oosterhof H, Mouw RJ et al. Pathophysiology and treatment of fetal anemia due to placental chorioangioma. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1999; 14: 68-70. 5. Montan S, Anandakumar C, Joseph R et al. Fetal and neonatal hemodilution associated with multipl placental chorioangioma: case report. J Obstet Gynec Res 1996; 22: 436. 6. Wallenburg HCS. Chorioangioma of the placenta. Obstet Gynec Surv 1971; 26: 411-25. 7. D’Ercole C, Cravello L, Boubli L et al. Large chorioangioma associated with hydrops fetalis: prenatal diagnosis and management. Fetal Diagn Ther 1996; 11: 357-60. 8. Horigome H, Hamada H, Sohda S et al. Large placental chorioangiomas as a cause of cardiac failure in two fetuses. Fetal Diagn Ther 1997; 12: 241-3. 9. Locham KK, Garg R, Goel S. Hydrops fetalis in placental chorioangioma. Indian Pediatr 2001; 38: 112-3. With the increasing use of ultrasound, prenatal diagnosis of these tumors is becoming more common.5 In patients with fetal and/or maternal complications, color Doppler may play a role in demonstrating the blood flow inside the mass.4,12 As for those without complications and with little or no blood flow, it is of limited use. Management includes umbilical blood sampling and intravascular transfusion that temporarily corrects the hydrops and significantly pro- longs the pregnancy.9 Ablation of the blood supply of placental chorioangioma via operative fetoscopy is another 1. References Etches PC, Demianczuk NN, Okun NB, Chari R. Nonimmune hydrops fetalis. In: Rennie JM, Roberton NRC, ed. Textbook of Neonatology. 3rd ed. Edinburgh, England: Churchill Livingstone, 1999. 10. Teaching files: The Placenta. Division of Neonatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. http://www.neonatology.org/syllabus/placenta. 11. Zoppini C, Acaia B, Lucci G et al. Varying clinical course of large placental chorioangiomas. Report of 3 cases. Fetal Diagn Ther 1997; 12: 61-4. 12. Jauniaux E, Ogle R. Color Doppler imaging in the diagnosis and management of chorioangiomas. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2000; 15: 463-7. 13. Quintero RA, Reich H, Romero R et al. In utero endo-scopic devascularization of a large chorioangioma. Ultrasound Obstet Gynec 1996; 8: 48-52. Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 40 Congenital Large Oropharyngeal Immature Teratoma Figen K›r fiahin1, Gülengül Nadir Köken1, Serhan Çevrio¤lu1, Önder fiahin2, Arif Saylan1 Kocatepe Üniversitesi, Kad›n Hastal›klar› ve Do¤um, 2Patoloji Anabilim Dal›, Afyon 1 Abstract Epignathus is a congenital tumor and a rare type of teratoma. It is associated with midline abnormalities. In our case the teratoma was of oropharyngeal origin, extending to cervical region, inhibiting the growth of maxillary and mandibular bones and tongue. No treatment could be applied. Although there are few cases of epignathus reported to be treated with ex-utero intrapartum treatment procedure, there are no reported cases in the literature with totally undeveloped bone and soft tissue of lower and upper jaws as in our case. Keywords: Epignathus, oropharyngeal mass, maxillo facial deformities. Konjenital büyük orofaringeal immatür teratom Epignathus konjenital bir tümördür ve nadir görülen bir teratom türüdür. Orta hat anomalileri ile iliflkilidir. Olgumuzda teratomun orofarenks kaynakl› olup servikal bölgeye kadar uzan›m gösterdi¤i, maksiller ve mandibular kemi¤in ve dilin geliflimine engel oldu¤u saptand› ve tedavi yap›lamad›. Literatürde eksutero intrapartum tedavi prosedürü ile tedavi edilebilen az say›da epignatus olgusu bulunmas›na ra¤men olgumuzda oldu¤u gibi alt ve üst çeneye ait kemik ve yumuflak dokunun tamamen geliflmedi¤i bir olguya rastlamad›k. Anahtar Sözcükler: Epignathus, orofaringeal kitle, maksillo fasiyal deformiteler. Introduction Teratomas are congenital germ cell tumors that contain tissues of variable maturity and have a known malignant potential which is unpredictable from their histological features or stage of development. Teratomas occur in approximately one in 4000 live births, show a female preponderance, and have an 18% risk of other congenital malformations, some of which can be incompatible with life.1 The most common sites of origin of teratomas in children are the sacrococcigeal region, gonads and mediastinum. Epignathus teratoma represents a rare group of congenital neoplasms in the head and neck. It has an incidence of 1/35.0001/200.000 births. The clinical presentation of this tumor varies depending on size and location in the oronasopharynx.2 In utero a tumor occluding the foetal airway may not cause many significant problems because the foetus is perfused by the umbilical cord and placenta, but it may impede foetal swallowing leading to the accumulation of amniotic fluid or ‘maternal polyhydramnios’.1 Epignathi that arise from the palate or pharynx and protrude from the mouth result in life-threatening airway Yaz›flma adresi: Dr. Figen K›r fiahin, Kocatepe Üniversitesi, Kad›n Hastal›klar› ve Do¤um Anabilim Dal›, Afyon e-posta: [email protected] Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 obstruction and usually cause asphyxiation shortly after birth.3 The large oropharyngeal teratoma can cause airway obstruction and neonatal mortality. Case The patient was a 20-year-old healty woman pregnant to her first child with a gestational age of 25 weeks. Questionning the family history it was learned that all the family members were healthy. Foetal heart activity was observed in three dimensional ultrasonography. Foetal measurements were compatible with 25 weeks. Amniotic fluid index was increased. A mass lesion of 73x76 mm, originating from the facial and neck region, containing solid and cystic components was observed (Figure 1). The mass lesion was just below the eye level of the foetal face so the nose and the mouth could not be observed and foetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. In the MRI a7x8x11 cm smooth lobulated contoured, septated multicystic mass lesion with a fibrous capsule occupying the anterior maxillofacial and cervical region was detected. The mass lesion was unrelated with the cervical spinal canal and and intracranial area (Figure 2). Bilateral orbital development was normal. Bone and soft tissue of lower and upper jaws were not developed. The family was informed about the situation. The surgical procedures to be performed after the birth because of the nondevelopment of maxillary and mandibular bone and soft tissue due to the teratoma were consulted with Figure 1. Ultrasound view of the foetus. 