The use of intravenous iron in pregnancy: for whom and when? A survey of Australian and New Zealand obstetricians

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy (IDAP) affects 11-18% of Australian pregnancies and is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. National prescribing data suggests the use of intravenous iron in pregnancy is increasingly common. This study aimed to: 1) Establish the current patterns of intravenous iron use by Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians (FRANZCOG) when treating iron deficiency and IDAP including immediately postpartum and; 2) Assess FRANZCOG opinions regarding potential trial of intravenous iron for first-line treatment of IDAP.

METHODS

An online survey of RANZCOG Fellows practicing obstetrics was distributed in September 2018. Results were analysed descriptively and responses compared by clinician demographics using Chi-squared testing.

RESULTS

Of 484 respondents (21% of FRANZCOG), 457 were currently practicing obstetrics. Most prescribed intravenous iron in pregnancy (96%) and/or postpartum (85%). Most intravenous iron was prescribed for IDAP (98%) rather than iron deficiency without anaemia (53%), and for IDAP most commonly second-line to failed oral iron supplementation and first-line in special circumstances (59%). Intravenous iron prescribing was associated with shorter time since FRANZCOG completion (p = 0.01), public hospital practice (p = 0.008) and higher hospital birth numbers (p = 0.01). Most respondents (90%) would consider a randomised controlled trial of first-line intravenous iron for IDAP, although views on appropriate thresholds differed.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost all respondents prescribed intravenous iron for IDAP, and while mostly used for second-line treatment over half sometimes used it first-line. With accelerating intravenous iron use, further research is required into its optimal use in pregnancy, recognizing important clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness.

COVID-19 during pregnancy: non-reassuring fetal heart rate, placental pathology and coagulopathy

We report a case of a pregnant woman with COVID-19 who developed coagulopathy in the absence of severe clinical symptoms. A polymerase chain reaction test of a vaginal swab was positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, suggesting a possibility of perinatal transmission. Cesarean delivery was performed because of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate; the placenta showed increased perivillous fibrin deposition and intervillositis. Moreover, placental infection with SARS-CoV-2 was demonstrated by placental immunostaining. The findings suggest a possible relationship between placental fibrin deposition and chronic and acute intervillositis, non-reassuring fetal heart rate and coagulopathy in pregnant women with COVID-19. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Success and limitations of plasma treatment in pregnant women with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

BACKGROUND

Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP), otherwise known as Upshaw-Schulman syndrome, is an extremely rare hereditary disease. Pregnancy is identified as a trigger for TTP episodes in patients with cTTP.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the ideal management of pregnant patients with cTTP.

PATIENTS/METHODS

We identified 21 patients with a reproductive history (38 pregnancies) in a Japanese cTTP registry. Fetal outcomes were compared between two groups: group 1 (n = 12), pregnancy after diagnosis of confirmed cTTP by ADAMTS13 gene analysis; and group 2 (n = 26), pregnancy before diagnosis of confirmed cTTP.

RESULTS

In group 1, ADAMTS13 activity was closely monitored until delivery in most cases. Among 10 pregnancies in group 1, prophylactic fresh frozen plasma (FFP) infusions during pregnancy were performed to replenish ADAMTS13. In group 2, prophylactic FFP infusions were not administrated in 23 pregnancies and FFP test infusions were performed in only three pregnancies. The live birth rate of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 2 (91.7% vs 50.0%, respectively, P = .027). The fetal survival rates of women without FFP infusions were dramatically decreased after 20 weeks of gestation. The FFP infusion dosage in group 1 was generally higher than 5 mL/kg/wk by 20 weeks of gestation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that FFP infusions of more than 5 mL/kg/wk should be initiated as soon as patients become pregnant. However, even with these infusions, patients with repeated TTP episodes before pregnancy might have difficulty giving birth successfully. Recombinant ADAMTS13 products might be new treatment options for pregnant patients with cTTP.

