Clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics of pregnancy-related enhanced myometrial vascularity: prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the ultrasonographic, epidemiological, clinical and evolutive characteristics of enhanced myometrial vascularity (EMV) following a first-trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP) or management of non-viable pregnancy. METHODS: This prospective study included women who underwent follow-up ultrasound examination 5-6 weeks after a first-trimester TOP or after management of a first-trimester non-viable pregnancy at the University Hospital Polyclinic San Martino of Genoa between March 2021 and March 2022. EMV was characterized using two- and three-dimensional ultrasound and Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of EMV was made when an unusual, tortuous myometrial vessel structure, with high-velocity blood flow, protruding towards the endometrium was observed, while an abnormal junctional zone, absent endometrial midline and heterogeneous endometrium supported the diagnosis. Patients with EMV underwent expectant management with planned ultrasonographic follow-up every 2 weeks until resolution. RESULTS: During the study period, 305 women underwent TOP, of whom 132 attended the initial follow-up 5-6 weeks later, at which 52 were diagnosed with EMV. Ninety-six women were managed for a non-viable pregnancy, of whom 32 presented for follow-up, at which six had a diagnosis of EMV. Thus, overall, 164 of 401 women were included in the study and EMV was identified in 58 (35%) of these. The prevalence of EMV 5-6 weeks after a TOP was therefore between 52/305 (17%) and 52/132 (39%), and that after management of a non-viable pregnancy was between 6/96 (6%) and 6/32 (19%). Bleeding/pelvic pain was present in half (29/58) of the women with EMV, and serum human chorionic gonadotropin was detectable in 29% (17/58) at the first follow-up examination. At ultrasound assessment, all cases with EMV presented abundant tortuous myometrial vessels with high-velocity flow projecting from the myometrium towards the endometrium, along with non-uniform heterogeneous endometrium in 97% of cases, which often (67% of these) contained cystic areas, absence of the endometrial midline in 98% of cases and an abnormal junctional zone in 97% of cases (64% interrupted, 33% irregular). Most (67%) women with EMV were parous and 90% of them had undergone TOP rather than management for a non-viable pregnancy. Medical management of the TOP or non-viable pregnancy was more frequent in women with than those without EMV (93% vs 77%, P = 0.023). Multiple regression analysis showed the risk of EMV to be increased following TOP vs non-viable pregnancy (odds ratio (OR), 3.67 (95% CI, 1.16-11.56), P = 0.026) and in parous compared with nulliparous women (OR, 2.95 (95% CI, 1.45-6.01), P = 0.002). All women with EMV underwent expectant management. Eleven women did not return for subsequent follow-up examinations and did not present to our outpatient or emergency facilities, so were lost to further follow-up. Spontaneous resolution of the lesion was observed within 7-16 weeks after the procedure in 96% (45/47) of the remaining cases. Two women chose to undergo surgery for pelvic discomfort, and histology showed the presence of neovessels mixed with retained chorionic villi. CONCLUSION: EMV is a transient and common finding 5-6 weeks following first-trimester TOP or management of non-viable pregnancy. TOP and being parous are risk factors for EMV. Expectant management of EMV is appropriate, because, in almost all cases, this resolves spontaneously, without complications, within 2-4 months. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Composite non-clinical interventions for a safe cesarean section rate reduction: results of a pre-post interventional study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact on cesarean section (CS) rate with of a program of multiple non-clinical interventions targeted at health-care professional within a hospital maternity ward. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study with an historical control group conducted in a second-level teaching hospital. All women who gave birth in the period 2014 to 2018 were included. A series of multiple non-clinical interventions including a dedicated team of obstetricians for delivery room and antenatal counseling, monthly internal audits and physician education by local opinion leader were prospectively introduced from September 2016. The primary outcome of the study was the CS rate. The incidences of operative vaginal delivery, 3rd-/4th-degree perineal tears and further maternal and neonatal complications were considered as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The CS rate dropped from 33.05 to 26.06% after starting the interventions (p < 0.01); in particular, the cumulative rate of CS performed during labor decreased significantly from 19.46 to 14.11% (p < 0.01). CS reduction was still statistically significant after multivariate correction (OR = 0.66, CI.95 = 0.57-0.76, p < 0.01). Results further showed an increased prevalence of 3rd-degree perineal tears (0.97% versus 2.24%, p < 0.01), present also after correcting for possible confounding factors (OR = 2.36, CI.95 = 1.48-3.76, p < 0.01). No differences were found in the rate of vaginal-operative births and further maternal complications, while the composite neonatal outcome was found to be improved (OR = 0.73, CI.95 = 0.57-0.93, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of multiple non-clinical interventions can significantly reduce the CS rate. However, beside an improvement in neonatal composite outcome, a potential increase in high-degree perineal tears should be taken in account.

