Epidural anesthesia for cesarean section with 0.125% versus 0.25% bupivacaine: An Ecuadorian prospective cohort.

Antecedentes: En una cesárea se puede emplear analgesia epidural con bupivacaína 0.125% and lidocaína 1.5% ó bupivacaína 0.

Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis of human papillomavirus infection in women with cervical lesions and cancer from the coastal region of Ecuador.

The aim of the present study was to gather information regarding the molecular epidemiology of Human papillomavirus (HPV) and related risk factors in a group of women with low- and high-grade cervical lesions and cancer from the coastal region of Ecuador. In addition, we studied the evolution of HPV variants from the most prevalent types and provided a temporal framework for their emergence, which may help to trace the source of dissemination within the region. We analyzed 166 samples, including 57 CIN1, 95 CIN2/3 and 14 cancer cases.

Pregnancy outcomes in younger and older adolescent mothers with severe preeclampsia.

Background: Adolescent mothers are at higher risk for preeclampsia, but the effect of their age on the outcome of the pregnancy complication is not clear.

Objective: To describe maternal and neonatal outcomes among singleton adolescent pregnancies complicated with severe preeclampsia in a low-income-setting hospital and compare results according to age.

Materials And Methods: Maternal and neonatal outcomes of 213 adolescent mothers complicated with severe preeclampsia delivering at the Enrique C.

High incidence of Zika virus infection detected in plasma and cervical cytology specimens from pregnant women in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy has been linked to severe birth defects, and the epidemiologic situation of the ZIKV epidemic in Ecuador is poorly understood. Guayaquil, Ecuador, has a tropical climate and experiences frequent outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya virus, and in December 2015, ZIKV was identified. Given the well-documented effects of ZIKV in pregnancy, including microcephaly, we tested for the presence of ZIKV in both plasma and cervical cytology of pregnant women.

Increased mood symptoms in postmenopausal women related to the polymorphism rs743572 of the CYP17 A1 gene.

Background: Menopausal and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent after the menopause; but may vary from one population to another and genetics play a key role.

Objective: To analyze the intensity of these symptoms in relation to the genetic variants of the rs743572 polymorphism of the CYP17 A1 gene in postmenopausal women.

Methods: DNA was extracted from the whole blood of 168 natural postmenopausal women (40-65 years) and tested for the rs743572 polymorphism of the CYP17 A1 gene.

Maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and C-reactive protein levels in pregnancies complicated with threatened preterm labour.

Objective And Methods: To measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels in singleton gestations complicated with threatened preterm labour (TPL, n = 59) and compare to normal controls matched for gestational age (n = 64). Cases were treated after blood sample according to institutional protocol. Also, analyte levels were compared among cases according to the outcome.

Fetal asphyctic preconditioning in rats results in a preserved placental inflammatory phenotype at birth.

Introduction: Perinatal asphyxia (PA) is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Research has shown that in rats fetal asphyxia (FA) can provoke neuroprotection against a subsequent more severe perinatal asphyctic insult. This is called fetal asphyctic preconditioning (PC).

Sedentary lifestyle in middle-aged women is associated with severe menopausal symptoms and obesity.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between sedentary lifestyle and the severity of menopausal symptoms and obesity in middle-aged women.

Methods: The Menopause Rating Scale, the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Athens Insomnia Scale were administered to 6,079 Latin American women aged 40 to 59 years. Sedentary lifestyle was defined as fewer than three weekly, 30-minute periods of physical activity.

Perinatal outcome in singleton pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and eclampsia in Ecuador.

Preeclampsia in Ecuador is an understudied subject since available epidemiological data are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe perinatal outcomes among singleton pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and eclampsia in a sample of low-income Ecuadorian women. Pregnant women complicated with preeclampsia (mild and severe) and eclampsia (defined according to criteria of the ACOG) delivering at the Enrique C.

Assessing sexual problems in women at midlife using the short version of the female sexual function index.

Assessment of sexual function is a complex process, especially in women, which requires in any individual case: time, appropriate training and experience. The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction is quite variable depending on the studied population, assessment methods, comorbid conditions and treatments, and age. A large number of screening methods have been developed over the last decades which range from tedious, exhaustive and boring tools to very simple standardized questionnaires.