41 plastic and reconstructive surgerions and paediatric surgeons and the family was informed. As a result of the consultations it was learned that a functional jaw would be unable to be reconstructed in this case and the extrauterin intrapartum treatment procedure after birth would be difficult. As the mass lesion extends to cervical region respiratory and digestive tracts were completely closed and the baby would face breathing and nutrition problems. Family was informed about these problems. The pregnancy was terminated via vaginal route with the family’s decision. The autopsy of the foetus revealed that the mass lesion with a dimension of 7x8x11 cm was occupying the whole oropharynx and was unrelated with any of the oropharyngeal structures but the mass was extending to cervical region. Cervical tissue and organ development was normal. The upper border of the mass was adjacent to the lower border of the orbital bone but it was unrelated with the sphenoid bone. Maxilary and mandibular bones and the tongue were absent, there were some cartilage remnants which were thought to be belonging to the jaw (Figure 3). The mass was shown in Figure 4 macroscopically. The mass was diagnosed as immature teratoma histopathologically (Figure 5). Discussion Teratomas are composed various tissues of ectodermal, endodermal and mesodermal origin. These tissues exhibit various degrees of matura- 42 K›r fiahin F et al., Congenital Large Oropharyngeal Immature Teratoma Figure 2. MRI view of the 7x8x11 cm mass occupying the maxillofacial and cervical region. tion.3 They are classified in four groups as dermoid cyst, teratoid cyst, teratoma and epignathus. Dermoid cyst derives from endodermal and mosedermal germ layers. Tumors composed of all three germ layers that are poorly differentiated are called teratoid cyst and those which are well differentiated are called teratoma. Epignathi are oral tumors containing foetal organ and structures.4 Figure 3. View of the dead born foetus. er places with the lack of regulation effects of adjacent cells and factors.4 In the recent studies epignathus teratomas were reported to have a neuroectodermal tissue dominance although cells of three germ layers are seen, as seen in our case.3 Epignathus teratomas are rare congenital tumors associated with midline abnormalities. They have an incidence of 1/35.000-1/200.000.5 Epignathus teratomas are normally nonfamilial. It is 3 times more prevelant among women.5 The reason of this predominance is yet unclear. Epignathus teratomas are more common among the babies of young mothers as in our case. Mean age of the mother is 24.6.5 There are no findings suggestive of an environmental factor or a karyotypic abnormality.3 Histopathologically 51% are mature teratoma, 49% are immature teratoma, 5.8% are yolk sac tumors.3,6 Our case was reported as immature teratoma histopathologically. (Vandenhaute) The aetiopathogenesis of epignathus is unclear. According to a theory, it developes due to insufficient fusion of midline tissues during the embriogenesis at the 7-9th gestational weeks.4-5 Another theory suggests that uncontrolled growth of primordial germ cells in improp- In our case intraoral teratoma of oropahryngeal origin was present. Although most of the cases were reported to originate intraorally, the classical epignathus tumor is of jaw or alveolar bone origin.7 According to the settling place, head-neck teratomas with palatal origin are called epipalatus, In a review of Isaac Jr6 about the perinatal germ cell tumors, it was mentioned that, in the literature 16 cases with hard palate origin, 14 cases with nasopharyngeal origin, 6 cases with sphenoid origin and 6 cases with oropharyngeal origin were reported. Perinatal Journal • Volume: 14, Number: 1/March 2006 43 Figure 4. Macroscopic view of the mass. those with sphenoidal origin are called episphenoid, those with cranial origin are called epicranium.4 Most of the epignathus tumors have a binding place to the cranial base in the posterior nasopharyngeal region. Although most of them are related with hard palate and sphenoid bone, there are some developing from midline or laterally.5 In our case the mass was not related with any oropharyngeal region. The clinical presentation is associated with the settlment place and the size. Usually a great epignathus tumor fills the mouth and protrudes from the oral cavity. A small one is usually pediculated and may localize anywhere in the oropharyngel region. A huge oropharyngeal mass compresses and replaces the normal tissues in the lower part of the face and jaw and frequently causes maxillary deformity.5 The teratoma of our case was localized intraorally. The mass was not protruding from the mouth, however, it was extending to the cervical region and additionally, maxillary and mandibular bony structure and the tongue was not present. To our knowledge, there are no cases of oropharyngeal teratoma impeding the development of maxillary and mandibular bone and the tongue. Cranial base involvement of teratoma may extend both intracranially and extracranially like a sand watch.4,5 There exists a craniopharyngeal extension in some cases. Intracranial extension is often fatal.5 Intracranial extension shall be suspected in case of sphenoid base involvement and be confirmed by CT or MRI.4,5 In our case there were no sphenoid bone involvement and MRI scans revealed no intracranial extension, that should be a sign in our favor about the prognosis of the foetus. As in our case, maternal polyhydramniosis can be seen due to oropharyngeal obstruction by the teratoma in the intrauterin period and difficulty in swallowing or due to eosophageal compression.3,4 Epignathus can be diagnosed antenatally by ultrasound and in appropriate cases multidiciplinary treatment can be applied.5 Antenatal diagnosis was achieved in our case, however, because of nondevelopment of maxillary and mandibular bones and the tongue, impossibility to reconstruct these organs surgically the pregnancy was termi- K›r fiahin F et al., Congenital Large Oropharyngeal Immature Teratoma 44 Figure 5. Histopathologic view of the mass compatible with immature teratoma. nated with the decision of the family. Embrional rabdomyosarcoma of the tongue, retinoblastoma, nasal glioma, heterotopic thyroid, cystic lymphangioma, nasoethmoidal meningoencephalocele, sphenoid meningoencephalocele and giant epulis shall be considered in the differential diagnosis.5 Although rarely seen, head and neck teratomas are emergent cases during the neonatal period due to airway obstruction and high mortality rates in infants.3 Usually, those diagnosed antenatally have 3 folds higher mortality than those diagnosed neonatally.6 leaves the uterus and before the umblical cord is cut, then the maternofoetal circulation is ceased and the birth is completed.7 1. 