The effect of B-Lynch uterine compression suture performed for uterine atony on future menstrual pattern and reproductive outcome.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of B-Lynch (UCS) compression sutures applied in postpartum hemorrhage cases due to uterine atony on menstrual pattern, fertility, obstetric outcomes, dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2012 and March 2017, 77 patients (study group 37, control group 40) diagnosed postpartum hemorrhage in our clinic were included in the study. The long-term results of the patients were evaluated comparatively. RESULTS: In the B-Lynch UCS group, an increase in the postoperative menstrual cycle length and the intensity of dyspareunia measured by the VAS score, and a statistically significant decrease in the duration of menstrual bleeding were observed. In the control group, a decrease in the self-estimated time of postpartum menstrual bleeding and a statistically significant increase in dyspareunia VAS values ​​were observed. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of menstrual cycle length only after treatment. CONCLUSION: B-Lynch UCS can be used effectively and safely in PPH due to uterine atony without causing any additional pathology in menstrual pattern, fertility, dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia complaints other than the length of the menstrual cycle.

Can various complete blood count parameters helpful in preoperative diagnosis of adnexal torsion?

OBJECTIVE: Adnexal torsion is an important gynecological emergency due to nonfrequent but possible adverse reproductive outcomes. There is no specific laboratory marker to support the preoperative diagnosis or that can be used clinically. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic values of platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and red cell markers as an early indicator of ovarian torsion. METHODS: This retrospective study included 28 female patients who were treated surgically for adnexal torsion between August 2010 and July 2020, and 29 control group women. The demographic data and routine hematological values of patients were compared for adnexal torsion prediction. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups in terms of the platelet count, platelet distribution width, red cell distribution width, and mean platelet volume values, and there were no differences in the demographic data. Statistical differences were found among white blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and 81.5% sensitivity and 82.1% specificity were identified for neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio 2.45 (area under the curve AUC 0.892; 95%CI 0.808-0.975; p<0.001). Odds ratio for neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was 2.62 (95%CI 0.861-7.940, p=0.029). CONCLUSION: According to the regression analysis, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was found to be the most beneficial among all blood count parameters for the pre-diagnosis of AT.

Can various complete blood count parameters helpful in preoperative diagnosis of adnexal torsion?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Adnexal torsion is an important gynecological emergency due to nonfrequent but possible adverse reproductive outcomes. There is no specific laboratory marker to support the preoperative diagnosis or that can be used clinically. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic values of platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and red cell markers as an early indicator of ovarian torsion. METHODS: This retrospective study included 28 female patients who were treated surgically for adnexal torsion between August 2010 and July 2020, and 29 control group women. The demographic data and routine hematological values of patients were compared for adnexal torsion prediction. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups in terms of the platelet count, platelet distribution width, red cell distribution width, and mean platelet volume values, and there were no differences in the demographic data. Statistical differences were found among white blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and 81.5% sensitivity and 82.1% specificity were identified for neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio 2.45 (area under the curve AUC 0.892; 95%CI 0.808-0.975; p<0.001). Odds ratio for neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was 2.62 (95%CI 0.861-7.940, p=0.029). CONCLUSION: According to the regression analysis, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was found to be the most beneficial among all blood count parameters for the pre-diagnosis of AT.