Persistent hematogenous dissemination in pulmonary P. jiroveci infection.

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in non-HIV patients is infrequent and characterized by atypical presentations and increased severity. Although hematogenous dissemination from the lungs can lead to extrapulmonary infections, isolation of oocysts from blood in human subjects has not been documented. We report a case of P. jiroveci pneumonia with persistent isolation of oocysts from blood and positivity of P. jiroveci polymerase chain reaction. The patient presented with bilateral diffuse pulmonary nodules and received prolonged treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.

The sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer over the years.

The sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has progressively substituted complete axillary lymph node dissection (CALND), and has dramatically changed breast surgery impact on women's psychophysical wellness, reducing surgical morbidity while granting an adequate nodal staging. The present authors have seen a gradual improvement in the technique in order to reduce both surgical time and the number of interventions required, in particular with the intraoperative histological examination of sentinel node. Anyway, there is still great debate about the predictability of axillary nodal status in case of negative SLNB, as well as in case of positive one. Therefore, the authors reviewed the SLNB history and discussed its controversial points.

Antiretroviral blood levels in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with cirrhosis after liver transplant: a report of three cases.

Since the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is no longer a contraindication for solid organ transplantation. In HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients undergoing liver transplantation, HCV-related cirrhosis, drug-drug interactions, and calcineurin inhibitors-related toxicity affect clinical outcomes. Therapeutic drug monitoring can be useful to assess antiretroviral over- or underexposure in this cohort. We report the clinical characteristics along with antiretroviral trough levels of maraviroc, darunavir, and etravirine in 3 HIV/HCV-coinfected liver transplant recipients who developed post-transplant liver cirrhosis.

Second trimester amniotic fluid retinol in patients developing preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Retinol (ROH) is an essential micronutrient required for normal fetal development and an essential molecule for antioxidant processes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the putative role of ROH as a marker of preeclampsia in early second trimester amniotic fluid (AF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case-control study comparing the concentration of ROH and other antioxidants such as uric acid, vitamin E and malondialdehyde (MDA) in second trimester AF in patients that later developed preeclampsia with normal pregnancies. RESULTS: The concentration of ROH in amniotic fluids of women that later developed preeclampsia was significantly higher than those of uncomplicated pregnancies (66.72 µg/l (49.00-70.56) vs. 44.4 µg/l (31.9-51.17), p < 0.05). No statistical significant difference was found in uric acid, vitamin E and MDA concentration. In the multivariate logistic regression, concentrations of ROH in amniotic fluids directly correlate with the risk of developing preeclampsia (OR 1.13, IC 0.01-1.26, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Second trimester AF ROH concentration was significantly higher in pregnancies that developed preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancies.

Quantitative elastography of the cervix for predicting labor induction success.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of quantitative elastography of the cervix in the prediction of successful labor induction compared to the Bishop score (BS) and ultrasound cervical length (CL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective pilot study was conducted between July 2010 and June 2011 in patients without preterm membrane rupture undergoing labor induction with vaginal prostaglandins. Before starting induction, the BS, functional CL and cervical tissue strain (TS) were assessed. TS assessment was performed twice using the Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) software. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated for the prediction of the following endpoints: active labor achievement (success vs. failure, time interval < 24 h and < 48 h), vaginal delivery (success vs. failure, time interval < 36 h and < 72 h) and total amount of prostaglandins used for labor induction (< 6 mg and < 12 mg). RESULTS: We analyzed 77 patients with a mean gestational age of 39.7 ± 1.5 weeks of gestation and a mean strain of 0.75 ± 0.17. The TS significantly predicted a failure of labor induction, which occurred in 4 cases, both in mono- and multivariate analysis, independently of the functional cervical length (TS 0.6 ± 0.1). No correlation was found between the TS and other outcomes. The Bishop score and functional cervical length were found to predict only an early response to labor induction (time to active labor < 24 h, time to vaginal delivery < 36 h and PG usage < 6 mg). The diagnostic accuracy was slightly but not significantly improved if both TS and CL were considered. CONCLUSION: Preliminary data show the possible usefulness of quantitative cervical elastography in the prediction of labor induction failure.