2. 3. Multiple surgical procedures can be needed to obtain an optimal result in large tumors. Intracranial extension must be excluded before the surgery.6 In case of hydrocephaly or intracranial mass in a neonate with epignathus, surgery is avoided because the prognosis is poor.8 No recurrance was reported after complete resection.5 4. In the exutero intrapartum treatment procedure, during the ceserian sectio of the term foetus, airway patency is achieved with intraoperative intubation or tracheostomy just after the foetus 7. 5. 6. 8. Kaynaklar Fautrel B, Le Moel G, Saint-Marcoux B, Taupin P. Diagnos1. Demajumdar R, Bhat N. Epignathus: A germ-cell tumour presinting as neonatal respiratory distress. Int J Ped Otolaryngol 1999; 47: 87-90. Haghighi K, Milles M, Cleveland D, Ziccardi V. Epignathus teratoma with bifid tongue and median glossal salivary mass:report of a case. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2004; 62: 37983. Yoon JH, Kim J, Park C. Congenital immature teratoma of the tongue: an autopsy case. Oral Sur Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2002; 94: 741-5. Izadi K, Smith M, Askari M, Hackam D, Hameed AA, Bradley JP. A patient with an epignathus: management of a large orooharyngeal teratoma in a newborn. J Craniofac Surg 2003; 14: 468-72. Vandenhaute B, Leteurtre E, Lecomte-houcke M, Pelerin P, Nuyts JP,Cuisset JM, Soto-ares G. Epignathus teratoma: report of three cases with a review of the literature. Cleft Palate-Craniofac J 2000; 37: 83-91. Isaacs H. Perinatal (fetal and neonatal) germ cell tumors. J Ped Surg 2004; 7: 1003-13. Vega SJ, Losee JE. Epignathus teratoma. Images Surg 2003; 197: 332-3. Smith NM, Chambers SE, Billson VR, West CP, Bell JE. Oral teratoma (epignathus) with intracranial extension: a report of two cases. Prenat Diagn 1993; 13: 945-52. 45 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 Abruptio Placentae in Adult Still’s Disease with Onset During Pregnancy: A Case Report Cem Dane, Murat Yayla, Banu Dane, Ahmet Çetin Clinics of Gyneceology and Obstetrics, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul Abstract Background: We investigated a woman who was presented fever of unknown origin, rash, artralji due to adult-onset Still's disease who developed abruption placenta. Case: The patient was admitted at 20 weeks’ gestation with fever, malaise, sore throat, cervical lymphadenopathy and a dif- fuse erythematous maculopapular rash for 10 days. After exclusion of an infectious or malignant disease, adult onset Still's disease was diagnosed according to the Yamaguchi criteria. After the exclusion of other infectious, malignant, and inflammatory causes, a diagnosis of adult-onset Still disease meeting the Yamaguchi criteria was made. She was treated with prednisone and had immediate improvement. Despite this, the dead fetus is delivered at 22 weeks of gestation with placental abruption. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of AOSD who presented with placental abruption. Patients with adult onset Still disease are usually subjected to multiple diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests as well as empiric treatment with antibiotics and other medications. Corticosteroid therapy can achieve satisfactory response and perhaps better fetal outcome. Keywords: Still’s disease, abruption placentae, hyperferritinemia. Gebelikte bafllayan eriflkin tip still hastal›¤›nda dekolman plasenta: olgu sunumu Amaç: Plasenta dekolman› geliflen bir Still hastal›¤› olgusu incelendi. Eriflkin tip Still hastal›¤› nedeni aç›klanamayan atefl, eklem a¤r›s› ve döküntü özellikleri ile seyreden romatolojik bir rahats›zl›kt›r. Olgu: Gebeli¤in 20. haftas›nda olan hasta atefl, yorgunluk, bo¤az a¤r›s›, servikal lenfadenomegali ve 10 gündür süren vücutta yayg›n eritematö-makulopapüler döküntüyle baflvurdu. Enfeksiyöz, malign ve enflamatuar nedenlerin araflt›r›lmas› sonras›nda, Yamaguchi kriterlerine dayan›larak eriflkin tip Still hastal›¤› tan›s› konuldu. Prednizolona cevap veren hastada iki hafta sonra geliflen dekolman plasentaya ba¤l› fetal ölüm olufltu. Sonuç: Plasenta dekolman› ile ortaya ç›kan literatürdeki ilk eriflkin tip Still hastal›¤› olgusunu sunduk. Eriflkin tip Still hastalar› ta- n› konulmadan önce genellikle birçok laboratuar ve klinik testlere maruz kal›rlar ve s›kl›kla antibiyotik ve baz› di¤er ilaçlarla ampirik olarak tedavi edilmeye çal›fl›l›rlar. Kortikosteroid tedavisi bu hastalarda tatmin edici sonuçlar›n al›nmas›n› sa¤layarak fetüsün iyilik durumuna katk›da bulunabilir. Anahtar Sözcükler: Still hastal›¤›, plasenta dekolman›, hiperferritinemi. Backgrond Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is an inflammatory condition that can involve internal organs, joints and also sometimes other parts of the body. The cause of the disease and occurrence mechanism is not understood clearly. Clinical properties are intermittent raising body temperature, arthralgia, macular or maculo-papular skin eruption, sore Correspondence: Dr. Cem Dane, Haseki E¤itim ve Araflt›rma Hastanesi, Kad›n Hastal›klar› ve Do¤um Klini¤i, ‹stanbul email: [email protected] Presented as a poster at the 7th World Congress of Perinatal Medicine - Zagreb on 21.24.2005. 