Assessment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome risk at the end of pregnancy using the Berlin Questionnaire.

Objective: To assess the risk of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and related factors at the end of pregnancy using the Berlin questionnaire.

Methods: A total of 367 women at the end of pregnancy (median gestational age 39 weeks) were interviewed with the Berlin questionnaire and a general survey containing maternal socio-demographic and anthropometric information. Neonatal outcome data were also assessed.

Polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (C677T and A1298C) in the placenta of pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia has been related to single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene; however, data regarding the placenta are still lacking.

Objective: To determine the frequency of C677T and A1298C SNPs of the MTHFR gene in the placenta of preeclamptic pregnancies and healthy controls.

Methods: Genotyping of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene using RFLP-PCR was performed to the placenta of 100 gestations (n = 50 complicated with preeclampsia and n = 50 normal controls matched for parity and maternal age).

Evaluation of the presence and severity of menopausal symptoms among postmenopausal women screened for the metabolic syndrome.

Background: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (METS) increases after the menopause. Reports indicate that the METS and its components, especially obesity, enhance the intensity of menopausal symptoms.

Objective: Assess the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.

[Maternal and perinatal outcomes in nulliparous gestations with late onset preeclampsia: Comparative study with gestations without preeclampsia].

Objective: To assess obstetrical outcomes in a sample of nulliparous gestations with preeclampsia, as compared to gestations without preeclampsia, attended in the Enrique C. Sotomayor Hospital of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Method: This was a comparative study of maternal and perinatal outcome data of gestations with late onset preeclampsia (n=150; gestational age=36.

Feto-placental nitric oxide, asymmetric dimethylarginine and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and VEGF gene polymorphisms in severe preeclampsia.

Objective: To measure plasma nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and VEGF gene polymorphisms in fetal circulation in severe preeclampsia.

Methods: Cord vessels of singleton gestations complicated with severe preeclampsia 36 weeks or more (n = 31) and controls were sampled upon delivery for analyte measuring. Additionally, DNA was extracted from umbilical vein whole blood to determine the frequency of VEGF gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): -2578 A/C, -1498 C/T, -1154 A/G, -634 C/G and +936 C/T.

Inhaled intrapartum analgesia using a 50-50 % mixture of nitrous oxide-oxygen in a low-income hospital setting.

Aim: To analyze the benefits of an inhaled analgesia procedure over intrapartum pain and the degree of satisfaction of using this method.

Methods: This was a pilot study carried out at a low-income hospital setting in which women with singleton pregnancies, cephalic presentation and active phase of labor were requested to inhale ad libitum a 50-50 % mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen (N(2)O-O(2)) (Oxicalm(®), Indura S.A-Indura Ecuador) using a face mask with an auto-demand valve.

The B-Lynch technique for the management of intraoperative uterine atony.

This paper reports the experience of 150 B-Lynch suture applications for the management of uterine atony during caesarean section that did not respond to conventional therapeutical measures. Technique was considered effective if the need for hysterectomy was avoided. High-risk antenatal obstetrical conditions included: pre-eclampsia (12%), oligohydramnios (8%), polyhydramnios (4.

Assessment of sexuality after hysterectomy using the Female Sexual Function Index.

The present study aimed at assessing sexuality after hysterectomy using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). A telephone survey was conducted among women 1 year after a hysterectomy for benign cause. The FSFI and a general questionnaire containing personal and partner sociodemographic data were applied.

Factors relating to insomnia during the menopausal transition as evaluated by the Insomnia Severity Index.

Background: Although the menopause associates to poor sleep quality, insomnia severity data in the menopausal transition is scarce or lacking.

Objective: To assess insomnia prevalence, severity and related factors in mid-aged women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study 340 women (40 to 59 years) completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and a general questionnaire containing personal/partner data.

Assessment of self-esteem in mid-aged women.

Objective: To assess self-esteem and affecting factors in a middle-aged Ecuadorian female population using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study in which 149 women (40-59 years) were requested to fill out the RSES and a general socio-demographic form containing personal and partner data.

Results: Mean age of sample was 47.