Isolated axillary nodal swelling and cancer of unknown primary.

INTRODUCTION: The literature reports rare cases of isolated axillary lymph node metastasis from cancer of unknown primary (CUP). The authors reviewed the prevalence and outcome of patients with isolated axillary nodal swelling suspicious for malignancy affected or not by isolated axillary node metastasis from CUP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors collected data about 65 patients presented with isolated axillary lymph node swelling who underwent axillary lymph node excisional biopsy for malignancy suspicion, between January 2005 and December 2011, in the absence of any specific diagnosis. RESULTS: Histological examination revealed a metastatic infiltration by an occult solid cancer in 16 cases (24%), ten of which were occult breast cancers. Histological patterns and molecular markers allowed in all cases of occult cancer a probable identification of the primary tumor site, while a definitive diagnosis was possible only in the 56.25% of cases (9/16). The prognosis of these patients was very poor with a five-year overall survival of 28%, and thus very similar to patients affected by Stage IV overt breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Among occult malignancies presenting with sole axillary lymph node metastasis, breast cancer remains the more probable primary cancer, but many other sites should be taken into consideration by negative breast imaging. Positron-emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) resulted helpful in the primary site detection, but has nonetheless a margin of failure. Occult breast cancers behave very similar to Stage IV overt breast cancers, and should be treated accordingly.

Therapy side-effects and predictive factors for preterm delivery in patients undergoing tocolysis with atosiban or ritodrine for threatened preterm labour.

The objective of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of atosiban and ritodrine in the treatment of threatened preterm labour (TPL) and to analyse the predictive factors of preterm delivery. We retrospectively sampled data on 380 women hospitalised for TPL (24-35 weeks' gestation), in our clinic between 2004 and 2007. All were subjected to tocolysis with ritodrine and/or atosiban. Data were analysed using R (version 2.12.1), considering p < 0.05 as significant. We had 69 women treated with atosiban, 242 treated with ritodrine and 69 treated with ritodrine changed for atosiban, if adverse effects occurred. In the multivariate logistic regression, the use of atosiban vs ritodrine does not play any role in delaying delivery after 48 h or 7 days, whereas the cervical change at the digital examination, high contractions pre/post-therapy ratio, pPROM, cervical length and fibronectin result as predictive factors for both delivery before 48 h or 7 days. Maternal adverse drug effects were significantly more frequent in patients treated with ritodrine, and one single case of pulmonary oedema was observed. We found fewer side-effects in the atosiban than in the ritodrine group and no difference in efficacy. Moreover, the most predictive factors for preterm delivery were fibronectin test, pPROM, digital vaginal examination and uterine contraction persistence. We believe that predictive capacity of these tests could give the opportunity for targeting therapy and limiting drug side-effects and cost.

New surgical trends in breast cancer treatment: conservative interventions and oncoplastic breast surgery.

AIM: From radical mastectomy by Halstedt to quadrantectomy by Veronesi, surgical treatment of breast cancer has become more and more conservative in order to preserve women quality of life. We analyzed the evolution of breast interventions through a nine-year period. METHODS: We collected data about all breast surgery interventions performed between 2002 and 2010 in our Department Of Surgery, focusing on patients' age, tumor histology, TNM classification, hormonal status, intervention radicality on the breast and axilla, and eventual plastic surgery. Data were analyzed by R (version 2.14.2), considering significant P<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 3320 breast surgery interventions were performed on 2300 patients. Absolute yearly number of interventions has strongly increased with the introduction of the mammography screening (291 to 430). Conservative breast surgery (55% to 62%) and skin-sparing mastectomy (1% to 8%) have been performed more frequently in premenopausal patients, and significantly increased in time, with a consequent decrease of classical radical mastectomy (38 to 15%) but an increase of margins widening after primary surgery (2% to 6%). Sentinel lymph node biopsy is mostly replacing complete axillary lymph node dissection (93% to 31%). Skin-glandular reshaping progressively increased (up to 20%) as also breast reconstruction (23% to 40%), which since 2008 has been performed also in women older than 75 years, while flaps have been used in strictly selected patients. CONCLUSION: Conservative surgery represents the target of current breast cancer treatment where possible, and skin-sparing mastectomy an interesting alternative to classical one when radicality is required. Sentinel lymph node biopsy has replaced complete axillary lymph node dissection by clinically negative nodal status. Breast reshaping and reconstruction are increasing in every age group, including women older than 75 years.