46 Dane C et al. Abruptio Placentae in Adult Still’s Disease with Onset During Pregnancy: A Case Report throat, myalgia, lymphadenomegaly and splenomegaly. ETSH is rarely diagnosed during pregnancy. This disease has to be differentially diagnosed especially with infectious diseases with viral ecsantemas, malignencies (lymphomas) and some rheumatologic diseases. Mostly a lot of laboratory and radiologic tests are done and these cause a delaying in diagnosis and therapy. Elevated serum ferritine has a diagnostic value in acute progressing Adult type Still disease.1 daily; fever decreased and did not increase again, myalgias and arthralgias disappeared, patient could wake up from her bed without help. After 10 days of this nice improvements patient had a vaginal bleeding and placental detachment is diagnosed in ultrasonography, the patient who intrauterine death occurred is delivered with induction (Figure 1). Adult type Still disease presenting with placental at pregnancy is studied with clinical and laboratory characteristics and reported in this article. Adult type Still’s disease is rarely seen and estimated incidence is reported as 0.34 in 100.000 women.3 The disease which was first described at year of 1896 by George Still is being named as “juvenile idiopathic arthritis” in recent years.4 The adult form of Still’s disease which is generally seen in children is described by Bywaters.5 Stein published first case appearing in pregnancy at 1980.6 In a study that was made at year of 2004, 22 pregnancies were followed up in 17 patients with adult type Still’s disease.7 In ten patients Still’s disease appeared in pregnancy for the first time, relapses occurred in seven of 12 pregnancies seen in previously diagnosed patients. Symptoms generally appeared in first trimester in the patients that were diagnosed in pregnancy for the first time. Although, it is reported that only three pregnancies resulted without problem, probably the other patients who were not developed any problem are not reported. Abortus, premature birth, retardation in intrauterine development and newborn death are reported related with pregnancy. Premature birth and retardation in intrauterine development are determined during relapses in patients previously diagnosed. Recurrences appeared most frequently in postpartum period. Impaired glucose tolerance and preeclampsia are reported for maternal morbidity. As understood from the study pregnancy condition does not affect the disease that is dragging on with recurrence and recovery periods. In another study made at 2003, 33 pregnancies occurring in 24 patients were examined.8 According to this study there was not stated expressly a clear evidence about the effect of the pregnancy on adult type Still’s disease or about the effect of adult type Still’s disease on pregnancy. In the article, it is reported that beginning of the disease could be either in the antepartum or postpartum periods, Case A 25-year-old patient with 20 weeks pregnancy (G3, P2) is admitted with fever, sore throat, cervical lymphadenomegaly and diffuse erithematomaculopapular eruptions lasting 10 days. An anatomically normal fetus concordant with pregnancy week and normal placenta and amnion fluid is found in obstetrical ultrasonography . Her body temperature was 39.5°C when she admitted. Parenteral fluid therapy and third generation cephalosporin and erythromycin is started. There has been no difference in patient’s condition during following three days. Fever of the patient was usually raising on mornings. Eruptions were rising while there was fever and then color of the eruptions were getting pale with decreasing of fever. In the patient’s laboratory findings; anemia; Hb: 8.6 g/dl, Hct: % 23.6, ESR: 80 mm/hour, leukocytes: 19.500/mm3, platelets: 186,000/mm3, ALT 32 U/L, AST 65 U/L and C-reactive protein (CRP) 10 mg/dl (normal value < 0.6 mg/dl) were found. ANA, ACA and rheumatoid factor and also blood, urine and throat cultures were found negative. After discarding infectious, malignant and inflammatory reasons that can cause this clinical disease, adult type Still’s disease is diagnosed based upon Yamaguchi criteria.2 Significantly elevated serum ferritin level in patient (> 13.000 mg/dl) is evaluated as a specific sign (normal values 15-300). Lymph node analysis from cervical region, reactive lymphocytosis is determined consistent with Still’s disease. The patient’s symptoms improved dramatically after 12 hours starting the treatment of 30 mg cortisone Discussion 47 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 Figure 1. Retroplacental hematoma regions are seen at right and left. Table 1. Major and minor criterion in adult type Still’s disease. Major criteria Minor criteria Fever > 39°C Arthralgia > 2 weeks Still eruptions Neutrophilic leukocytosis Sore throat Lymphadenomegaly or splenomegaly Elevation in liver enzymes Negative rheumatoid and antinuclear factor and also disease symptoms could get improved, did not change or recurrences were seen during pregnancy or in postpartum period. In long term follow-ups of children from mothers with adult type Still’s disease there was no problem concerning education, job and social functions.9 Clinical course is generally slight with recurrence and relapse periods. Life threatening internal organ involvement was not seen, however liver failure, pericarditis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocarditis causing heart failure, arrhythmias, pancytopenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpurae-hemolytic uremic syndrome and diffuse intravessel coagulation were evident. In our case, retroplacental hematoma and placental detachment was observed. The observed detachment is interesting in the aspect that it shows a severe form of the disease. It may possibly be an indication that the disease affects the placental arteries. In recent studies, a relationship is found between the activation of the adult Still’s disease and the increased ferrite serum level.10 The increase of the serum ferrite concentration over 10000 ng/ml is considered to show the active period of the illness and for this reason, it is suggested to be used not only for the prediction of the illness but also the for monitoring the activity of the illness. Although many diagnosis criteria are suggested, it is accepted that criteria of Yamaguchi maintains the highest sensitivity (96.2%) and specificity (92.1%).2 The adult type Still’s disease is diagnosed with 10 or more points from 5 major criteria (2 points for each) or combination of major and minor criteria (one point each) (Table 1). Furthermore, there must be five or more criteria and at least two of them must be major criteria. The Adult Still’s disease criteria predicted in our case are as follows: intermittent fever reaching peak points and then decreasing, continuing for two weeks together with sore throat, maculo-papular eruption seen with the increase of the fever and disappearing with the decrease of the fever, leukocytosis and arthralgia. In addition, increased level of ferrite for 48 Dane C et al. Abruptio Placentae in Adult Still’s Disease with Onset During Pregnancy: A Case Report the patient maintained the distinguishing from other rheumatologic diseases and is consistent with the laboratory results of this disease. As far as we can understand from studies which we could access, our case is the fist adult type Still’s disease presented in the literature together with placental detachment. This case shows an instance of the adult type Still’s disease presented with severe symptoms. ETSH should be considered in the diagnosis of patients administered to the hospital for fever with unknown reasons. Thus, the development of life threatening complications ETSH can be prevented with early diagnosis and remedy. 