Last Month Of Gestation Research Articles

Housing conditions during the last month of gestation affect hoof health after calving in dairy heifers

Housing conditions during the last month of gestation affect hoof health after calving in dairy heifers

Obesity and gestation in Criollo mares: endocrine and metabolic profiles

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of body condition score (BCS) on metabolic and endocrine parameters in pregnant Criollo mares (n=41), which were categorized according to their BCS as obese (7 to 9 BCS, n=26) or normal (5 to 7, n=15). Blood samples were taken during gestation in 3 periods: between 3.5 and 5 months (I), 8 and 9 months (II) and in the last month of gestation (III). The data was analyzed in the statistical model by mixed procedures, including BCS, gestational period and their interaction as fixed effects. BCS was only different in period I, as normal mares increased their BCS in the later periods. Leptin concentrations were greater in obese mares when compared to non-obese mares during all sampling periods (P<0.01), while glucose concentrations were also greater in the former group (P<0.01) but only during the first sampling period. Insulin concentrations and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were greater also in obese mares in periods I and III (P<0.05). Adiponectin concentrations in period I were lower in obese mares (P<0.05). Cholesterol concentrations increased during gestation, and obese mares tended to have greater concentrations than nonobese mares (P<0.1). Triglyceride concentrations were not affected by group or gestational period. This study revealed adaptations in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism during gestation in mares. Several parameters are dependent on the degree of body fat reserves, which are reflected in the concentrations of biomarkers such as leptin and adiponectin. Insulin concentration in obese mares was higher than non-obese mares at the end of gestation, a similar profile was observed for HOMA-IR although cutoff values are yet still to be validated.

Maternal short chain fructo-oligosaccharides supplementation during late gestation and lactation influences milk components and offspring gut metabolome: a pilot study

Breast milk composition is influenced by maternal diet. This study aimed to evaluate if supplementation of maternal diet with a prebiotic fibre, through its potential effect on milk composition, can be a leverage to orientate the gut microbiota of infants in a way that would be beneficial for their health. Twelve sows received a diet supplemented with short chain fructo-oligosaccharides or maltodextrins during the last month of gestation and the lactation. Oligosaccharidic and lipidomic profiles of colostrum and mature milk (21 days), as well as faecal microbiota composition and metabolomic profile of 21 day-old piglets were evaluated. The total porcine milk oligosaccharide concentration tended to be lower in scFOS-supplemented sows, mainly due to the significant reduction of the neutral core oligosaccharides (in particular that of a tetrahexose). Maternal scFOS supplementation affected the concentration of 31 lipids (mainly long-chain triglycerides) in mature milk. Faecal short-chain fatty acid content and that of 16 bacterial metabolites were modified by scFOS supplementation. Interestingly, the integrative data analysis gave a novel insight into the relationships between (i) maternal milk lipids and PMOs and (ii) offspring faecal bacteria and metabolites. In conclusion, scFOS-enriched maternal diet affected the composition of mature milk, and this was associated with a change in the colonisation of the offspring intestinal microbiota.

Anesthesia for non-obstetric surgery during late term pregnancy in mares.

Submitting late-term pregnant mares to anesthesia for non-obstetric surgery raises concerns about the survival of the mother and fetus. This study aimed to evaluate and describe transient maternal and fetal hemodynamic changes during general inhalation anesthesia in mares during the last month of gestation. Nine adult mares in the last month of gestation were subjected to general inhalation anesthesia and dorsal recumbency for 90 minutes. Trans-anesthetic vital parameters, arterial hemogasometry, cardiac output, pulmonary arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and fetal heart rates were assessed at defined intervals. During various timespans of the anesthetic procedure, the mares demonstrated an increase in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and diastolic pressure as well as a decrease in temperature. Additionally, arterial hemogasometry indicated respiratory acidosis. No changes in cardiac output were observed; however, there was a reduction in pulmonary arterial and central venous pressures and stroke volume. Fetal heart rate was significantly decreased. General inhalation anesthesia in late term pregnancy in mares in a recumbent position implies in significant hemodynamic and metabolic changes. Up to 90 minutes those changes does not seem to affect negatively the maternal-fetus prognosis.

The antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac®) modulates serotonin signaling to alter maternal peripartum calcium homeostasis

Antidepressant use is two-fold greater in women compared to men; however, most studies have been performed in male subjects. We aimed to understand the impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI, most used antidepressants) on calcium homeostasis and steroid metabolism during the peripartum period. Pregnant sheep (n = 10/group) were treated with vehicle or fluoxetine (most common SSRI) during the last month of gestation. Fluoxetine treatment decreased circulating calcium prior to parturition (8.7 ± 0.1 mg/dL vs 8.2 ± 0.1 mg/dL; P = 0.07). In the control group, total calcium decreased after parturition corresponding to the onset of lactogenesis followed by increase in calcium by day 2 postpartum. Interestingly, this normal transient decrease in circulating calcium was absent in fluoxetine-treated ewes. The steroids cortisol and progesterone were not altered by fluoxetine treatment whereas estradiol was decreased after the onset of treatment (12.4 ± 1.3 vs 9.1 ± 1.2 pg/mL, P = 0.05) and prior to parturition (38.1 ± 8.1 vs 22.3 ± 4.2 pg/mL, P = 0.03). Our hypothesis was supported that fluoxetine treatment alters circulating concentrations of calcium in the peripartum period; however, we surprisingly observed a decrease in estradiol concentrations contrary to reports in in vitro studies.

Hemodynamic changes in late advanced pregnant Zaraibi goats during the peripartum period

The objective of the present study was to demonstrate the blood flow velocities, blood flow rate (BFR; bpm) with the accurate ratio of both systolic and diastolic velocities points (S/D) in addition to Doppler indices (resistive and pulsatility index [RI and PI]) in both fetal [fetal heart (FH), fetal abdominal aorta (Ab. A), and umbilical artery (UM.A)] and maternal [Middle uterine artery (MU.A)] sides during the last month of gestation. Ten Zaraibi (Egyptian Nubian) goats weighing 40-50kg and aged from 5–7 years were examined twice per month till reached the last month of pregnancy. Then all females were examined every 5 days starting from day -35 till day -1 before kidding.The pregnant goats were examined by ultrasonic and Doppler indices were recorded with Doppler scanning (7.5 -12 MHz, with colored and spectral graph to form the perfect wave to assess Doppler measurements). The obtained data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Results indicated that on the fetal side; the maximum point of velocity (MSV; cm/sec) in the FH and BFRwere elevated from day -35 till day -10 with a slight decline at days -5 and -1 at the peripartum period (P < 0.05), while FH.PI and S/D ratio declined till day -1(P < 0.05). In addition, the fetal Ab. A, and UM.A PI, RI, and S/D ratio declined from day -35 till day -1 at the peripartum period with a significant increase in the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and BFR(P < 0.05). However, non-significant changes in the end diastolic velocity (EDV) were detected. On the maternal side, the MU.A PI and S/D declined from day -35 till day -1 with an elevation of both PSV and BFRat the same time points (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the Doppler evaluation of fetal and maternal blood flow vessels is important to give complete information that directly affects the health status of the mother and fetus.

Never Let Failure Get Your Heart-A Case of Successfully Managed Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of idiopathic heart failure that develops most commonly in the last month of gestation or during the first five months post-partum. Here we present a case of successfully managed peripartum cardiomyopathy in a patient with preeclampsia with severe features with pulmonary oedema and intrauterine death of foetus. The patient was managed conservatively until stable along the lines of pulmonary oedema and preeclampsia with severe features keeping various other differentials in mind followed by which the diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy was suggested by echocardiography. Termination of pregnancy was conducted by caesarean section following which both mother and baby were discharged in stable conditions.

O-164 Live yeast supplementation during last month of gestation improves ewes ruminal microbiota, oxidative status, colostrum quality and offspring immune competence

O-164 Live yeast supplementation during last month of gestation improves ewes ruminal microbiota, oxidative status, colostrum quality and offspring immune competence

Evaluation of backfat and longissimus dorsi thickness ultrasound measurements as predictors of negative energy balance in pre-partum dairy ewes

Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) concentrations in blood serum are the most used indicators of energy status in dairy sheep. Ultrasound measurement of backfat thickness (BFT) and longissimus dorsi muscle thickness (LDT) is a non-invasive and on-field applicable technique, with no established critical thresholds for assessing energy balance in dairy sheep. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the use of ultrasound indices of BFT and LDT as image biomarkers of negative energy balance in pre-partum dairy ewes. The study was conducted in four commercial dairy sheep flocks in Central Macedonia Region of Greece, that each one reared a specific breed of purebred sheep. The final number of ewes with full records used in statistical analysis was 177 (flock A-Assaf.E, = 49, flock B-Chios = 46, flock C- Lacaune = 42 and flock D-Frizarta = 40). All animal measurements were performed one month (−30 ± 4d) and two weeks (−15 ± 4d) prior to estimated lambing date. Body condition score was assessed by palpation at the lumbar region. BFT and LDT were determined with ultrasonography after body condition scoring, to avoid bias on BCS estimation. The sum of BFT and LDT (TotalT), the LDT: BFT ratio (RatioT) and the difference in BFT (Δ_BFT) and LDT (Δ_LDT) between the two measurements were calculated. Blood sampling of ewes was performed on − 15d for serum BHBA and NEFA measurements. Negative energy balance status was defined as serum BHBA > 0.8 mmol/L or NEFA > 0.3 mmol/L. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to define thresholds for fat and muscle reserves and mobilization parameters to predict elevated BHBA or NEFA status. All variables with a significant area under the ROC curve were transformed into binary variables and used in 2 multifactorial binary logistic regression models to assess the association of fat and muscle reserves and mobilization parameters with BHBA and NEFA status. Ewes with Δ_BFT > 0.65 mm had 3.2 times (P = 0.002) increased probability to have serum NEFA > 0.3 mmol/L. Moreover, ewes with BFT(−30d) > 6.86 mm, had 6.7 times (P < 0.001) increased probability to have serum NEFA > 0.3 mmol/L. Ewes with a BFT loss had 6.7 times (P < 0.001) increased probability to have serum BHBA > 0.8 mmol/L. Moreover, ewes with TOTAL_T(−15d) ≤ 25.6 mm, had 5.3 times (P < 0.001) increased probability to have serum BHBA > 0.8 mmol/L. The results showed that ultrasound measurements of BFT and LDT the last month of gestation can be used as a reliable alternative to BCS or metabolic profiling for the assessment of energy status in dairy sheep. Measuring BFT one month prior to lambing or TotalT two weeks prior to lambing can both provide reliable estimations.

Systemic CD4 cytotoxic T cells improve protection against PRRSV-1 transplacental infection.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the major swine pathogens causing reproductive failure in sows. Although modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines are available, only partial protection against heterologous strains is produced, thus vaccinated sows can be infected and cause transplacental infection. The immune effector mechanisms involved are largely unknown. The present study investigated the role of cytotoxic lymphocytes, including cytotoxic T cells (CTL), NKT, and NK cells, from blood in preventing PRRSV-1 transplacental infection in vaccinated primiparous sows (two doses vaccinated). Sows from a PRRSV-1 unstable farm were bled just before the last month of gestation (critical period for transplacental infection), then followed to determine whether sows delivered PRRSV-1-infected (n=8) or healthy (n=10) piglets. After that, functions of CTL, NKT, and NK cells in the two groups of sows were compared. No difference was found through cell surface staining. But upon in vitro re-stimulation with the circulating field virus, sows that delivered healthy piglets displayed a higher frequency of virus-specific CD107a+ IFN-γ-producing T cells, which accumulated in the CD4+ compartment including CD4 single-positive (CD4 SP) and CD4/CD8α double-positive (CD4/CD8α DP) subsets. The same group of sows also harbored a higher proportion of CD107a+ TNF-α-producing T cells that predominantly accumulated in CD4/CD8α double-negative (CD4/CD8α DN) subset. Consistently, CD4 SP and CD4/CD8α DN T cells from sows delivering healthy piglets had a higher virus-specific proliferative response. Additionally, in sows that delivered PRRSV-1-infected piglets, a positive correlation of virus-specific IFN-γ response with average Ct values of umbilical cords of newborn piglets per litter was observed. Our data strongly suggest that CTL responses correlate with protection against PRRSV-1 transplacental infection, being executed by CD4 T cells (IFN-γ related) and/or CD4/CD8α DN T cells (TNF-α related).

PSII-9 Preliminary Investigation of Nutrient Challenge During Pregnancy on Wether Lamb Development, Growth, and Performance from Birth to Harvest