Validated French translation of the ESIT-SQ standardized tinnitus screening questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: The heterogeneity of tinnitus in terms of etiology, presentation and sometimes severe impact on quality of life hinders treatment and clinical research. The European School for Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research Screening Questionnaire (ESIT-SQ) collects standardized tinnitus characteristics for patient subtyping. A validated French translation of the ESIT-SQ is presented here. METHOD: On the initiative of the French Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Association (AFREPA), 3 translators (1 professional translator, 1 clinician and 1 researcher) were missioned to translate the English version of the ESIT-SQ into French, adhering to good practice guidelines. Nine patients were recruited with the help of the France-Acouphènes patient association, to test and validate the translation. Lastly, an exploratory survey of responses to the French questionnaire was conducted online via the Siopi mobile phone application. RESULTS: The French translation of the ESIT-SQ was successfully validated. 105 patients responded to the exploratory survey, and their characteristics are presented here. CONCLUSION: This new validated French translation of the ESIT-SQ will enable epidemiological and clinical data to be collected in French-speaking populations, and thus compiled and compared with data collected with other versions of this questionnaire already published in other languages.

Human placental transthyretin in fetal growth restriction in combination with preeclampsia and the HELLP syndrome.

Fetal growth restriction is a serious, still poorly understood pregnancy-related pathology often associated with preeclampsia. Recent studies speculate on the role of human transthyretin, a carrier protein for thyroxin and retinol binding protein, in the etiology of both pregnancy pathologies. Objective was to investigate the localization and abundance of transthyretin (TTR) in placentas of pregnancies suffering from fetal growth restriction with and without preeclampsia and HELLP. This was a retrospective case control study on human paraffin-embedded placentas from pregnancies with a gestational age at delivery between the 24th and 34th week of gestation. 16 placentas were included in this study, 11 cases and 5 from normotensive pregnancies as controls. Cases were divided into three groups: four from early onset idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), four from early-onset severe preeclampsia (PE), and three from early-onset IUGR with preeclampsia plus HELLP syndrome. Distribution and abundance of TTR were investigated by means of immunohistochemistry. Semi quantitative analysis of TTR staining of placental sections revealed that TTR was mostly expressed in the villous trophoblast covering placental villi. Only weak staining of TTR in villous stroma could be detected. The comparison of placentas revealed that in pure IUGR and severe PE there is a much stronger TTR reactivity compared to controls and cases with IUGR + PE + HELLP. Concluding, the study showed that TTR is dysregulated in cases of IUGR and severe early onset preeclampsia. Interestingly, TTR expression is not affected in cases with HELLP syndrome that reveal the same staining intensities as age-matched controls.

Effects of canthaxanthin on the productive and reproductive performance of broiler breeders.