1. 2. References Fautrel B, Le Moel G, Saint-Marcoux B, Taupin P. Diagnostic value of ferritin and glycosylated ferritin in adult onset Still's disease. J Rheumatol 2001; 28: 322-8. Yamaguchi M, Ohta A, Tsunematsu T. Preliminary criteria for classification of adult Still’s disease. J Rheumatol 1992; 19: 424-30. 3. Wakai K, Ohta A, Tamakoshi A. Estimated prevalence and incidence of adult Still’s disease: findings by a nationwide epidemiological survey in Japan. J Epidemiol 1997; 7: 221–5. 4. Still GF. On a form of chronic joint disease in children. Med Chir Trans 1897; 80:47. (Reprinted in: Arch Dis Child 1941; 6:56). 5. Bywaters EGL. Still’s disease in the adult. Ann Rheum Dis 1971; 30:121–133. 6. Stein GH, Cantor B, Panush RS. Adult Still’s disease associated with pregnancy. Arthritis Rheum 1980; 23:248–50. 7. Mok MY, Lo Y, Leung PY, Lau CS. Pregnancy outcome in patients with adult onset Still's disease. J Rheumatol 2004; 31: 2307-9. 8. Pan VL, Haruyama AZ, Guberman C, Kitridou RC, Wing DA. Newly Diagnosed Adult-Onset Still Disease in Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 2003; 101:1112– 6. 9. Sampalis JS, Esdaile JM, Medsger TA, Partridge AJ, Yeadon C, Senecal JL. A controlled study of the long term prognosis of adult Still’s disease. Am J Med 1995; 98: 384–8. 10. Van Reeth C, Le Moel G, Lasne Y. Serum ferritin and isoferritius are tools for diagnosis of active adult Still’s disease. J Rheumatol 1994; 21: 890–5 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 49 Prenatal Diagnosis Of Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Case Report ‹ncim Bezircio¤lu1, Merve Biçer1, Dilek Uysal1, Seyran Yi¤it2, Ali Balo¤lu1 First Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2Pathology Department of ‹zmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, ‹zmir 1 Abstract Background: Osteogenesis imperfecta is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders characterized by severe bone fragility, abnormal ossification and multiple fractures. We report here a terminated case of osteogenesis imperfecta diagnosed with obstetric ultrasonography during sixteenth week of pregnancy. Case: A 19 year-old gravida 2, para 1 patient was referred to our institution following a secreening ultrasound which demonstrated skeletal anomalies of the fetus. Sonographic evaluation revealed that all long bones were short and angulated with multiple fractures, the chest was narrow and bell-shaped, the echogenity of the skull was decreased and visualization of the intracranial structures were increased. Termination of the pregnancy was decided due to the ultrasonographic findings predicting lethality. The diagnosis of Osteogenezis Imperfecta type II was confirmed by postmortem radiography and autopsy examination. Conclusion: Today with the advances in obstetric ultrasonography, the early prenatal diagnosis of lethal skeletal dysplasias is possible. In existence of ultrasonographic findings predicting lethality, the choice of termination should be offered to parents after giving a detailed information about the fetal prognosis even if the true ultrasonographic diagnosis is not available. Keywords: Osteogenesis imperfecta, prenatal diagnosis. Osteogenezis Imperfektan›n Prenatal Tan›s›: Olgu Sunumu Amaç: Osteogenezis imperfekta kollagen maturasyonunda defekt nedeniyle kemik k›r›lganl›¤›nda art›fl, anormal kemikleflme ve çok say›da k›r›klarla karakterize heterojen bir genetik hastal›kt›r. Bu çal›flmada gebeli¤in 16. haftas›nda yap›lan obstetrik ultrasonografi ile tan›s› konularak sonland›r›lan bir Osteogenezis imperfecta olgusu sunulmufltur. Olgu: 19 yafl›nda gravida 2, parite1 olan olgu gebeli¤in 16. haftas›nda yap›lan ultrasonografisinde fetal iskelet anomalisi saptanmas› üzerine klini¤imize refere edildi. Olgunun yap›lan prenatal 2. düzey ultrasonografisinde tüm ekstremitelerde uzun kemiklerin k›sa bükülmüfl ve çok say›da k›r›k içerdi¤i, gö¤üs kafesinin k›sa dar oldu¤u, ayr›ca kafatas›n›n düflük ekodansitede olup kafa içi yap›lar›n ola¤andan daha net görüldü¤ü saptand›. Letaliteyi gösteren ultrasonografi bulgular› nedeniyle gebeli¤in terminasyonuna karar verildi. Postnatal radyografi ve otopsi bulgular›yla Osteogenezis imperfekta tip II tan›s› kondu. Sonuç: Günümüzde obstetrik ultrasonografideki geliflmelerle ölümcül iskelet displazilerinin erken prenatal tan›s› mümkün olabilmektedir. Spesifik ultrasonografik tan› konulamasa bile letaliteyi öngören ultrasonografik belirteçlerin varl›¤›nda aileye fetal prognoz hakk›nda bilgi verilerek terminasyon seçene¤i sunulmal›d›r. Anahtar Sözcükler: Osteogenezis imperfekta, prenatal tan›. Correspondence: Dr. ‹ncim Bezircio¤lu, ‹zmir Atatürk E¤itim ve Araflt›rma Hastanesi 1. Kad›n Hastal›klar› ve Do¤um Klini¤i, ‹zmir e-mail: [email protected] 50 Bezircio¤lu ‹ et al., Prenatal Diagnosis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Case Report Background An osteogenesis imperfecta type II case diagnosed with prenatal ultrasonography and aborted at 16th pregnancy week is presented. Because of the case it is aimed to draw attention to the ultrasonographic diagnosis criteria of fatal prognosed osteogenesis imperfecta Type II and reviewing the ultrasonographic markers preceding fatal prognosis. Case The case is 19 years old, G2P1, having a normal son; in the ultrasonography that was made for the first time in this pregnancy at 16th week upon determining a morphologic defect in fetus, the patient is referred to our clinic. In ultrasonographic evaluation cranium echogenity is decreased, intracranial structures were seen more evident than usual (Figure 1). Thorax diameter was decreased significantly and increased to the favor of heart. Spine was morphologically normal. Long bones in extremities were short and curled, their measurement was below 5 % percentile, and some parts of hand and foot bones could not be seen (Figure 2). With these findings a fatal skeletal displasia prognosed with mineralization defect was considered Figure 1. Ultrasonographic view of the cranium. Figure 2. Ultrasonographic view of the limbs. 