Canadian general internal medicine residents’ perception of a pedagogical tool of online cases in obstetric medicine

Background Sufficient exposure to rarer medical problems around pregnancy is a challenge during short rotations in obstetric medicine (OM). A Canadian research group created online clinical cases, the CanCOM cases, to overcome this. Methods We conducted an exploratory study to document the use and perceived utility of the CanCOM cases. 77 residents doing an OM rotation participated in our study. We used a survey to document their perception of CanCOM cases (12 items, 7-point scale), clinical exposure to several conditions (pre and post rotation; 41 items, 7-point scale) and use of the educational tool (1 item, 4-option scale). Results CanCOM cases was perceived as an accessible and useful tool. Participants completed a median of 6/20 cases (range 1–20), and highly recommended the cases (6.48 ± 0.73 SD on a 7-point Likert scale). Conclusion Despite some technical limitations, CanCOM cases was shown to contribute to clinical exposure to rare but essential medical conditions.

Maternal Sepsis: A Review of National and International Guidelines

Objective Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome caused by the body's response to infection. The Global Maternal Sepsis Study (GLOSS) suggests sepsis plays a larger role in maternal morbidity and mortality than previously thought. We therefore sought to compare national and international guidelines for maternal sepsis to determine their consistency with each other and the Third International Consensus for Sepsis and Septic Shock (SEPSIS-3). Study Design Using Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, Google Scholar, and organization Web sites, we identified seven guidelines on maternal sepsis in the English language—The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and World Health Organization. Guidelines were reviewed to ascertain the commonality and variation, if any, in definitions of maternal sepsis, tools and criteria utilized for diagnosis, obstetric warning systems used, as well as evaluation and management of maternal sepsis. These variables were also compared with SEPSIS-3. Results All guidelines provided definitions consistent with a version of the SEPSIS, although the specific version utilized were varied. Clinical variables and tools employed for diagnosis of maternal sepsis were also varied. Evaluation and management of maternal sepsis and septic shock were similar. Conclusion In conclusion, national and international maternal sepsis guidelines were incongruent with each other and SEPSIS-3 in diagnostic criteria and tools but similar in evaluation and management recommendations. Key Points

A CASE SERIES OF PREGNANCY IN EISENMENGER'S SYNDROME- A MANAGEMENT CONUNDRUM

Eisenmenger's syndrome(ES) refers to the development of pulmonary hypertension and reversal of shunt in patients with long standing congenital heart defects with left-to-right shunt. The cardiovascular changes in pregnancy, labour and puerperium add to the morbidity and mortality associated with this high-risk cardiac condition. Fetal outcome is also poor with increased incidence of stillbirth and prematurity. We report 3 such patients of ES with severe pulmonary hypertension. The rst patient presented in advanced pregnancy with unbooked status. She had a spontaneous preterm precipitate labour before cardiac optimization and delivered vaginally with successful outcome. The second patient presented to us in early third trimester with right heart failure, which was stabilized after caesarean section. The third patient also had a good outcome, despite additional complications of pulmonary edema. Neonatal outcome in our case series was marred by complications like fetal growth restriction, prematurity, perinatal asphyxia and one neonatal death. A multidisciplinary team approach involving obstetric medicine specialists, cardiologists, anaesthesiologists and neonatologists, is required for peripartum care of these patients to improve the maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Micronutrient screening, monitoring, and supplementation in pregnancy after bariatric surgery

We present the case of a woman with a history of biliopancreatic diversion and duodenal switch procedure who developed severe malnourishment requiring total parenteral nutrition during three pregnancies. The widespread use of bariatric surgery, particularly among those of reproductive age, has led to an increase in the number of women who become pregnant following bariatric surgery. There is a paucity of evidence to guide nutritional recommendations for women during pregnancy post bariatric surgery. We review this literature and summarize key published evidence and provide comprehensive recommendations concerning the common challenges in the management of nutrition status during pregnancy. The focus is on the impact of malabsorptive bariatric surgeries on pregnancy outcomes, nutrient deficiencies, recommendations for micro- and macronutrient monitoring and supplementation, and altered glucose metabolism and implications for diabetes screening. Optimizing pregnancy outcomes for individuals following bariatric surgery requires multidisciplinary team management including obstetrical providers, obstetric medicine specialists, and dietitians.