A randomized pilot study of electro-acupuncture treatment for hysterosalpingography pain relief and related anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of acupuncture on reducing pain and anxiety related to hysterosalpingography (HSG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 107 patients planned to undergo HSG were randomly separated into 3 groups; the acupuncture group (n=36), intramuscular diclofenac sodium group (n=35), and control group (n=37). In the acupuncture group, electro-acupuncture was applied to specified points for 20 mins before the procedure. In the intramuscular diclofenac sodium group, an intramuscular injection of 75 mg diclofenac sodium was applied 30 mins before the procedure. No analgesics were administered to the patients in the control group before intervention. Pain was evaluated with a Visual Analog scale (VAS) and anxiety with the State-trait Anxiety inventory -state (STAI-S), preoperatively and at specified times postoperatively. RESULTS: The VAS scores at 1 and 5 minutes after HSG were similar in acupuncture group and intramuscular diclofenac sodium group, and significantly lower than in the control group. At 30 mins postoperatively, there was no significant difference between the 3 groups in respect of the VAS scores. The STAI-S scores at 1 hour preoperatively were similar in all the groups (p=0.563). In the comparisons of the STAI-S values at preoperative 5 mins, following acupuncture in acupuncture group and the diclofenac injection in intramuscular diclofenac sodium group, and at postoperative 30 mins, the acupuncture group values were determined to be statistically significantly lower than those of the other groups (p<0.001, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture has similar effects on the reduction of pain as other analgesics and reduces anxiety. It can therefore be used in HSG in suitable clinics.

Inner myometrial laceration - an unusual presentation of antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage: case reports and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic criteria, treatment options and progression of cases who have antenatal or postpartum hemorrhage due to internal myometrial laceration (IML) and to review the literature. STUDY DESIGN: The files of eight patients who were diagnosed to have IML between August 2012 and July 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The patient group consisted of four patients who had an emergency c-section due to massive bleeding during labor and four patients who had an emergency laparotomy due to uncontrolled bleeding after vaginal delivery after evaluation of the patient for signs of 4Ts (trauma, tissue retention, uterine tonus, and trombin). Primary suturation was the first-line treatment in all patients. In two of the patients, hysterectomy was performed after the defined surgical procedures were not successful in controling the bleeding. CONCLUSION: The presented case series is a pioneering study that describes IM which is a poorly defined reason of postpartum hemorrhage, as the cause of bleeding during labor. Primary suturation is the first-step, further surgery might be required in order to treat this life-threathening condition and the decision should be based on the age and the fertility status of the patient.

Decreased mean platelet volume is associated with the developing stage of fetoplacental unit in spontaneous abortion.

AIM: The aim was to evaluate the place of mean platelet volume (MPV) in predicting spontaneous miscarriage and to identify any differences in its values following miscarriage after biochemical and clinical pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 305 spontaneous miscarriages and 168 control subjects. The miscarriage subjects were evaluated in two groups: miscarriage after biochemical pregnancy (n=79) (BA group) and miscarriage after clinical pregnancy (n=226) (CA group). Demographic and laboratory data of all subjects were statistically compared. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the miscarriage and control subjects in terms of demographic data and Hb, Htc, WBC, and Plt values. The mean platelet volume (MPV) value in the miscarriage group (8.99±1.47 fl) was statistically significantly lower than in the control group (9.66±1.64 fl) (P<0.001). A statistically significant difference was present between the BA, CA and control group, with the lowest MPV value in the BA group (8.64±1.34 fl, 9.11±1.49 fl, and 9.66±1.64 fl, respectively) (P<0.001). DISCUSSION: MPV was significantly lower in patients with miscarriage than the control group, and this was correlated with the gestational stage when the miscarriage occurred.

Relations of Platelet Indices with Endometrial Hyperplasia and Endometrial Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Platelets are blood elements thought to play a role in the immune system and therefore tumor development and metastasis. Platelet activation parameters such as mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and plateletcrit (PCT) can be easily evaluated with the whole blood count and have been studied as markers of systemic inflammatory responses in various cancer types. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the correlation between endometrial pathologies and MPV, PDW and PCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 194 patients who presented to our clinic with abnormal vaginal bleeding were included in our study. The patients were divided into 3 groups (endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, control) according to their pathology results. The groups were compared for MPV, PDW, and PCT values obtained from the blood samples taken on endometrial biopsy day. RESULTS: The endometrial cancer patients were the oldest group (p=0.04). There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PC), and hemoglobin (Hb) level. The highest MPV (p<0.001), PDW (p=0.002), and PCT (p<0.001) levels were in the endometrial cancer group, and the lowest levels were in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The easy evaluation of platelet parameters in patients who are suspected of having endometrial pathology is a significant advantage. We found MPV, PDW, and PCT to be correlated with the severity of endometrial pathology with the highest values in endometrial cancer. Studies to be conducted together with different laboratory parameters will further help evaluate the diagnosis and severity of endometrial cancer and precursor lesions.

