P wave and QT dispersion in familial mediterranean fever.

OBJECTIVE: Familial mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common auto-inflammatory disease that is characterized by recurrent, self-limited attacks of fever and serous membrane inflammation. Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases are considered to have a raised cardiovascular diseases risk. The aim of this study was to investigate; by means of P wave dispersion (Pd) and QT dispersion (QTd) parameters detected by simple standard electrocardiogram (ECG), atrial and ventricular repolarization changes in pregnant women with and without FMF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this case-control study including 37 pregnant women with FMF who already put on colchicine treatment and 40 healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy cases, were prospectively assessed using 12-lead ECG and echocardiography. RESULTS: No differences in Pd and corrected QT values were found between the groups. Epicardial fat thickness values were significantly higher in the FMF group compared with the control group (p = 0.015). A positive correlation was found between FMF duration and epicardial fat thickness (r = 0.350, p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Pd, a non-invasive marker of potential atrial arrhythmia and QT-d, a non-invasive marker of potentially lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmia, constitute a recent contribution to the field of noninvasive electrocardiology. Pd and QT-d values were not altered in pregnant women with FMF who already put on colchicine treatment, with no increased risk of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias indicated. Colchicine may have a cardio-protective effect beyond the effect mediated through suppression of inflammation.

Anterior placenta previa is associated with increased umbilical cord blood hematocrit concenrations.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the umbilical cord blood (CB) hematocrit (Hct) levels in women with anterior located placenta previa (PP). METHODS: This is a prospective case-control study performed in a tertiary level maternity hospital. Thirty seven pregnant women diagnosed with anterior PP (study group) and 37 women without PP (control group) included into the study. Groups were matched with regard to age, gestational age, and fetal gender. All women underwent Cesarean section. Umbilical CB Hct levels of the newborns were measured. Demographics, operative features, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Umbilical CB Hct levels were statistically significantly higher in the PP patients compared with controls (p: 52.6±5.0 vs. 47.5±5.0, p < 0.001). Preoperative maternal hemoglobin (Hgb) and Hct levels were similar in the two groups. However, postoperative Hb and Hct levels were significantly lower in the study group (p: 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively). Intraoperative complication rates were higher in this group. Neonatal Apgar scores were lower and neonatal intensive care unit admission was more common in the PP group when compared with controls. CONCLUSION: We think that anterior PP is associated with increased umbilical CB Hct levels. Neonatologists should consider this condition in the infants born to mothers with anterior PP.

Alterations in lipid peroxidation and T-cell function in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

The objective of this study was to investigate serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity as a marker of T lymphocyte activation and parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Serum ADA activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were investigated in 40 pregnant women with the HG and 40 with healthy pregnancies, in a descriptive study. Although serum ADA and CAT were measured to be higher in HG group, the difference was not significant. Serum MDA and GPx levels were significantly elevated in women with HG when compared with those without HG. The significance of changes in lipid peroxidation and T-cell activation in the pathogenesis of HG and whether this is a cause or a compensatory reaction to HG requires further investigations with larger multicentre trials.