Initial Results on Primary Field Cancellation of Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy Technique for Fetal Acidosis Detection using COMSOL Multiphysics

Monitoring of fetal condition during labor could save hundred lives in a single year. During labor, fetus is at critical condition as acidosis may occur suddenly without any early symptoms. Invasive method such as Fetal Blood Sampling (FBS) has been used to detect the decline in pH level of fetus. However, fetal loss rate after FBS may range from 1.4% up to 25%. In this paper, magnetic field induction spectroscopy was implemented to determine fetal acidosis by using primary magnetic field cancellation technique. Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy (MIS) probe was design where transmitter coil (TX) is perpendicular to receiver coil (RX). The result shows that the secondary magnetic field produced have been successfully measured without any interruption from primary magnetic field. By using transmitter input 1A, it shows that voltage is inversely proportional to the blood pH due to the conductivity properties of blood.

Risk of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus after fetal blood sampling: a report of six cases

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major global public health problem worldwide; in endemic areas, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV is the most common transmission route. Previous studies have shown that amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis increases the risk of MTCT of HBV among highly viraemic mothers. However, no data is available on MTCT related fetal blood sampling (FBS) because of the paucity of cases or lack of attention. We present a case series of HBV-infected women who underwent FBS with or without antiviral therapy during pregnancy and discuss the risk of MTCT after FBS. Case presentation Six hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive pregnant women who underwent FBS for prenatal diagnosis were retrospectively reviewed. Their infants were followed up with HBV serology parameters until at least 12 months of age. Among 6 cases, two hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers had high viral loads > 7.0 log10 IU/mL, and one of them received antiviral therapy at 26+ 3 gestational weeks and achieved an anticipated level of 4.52 log10 IU/mL before FBS, while the other one did not receive any antiviral treatment. The other 4 cases were HBeAg-negative with low viral loads. Only a child born to the HBeAg-positive mother, who had no antiviral therapy with a viral load of 7.48 log10 IU/mL before FBS, was found to have MTCT with HBsAg persistently positive from birth to 12 months of age. The other 5 children were both HBsAg-negative and HBsAb-positive at the end of follow-up. Conclusions FBS may increase the risk of MTCT of HBV in women with HBeAg-positive and high viral loads; therefore, FBS should be avoided in this high-risk population. Maternal HBV serologic testing and awareness of the potential risk of MTCT should be recommended before FBS. Antiviral therapy may be effective to decrease the risk of MTCT after FBS in highly viraemic women.

Preterm Labour

Preterm delivery is defined as delivery before 37 weeks completed gestation. It represents a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality and accounts for 5–10% of all deliveries. Cervical length assessment between 16–24 weeks and positive fetal fibronectin beyond 21 weeks gestation are proved to useful tools in prediction of preterm labour. Treating asymptomatic bacteruia and bacterial vaginosis in high-risk women reduces the incidence of preterm labour. Cervical cerclage is recommended to reduce the incidence of preterm birth in women with 2nd trimester losses and those with cervical length of 25 mm or less on transvaginal ultrasound between 16–24 weks gestation. Atosiban and nifidipine are currently the agents of choice in tocolysis. Antenal steriods in womens with threating preterm labour reduces the perinatal morbidties. Magnisum sulphate role is established for neuroprotection especially in extreme gestations between 24–30 weeks. Vaginal delivery is mode of choice for delivery with consideration to avoid fetal blood sampling, fetal scalp electrodes and ventouse prior to 34 weeks gestations. Caesarean section is considered for obstetric reasons that guide labour management at term.

FETAL OUTCOME AFTER CAESAREAN SECTION PERFORMED FOR FETAL DISTRESS BASED ON ABNORMAL CARDIOTOCOGRAPHY

Objective: To determine the fetal outcome of Caesarean Sections (CS) performed for abnormal Cardiotocography (CTG) Material and Methods: This retrospective data review was conducted in Gynaecology and Obstetrics unit B of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from June 2015 till June 2016 after approval from the hospital ethical committee, using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. The hospital record of 234 patients who had CS for fetal distress was reviewed. Patients with singleton and term gestation, who had CS for fetal distress diagnosed based on abnormal Cardiotocography were included in the study. The fetal outcome was noted in terms of Apgar score at 5 minutes, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and perinatal mortality. Fetal blood sampling (FBS) and postnatal analysis of fetal arterial blood gases and PH were not carried out in any patient because of non-availability. The results are expressed in frequencies and percentages, shown in tables and figures. Results: In one year, a total of 1255 C-sections were performed. Amongst these, 234 (18.64%) patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled. Babies delivered with 5 minutes Apgar score of 7 or above were 166 (70.94%). Twenty-one (8.97%) babies were admitted to NICU and perinatal mortality was 6 (2.54%). Conclusion Out of 234 patients who underwent CS due to abnormal CTG, more than 2/3rd of patients had normal babies with an Apgar score of 7 or more, which indicates that abnormal CTG alone should not be used as an indication for CS Keywords: Fetal Distress, CTG, Caesarean section

Development of a surgical technique for long-term catheterisation of bovine fetuses

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to further develop and extensively describe a surgical technique in order to realise long-term fetal blood sampling in the bovine species. Eleven Holstein–Friesian 6- to 8-month pregnant cows (4–10 years old) were used for this study. Gestational age on the day of surgery varied from approximately 180 days (n = 1) to 240 days (minimum: 232 days, maximum 252 days; n = 10). The fetal medial tarsal artery was catheterised in pregnant cows with a polyvinyl catheter in dorsal recumbency under general anaesthesia. Although 5 out of 11 operations (45.5%) performed between 232 and 252 days of gestation were lost due to different causes mainly associated with peritonitis and septicaemia, the mean interval between operations and calvings was 42.5 days (between 27 and 95 days). It is important to emphasise that a well-trained surgical team is needed for bovine fetal cannulation in order to be able to decrease the risk factors during the operations. Due to the fact that after 5 unsuccessful cases none of the pregnancies were lost, this skill can be reached, and our technique can enable bovine fetal blood sampling for long-term endocrinological and physiological investigations before and during parturition.