Evaluation of uterine artery recanalization and doppler parameters after bilateral uterine artery ligation in women with postpartum hemorrhage.

AIM: The evaluation of the uterine artery recanalization rate and color Doppler parameters during follow-up after bilateral uterine artery ligation (BUAL) for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) related to uterine atony. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 40 female patients who underwent BUAL for PPH related to uterine atony and 96 females who gave birth without complication at Hatay Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital between January 2009 and December 2012 (48 months) were included in the study. The patients' uterine artery recanalization rate and all subjects' color Doppler ultrasonographic parameters (PI, RI, PSV and EDV) were evaluated at the 6th and 12(th) months. RESULT: No statistically significant difference was found between the age, obstetric history (gravida and parity), BMI, type of delivery, birth weight and gestational age when the demographic data of the groups were evaluated. The patient group UtA recanalization rate was 32.5% and 37.5% for the left and right UtA respectively at the 12-month follow-up. No statistically significant difference was found in the comparison of 6- and 12-month right and left uterine artery diameters and color doppler parameters of the patient group (UtA diameters P=0.322 and P=0.787, RI index P=0.390 and P=0.094, PI index P=0.949 and P=0.374, PSV P=0.335 and P=0.085, EDV P=0.173 and P=0.418, respectively). However, right and left ovarian volume was found to significantly increase during follow-up in patient group (P<0.001 for both right and left ovary). On the other hand, a statistically significant difference was found between the patient group and the control group in the comparison of the 6- and 12-month right and left uterine artery values (6th month; P<0.001 for both UtA diameters, RI, PI, PSV, EDV; 12(th) month; P<0.001 for right UtA diameter, RI, PI, PSV, EDV and P=0.002 for left UtA diameter). A statistically significant difference was found only in right ovary volume in the 6th month evaluation of the patient and control group ovary volumes (P=0.011). DISCUSSION: The recanalization rate and isolated uterine blood supply during low-term follow-up are low following the BUAL technique. The evaluation of future fertility results will be helpful in determining the reliability of this procedure in a definite manner.

Gynecologic age is an important risk factor for obstetric and perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent pregnancy is an important public health problem. Physiological maturity affects obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Almost all assessments of adolescent pregnancies are based on chronological age. Gynecologic age (GA) is defined as age in years at conception minus age at menarche and it is an indicator of physiological maturity. AIM: To compare obstetric and perinatal outcomes between adult and adolescent pregnancies as categorized according to GA. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 233 adolescent pregnant women were divided into two groups based on GA≤3 years (101 women) and GA>3 years (132 women). Their obstetric and perinatal results were compared with 202 adult pregnancies who gave birth in the same period. FINDINGS: Gestational age at delivery, APGAR scores, birth weight, and incidence of preterm birth, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight, and premature rupture of membranes were significantly different between the study groups. Compared to adolescent pregnancies with GA>3 years, adolescent pregnancies with GA≤3 years had significantly lower birth weight, gestational age, APGAR scores, and significantly higher incidence of intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight and admission to NICU. CONCLUSION: Low GA is associated with an increased rate of obstetric and perinatal complications in adolescent pregnancies. Although the main aim is the prevention of adolescent pregnancies, a detailed evaluation of such pregnancies including determination of the gynecological age together with a multidisciplinary approach may decrease potential complications.

Mislocated extrauterine intrauterine devices: Diagnosis and surgical management.