Anemia and iron deficiency in primigent parturients in a municipality of Brazilian west Amazon

To analyze the prevalence of anemia and associated factors in primiparous parturient.Cross-sectional study conducted in a municipality of the Brazilian Western Amazon from July 2014 to December 2015. A convenience sample of 461 first-time pregnant women were interviewed. Data on their sociodemographic, clinical, obstetric, personal habits and nutritional status were collected. Anemia and iron depletion were measured by peripheral blood collection with hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation index. To test the association between the variables, the χ tests were applied and Poisson regression analysis with a 95% confidence interval was performed, and P < .05 values were considered significant. The Forward stepwise strategy was used to construct the adjusted model. These analyzes were performed using the STATA 14.0 program (College Station, TX, 2013).A higher risk of anemia was identified among adolescent; white; who had a partner; with unpaid occupation, with less than eight years of formal education. Residents in the countryside; smokers; who had more than six prenatal consultations and were overweight.Anemia was reported in 28.20% and iron depletion in 60.52% of parturient women. The variables studied did not have association with the anemia outcome, except alcohol consumption.

Iron stores in pregnant women with sickle cell disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Gradual improvements in the management of sickle cell disease (SCD), have led to an increase in the number of women with SCD who reach the age of procreation. However, evidence on the iron status of pregnant women with sickle cell disease (PWSCD) remains inconclusive. We conducted the first systematic review on the prevalence, determinants and maternal/foetal outcomes of iron deficiency anaemia among PWSCD.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, Africa Index Medicus, the Cochrane library databases and reference lists of retrieved publications for studies describing the iron status of PWSCD. The literature search was done over a period of 1 month, with no language or date restrictions applied. Data were extracted on a Microsoft excel sheet. Two authors assessed all included studies for methodological quality and risk of bias.

RESULTS

A total of 710 reports were identified for title and article screening. Five retained studies were conducted before or during the 90s and included 67 participants. After quality assessment, the observational studies were designated to have a "fair" quality assessment while the randomised control trial had an "unclear" quality assessment. The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among PWSCD varied by study design and diagnostic method. The overall prevalence ranged from 6.67-83.33%. None of the studies provided evidence on factors associated with iron deficiency anaemia and the randomized trial reported no difference in outcomes between PWSCD who had iron supplementation and those who did not.

CONCLUSION

Evidence on factors associated with iron deficiency anaemia among PWSCD and maternal/foetal outcomes in PWSCD who have iron deficiency anaemia is poor. The studies included in this review suggests that iron deficiency anaemia may be highly prevalent in PWSCD but due to the very small sample sizes and varied study designs, this evidence is inconclusive. The review shows that there is a need for more studies with robust designs and adequate sample sizes to assess the disease burden of iron deficiency anaemia in PWSCD.

COVID-19 and acute coagulopathy in pregnancy

We present a putative link between maternal COVID-19 infection in the peripartum period and rapid maternal deterioration with early organ dysfunction and coagulopathy. The current pandemic with SARS-CoV-2 has already resulted in high numbers of critically ill patients and deaths in the non-pregnant population, mainly due to respiratory failure. During viral outbreaks, pregnancy poses a uniquely increased risk to women due to changes to immune function, alongside physiological adaptive alterations, such as increased oxygen consumption and edema of the respiratory tract. The laboratory derangements may be reminiscent of HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) syndrome, and thus knowledge of the COVID-19 relationship is paramount for appropriate diagnosis and management. In addition to routine measurements of D-dimers, prothrombin time, and platelet count in all patients presenting with COVID-19 as per International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) guidance, monitoring of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen levels should be considered in pregnancy, as highlighted in this report. These investigations in SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women are vital, as their derangement may signal a more severe COVID-19 infection, and may warrant pre-emptive admission and consideration of delivery to achieve maternal stabilization.