The effects of supplementing canthaxanthin on productive and reproductive aspects of broiler breeders were examined in this study. In total, 360 female pullets and 36 roosters were placed in an open-sided house with 12 pens, each pen with an area of 7.0 m(2) (3.5 × 2.0 m). At 42 wk of age, the breeder hens and roosters were distributed into 2 experimental groups with similar BW and uniformity. From 46 to 66 wk of age, one group received 6 mg/kg of canthaxanthin supplemented in the diet and the other group received the diet without the addition of canthaxanthin (control diet). Body weight was measured every 28 d, the laying rate was calculated weekly, and mortality was evaluated at the end of the study. Twenty-one weekly incubations were performed to evaluate fertility and incubation responses. To evaluate the antioxidant effect of canthaxanthin at different storage times and during the incubation process, eggs from each treatment were subject to thiobarbituric reactive substances analysis. Body weight, mortality, and laying rate were not affected by the inclusion of canthaxanthin in the breeder's diets. An increase in hatchability of total and fertile eggs (P ≤ 0.0001 and P ≤ 0.0003, respectively) in breeders fed canthaxanthin during the experimental period was observed. Canthaxanthin also improved breeder fertility and reduced embryo mortality. This can be attributed to reductions in embryo mortality in the first 48 h of incubation and in the last wk of incubation. No differences were observed in BW and quality of the chicks. A reduction of thiobarbituric reactive substances was observed in yolks from stored hatching eggs produced by breeders fed diets plus canthaxanthin. The same effect was observed in yolks of eggs stored for 4 d and incubated for 7 d. The supplementation of broiler breeder diets with canthaxanthin improved the hatchability rate, fertility, and reduced the presence of thiobarbituric reactive substances in eggs.

[Maternal body mass index and breast feeding]. / Indice di massa corporeo materno e allattamento al seno.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to determine whether maternal BMI influences breast-feeding practice in quality and duration METHODS: A retrospective case-control study were included Fifty women with Body Max Index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 considered overweigh and obese and fifty controls with BMI<25 kg/m2 who delivered in our clinic between 2010 and 2011. RESULTS: The incidence of breast-feeding was significantly lower in overweight and obese women compared with normal weight. Breastfeeding length was negatively related to prepregnancy BMI but not to gestational weight gain, method of delivery or lactation integration. Obese women presented an elevated Body Max Index one year apart from childbirth and are correlated to maternal complications during breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: Maternal overweight and obesity is negatively correlated to duration and quality of lactation.

Breast-feeding and benign breast disease.

Benign breast disease (BBD) is very common among women in their fertile age, but its correlation with breast reproductive function remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the relation between BBD and breast-feeding. We collected data on 105 women with BBD and 98 controls, focusing on their reproductive history and breast-feeding. We analysed data by R (version 2.12.1) considering p < 0.05 as significant. The results showed that fibroadenoma represented the most frequent BBD (55%), followed by fibrocystic changes (19%), intraductal papilloma (6%) and inflammatory breast disorders (5%). The mean age was 31.5 years (± 6.1), BMI 21.2 kg/m² (± 3.4) and age at menarche 13.0 years (± 1.5). Duration of breast-feeding was not significantly different between controls and BBD types (p = NS). Selecting women with fibroadenoma breast-feeding duration directly correlated with the number of benign lesions (p < 0.05), which remains significant also by multivariate analysis. It was concluded that there seemed to be no difference in breast-feeding among BBDs types, but lactation may influence the number of fibroadenomas. Moreover, prospective studies would better define the correlation between lactation and BBDs.

Fertility in women survivors of hematological malignancies: what is the real role of GnRH analogue treatment?

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ovarian function in women who received or not gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue co-treatment compared to the control group that did not receive it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed 124 patients affected by hematological diseases between 1998 and 2007. The data were analyzed using R (v 2.9.1). RESULTS: In the women treated with GnRH analogue, the authors found 33% post-treatment secondary amenorrhea and 6% had a pregnancy post-treatment, while in the other group the prevalence were respectively 49% and 4% (p n.s.). Moreover, in multivariate analysis the authors found bone marrow transplantation to be a risk factor for secondary amenorrhea, while the association of chemotherapy with radiotherapy was a protective factor (p < 0.05). Finally, none of the considered factors were predictive of pregnancy achievement post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found no statistical evidence to support that Gn-RH analogue treatment preserves ovarian follicular reserve during hematologic cancer treatment, but more evidence must be obtained.

Ultrasonographic assessment of cervix size and its correlation with female characteristics, pregnancy, BMI, and other anthropometric features.

