problems in pregnancy Flashcards
how are UTIs treated in pregnancy?
avoid nitrofurantoin in last trimester
what is pre-eclampsia?
multisystem disorder characterised by new onset HTN and proteinuria that occurs in second half of pregnancy and resolves with delivery.
one of many hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
what is the normal pattern of blood pressure seen during pregnancy?
Normally BP drops in T1 and T2 due to progesterone and reduced vascular resistance. It then slowly rises back to normal in T3. with delivery there is a drop in BP which gradually rises over 4 days.
what is the pathophysiology behind pre-eclampsia ?
Thought to be due to abnormal blood flow through the uteroplacental circulation due to inadequate placentation.
normally trophoblasts invade the myometrium and spiral arteries and result in breakdown of the tunica muscularis such that spiral arteries cannot contract. this results in reduced resistance and increased flow.
in pre-eclampsia there is insufficient remodelling of the spiral arteries. Therefore there is high resistance and low flow. The increased BP and low perfusion of the uteroplacental circulation results in systemic inflammatory response and endothelial cell dysfunction.
what are the moderate and high risk factors to pre-eclampsia?
moderate:
- nulliparous, multiple pregnancy, >10 yrs between pregnancies, BMI >35, age >40, FHx of pre-eclampsia
severe:
- chronic HTN, pre-eclampsia/ HTN in previous pregnancy, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, SLE/antiphospholipid
others: thrombophilia, hydrops fetalis, triploidy, hydatidiform mole
what are the 3 clinical criteria that must be met for pre-eclampsia?
- systolic BP
- > 140 systolic or >90 diastolic on 2 separate occasions (>4 hours apart)
- OR >160 systolic or >110 diastolic on one occasion
- > 140 systolic or >90 diastolic on 2 separate occasions (>4 hours apart)
- proteinuria:
- significant proteinuria >300mg in a 24 hour urine sample
- OR >30mg/UM protein: creatinine ratio
- > 20 weeks gestation
what are the symptoms that occur with pre-eclampsia?
headache
visual disturbance - blurring, double, flashing lights
epigastric pain/ RUQ - due to hepaticcapsule enlargement/ infarction
vomiting
sudden onset non dependant oedema
hyperreflexia
confusion
may be asymptomatic - which is why BP and urine checked at every appointment.
what is a poor prognostic factor for pre-eclampsia?
onset of pre-eclampsia before 34 weeks
how is pre-eclampsia categorised into mild, moderate and severe ?
mild: BP 140-149/90-99
moderate: BP 150-179/100-109
severe: BP > 160/110 + proteinuria >0.5g/day
or >140/90 + proteinuria + symptoms
what are the fetal complications of pre-eclampsia?
intrauterine growth restriction
intrauterine fetal death
placental abruption, placental infarct
risk of cerebral palsy
risk of prematurity
list some differentials for pre-eclampsia?
pregnancy induced HTN - HTN without proteinuria >20 weeks
essential HTN - HTN <20 weeks gestation
what investigations should be carried out to assess pre-eclampsia?
BP recording - sitting down (use korakoff sound V for diastolic (usually IV)
24 hour proteinuria recorded or dipstick - if >300mg or +1 or more on dipstick.
FBC - low platelets and low Hb U+Es - raised creatinine, urea and lower urine output. LFTs - elevated (AST and ALT) in HELLP INR Group and save
what is HELLP syndrome?
haemolysis
elevated liver enzymes
low platelets
what is classed as eclampsia?
seizures due to pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, labour or within 7 days of birth.
what prophylaxis is can be given to those at risk of pre-eclampsia? who is chosen for this prophylaxis?
aspirin 75mg
those with 1 high risk factor or 2 moderate risk factors
given from 12 weeks onwards
any type of HTN in pregnancy will require aspirin in next pregnancy too
how is pre-eclampsia treated?
monitoring: regularly check BP, proteinuria, fetal grown scan and CTG - how often depends on severity of pre-eclampsia
treating HTN to reduce risk of cerebral haemorrhage:
1st line = labetolol
2nd line = nifedipine
3rd line = methyl dopa
preventing complications:
- VTE = LMWH and fluids
- seizures = MgSO4
what are the side effects of:
a) labetolol
b) nifedipine?
c) methyldopa?