Hemoglobin and hepcidin have good validity and utility for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Screening and diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is cumbersome as it may require testing for hemoglobin, ferritin, and an inflammatory biomarker. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic capacity of hematologic biomarkers to detect IDA among pregnant women in Tanzania.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

We pooled data from an iron supplementation trial of 1500 iron-replete pregnant woman and a prospective cohort of 600 iron-deficient pregnant women. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) for hematologic biomarkers were used to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA), crude, or corrected for inflammation. Regression models assessed the relationship of baseline biomarker categories (gestational age <27 weeks) and IDA at delivery.

RESULTS

Hemoglobin had the largest AUC for crude ID (0.96), while hepcidin had the largest AUC for corrected ID (0.80). The optimal hepcidin cutoff for the diagnosis of corrected IDA based on maximal sensitivity and specificity was ≤1.6 µg/L. An hepcidin cutoff of <4.3 µg/L had a sensitivity of 95% for regression-corrected ID. Among iron-replete women who did not receive iron, the association of baseline hemoglobin >110 g/L with IDA at delivery (RR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.47, 1.13) was attenuated. Baseline hepcidin >1.6 µg/L was associated with reduced risk of anemia at delivery by 49% (95% CI: 27%, 45%).

CONCLUSIONS

Ascertaining hemoglobin and hepcidin levels may improve the targeting of iron supplementation programs in resource-limited countries, though hepcidin's high costs may limit its use.

Red Cell and Reticulocyte Parameters for the Detection of Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency is a common complication of pregnancy and may lead to anemia as pregnancy progresses. Routine screening tests in pregnancy include hemoglobin levels, but in most centers not a serum ferritin. Advances in red cell and reticulocyte indices on automated blood counters have the potential to detect iron deficiency earlier, but pregnancy is associated with a rapid expansion of the red cell mass and parameters based on the entire erythrocyte population are less sensitive to changes. The objective of this study was to assess whether the Red Cell Size Factor and associated reticulocyte based indices can enable single-platform iron deficiency screening in pregnancy.

METHODS

Pregnant women had ferritin measured with blood counts and reticulocytes on a Beckman DxH800. The ability of the red cell size factor (RSF) and mean reticulocyte volume (MRV) to detect iron deficiency (ferritin < 10 µg/L) or early iron deficiency (ferritin < 30 µg/L) was assessed by comparing receiver operator characteristic curves and areas under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

RSF (AUC 0.80) and MRV (AUC 0.80) were both acceptable for detecting iron deficiency, but were not statistically superior to mean cell volume (MCV; AUC 0.77, p = 0.1). However, the optimal cut point for MCV was 86 fL, well above the accepted lower limit of normal. All parameters were poor at detecting early iron deficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

Iron deficiency can be detected in pregnancy with red cell and reticulocyte parameters. While a low MCV is suboptimal as a screening test for iron deficiency, an MCV of 86 fL provides similar performance to the other red cell parameters studied.

Pregnancy and delivery in women with von Willebrand disease

Given the wide heterogeneity of phenotypes and of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms associated with the disorder, pregnancy and delivery in von Willebrand disease (VWD) represent a significant clinical challenge. The variable pattern of changes observed during pregnancy of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII (FVIII), the protein carried by VWF, prompts a careful evaluation of pregnant women with VWD to plan the most appropriate treatment at the time of parturition. However, there are also instances during pregnancy (amniocentesis, vaginal bleeding associated with placental detachment, sudden abortion) that may require urgent hemostatic treatment to prevent bleeding. Thus, women with VWD should start pregnancy after being well characterised as to their type, subtype and treatments. Women with VWD who have VWF and FVIII basal levels >30 U/dL typically normalise these levels at the end of pregnancy and specific anti-haemorrhagic prophylaxis is seldom required. On the contrary, those with basal levels <20 U/dL usually show a lesser increase and specific treatment is required. Some women with DNA variants associated with increased clearance can be treated with desmopressin, while those unresponsive or with contra-indications to this agent need replacement therapy. For these latter women, the risk of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy may be increased and prophylaxis with VWF concentrates required. Similarly, women with type 2 VWD who maintain reduced VWF activity throughout pregnancy require replacement therapy with FVIII/VWF concentrates. Delayed postpartum bleeding may occur when replacement therapy is not continued for some days. Tranexamic acid is useful at discharge to avoid excessive lochia.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and ovarian dermoid cysts in pregnancy