Abstract Inadequate nutrition during gestation has been shown to impair growth and metabolism of affected offspring and can predispose them to lifelong inefficiency and poor performance. Development throughout preweaning has been studied and compared to carcass performance; however, the impact of nutrient challenge during gestation on post weaning growth, efficiency, and nutrition utilization is not well known. Thus, our objective was to investigate the impacts of maternal nutrient restriction in late gestation on wether lambs' lifelong performance, from birth through harvest. We hypothesized that lambs from nutrient restricted dams would have reduced growth efficiency, taking longer to reach market weight and yielding altered body and carcass composition. Twenty-two bred yearling ewes were fed a diet meeting 100% of National Research Council (NRC) requirements until the 110th day of gestion (dGA). From 110 dGA until lambing occurred, ewes were either maintained on a diet meeting 100% of NRC requirements (n = 10) or reduced to a diet of 65% of NRC requirements (n = 12). Beginning at birth, body weight and morphometrics were collected weekly for control (CONT; n = 4) and treatment (NR; n = 5) wether lambs. At approximately 71 days of age, wethers were weaned and placed into individual pens to simulate a controlled feedlot setting. Wether lambs were fed a commercial lamb finishing diet ad libitum and orts were collected to evaluate feed efficiency and growth. At 115 days of age, wethers were placed in metabolism crates for 5 days to allow for total collection or urine and feces in order to evaluate nutrient balance. Birthweight, weaning weight, and morphometrics did not differ between NR and CONT lambs from birth until weaning. However, there was a tendency (P &amp;lt; 0.10) for a slower rate of gain from birth until weaning in NR lambs compared to their CONT counterparts. Current research in feedlot performance and digestibility is ongoing; however, thus far there are no differences in feed intake or average daily gain. These data suggest that a moderate nutrient challenge in the last month of gestation is not substantial enough to induce adaptive changes that result in differences in postnatal growth and performance.

Fluoxetine-induced perinatal morbidity in a sheep model.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the most common antidepressants used by pregnant women. However, adverse pregnancy outcomes have been described in women taking SSRI during pregnancy—placental lesions, premature birth, poor neonatal adaptation. We aimed to investigate the effects of fluoxetine (Prozac® most commonly used SSRI) treatment during the last month of gestation on pregnancy complications, placental and neonatal health in a non-depressed sheep model. On day 119 ± 1 postbreeding (experimental day 0; E0) of a 151-day expected gestation, Hampshire ewes were randomly assigned to receive fluoxetine (n = 9 ewes, 15 lambs; daily intravenously treatment with 10 mg/kg on E0 and E1 and 5 mg/kg daily thereafter until parturition) or to a control group (n = 10; 14 lambs; vehicle only). Blood samples from ewes were collected throughout the experimental period and postpartum; blood from lambs were collected postpartum. Analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Fluoxetine treatment reduced placentome growth during the last month of pregnancy. Gestation length was decreased by 4.5 days in fluoxetine-treated ewes. Birthweight was reduced in lambs exposed to fluoxetine in utero; weights remained decreased until postnatal day 3. Placentome diameter by birthweight ratio was not different between groups suggesting that the decreased placentome diameter was accompanied by decreased lamb birthweight. During the first week postnatal, lambs exposed to fluoxetine in utero had decreased blood pH and decreased total carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and base excess and increased lactate (days 3–6), collectively indicative of metabolic acidemia. Additionally, ionized calcium was decreased between postnatal days 0 to 4 in lambs exposed to fluoxetine in utero. Using a non-depressed animal model clearly defines a role for SSRI on the occurrence of perinatal complications and neonatal morbidity. The decreased placentome diameter, shortened gestation, decreased birthweight, decreased calcium levels, and neonatal acidemia suggest the occurrence of intrauterine growth restriction. The persistence of neonatal acidemia for several days postpartum suggests poor neonatal adaptation to extrauterine environment.

Fear of childbirth and high stress are predictive of psychological disturbances during pregnancy

Mental health disorders, particularly psychological distress in women in the last trimester of pregnancy, are generally underestimated and under-diagnosed by health professionals. Thus, this quantitative descriptive study has the following main objectives: a) to evaluate depressive and anxiety disorders during the third trimester of pregnancy, b) to identify certain risk factors of these mental problems and, c) to determine the impact of these disorders on the quality of life of pregnant women.&#x0D; To achieve these objectives, a validated questionnaire translated into dialectal Arabic was used with 178 pregnant women in the third trimester of their pregnancy, the majority of whom were in the last month of gestation. Our study was conducted in the Marrakech-Safi region in two urban health centres: the Oasis, Youssef Ben Tachfine and a delivery unit.&#x0D; The results we obtained in this work showed that anxiety is proven in 60.11% of pregnant women and only 44.38% are diagnosed as depressed, while a percentage of about 79.21% of parturients showed that they suffer from the anxiety-depression syndrome. High stress levels, body dissatisfaction caused by pregnancy and even fear of childbirth are preliminary risk factors for anxiety and depression in the last trimester of pregnancy, not to mention the the relieving effect of self-esteem against these mental disorders.&#x0D; As a result of this work, and in order to combat these health problems throughout pregnancy, it has been necessary to integrate preventive and sometimes curative measures in the prenatal medical follow-up.&#x0D; Keywords: Mental Health, Anxiety, depression, Quality of life

A live yeast supplementation to gestating ewes improves bioactive molecule composition in colostrum with no impact on its bacterial composition and beneficially affects immune status of the offspring.