51 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 clinically and radiologically. After giving prenatal the inspection after birth and postmortem radiog- consultancy it is decided to end the pregnancy. raphy (Figure 3). With induction of misopristol dead male fetus was delivered. In autopsy examination caudo rectal length was 16, 5 cm, head to heel length was 20 cm (Figure It is seen that cranium bones were not devel- 4). It was seen that cranial bones were not devel- oped, Thorax was significantly short and thin, long oped when the cranial cavity opened. There were bones of extremities were fairly short and curled in multifractures in costae and small nodular struc- Figure 3. Postmortem radiographic view. Figure 4. Morphological view. 52 Bezircio¤lu ‹ et al., Prenatal Diagnosis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Case Report Figure 5. View of the costal fractures. tures made of callus tissue in thorax cavity (Figure 5). Fibrocartilagenous young repairment tissue was observed in samples taken from costae. There was microfractures and callus tissue in samples from tibia. Furthermore bone spicules in metaphysis could not be seen clearly and it showed marked ossification defect (Figure 6). There were immature organ findings in samples from the other organs. Discussion Osteogenesis imperfecta type 1 is a heterogen genetic disease developing with collagen metabolism disorder and seen clinically in a broad spectrum. It is characterized with increase in bone fragility, abnormal osteogenesis and multifractures. Type II is the most severe form among four known Figure 6. Ossification defects on microscopy. Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 clinical forms. Incidence is 0.4 in 10000 liveborns, approximately half of them are (0,19 : 10000) type II.1 Osteogenesis imperfecta type II is divided into 3 subgroups according to radiologic criteria. The most severe and frequently seen type is type II A. Severe micromelia, decreased thorax diameter and short thorax length, decreased mineralization and multifractures in bones are the mainly characteristics of the disease. There is normal bone echogenity in type II B and C and fractures are seen rarely. There is shortness in all bones in type II B while only an isolated shortness is found in femur in type II C.2,3 Our case is consistent to Osteogenesis imperfecta type II A with phenotypic and radiologic characteristics. Most of osteogenesis imperfecta type II cases occur with de novo otosomal dominant mutations. It is also reported rare otosomal recessive and germ line mosaism.4,5 Type 1 is developed as a result of a dominant mutation in one of COL1A1 or COL1A2 genes responsible from collagen production. Disease type 1 occurs in collagen containing organs and tissues (skin, ligament, tendon, demineralized bone, dentine) with clinical pathologic findings. In osteogenesis imperfecta, both intramembraneous production and enchondral bone production and repairment are effected from type 1 collagen production defect.4 Failure in intramembranous bone production leads to diaphysial cortical bone production and calvarial ossification defect. In our case, it is shown that there is no ossification in sculp with ultrasonography, radiography and autopsy findings. Failure in enchondral osteogenesis leads defect in bone growing and also in healing of bone fracture.4 It showed severe micromelia in our case, long bone measurements are determined below the 5% percentile. Ossification defect is showed histologically in slices taken from metaphysis. Prenatal diagnose of osteogenesis imperfecta type II can be done with ultrasonographic examination and DNA analysis on chorion villus samples.6 Most frequently described prenatal sonographic signs are being the long bones short thick 53 untidy margin, short thorax, being the skull in low echogenity, seeing intracranial structures more evident. It can be diagnosed by ultrasonography from beginning of the second trimester.3,7 It is reported cases that are diagnosed in first trimester.8,9 At high risk patient population severe displasia cases can be diagnosed early with transvaginal fetal biometry followings. But, fetal biometry following is not found effective in early diagnosing of mild form skeletal displasias.7 Since skeletal displasias are a quite heterogen disease group, their spesific and differential diagnose is hard. The spesific diagnose can be done with clinical findings, biochemistry analysis, radiography in postnatal period, and with radiography, autopsy and biochemistry analysis on fibroclast cultures of samples taken from fetus and autopsy in fatal cases.10 Tretter et al confirmed specific antenatal diagnose of 13 cases (48%), 26 cases were fatal in postnatal period in a series of 27 cases that they are determined fatal skeletal displasia.11 Parilla et al made a true specific antenatal diagnose to the 20 cases (65%) in a serie of 31 cases that they diagnosed skeletal displasia by ultrasonography. They project its fatality is 100 % with the findings such as severe shortness of long bones, bone curlings and fractures, being the FL/AC ratio smaller than 0.16, cloverleaf shaped skull, hypoplastic thorax, short ribs. They did not determine false positive sign showing it is fatal.10 Hers et al investigated that definite ultrasonographic findings are whether indicative or not in cases of suspected skeletal displasia. They projected 23 of 26 cases who they diagnosed skeletal displasia were fatal, specific diagnose of 11 of them were confirmed postnatally. They found positive predictive value 92 % in determining the fatal prognosis when evaluated with narrow thorax, being femur percentile smaller than 1 and decreased bone echogenity.12 In our case osteogenesis imperfecta Type II is pre-diagnosed with short narrow thorax, lack of ossification in cranium, severe micromelia and fractures and pregnancy is ended because of the presence of findings determining fatal prognosis. 54 Bezircio¤lu ‹ et al., Prenatal Diagnosis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Case Report Its prenatal diagnose is important because of its fatality and osteogenesis imperfecta type II mostly occurs with de novo mutations. Severe shortness of long bones, multifractures in long bones and angling, short and narrow thorax, decreased bone echogenity, cloverloaf shaped sculp are the most important ultrasonographic markers of fatal prognosis. References 1. Skeletal Dysplasias, Chapter15. In: Nyberg DA, McGahan JP, Pretorius DH, Pilu G (Eds). Diagnostic imagines of fetal anomalies. 1th Edition, Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams&Wilkins 2003; p: 696-8. 