PURPOSE: Cervical length during the first trimester of pregnancy has not been completely investigated yet. The objective of our study is to compare cervical size in the first ten gestational weeks with that of non-pregnant women, and to determine its correlation with maternal factors, including age, anthropometric features, and reproductive history. METHODS: We collected retrospective data about women who applied to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatients Facility of Udine between February and June 2009, selecting both pregnant and non-pregnant women possessing a transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of their cervix, and focusing on their age, parity, BMI, cervical, and uterine size. Data were analyzed by R (version.2.8.0), considering significant P < 0.05. RESULTS: 135 women were recruited. By multivariate linear regression, both cervical length and width result independently influenced by pregnancy status, and among non-pregnant nullipara, cervical length results to be significantly lower in women younger than 20 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: During the first ten gestational weeks, cervix results to be longer and wider than in non-pregnant women, suggesting the possible existence of early gestational, morphological, uterine, and cervical modifications. Women under the age of 20 have a significantly shorter cervix, suggesting an incomplete cervix maturity in this group of women, which may justify the higher prevalence of pre-term births in teenage pregnancies.

Risk factors for chronic pelvic pain in a cohort of primipara and secondipara at one year after delivery: association of chronic pelvic pain with autoimmune pathologies.

AIM: Over genetic and obsteteric factors, also autoimmunity may be involved in female chronic pelvic pain (CPP) pathogenesis. Our study aims to determinate the prevalence of CPP after one year from delivery, and to investigate the possible influence on CPP of concomitant autoimmune conditions. Methods. We selected a cohort of caucasian primipara and secondipara who delivered in our clinic in 2006. We collected personal, clinical and obstetric data, and asked them about pelviperineal painful symptoms. Results. Mean maternal age is 35.52 years (±4.70), 27.65% of women delivered by cesarean section, 61.04% spontaneously and 11.32% by operative assistance, with partoanalgesia in 10.39% of cases, episiotomy in 41.19%, vaginoperineal tears in respectively 14.10% I degree, 11.13% II degree and 0.93% III-IV degree; 43.60% of women have ever undergone abdominopelvic surgery, 32.84% by laparotomy-laparoscopy, 7.05% by hysteroscopy, 5.01% limited to perineum. Chronic autoimmune diseases affect 78.48% of women, allergies 7.79%, rheumatic pathologies 1.3%, autoimmune endocrinopathies 71.8%; 26.53% of women report pelviperineal painful symptoms, being already present in 2.23% of cases, 12.43% generalised pelvic pain, 4.27% bladder pain, 2.60% vulvodynia, 17. 07% dyspareunia. By monovariate analysis CPP results influenced by III-IV degree vaginoperineal tears, operative assistance, preexisting CPP, previous and actual urinary incontinence, previous abdominopelvic surgical interventions and chronic rheumatic pathologies. Furthermore, rheumatic disease, operative assistance and previous CPP are predictive factors for CPP in the postpartum (AUC=58.10%). Conclusion. Delivery may highlight CPP symptoms in predisposed women affected by chronic autoimmune pathologies.

[Outcome of pregnancy for immigrant women: a retrospective study]. / L'outcome della gravidanza nella donna immigrata: studio retrospettivo.

AIM: Italy is experiencing a continuous increase in female immigration and, as a consequence, the number of births by immigrant mothers. The objective of our study was therefore to compare indices for maternal-foetal wellbeing as regards immigrant as opposed to autochthonous pregnant women. METHODS: An analysis was made of CEDAP data from 2001 to 2008 concerning parturients at Udine Obstetric and Gynaecological Clinic, DRG clinical data for 2008 and clinical records for 2008 of foreign parturients: the focus was on which geographical area they came from, hypertensive and metabolic symptoms during pregnancy, maternal serology, gestational period up to childbirth, weight at birth, Apgar index, duration of hospitalisation for the mother and infant. RESULTS: The study covered 13,352 women of whom 2,139 were foreigners, while 363 of the latter gave birth in 2008. In terms of geographical area the largest group of immigrants came from Eastern Europe, followed by sub-Saharan African and Arab countries. The worst outcome of pregnancy was found in African women, who showed the highest incidence of chronic hypertension, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia and they also developed gestational diabetes more frequently, although a high incidence was also seen for Eastern European and Arab women. Furthermore, African women were found to be HIV-seropositive more frequently, showed a greater tendency to preterm or severely preterm birth, with a significantly lower weight and Apgar at birth compared to all other immigrant women. As a result, African women and infants remained in hospital for a longer period. CONCLUSION: Monitoring, both pre-conceptional and during pregnancy, needs to be intensified, especially among African mothers, in order to reduce the maternal-foetal disadvantage when compared to other women.