AB0858 SUCCESSFUL TERM PREGNANCY IN A PATIENT WITH GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS AFTER UNDERGOING RITUXIMAB THERAPY - CASE REPORT

Background:Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GWP) is a relatively rare disease with the lack of experience in the management of pregnancy currently. Potentially negative factors of pregnancy prognosis are both disease-related and teratogenic effects of specific vasculitis therapy [1].Objectives:To describe a clinical case of Successful term pregnancy in a patient with Granulomatosis with polyangiitis after undergoing rituximab therapy.Methods:19 years-old woman was admitted to the rheumatology department of Clinical Regional Hospital After Mechnicov in 2013 with the debut of Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Her disease course included recurrent rhinitis and sinusitis, Granulomatosis of the eye orbits. Positive ANCA titers were present in the disease onset. In the preceding 7 years she had been treated with corticosteroids, cyclophospan (discontinuated in 2017 because of lack of efficiency), than azathioprine. Aseptic necrosis of the both femoral head was estimated on fifth disease year. In 2018 azathioprine therapy had been discontinued owing to the disease progression and biological agents were prescribed – rituximab with positive effect. The disease remission was achived by rituximab therapy, the patient was warned about the need for contraception. The last dose of rituximab was introduced in February 2020. However, in March 2020, the patient reported pregnancy and therapy was discontinued. At the onset of pregnancy she was treated with 6 mg oral methylprednisolone. Daily and this dose was stable till all pregnancy period. Fetal growth assessment, congenital abnormalities screening test, and laboratory tests for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia were unremarkable during all gestational trimesters. The ANCA titers remained negative and renal function was normal and there was no flare during all pregnancy period.Results:At 38 weeks’ gestation a spontataneous labor started without induction. A 3270-g healthy boy delivered with APGAR score of 9 at 1 minute and 5 minutes. Postpartum the disease remained in remission, and the patient was maintained on corticosteroids. The infant was healthy, with normal development.Conclusion:Thus, the use of biological agents therapy in patients with GWP shows possible ways to safe reproductive potential with disease remission achievement.References:[1]Daher A, Sauvetre G, Girszyn N, Verspyck E, Levesque H, Le Besnerais M. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis and pregnancy: A case report and review of the literature. Obstetric Medicine. 2020;13(2):76-82. doi:10.1177/1753495X18822581Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy: Developing a multidisciplinary care pathway in East London

Objectives Evaluate the management of pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease. Method We collected data from maternity records for women with IBD who gave birth at The Royal London Hospital between January 2018 and February 2019. Results Twenty-three pregnancies were identified where 8/23 (35%) women had a peri-conception flare and 7/23 (30%) had a flare during pregnancy. Two women received pre-conception counselling. The obstetric medicine team reviewed a patient on average three times and the gastroenterologists twice, during pregnancy. Nine women (39%) gave birth pre-term. Mean birthweight was lower in the group with active disease at conception compared with those in remission (2173 g vs. 2807 g, p = 0.03). Conclusions Women with IBD should all receive pre-conception counselling to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. By developing a multidisciplinary care pathway for pregnant women with IBD (which includes a joint obstetric/gastroenterology clinic), this will ensure care is standardised throughout the pregnancy and puerperium.

Chronic hypertension in pregnancy: synthesis of influential guidelines

Chronic hypertension in pregnancy accounts for a substantial proportion of maternal morbidity and mortality and is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, most of which can be mitigated by appropriate surveillance and management protocols. The aim of this study was to review and compare recommendations of published guidelines on this condition. Thus, a descriptive review of influential guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand, the International Society of Hypertension, the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy, the European Society of Cardiology, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on chronic hypertension in pregnancy was conducted. All guidelines agree on the definition and medical management, the need for more frequent antenatal care and fetal surveillance and the re-evaluation at 6–8 weeks postpartum. There is also a consensus that the administration of low-dose aspirin is required to prevent preeclampsia, although the optimal dosage remains controversial. No universal agreement has been spotted regarding optimal treatment blood pressure (BP) targets, need for treating mild-to-moderate hypertension and postnatal BP measurements. Additionally, while the necessity of antenatal corticosteroids and magnesium sulfate for preterm delivery is universally recommended, the appropriate timing of delivery is not clearly outlined. Hence, there is a need to adopt consistent practice protocols to optimally manage these pregnancies; i.e. timely detect and treat any potential complications and subsequently reduce the associated morbidity and mortality.