Colostrum quality is of paramount importance in the management of optimal ruminant growth and infectious disease prevention in early life. Live yeast supplementation effect during the last month of gestation was evaluated on ewes' colostrum composition. Two groups of ewes (n = 14) carrying twin lambs were constituted and twins were separated into groups (mothered or artificially fed) 12 h after birth. Nutrient, oligosaccharides (OS), IgG and lactoferrin concentrations were measured over 72 h after lambing, and bacterial community was described in colostrum collected at parturition (T0). Immune passive transfer was evaluated through IgG measurement in lamb serum. In both groups, colostral nutrient, OS concentrations and IgG concentrations in colostrum and lamb serum decreased over time (P < 0⋅01), except for lactose, which slightly increased (P < 0⋅001), and lactoferrin, which remained stable. Bacterial population was stable over time with high relative abundances of Aerococcaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Moraxellaceae and Staphylococcaceae in T0 colostrum. No effect of supplementation was observed in nutrient and lactoferrin concentrations. In supplemented ewes, the level of colostral IgG was higher at T0 and a higher level of serum IgG was observed in lambs born from supplemented mothers and artificially fed, while no effect of supplementation was observed in the mothered lamb groups. Using a metabolomic approach, we showed that supplementation affected OS composition with significantly higher levels of colostral Neu-5Gc compounds up to 5 h after birth. No effect of supplementation was observed on bacterial composition. Our data suggest that live yeast supplementation offsets the negative impact of early separation and incomplete colostrum feeding in neonate lambs.

Randomised controlled trial on estrus and conception impacts of reproductive and nutrition interventions on Kenyan smallholder dairy farms.

This field trial tested the hypothesis that providing Kenyan smallholder dairy farmers with training and resources can enhance cows’ cyclicity and conception using conventional or sexed semen. One hundred farmers were randomly selected and randomly allocated to five equal-sized intervention groups: 1) reproduction only; 2) nutrition only; 3) reproduction and nutrition; 4) education only (quasi-control); or 5) nothing (control). Reproductive interventions included provision of prostaglandin F2? (PG) and/or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to induce estrus, and reproduction education. Nutrition interventions included provision of leguminous shrubs and nutrition education. At monthly visits over 17 months, farm and cattle data were collected, and open cattle underwent physical and reproductive exams to determine readiness for farmer decisions on sexed semen utilization. Cox proportional hazards modeling (CoxPH) was used to determine if intervention group was significantly associated with risk of conception. The final dataset included 191 cows and 26 heifers. Lowest and highest heat submission percentages were 8.5% and 35.5% in the control and reproduction groups, respectively. Conception percentages in cows and heifers were 44.0% and 54.5% for sexed semen and 72% and 79% for conventional semen, respectively. In the final multivariable CoxPH model, each unit increase in average body condition score was associated with 3.5 times higher risk of conception. Cattle that were inseminated following spontaneous heat had 1.8 times higher risk of conception over cows that were inseminated following a hormone-induced heat. In a significant interaction variable, when cows were supplemented with dairy meal in the last month of gestation, a higher risk of conception was achieved in cows on groups where leguminous shrubs were fed compared to groups where no leguminous shrubs were fed. This study concludes that focused effort on improving reproduction through education, hormone use and improved nutrition can improve heat submission and conception percentages on Kenyan smallholder dairy farms.

Ultrasonographic assessment of change in omasal position during the last month of gestation and first month of lactation in buffaloes.

This study was aimed to determine the effect of advanced pregnancy on the topography and size of the omasum in 22 healthy Murrah buffaloes. The omasum was scanned 15-20 days before and after parturition, as per the standard procedure. The dorsal and ventral margins of the omasum were identified and marked at each intercostal space (ICS). The dorsal and ventral limits up to the dorsal midline were measured. The omasum was scanned in 6th to 11th ICS during advanced pregnancy and 7th to 11th ICS after the parturition. Irrespective of the pregnancy, the dorsal and ventral margins of the omasum were located farther dorsal and close to the spine in the 6th, 7th and 11th ICS. Except in one buffalo, the omasum was scanned in four consecutive ICS during the advanced pregnancy. After parturition the omasum was scanned in four and five consecutive ICS in 17 and five buffaloes, respectively. The mean dorsal and ventral limits of the omasum increased significantly (P .