OBJECTIVE: Presentation of the diagnostic and surgical treatment methods of our extrauterine intrauterine device (IUD) cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 21 extrauterine IUD cases at our clinic between 2008 and 2010. The symptoms, diagnostic methods, and surgical treatments were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 14 copper and seven levonorgestrel (LNG) IUDs were used. IUD had been inserted during lactation in 71.4% of the patients. The reasons for presentation of patients were unintended pregnancy in 19.05%, pelvic pain in 19.05%, and pelvic pain with vaginal bleeding in 23.8%. IUD in two patients were located the retroperitoneal area. IUD string had not been visible during routine follow-up in 38.1% of the patients. Laparoscopy was performed in 14 patients and laparotomy was performed for dense adhesions in seven patients. CONCLUSION: Extrauterine IUDs can present with various clinical symptoms. Ultrasonography and X-Ray are sufficient for the diagnosis. Surgical removal is needed to prevent possible complications, and the preferred surgical technique in appropriate patients is laparoscopy.

Effect of multiple repeat cesarean sections on maternal morbidity: data from southeast Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean section (CS) is one of the most common obstetric procedures worldwide and an increased rate of cesarean section has been observed in recent studies. Maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity associated with cesarean section is an important health problem worldwide. This requires the evaluation of the effect of repeated cesarean delivery on maternal morbidity. MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 2460 patients who underwent delivery by CS at a center in southeast Turkey between January 2012 and January 2014 (24 months) were included in the study. The patients were divided into 5 groups according to the number of CSs, and the maternal and neonatal outcomes of the groups were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of maternal age, education level, time of hospitalization, operating time, the presence of dense adhesions, bowel and bladder injury, the presence of placenta previa, hysterectomy, blood transfusion requirements, and need for intensive care (p<0.05). Placenta previa (OR, 11.7; 95% CI, 2.6-53.2) and placenta accreta (OR, 12.2; 95% CI, 3.9-37.8) were found to be important risk factors in terms of the need for hysterectomy. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups for gestational age at birth, birth weight, fifth-minute APGAR score, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels, uterine rupture, wound infection, wound dehiscence, placenta accreta, maternal death, and endometritis (p>0.05). A total of 4 or more CSs was identified as the critical level for most of the major complications. CONCLUSIONS: An increasing number of CSs is accompanied by serious maternal complications. Four or more CSs are of especially critical importance. Decreasing the number of cesarean sections is required to decrease relevant complications. Vaginal birth after CS is an option that should be recommended to the patient.

The effect of Ramadan fasting on fetal development.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Ramadan fasting on fetal development and outcomes of pregnancy. METHODS: We performed this study in Antakya State Hospital of Obstetrics and Child Care, between 28 June 2014 and 27 July 2014 (during the month of Ramadan). A total of two hundred forty healthy pregnant women who were fasting during Ramadan, were included in the groups. The three groups were divided according to the trimesters. The each group was consisted of 40 healthy pregnant women with fasting and 40 healthy pregnant women without fasting. For evaluating the effects of Ramadan on fetus, ultrasonography was performed on all pregnant women in the beginning and the end of Ramadan. We used the essential parameters for the following measurements: increase of fetal biparietal diameter (BPD), increase of fetal femur length (FL), increase of estimated fetal body weight (EFBW), fetal biophysical profile (BPP), amniotic fluid index (AFI), and umbilical artery systole/diastole (S/D) ratio. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the two groups for the fetal age, maternal weight gain (kilogram), estimated fetal weight gain (EFWG), fetal BPP, AFI, and umbilical artery S/D ratio. On the other hand, a statistically significant increase was observed in maternal weight in the second and third trimesters and a significant increase was observed in the amniotic fluid index in second trimester. CONCLUSION: In Ramadan there was no bad fetal outcome between pregnant women with fasting and pregnant women without fasting. Pregnant women who want to be with fast, should be examined by doctors, adequately get breakfast before starting to fast and after the fasting take essential calori and hydration. More comprehensive randomized studies are needed to explain the effects of fasting on the pregnancy and fetal outcomes.

Complications and outcomes of repeat cesarean section in adolescent women.