2. Tongsong T, Wanapirak C, Siriangkul S. Prenatal diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta type II. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1998; 61(1): 33-8. 3. Baytur YB, Nefle N, Uyar Y, Laçin S, ‹nceboz ÜS, Ça¤lar H. Osteogenezis ‹mperfekta Tip II tan›s›nda prenatal ultrason,postmortem radyografi ve otopsinin yeri: Olgu sunumu. Perinatoloji Dergisi 2004; 12(3): 155. 4. Kennon JC, Vitsky JL, Tiler GE, Jeanty P. Osteogenesis Imperfecta. The fetus net: 1994-07-07-15. 5. Cole WG, Dalgleish R. Perinatal lethal osteogenesis imperfecta. J Med Genet 1995; 32(4): 284-9. 6. Berge LN, Marton V, Tranebjaerg L, Kearney MS, Kiserud T, Oian P. Prenatal diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1995; 74(4): 321-3. 7. Gabrielli S, Falco P, Pilu G, Perolo A, Milano V, Bovicelli L.Can transvaginal fetal biometry be considered a useful tool for early detection of skeletal dysplasias in high-risk patients? Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1999; 13: 107-111. 8. Viora E, Sciarrone A, Bastonero S, Errante G, Botta G, Franceschini PG, Campogrande M. Osteogenesis imperfecta associated with increased nuchal translucency as a first ultrasound sign: report of another case. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2003; 21(2): 200-2. 9. McEwing RL, Alton K, Johnson J, Scioscia AL, Pretorius DH. First-trimester diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta type II by three-dimensional sonography. J Ultrasound Med 2003; 22(3): 311-4. 10. Parilla BV, Leeth EA, Kambich MP, Chilis P, MacGregor SN. Antenatal detection of skeletal dysplasias. J Ultrasound Med. 2003;22(3):255-8. 11. Tretter AE, Saunders RC, Meyers CM, Dungan JS, Grumbach K, Sun CC, Campbell AB, Wulfsberg EA. Antenatal diagnosis of lethal skeletal dysplasias. Am J Med Genet 1998; 75(5): 518-22. 12. Hersh JH, Angle B, Pietrantoni M, Cook VD, Spinnato JA, Clark AL, Kurtzman JT, Bendon RW, Gerassimides A. Predictive value of fetal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of a lethal skelethal dysplasia. Southern Medical Journal 1998; 91(12): 1137-42. 55 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 Cervical Pregnancy: A Case Report Cüneyt Eftal Taner, Tolga M›zrak, Semih Mun, ‹rem fienyuva, Yi¤it Özgenç, Fatma Alt›ntaflo¤lu Çelimli SSK Ege Maternity Hospital. Obstetrics Clinic, Izmir Abstract Introduction: Cervical pregnancy constitutes 0.1% of all ectopic pregnancies. It is associated with a significant risk of life-threatening severe hemorrhage. Case: A 33-years-old woman gravida 8, para 2, abortus 5 and living children 2 who had left oophorectomy operation due to ovarian cyst was referred to our hospital with pelvic pain and delayed menstrual period. By vaginal ultrasonographic examination, cervical pregnancy sac which was 7.5x3 mm in diameter and compatible with 5 weeks and 1 day of gestation was found in the cervical canal. There was no significant subchorionic bleeding area. The patient was hospitalised. Beta-human chorionic gonadothropin (β-hCG) level was 4532 mIU/ml on admission. Since the pregnancy was very early, aspiration&curettage was applied. Ultasonographic and physical findings after curettage were normal and the patient was discharged in the following day. Conclusion: Cervical pregnancy is associated with life-threating hemorrhage. Only in early pregnancy surgical interventions can be applied safely. Keywords: Cervical ectopic pregnancy. Servikal gebelik: olgu sunumu Girifl: Servikal gebelikler tüm ektopik gebeliklerin %0.1’ini oluflturur. Hayat› tehdit edebilecek kadar afl›r› kanama en önemli komplikasyondur. Olgu: 33 yafl›nda, gebelik 8, parite 2, abortus 5, yaflayan 2 çocu¤u olan olgunun 2 y›l önce over kisti nedeniyle geçirilmifl sol ooforektomi öyküsü mevcuttu. Adet gecikmesi ve kas›k a¤r›s› flikayeti ile baflvuran olguda yap›lan vaginal ultrasonografik incelemede servikal kanal içerisinde yaklafl›k 7.5x3 mm çapl›, konturlar› düzgün, içerisinde 3 mm’lik yolk sak ve milimetrik CRL‘si bulunan 5 hafta 1 gün ile uyumlu servikal gebelik izlendi. Belirgin subkoryonik kanama alan› yoktu. Hastaneye yat›r›lan olguda β-hCG düzeyi 4532 mIU/ml olarak ölçüldü. Erken gebelik saptanmas› nedeniyle aspirasyon küretaj uyguland›. Küretaj sonras› ve muayene bulgular› normal olarak de¤erlendirilen olgu bir gün sonra taburcu edildi. Sonuç: Servikal gebelikler hayat› tehdit edebilecek düzeyde kanama riski tafl›maktad›r. Ancak erken gebelik olgular›nda güvenli cerrahi müdahale uygulanabilir. Anahtar Sözcükler: Servikal ektopik gebelik. Background Cervical pregnancy constitutes 0.1% of ectopic pregnancies and it is a life threatening condition.1 Correspondence: Dr. Semih Mun, SSK Ege Do¤umevi, ‹zmir e-mail: [email protected] Definite etiology of cervical pregnancy is not known. There is a relation with past dilatation and curettage, Asherman’s syndrome, cesarean section, 56 Taner CE et al., Cervical Pregnancy: A Case Report infertility, invitro fertilization therapy, intrauterin device usage history and embryonal chromosome abnormalities.1 Sonographic findings of cervical pregnancy are presence of pregnancy sac at endocervical localization and trophoblastic invasion. Pathologic diagnostic criteria of cervical pregnancy are presence of endocervical glands against placental region, beginning the invasion of placenta into cervix, being of some part or whole of the placenta at under the uterine entry region or peritoneal foldings at the front or back face of uterine and lack of fetal elements in endometrial cavity. There is a living fetus in 60% of the cervical pregnancies.2 Most of the patients are low parity pregnants and the most important problem in conservative treatment is excessive bleeding. Conservative treatment forms are chemotherapy with methotrexate, KCl injection into the sac. Hysterectomy is more offered in second or third trimester of cervical pregnancies or uncontrolled bleedings.1 Case Case who is 33-years-old, married for 16 years, had 8 pregnancy, 2 birth, 5 abortus, 2 living children had a history of left ooferectomy because of ovarian cyst two years ago. She admitted with complaints of menstrual delay and inguinal pain and there was seen approximately 7.5x3 mm diameter, smoothly contoured, having inside 3 mm yolk sac and millimetric CRL that is consistent with 5 week 1 day pregnancy in cervical canal in vaginal ultrasonography. There was no marked subchorionic bleeding area (Figure 1). Endometrium thickness was 14 mm in our case and myometrium echogenicity was normal. β-HCG level is measured as 4532 mIU/ml. There was no vaginal bleeding in her physical examination. Blood biochemistry and hemogram parameters were normal. Aspiration curettage is applied because of determined early pregnancy. Ultrasonography was normal after curettage and vital findings were normal during following, there was no vaginal bleeding and case is discharged at fist day after curettage. Pathology results were nonproductive placental tissue as pathology doctors reported. Discussion As ectopic pregnancy incidence was 16 over 1000 pregnancies in 1989 in USA, in recent years this ratio increased to the levels of five folds compared to 1970s.3 We face the maximal ectopic pregnancy incidence between 35-44 ages with a rate of 20.8 pregnancies over 1000.3 Cervical preg- Figure 1. Pregnancy sac at cervical canal. 