labetolol - postural hypotension, fatigue, headaches, N+V, epigastric pain
nifedipine - peripheral oedema, dizziness, flushing, headaches, constipation
methyldopa - drowsiness, headaches, oedema, GI disturbances, dry mouth, postural hypotension, bradycardia and hepatotoxicity
can ACEi be used for HTN in pregnancy?
no contraindication - cause congenital abnormalities
also avoid diuretics
what is the only definitive cure for pre eclampsia?
delivery of baby
the pregnancy only benefits the baby - therefore weight up the risks and benefits.
if delivered <34 weeks give steroids.
when should a patient with pre-eclampsia be admitted ?
if BP >160/110
OR >150/100 + proteinuria
when should a patient with pre-eclampsia be admitted ?
if BP >160/110
OR >150/100 + proteinuria
admit for 4 hourly obs
what drugs are used for emergency BP control in pregnancy?
hydralazine
labetolol
nifedipine
what post natal care is required in pre-eclampsia?
monitor mother for atleast 24 hours post delivery - still at risk of eclampsia
monitor BP regularly for first 2 days and then atleast once a day till day 5
then the need for anti-HTN treatment can be reassessed
warn mum of risk of pre-eclampsia in next pregnancy + need to take aspirin
what is pregnancy induced HTN
HTN post 20 weeks but no significant proteinuria
how is pregnancy induced HTN managed?
same as pre-eclampsia
who is essential hypertension more common in?
older women
is prognosis of essential HTN good or bad?
good
what are the risks of having essential HTN?
placental abruption
interuterine fetal growth restriction
how is essential HTN treated?
same as pre-eclampsia
how is gestational diabetes defined?
onset of any degree of glucose intolerance during pregnancy (first recognition in pregnancy)
what’s the pathophysiology behind gestational diabetes?
placenta makes anti-insulin hormones to ensure adequate glucose for fetus
maternal pancreas fights this and makes more insulin
in gestational diabetes there is pancreatic exhaustion and anti-insulin hormones win and thus hyperglycaemic state.
list the risk factors of gestational diabetes?
BMI >35 previous gestational diabetes first degree relative with diabetes previous macrosomic baby (>4.5kg) Asian PCOS
list the clinical features of gestational diabetes
often asymptomatic if pancreatic reserve is just ok
but can present with polydipsia, polyuria and fatigue
what are the fetal complications of gestational diabetes?
maternal glucose is high and thus fetal glucose is high and thus fetal pancreas produces lots of insulin resulting in hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia
insulin is a growth hormone:
- macrosomia - shoulder dystocia, prolonged labour, instrumental delivery, brachial plexus injury
- organomegaly - especially heart - cardiomegaly
- erythropoiesis - polycythaemia
- polyhydramnios
- hypoglycaemic (high insulin but no glucose once delivered - thus need to ensure regular feeds and IV dextrose)
- insulin decreases pulmonary phospholipids and thus fetal surfactant and thus can get transient tachypnoea of newborn
- increased rates of pre-term
- congenital malformation
- fetal distress during labour
- jaundice
what investigations are carried out for gestational diabetes?
oral glucose tolerance test
- measure fasting plasma glucose
- drink 75g glucose drink
- measure plasma glucose 2 hours later
diagnosis if:
- fasting >5.6
- 2 hours later >7.8mM
when is the oral glucose tolerance test offered to pregnant women?
at booking if previous gestational diabetes
at 24-28 weeks if risk factors
at any point if glycosuria +2 or +1 or 2 occasions
how is gestational diabetes managed?
life style management
BMs 4x daily
drugs:
- metformin is good in pregnancy and breastfeeding
- glibenclamide - if metformin not tolerated
- insulin in some people
consultant led care
growth scans need to be more regular - 28, 32 and 36 weeks (for accelerating growth or polyhydramnios)
when is insulin offered for gestational diabetes?
if fasting glucose >7mM when first tested
or if any of following develop:
- pre meal glucose level >6mM
- post meal glucose >7.5 mM
- fetal abdominal circumference >95th centile
when is delivery planned in a mother with gestational diabetes?
37-38 weeks if on treatment
before 40+2 weeks if diet controlled
what post natal care is offered for those with gestational diabetes?
stop medications immediately after delivery
check blood glucose before discharge
check fasting glucose around 6-13 weeks and then annually because at increased risk of developing diabetes.
in subsequent pregnancies - OGTT at booking at 24-28 weeks
how is anaemia in pregnancy defined?
