Traditionally, women receiving azathioprine have been discouraged from breastfeeding because of theoretical potential risks of neonatal bone marrow suppression, susceptibility to infection, and pancreatitis. The aims of this study were to measure the concentration of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) in breast milk of mothers receiving azathioprine and in the blood of their babies and to investigate any immunosuppressive effects on the babies. Women receiving azathioprine, who after appropriate counselling wished to breastfeed their babies, were approached for inclusion in the study. Breast milk samples were obtained from recruited women, and 6-MP levels were measured in each breast milk sample. Haemoglobin level, white cell and platelet counts, and 6-MP and 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) levels were measured in the respective neonatal blood samples. Clinical signs of immunosuppression in the neonates were noted. Thirty-one breast milk samples were collected from ten women. Low concentrations of 6-MP (1.2 and 7.6 nanograms/ml, compared with therapeutic immunosuppressant level of 50 nanograms/ml in serum) were detected in two breast milk samples obtained from one woman. 6-MP was not detected in any of the other 29 samples. 6-MP and 6-TGN were undetectable in the neonatal blood. There were no clinical or haematological signs of immunosuppression in any of the ten neonates. We conclude that breastfeeding should not be withheld in infants of mothers receiving azathioprine.
Careful assessment of the ductus venosus and the umbilical vein should be a part of the evaluation of every fetus with unexplained cardiomegaly. All fetuses with abnormal connection of the umbilical vein should undergo a clinical and ultrasonographic assessment both in utero and after birth to exclude any cardiac and extra-cardiac abnormalities. During the prenatal period, serial ultrasound examinations are indicated and delivery is considered when there is evidence of progressive cardiovascular compromise.
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CONDENSATIONIn women with twin pregnancies universal treatment with vaginal progesterone did not reduce the incidence of spontaneous birth between 24 +0 and 33 +6 weeks' gestation.
Short version of article title:Vaginal progesterone in unselected twin pregnancies.
AJOG AT A GLANCE• Randomized controlled trial testing the hypothesis that in women with twin pregnancies, vaginal progesterone at a dose of 600 mg per day from 11-14 until 34 weeks' gestation, as compared with placebo, would result in a significant reduction in the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth between 24 +0 and 33 +6 weeks.• In women with twin pregnancies universal treatment with vaginal progesterone did not reduce the incidence of spontaneous birth between 24+0 and 33+6 weeks' gestation. Post hoc time to event analysis led to the suggestion that progesterone may reduce the risk of spontaneous birth <32 weeks in women with cervical length <30 mm and it may increase the risk for those with cervical length ≥30 mm.• In women with twin pregnancies universal treatment with vaginal progesterone does not reduce the incidence of early spontaneous birth.
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