Ovarian teratoma is a rare cause of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) by warm antibodies, resistant to corticosteroid therapy. This also implies that ovarian teratoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of AIHA, whether or not associated with pregnancy. We present a case of a primigravida who presented with ovarian dermoid cysts and AIHA at 24 weeks of gestation. The patient received corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab, and multiple blood transfusions, with no significant improvement. Hemoglobin levels returned to normal only after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by dermoid cyst is a rare condition especially in pregnancy. However, in light of similar case reports and review of the existing literature, we conclude that surgical excision should be considered when AIHA and ovarian teratoma coexist.

FOETAL for NCD-FOetal Exposure and Epidemiological Transitions: the role of Anaemia in early Life for Non-Communicable Diseases in later life: a prospective preconception study in rural Tanzania

PURPOSE

Low-income and middle-income countries such as Tanzania experience a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including anaemia. Studying if and how anaemia affects growth, placenta development, epigenetic patterns and newborns' risk of NCDs may provide approaches to prevent NCDs.

PARTICIPANTS

The FOETALforNCD (FOetal Exposure and Epidemiological Transitions: the role of Anaemia in early Life for Non-Communicable Diseases in later life) Study is a population-based preconception, pregnancy and birth cohort study (n=1415, n=538, n=427, respectively), conducted in a rural region of North-East Tanzania. All participants were recruited prior to conception or early in pregnancy and followed throughout pregnancy as well as at birth. Data collection included: maternal blood, screening for NCDs and malaria, ultrasound in each trimester, neonatal anthropometry at birth and at 1 month of age, cord blood, placental and cord biopsies for stereology and epigenetic analyses.

FINDINGS TO DATE

At preconception, the average age, body mass index and blood pressure of the women were 28 years, 23 kg/m² and 117/75 mm Hg, respectively. In total, 458 (36.7%) women had anaemia (haemoglobin Hb <12 g/dL) and 34 (3.6%) women were HIV-positive at preconception. During pregnancy 359 (66.7%) women had anaemia of which 85 (15.8%) women had moderate-to-severe anaemia (Hb ≤9 g/dL) and 33 (6.1%) women had severe anaemia (Hb ≤8 g/dL). In total, 185 (34.4%) women were diagnosed with malaria during pregnancy.

FUTURE PLANS

The project will provide new knowledge on how health, even before conception, might modify the risk of developing NCDs and how to promote better health during pregnancy. The present project ended data collection 1 month after giving birth, but follow-up is continuing through regular monitoring of growth and development and health events according to the National Road Map Strategic Plan in Tanzania. This data will link fetal adverse event to childhood development, and depending on further grant allocation, through a life course follow-up.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and ovarian dermoid cysts in pregnancy

Ovarian teratoma is a rare cause of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) by warm antibodies, resistant to corticosteroid therapy. This also implies that ovarian teratoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of AIHA, whether or not associated with pregnancy. We present a case of a primigravida who presented with ovarian dermoid cysts and AIHA at 24 weeks of gestation. The patient received corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab, and multiple blood transfusions, with no significant improvement. Hemoglobin levels returned to normal only after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by dermoid cyst is a rare condition especially in pregnancy. However, in light of similar case reports and review of the existing literature, we conclude that surgical excision should be considered when AIHA and ovarian teratoma coexist.