<110g/L in T1 or less than 105g/L in T2/3 or <100g/L postpartum
what is the pathophysiology behind anaemia developing during pregnancy?
there is a dilutional effect - fluid retention (although RBC increase, fluid increases more)
more iron requirements by placenta and fetus leading to iron deficiency (also blood loss)
other factors: haemaglobinopathy, B12/ folate deficiency and haemorrhage
what are the risk factors for developing anaemia during pregnancy?
maternal age poor diet low socioeconomic class haemoglobinopathy - sickle cell / thalassemia anaemia during previous pregnancy
what are the clinical features of anaemia during pregnancy?
tired, dyspnoea, dizzy
asymptomatic
pallor on examination and maybe koilonychia
what are the differential diagnosis for microcytic anaemia during pregnancy?
iron deficiency
thalassemia
sideroblastic
what are the differential diagnosis for normocytic anaemia during pregnancy?
anaemia of chronic disease
marrow infiltration
haemolytic anaemia
CKD
what are the differential diagnosis for macrocytic anaemia during pregnancy?
Folate deficiency alcohol thyroid - hypothyroid Reticulocytosis B12 deficiency
what are the complications of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy?
IUGF
fetal death
prematurity
maternal fatigue and infection
what investigations/screening should be done for anaemia in pregnancy?
FBC - all women screened at booking and 28 weeks
(also between 20 and 28 weeks if multiple fetus)
screened for haemoglobinopathy
serum folate - can be used to distinguish types
how is iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy managed?
iron supplements - ferrous sulphate tablets - first line
recheck FBC after 2 weeks
if poor absorption/ resistance can offer parenteral iron infusion (ferinject)
how is folate deficiency managed in pregnancy?
folate supplements are taken in first 3 months of pregnancy anyway
if deficiency the mother can take more.
How is B thalassemia managed in pregnancy?
folate supplements and blood transfusions as required
aim for >80g/L during pregnancy and >100g/L by delivery
how is sickle cell managed in pregnancy?
folate and iron supplements
what is the pathophysiology behind anti-phospholipid syndrome in pregnancy?
autoimmune condition and production of auto Ab to phospholipid binding proteins
in vivo results in procoagulation (in vitro anticoag effect)
effects:
- interferes with trophoblast function and differentiation and thus placental efficiency
- activation of complement pathways at maternal-fetal interface
- thrombosis of uteroplacental vasculature (late pregnancy)
can occur in isolation or alongside SLE, systemic sclerosis or RA
what are the clinical features of anti-phospholipid syndrome in pregnancy?
vascular thrombosis: - arterial - MI, stroke - venous - DVT, P.E - microvascular recurrent fetal loss - any gestational age CKD - due to microemboli pre-eclampsia IUGR valvular heart problems - mitral / aortic regurg thrombocytopenia livedo reticularis
what is catastrophic anti-phospholipid syndrome?
rare life threatening complication whereby multiple microemboli develop causing ischaemia to multiple organs
can be triggered by infection, trauma or surgery
50% mortality
what are the differentials to antiphospholipid syndrome?
protein C/S deficiency
what are the investigations that can be done in someone you suspect has anti-phospholipid syndrome? who is investigated?
if presents with symptoms - check for DVT with USS
checking Ab titres - anticardiolipin, lupus anticoagulation, anti B2 glycoprotein I
lupus anticoagulant test - test to detect lupus anticoagulant in blood which is associated with pro-thrombotic state.
what auto-Ab are found in anti-phospholipid syndrome?
anti cardiolipin - binds cardiolipin
lupus anticoagulation - is a lupus Ab that is prothrombotic
anti B2 glycoprotein I - binds B2 glycoprotein I
what is the diagnostic criteria for anti-phospholipid syndrome?
need one clinical criteria and one lab:
clinical criteria:
- vascular thrombosis
- recurrent miscarriage (3 or more)
- premature birth dur to eclampsia or severe pre-eclampsia
- one or more unexplained fetal deaths of normal fetus >10 weeks gestation
lab:
- lupus anticoagulation test - positive test on 2 or more occasions 12 weeks apart
- anti-cardiolipin Ab - medium or high titres on 2 separate occasions >12 weeks apart
- anti B2 glycoprotein I present in serum/ plasma on 2 or more occasions atleast 12 weeks apart
how is antiphospholipid syndrome managed?