The maturity in fetal pigs using a multi-fluid metabolomic approach

In mammalian species, the first days after birth are an important period for survival and the mortality rate is high before weaning. In pigs, perinatal deaths average 20% of the litter, with important economic and societal consequences. Maturity is one of the most important factors that influence piglet survival at birth. Maturity can be defined as the outcome of complex mechanisms of intra-uterine development and maturation during the last month of gestation. Here, we provide new insights into maturity obtained by studying the end of gestation at two different stages (3 weeks before term and close to term) in two breeds of pigs that strongly differ in terms of neonatal survival. We used metabolomics to characterize the phenotype, to identify biomarkers, and provide a comprehensive understanding of the metabolome of the fetuses in late gestation in three fluids (plasma, urine, and amniotic fluid). Our results show that the biological processes related to amino acid and carbohydrate metabolisms are critical for piglet maturity. We confirm the involvement of some previously described metabolites associated with delayed growth (e.g., proline and myo-inositol). Altogether, our study proposes new routes for improved characterization of piglet maturity at birth.

Artificial milk preference of newborn lambs is prenatally influenced by transfer of the flavor from the maternal diet to the amniotic fluid

The present study examined in lambs whether exposure to flavors derived from pregnant mother‘s diet and transferred to amniotic fluid (AF) could induce a preference for artificial milk containing one of these flavors. To test this hypothesis, cumin was added to the maternal diet in the last month of gestation. Preference for artificial milk containing p-cymene, one of the chemosensory compounds of cumin, was tested within the first two days after birth in maternally deprived lambs born from mothers fed a cumin-flavored diet (Cumin group), or an unflavored diet (Control group). Aromatic profile of AF from cumin-fed mothers was analyzed by GC-MS/MS to determine whether p-cymene could be detected. While the control group avoided the flavored artificial milk on day 1, the Cumin group did not and showed a preference for the cumin-scented formula on day 2. GC-MS/MS profile of AF revealed that four of the main volatile cumin compounds, p-cymene, p-cymenene, β-pinene and γ-terpinene were present in variable amounts in all samples, p-cymene being the most frequently detected. These findings indicate that newborn lambs can memorize flavors from the mother's diet present in AF and that prenatal experience influences their preference for an artificial milk containing one specific flavor.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is one of the potentially life-threatening complications of pregnancy. It is characterized by symptoms of heart failure in the last months of gestation or within five months after birth. The objective of this case report was to report a case of peripartum cardiomyopathy. A 20-years-old (G1P0) pregnant woman was referred for further evaluation of heart failure in pregnancy. The patient’s family and medical histories were both unremarkable. She had a 36 weeks and 2 days dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy. Emergency cesarean section was performed under spinal anesthesia. During the early postoperative period, the patient complaint of respiratory distress and the diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy was confirmed with physical examination, laboratory and echocardiography findings. She was transferred to the cardiac intensive care unit and received supplemental oxygen, noninvasive ventilation and intravenous infusion of lidocaine. She well tailored the medical therapy and she and her babies were discharged uneventfully after 10 days of delivery.The clinicians should keep in mind the diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy in young woman with twin pregnancy in third trimester who presents with symptoms of heart failure even after delivery. Emergent cardiologic evaluation and intervention must be done for this rare and potentially morbid and mortal condition.Keywords: Ejection fraction, Peripartum cardiomyopathy, Pregnancy

A Case of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in Saudi Arabia

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare idiopathic condition that affects pregnant women from their last month of gestation up to five months of their postpartum period. Its symptoms are similar to those of a heart failure, which mimic the exaggerated physiological symptoms of pregnancy. In Saudi Arabia, there is only one study that, so far, reported cases of obscure peripartum cardiomyopathy. Here, we discuss a case of this rare condition. A young pregnant lady was admitted with anemia and premature contractions. Two days later, she developed an acute heart failure. Her echocardiography test confirmed a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The secondary causes of heart failure were then excluded. A diagnosis for peripartum cardiomyopathy was made, and the patient was treated accordingly. Peripartum cardiomyopathy in pregnant women must be considered in cases of heart failure presented during such period.