AIM: The evaluation of the effect of repeat cesarean sections in adolescent pregnancies on the morbidity, obstetric and perinatal results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the patient file and hospital records of patients who underwent at least one cesarean section among adolescent age group pregnant women who gave birth at our clinic between January 2010 and May 2013. The patients were divided into two groups as the patients who underwent the second cesarean section (116 patients) and those who underwent the third cesarean section (36 patients). The demographic data, maternal data and obstetric and perinatal results of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: A significant difference was present between the patients in the evaluation of the total number of examinations during pregnancy (P = 0.001), total maternal weight gain during pregnancy (P = 0.006), and the first examination gestational age (P = 0.006) and all values were less favorable in the third cesarean group. The gestational week at birth (P < 0.001), birth weight (P < 0.001), and APGAR score (P < 0.001) in the group with the third cesarean section were statistically significantly lower than the second cesarean section. The third cesarean cesarean was found to cause a significant risk increase for placenta accreta risk in adolescent pregnancies (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: The increasing number of cesarean sections in the adolescent group is seen to be a significant risk factor for low gestational week of birth, low birth weight and related morbidities. The most important reason for the increased morbidity with increasing cesarean sections in the adolescent age has been defined as placenta accreta.

Postpartum contraception in adolescents: data from a single tertiary clinic in southeast of Turkey.

AIM: We aimed to evaluate the postpartum contraception preferences of adolescent women in this study. MATERIALS & METHOD: This descriptive study was prepared after a retrospective analysis of file records of primigravida women who had given birth at the Adiyaman University School of Medicine Training and Research Hospital Department of Obstetric and Gynecology between January 2010 and June 2012. More than 12 months had passed after birth. The adolescents who were included in the study and the control group women were called by phone and invited to our clinic. A total of 506 adolescents and 1,046 control group women came to the clinic and were evaluated. The control group was formed of women between the age of 20-35 years who gave given birth in our clinic during the same period and were randomly selected. Postpartum obstetric history, contraception methods and data of these patients were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age was 18.3±0.4 years and 28.2±4.9 years in the adolescent group and control group respectively. No contraception other than lactation amenorrhea was used by 256 women of the adolescent group (50.6%) and 345 women of the control group (33%). The most commonly used contraceptive method in both groups other than lactation amenorrhea was condoms (160 women (64%) and 230 women (32.8%) respectively). The annual contraceptive failure rate was 3.95% in the adolescent group and 1.72% in the control group. The highest failure rate was with lactation amenorrhea in both groups. DISCUSSION: Adolescent women mostly use contraceptive methods with low reliability such as lactation amenorrhea and the calendar method in the postpartum period. Providing adequate contraceptive education is therefore important. On the other hand, starting such training starting in the early postnatal period will prevent recurring adolescent pregnancies with a short pregnancy interval.

Obstetric Scar Endometriosis: Retrospective Study on 19 Cases and Review of the Literature.

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of functioning endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. This disease is one of the most common gynecologic disorders in reproductive age women. It generally occurs in pelvic cavity. But extrapelvic location has been defined (such as extremities, central nervous system, lungs, pleurae, liver, umbilicus, pericardium, urinary tract, intestines, and surgical scar tissue). Scar endometriosis is a rare disease and defined as presence of endometriotic lesions on the abdominal (such as cesarean section and hysterectomy) or vaginal (episiotomy) excision line. It is difficult to diagnose due to the extreme variability in presentation. The symptoms are nonspecific, typically involving pain, swelling at the incision site at the time of menstruation. Excision and histopathologic examination are necessary for diagnosis. We present a case series of obstetric scar endometriosis and review of the literature.

The uterine sandwich method for placenta previa accreta in mullerian anomaly: combining the B-lynch compression suture and an intrauterine gauze tampon.

Mullerian duct anomalies may cause obstetric complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and placental adhesion anomalies. Uterine compression suture may be useful for controlling PPH (especially atony). In recent studies, uterine compression sutures have been used in placenta accreta. We report a case of PPH, a placenta accreta accompanying a large septae, treated with B-Lynch suture and intrauterine gauze tampon.

Family planning choices in couples using contraception without knowing they are infertile: should newly-wed men undergo a routine spermiogram?