[PREGNANCY RELATED ACQUIRED HEMOPHILIA A]

Acquired hemophilia A is a rare disease. The incidence has been estimated to be 1.3-1.5 cases per 1 million persons per year. The etiology of acquired hemophilia A varies. It may develop in patients with autoimmune disorders, hematologic and solid cancers or in women during pregnancy or following childbirth. In about half of the cases no underlying disease can be found. The clinical picture is dominated by severe soft tissue hematomas especially in the cases of pregnancy-related acquired hemophilia A. Unlike congenital hemophilia A, bleeding into joints is rare. Pregnancy-related acquired hemophilia A may develop following any pregnancy but is observed more often in primigravidas. In most cases it arises in the postpartum period, most commonly 1-4 months after delivery. If factor VIII inhibitors develop during pregnancy or labor, they are frequently associated with severe uterine bleeding. The prognosis of pregnancy-related acquired hemophilia A is good with a high percentage of spontaneous remissions especially if the inhibitor was detected postpartum. Patients with acquired inhibitors do not usually have personal or family history of bleeding tendency, thus it is the presence of bleeding at multiple sites with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time not corrected by incubation with normal plasma (mixing study) that raises the suspicion of inhibitor. Prompt diagnosis and treatment achieved by close collaboration among gynecologists and hematologists may improve the prognosis and prevent severe bleeding.

Genetic risk assessment of thrombophilia in patients with adverse obstetric outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the incidence of inherited thrombophilias in patients with adverse obstetric outcomes and to compare detection rates of thrombophilias between standard blood tests and a novel genetic test.

METHODS

This is a case-control prospective study performed in Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona, Spain. Cases had a history of intrauterine growth restriction requiring delivery before 34 weeks gestation, placental abruption before 34 weeks gestation, or severe preeclampsia. Controls had at least two normal, spontaneously conceived pregnancies at term, without complications or no underlying medical disease. At least 3 months after delivery, all case and control women underwent blood collection for standard blood tests for thrombophilias and saliva collection for the genetic test, which enables the diagnosis of 12 hereditary thrombophilias by analyzing genetic variants affecting different points of the blood coagulation cascade.

RESULTS

The study included 33 cases and 41 controls. There were no statistically significant differences between cases and controls in the standard blood tests for thrombophilias in plasma or the TiC test for genetic variables. One clinical-genetic model was generated using variables with the lowest P values: ABO, body mass index, C_rs5985, C_rs6025, and protein S. This model exhibited good prediction capacity, with an area under the curve of almost 0.7 (P <0.05), sensitivity of almost 67%, and specificity of 70%.

CONCLUSION

Although some association may exist between hypercoagulability and pregnancy outcomes, no significant direct correlation was observed between adverse obstetric outcomes and inherited thrombophilias when analyzed using either standard blood tests or the genetic test. Future studies with a larger sample size are required to create a clinical-genetic model that better discriminates women with a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes and an increased risk of poor outcomes in subsequent pregnancies.

Oxidative stress associated with altered activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes with IDA during pregnancy

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy, although associated with disturbances of hematological parameters, is now also considered as a source of oxidative stress (OS). Present study aims to detect any alteration in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzymes activity in pregnant women with IDA. Levels of GSH-Px and SOD were measured in 156 anemic, pregnant women and compared with similar levels in 20 non anemic, pregnant women. Activity of SOD was found to be reduced in the anemic group when compared with the control group. We found a non- significant increase in GSH-Px activities in the anemic group. These findings could be explained in terms of OS under hypoxic condition which preserves the activity of GSH-Px with a decrease activity of SOD. A positive association was seen between IDA during pregnancy and OS with results suggesting that, apart from the deficiency of iron, some other factors are also associated for the increased OS seen during pregnancy.