57 Perinatal Journal • Vol: 14, Issue: 1/March 2006 nancy is a life-threatening and rarely seen type of ectopic pregnancy. Cervical pregnancy incidence is 1 over 2.400 to 50.000 pregnancies in USA.3 In a study by Ushakov et al, it is reported that the most seen symptom of cervical pregnancy is vaginal bleeding with a ratio of 91% and then inguinal pain with a ratio of 2%.1 There was no vaginal bleeding in the physical examination of our case. There was only inguinal pain and menstrual delay complaint. There is a relationship between cervical pregnancy and past dilatation and curettage history, Asherman’s syndrome, cesarean section, infertility, IVF treatment, intrauterine device usage history and embryonic chromosomal abnormalities.1 There was no other risk factor except past dilatation and curettage history in our case. It is hard to diagnose cervical pregnancy clinically. Diagnose has been abortus imminens, incomplete abortus or missed abortus preoperatively in 50% of the patients in a study made by Nelson et al.3 With the using of ultrasonography in diagnosing cervical pregnancy can be differentially diagnosed from other types of abortus. Although 4.5% false diagnose is made, when ultrasonography is not used 46.2% case take false diagnose.3 Transvaginal ultrasonography must be preferred in cervical pregnancies but, the best results are always made with a combination of transvaginal and abdominal sonography.2 In our case cervical pregnancy diagnose was made with transvaginal ultrasonography. Ushakov et al determined live cervical pregnancy in a ratio of 62.5% while they determine 10.8% early cervical pregnancy and 13.8% missed cervical pregnancy. Serum β-hCG levels are used in diagnose of cervical pregnancy and in the following of conservative treatment. Ushakov et al reported serum βhCG levels as 54.1-137,000 mIU/ml at the moment of diagnose in their study. In our case serum βhCG level was 4532 mIU/ml when it is diagnosed. β-hCG followings are carrying importance especially in observation of medical treatment. Main target in the treatment of cervical pregnancy is preventing bleeding by ending the pregnancy. Aspiration and curettage are the most frequently used choice in the treatment of cervical pregnancy. Aspiration and curettage are performed in approximately half of the patients.1 Altho- ugh aspiration and curettage seem as a benign treatment method severe bleeding can begin after ablation of placenta as Schneider described.4 Some approaches in order to reduce the blooding of cervices can be administered preoperatively to solve this problem. This methods are ligation of cervical branches of uterine artery transvaginally, Shirodkar type cerclage, embolization of uterine artery by angiography or intracervical vasopressine injection.1,5 However, in that case a preoperative administration to reduce cervical bleeding was not done because of early cervical pregnancy and unexpectation of deep trophoblastic invasion. An excessive bleeding was not observed during or after the operation. In the treatment of cervical pregnancy hysterectomy, conservative abdominal surgery (ligation of bilateral internal iliac or uterine arteries or cervical hysterectomy) and medical treatments can be administered besides aspiration and curettage. Today hysterectomy is preferred in patients 45 years and above, having high parity or having diagnose of cervical pregnancy with uterine pathology.1 Methotrexate or potassium chloride can be administered in medical treatment. Methotrexate can be administered in patients with a pregnancy age of under 10 weeks and also hemodynamically stabile, with minimal or no bleeding and in patients without active renal or liver disease, leucopenia or trombositopenia.5 For this reason methotrexate is an agent that can be used systemic or local. Pregnancy sac collapse due to local methotrexate administration; bone marrow depression, stomatitis, anorexia, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, acute or chronic hepatotoxicity, pulmoner fibrosis, alopecia and photosensitivity are the side effects that can be seen due to systemic administration of methotrexate.6 Potassium chloride is an agent that can be administered locally into the sac as injection.7 As a result cervical pregnancy is a type of ectopic pregnancy carrying excessive bleeding risk. However, surgical intervention can be administered safely in early pregnancy cases. 1. References Ushakov FB, Elchalal U, Aceman PJ, Schenker JG. Cervical pregnancy: Past and future. Obstet Gynecol Surv 1997; 52: 45-59. 58 Taner CE et al., Cervical Pregnancy: A Case Report 2. Frates MC, Benson CB, Doubilet PM et al. Cervical ectopic pregnancy: Results of conservative treatment. Radiology 1994; 191: 773-5. 3. Ectopic pregnancy. In: Speroff L, Glass RH, Kase NG. Editors. Clinical Endocrinology and Infertility. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins. 1994: 947-66. 4. Nelson RM. Bilateral internal iliac artery ligation in cervical pregnancy: conservation of reproductive function. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1979; 15; 134: 145-50. 5. Dreizin DH, Schneider P. Cervical pregnancy. Am J Surg 1957; 93: 27-40. 6. Honey L, Leader A, Claman P. Uterine artery embolization: A successful treatment to control bleeding cervical pregnancy with a simultaneous intrauterine gestation. Hum Reprod 1999; 14: 553-5. 7. Bai SW, Lee JS, Park JH, Kim JY, Jung KA, Kim SK, Park KH. Failed methotrexate treatment of cervical pregnancy. Predictive factors. J Reprod Med 2002; 47: 483-8. 8. Doubilet PM, Benson CB, Frates MC, Ginsburg E. Sonographically guided minimally invasive treatment of unusual ectopic pregnancies. Ultrasound Med 2004; 23: 359-70.