INTRODUCTION: Newly-weds choose to use contraception either to spend the first years of their marriage more freely, because of economic reasons or because of the increase in working career women. We studied the reasons for infertility and the rate of contraception use in the first years of marriage among couples with primary infertility and evaluated the use of a spermiogram as a screening test in newly-wed men. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 302 couples with primary infertility who were treated at our infertility clinic were included in the study. The couples were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (infertile couples who have used contraception) consisted of 67 couples and group 2 (infertile couples who did not use contraception) consisted of 235 couples. RESULTS: Sixty-seven (22.5%) infertile couples stated that they had used no contraception in the first years of their marriage. In group 1, 35.8% of couples were diagnosed as having unexplained infertility, while 28.4% of them had male factor, 31.3% female factor and 4.5% a combination of male and female factor infertility. Sixteen men with male factor infertility used coitus interruptus (3-36 months) or condoms (6-12 months) unnecessarily. CONCLUSIONS: Infertility counseling in the early days of marriage and a spermiogram performed at that time could be beneficial for the newly-wed couples even if they do not want a child at the time. To perform a spermiogram as a screening test in all newly-wed men should be discussed.

PPAR-gamma2 Pro12Ala polymorphism is associated with weight gain in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The polymorphisms of peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor-gamma2 (PPAR-gamma2) have been suggested to affect glucose metabolism and weight gain. Both conditions show great variations during pregnancy that makes pregnancy a suitable condition to detect any metabolic abnormalities related to PPAR-gamma2 polymorphisms. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence and metabolic impacts of PPAR-gamma2 polymorphism in control pregnant women and in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: In this case-control study, anthropometric and metabolic variables of 100 non-diabetic pregnant women and of 62 women who were diagnosed as having GDM according to 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were compared on the basis of PPAR-gamma2 polymorphism by univariate analysis of covariance. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics and the mean 50 g glucose challenge test values of pregnant women in both groups on the basis of PPAR-gamma2 genotype, although patients with Pro12Ala polymorphism were significantly taller in GDM group. The Pro12Ala polymorphism had no effect on 100 g OGTT results of patients with GDM. However, patients with GDM who had Pro12Ala polymorphism gained significantly more weight during their pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The PPAR-gamma2 Pro12Ala polymorphism was observed to have no effect on glucose metabolism in normal pregnant women and women with GDM. However, only the patients with GDM who had this polymorphism gained significantly more weight during their pregnancy. It seems that Pro12Ala polymorphism plays a dynamic and interactive role in the regulation of BMI and glucose homeostasis.

Association of insulin receptor substrate-1 G972R variant with baseline characteristics of the patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) expression and tyrosine phosphorylation is decreased during pregnancy. Pregnancy may be a suitable condition to detect any abnormalities related to IRS-1 polymorphisms. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and metabolic impacts of IRS-1 G972R polymorphism in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). STUDY DESIGN: Anthropometric and metabolic variables of 62 women who were diagnosed as having GDM according to 100 g oral glucose tolerance test were compared on the basis of IRS-1 polymorphism by univariate analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Patients with IRS-1 G972R were more obese at the beginning of pregnancy, had higher serum fasting insulin and glucose levels. Weight gain during pregnancy and insulin and glucose levels after glucose ingestion was comparable between groups. CONCLUSION: IRS-1 G972R was associated with the baseline characteristics of the patients with GDM, and might be related to insulin resistance that is seen in obese patients with GDM.

Concordant occipital encephalocele in monoamniotic twins.

Anomalies occur with a greater frequency in twin gestations. Due to its multifactorial inheritance, twins are usually discordant for encephalocele. We present a case of monoamniotic twins concordant for occipital encephalocele and discordant for lung and cord anomalies. Ultrasonographic examination at 17 weeks' gestation revealed occipital encephalocele in both fetuses. The maternal serum level of alpha-fetoprotein was increased. Fetal autopsy revealed occipital encepaholocele in both twins and right pulmonary hypoplasia and one umbilical artery in one sibling. Monoamniotic twins concordant for encephalocele occur with extreme rarity. To the best of our knowledge, monoamniotic twins concordant for this neural tube defect have not been previously reported.