Evaluation of Thalassaemia Screening Tests in the Antenatal and Non-Antenatal Populations in Singapore

INTRODUCTION

Haemoglobinopathy testing is performed for carrier screening and evaluation of microcytic anaemia. We evaluated the effectiveness of thalassaemia screening tests at our institution and suggest ways of improving the testing algorithm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 10,084 non-antenatal and 11,364 antenatal samples with alkaline gel electrophoresis (AGE), capillary electrophoresis (CE), haemoglobin H (HbH) inclusion test, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were retrospectively reviewed. A subgroup of 187 samples with genetic testing was correlated with HbH inclusions and MCH/ MCV. The effect of iron deficiency on percentage hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) was studied.

RESULTS

HbH inclusion test showed low sensitivity of 21.43% for α-thalassaemia mutations but higher sensitivity of 78.95% for ^--SEA deletion. By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, MCH ≤28 pg or MCV ≤80 fl for non-antenatal samples and MCH ≤27 pg or MCV ≤81 fl for antenatal samples had >98% sensitivity for HbH inclusions. Above these thresholds, the probability that HbH inclusions would be absent was <99% (negative predictive value [NPV] >99%). MCH ≥28 pg had 100% sensitivity (95% CI 95.63%-100%) for α-thalassaemia mutations and 97.68% calculated NPV in the antenatal population. Detection of haemoglobin variants by CE correlated highly with AGE (99.89% sensitivity, 100% specificity). Severe iron deficiency reduced HbA2 in hemoglobin (P <0.001) and α-thalassaemia (P = 0.0035), but not in β-thalassaemia.

CONCLUSION

MCH/MCV thresholds have adequate sensitivity for α-thalassaemia in the antenatal population, and genotyping plays an important role as HbH inclusion test shows low sensitivity. CE without AGE, may be used as initial screening for haemoglobin variants. Our study provides contemporary data to guide thalassaemia screening algorithms in Singapore.

Multiple Placental Infarcts in a Pregnant Woman with Essential Thrombocythemia

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis, mainly occur in older patients, but have also been reported in younger patients. A "second peak" occurs in female patients in their thirties, particularly in ET; thus, the management of pregnancy is often discussed. We herein present the case of a 33-year-old woman with a high platelet count and multiple placental infarcts during delivery who was subsequently diagnosed with ET. Although there are no worldwide guidelines for the management of MPNs in pregnancy, the risk of thrombosis is markedly increased in these patients, and antithrombotic therapy should be considered.

[Diagnostics and treatment of iron deficiency in pregnancy]

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia are frequent complications to pregnancy and especially iron deficiency is underdiagnosed because of scarce symptoms. Due to the increased need for iron and the variation in iron storage in healthy pregnant women, iron supplementation should be individualised based on the level of haemoglobin and ferritin. First choice of treatment is oral iron supplementation, unless there is a failure of treatment, a known condition with malabsorption, or severe iron deficiency anaemia very close to due date. In these cases, intravenous iron may be considered.

Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia in Pregnancy

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, resulting in microvascular thrombosis and end-organ damage. In pregnancy, this may be the result of pregnancy-related TMAs such as preeclampsia; hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets; or pregnancy-associated TMAs, specifically thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or complement-mediated hemolytic uremic syndrome (CM HUS). TTP and CM HUS are rare disorders, and their diagnosis may be missed, no less because features at presentation may be misdiagnosed as a pregnancy-related TMA, such as hypertension, proteinuria, fetal growth restriction, or in utero fetal death. The mainstay of treatment for pregnancy-associated TMAs is plasma exchange. Presentation is likely in the third trimester for TTP and postpartum for CM HUS. However, both conditions can present in any trimester, unlike pregnancy-related TMAs which rarely present before the second trimester, commonly in the third trimester. Delivery is the mainstay of treatment for pregnancy-related TMAs. More recently, it has become clear that pregnancy may be a trigger for late-onset congenital TTP, as well as immune-mediated TTP, diagnosed by ADAMTS13 analysis. Complement inhibitor therapy is the treatment of choice for CM HUS cases. However, their diagnosis is by exclusion, but complement inhibitor therapy reduces the risk of end-stage renal failure. Subsequent pregnancies can be supported for TTP and CM HUS.