LMWH - clexane
all women should be considered for thromboprophylaxis in immediate post natal period
future treatment depends on how they presented:
- recurrent fetal loss - aspirin and LMWH in subsequent pregnancies
- pre-eclampsia or IUGR previously - aspirin 75mg in subsequent pregnancy
- vascular thrombosis - life long anticoagulation with warfarin (INR 2-3) and LMWH in subsequent preg
why is pregnancy a risk factor for VTE?
procoaguable state because fibrinogen increased and protein S reduced
the changes become more pronounced as pregnancy commences and thus highest risk is in immediate post partum period
what should be done if a DVT is suspected during pregnancy?
FBC, UEs, LFTs, clotting
compression USS duplex
don’t do D dimer as this increases in pregnancy anyway
what are the risk factors for VTE in pregnancy?
pre-existing risk factors: BMI >30, age>35, thrombophilia, paraplegia, parity >3, medical comorbidities, smoking, varicose veins
obstetric: pre-eclampsia, multiple pregnancy, C section, still birth, prolonge labour, preterm birth, PPH
transient: dehydration, infection, immobility , surgery, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
where are the majority of DVTs and why
left side - 90%
left iliac vein can become compressed between iliac artery and ovarian artery
what investigations should be done if a P.E is suspected in pregnancy?
ECG, ABG if sats are low
V/Q scan or CTPA
if USS shows DVT need to scan lungs
how is VTE managed in pregnancy? what advice should be given to mum?
LMWH - clexane - started immediately and continued throughout pregnancy and 6-12 weeks post partum.
however tell mum to stop dose 24 hours before any planned induction/ C section or if she thinks she is going into labour
(warfarin is contraindicated)
alternatives are unfractionated heparin or oral anticoagulants
what are the risks of V/Q scan and CTPA and which is more risky?
V/Q scan - risk of fetal malignancy and breast cancer. but risk of the VTE is much higher
CTPA also carries some risk but safer than V/Q scan
what happens with treatment if the VTE occurs at term?
unfractionated heparin should be considered and stopped 6 hours before planned labour/ C section
when is VTE prophylaxis used?
all women are assessed for risk factors
if 4 or more risk factors - start LMWH in T1/2 and continue throughout
if 3 - start in T3 (28 weeks onwards)
if 2 - post partum LMWH
any thromboprophylaxis should be contined to 6 weeks post partum
if previous VTE (provoked) - LMWH from 28 weeks
if unprovoked VTE - LMWH throughout
known antithrombin deficiency or antiphospholipid - high dose LMWH throughout
10 day course of LMWH should be considered in all women after C section especially if it was an emergency
when should thromboprophylaxis be discontinued post partum?
6 weeks post partum
what type of virus is cytomegalovirus?
from the herpes family
what is the most common virus transmitted to fetus during pregnancy?
CMV
when does CMV have highest risk to fetus?
first trimester
what are clinical features of CMV infection in mother and fetus?
in mother can be asymptomatic or flu like symptoms
can also develop mononucleosis (like EBV) - fever, splenomegaly and impaired liver function.
fetus = congenital CMV infection
what are the problems with congenital CMV infection?
thrombocytopenia purpura DIC microencephaly IUGR hepatosplenomegaly jaundice chorioetinitis - inflammation of choroid of eye
sometimes babies with CMV infections don’t develop symptoms till 2 years. how do these children present?
sensorineural hearing loss
visual impairment
psychomotor developmental delay
what investigations can be done to confirm CMV infection?
serology for CMV - igG and IgM
if mother is positive for infection can test fetus via amniocentesis and PCR after 21 weeks gestation
what happens if a women is confirmed to have CMV infection in pregnancy?
cant treat mother during pregnancy because drugs are teratogenic
if fetus confirmed to have infection can offer termination or just regular monitor and support any problems.
what type of virus is parvovirus?
single DNA stranded
found in respiratory droplets or blood
how does parvovirus present in adults?
mild and self limiting or asymptomatic
sometimes get arthralgia in PIPJ or knees