Integrated point-of-care testing (POCT) of HIV, syphilis, malaria and anaemia in antenatal clinics in western Kenya: A longitudinal implementation study

Background

In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV, syphilis, malaria and anaemia are leading preventable causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In Kenya, policy states women should be tested for all four conditions (malaria only if febrile) at first antenatal care (ANC) visit. In practice, while HIV screening is conducted, coverage of screening for the others is suboptimal and early pregnancy management of illnesses is compromised. This is particularly evident at rural dispensaries that lack laboratories and have parallel programmes for HIV, reproductive health and malaria, resulting in fractured and inadequate care for women.

Methods

A longitudinal eight-month implementation study integrating point-of-care diagnostic tests for the four conditions into routine ANC was conducted in seven purposively selected dispensaries in western Kenya. Testing proficiency of healthcare workers was observed at initial training and at three monthly intervals thereafter. Adoption of testing was compared using ANC register data 8.5 months before and eight months during the intervention. Fidelity to clinical management guidelines was determined by client exit interviews with success defined as ≥90% adherence.

Findings

For first ANC visits at baseline (n = 529), testing rates were unavailable for malaria, low for syphilis (4.3%) and anaemia (27.8%), and near universal for HIV (99%). During intervention, over 95% of first attendees (n = 586) completed four tests and of those tested positive, 70.6% received penicillin or erythromycin for syphilis, 65.5% and 48.3% received cotrimoxazole and antiretrovirals respectively for HIV, and 76.4% received artemether/lumefantrine, quinine or dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine correctly for malaria. Iron and folic supplements were given to nearly 90% of women but often at incorrect doses.

Conclusions

Integrating point-of-care testing into ANC at dispensaries with established HIV testing programmes resulted in a significant increase in testing rates, without disturbing HIV testing rates. While more cases were detected and treated, treatment fidelity still requires strengthening and an integrated monitoring and evaluation system needs to be established.

Validation of the quantitative point-of-care CareStart biosensor for assessment of G6PD activity in venous blood

INTRODUCTION

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzymopathy in the human population affecting an estimated 8% of the world population, especially those living in areas of past and present malaria endemicity. Decreased G6PD enzymatic activity is associated with drug-induced hemolysis and increased risk of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia leading to brain damage. The G6PD gene is on the X chromosome therefore mutations cause enzymatic deficiency in hemizygote males and homozygote females while the majority of heterozygous females have an intermediate activity (between 30-80% of normal) with a large distribution into the range of deficiency and normality. Current G6PD qualitative tests are unable to diagnose G6PD intermediate activities which could hinder wide use of 8-aminoquinolines for Plasmodium vivax elimination. The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic performances of the new Carestart G6PD quantitative biosensor.

METHODS

A total of 150 samples of venous blood with G6PD deficient, intermediate and normal phenotypes were collected among healthy volunteers living along the north-western Thailand-Myanmar border. Samples were analyzed by complete blood count, by gold standard spectrophotometric assay using Trinity kits and by the latest model of Carestart G6PD biosensor which analyzes both G6PD and hemoglobin.

RESULTS

Bland-Altman comparison of the CareStart normalized G6PD values to that of the gold standard assay showed a strong bias in values resulting in poor area under-the-curve values for both 30% and 80% thresholds. Performing a receiver operator curve identified threshold values for the CareStart product equivalent to the 30% and 80% gold standard values with good sensitivity and specificity values, 100% and 92% (for 30% G6PD activity) and 92% and 94% (for 80% activity) respectively.

CONCLUSION

The Carestart G6PD biosensor represents a significant improvement for quantitative diagnosis of G6PD deficiency over previous versions. Further improvements and validation studies are required to assess its utility for informing radical cure decisions in malaria endemic settings.