Investigating the blood rheology in the first trimester pregnancies with high risk for preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a dynamic process associated with changes in vascular and rheological resistance. Maternal maladaptation to these changes is the leading cause of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the hemorheological alterations in pregnancies with a high risk for preeclampsia in the first trimester. METHODS: Ninety-two pregnant women were allocated into the high preeclampsia risk group (37 cases) and control groups (55 cases). Plasma and whole blood viscosity and red blood cell morphodynamic properties, including deformability and aggregation were assessed by Brookfield viscometer and laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer (LORRCA) at 11-14 gestational weeks. RESULTS: Whole blood viscosity was significantly higher in the high-risk group at all shear rates. Plasma viscosity and hematologic factors showed no differences between the groups. Hematocrit levels positively correlated with high blood viscosity only in the high-risk group. There were no significant changes in the other deformability and aggregation parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the whole blood viscosity of pregnant women with high preeclampsia risk refer to impaired microcirculation beginning from the early weeks of gestation. We suggest that the whole blood viscosity is consistent with the preeclampsia risk assessment in the first trimester, and its measurement might be promising for identifying high-preeclampsia-risk pregnancies.

Association between perceived social support, marital satisfaction, differentiation of self and perinatal depression.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between peripartum depression and social support, marital satisfaction, and self-differentiation. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on postpartum women from December 28, 2021, and March 31, 2022. Postpartum women were evaluated using a questionnaire consisting of sections assessing sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, and psychometric instruments: Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), Marital Disaffection Scale (MDS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI). RESULTS: A total of 425 mothers were included in the study. Of those, 140 (32.9%) mothers scored ≥13 points on EPDS, and 285 (67.1%) mothers scored ≤12 points. Mothers who scored ≥13 on the EPDS were found to have significantly higher scores for marital dissatisfaction. Total scores of family support, friend support, emotional cutoff, fusion with others, and differentiation of self were higher in mothers who scored ≤12 points on the EPDS. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of significance with others, emotional reactivity and I position. CONCLUSION: This study found that marital satisfaction is important in the development of perinatal depression both directly and through family support and emotional cuttoff. In addition, mothers with family support, friend support, and self-differentiation had comparatively lower EPDS scores, while mothers with marital dissatisfaction had higher EPDS scores.

Does asymptomatic/uncomplicated SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy increase the risk of spontaneous preterm birth?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the perinatal outcomes of asymptomatic/uncomplicated SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and the relationship between gestational age at the time of infection and spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. The study population included pregnant women who were 19-45 years old and who had been admitted to a Research and Training Hospital for singleton birth delivery. Women who had contracted SARS-CoV-2 during their pregnancy (n = 102) were compared to those who were not infected (n = 378) for the development of spontaneous PTB and other perinatal outcomes. The factors associated with spontaneous PTB were analyzed through univariate and multivariate methods. RESULTS: Spontaneous PTB developed in 22.5% of the pregnant women with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and in 5.3% without a history of the infection (p < 0.001). The multivariate model determined that compared to the non-infected women, the OR of spontaneous PTB among those who had contracted the virus in the first, second, and the third trimesters were 9.13 (p < 0.001), 1.85 (p = 0.292) and 7.09 (p < 0.001), respectively. Pregnancy cholestasis (3.9% vs 0.5%; p = 0.020) and placental abruption (3.9% vs 0.5%; p = 0.040) were significantly higher in cases with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the non-infected women. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic or uncomplicated SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy increases the risk of spontaneous PTB. This risk is higher particularly among pregnant women who develop the infection in the first and the third trimesters.

The effect of gestational diabetes mellitus on occurrence of the pelvic girdle pain and symptom severity in pregnant women.

The primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on pelvic girdle pain (PGP) occurrence and symptom severity. Pregnant women who were with/without GDM, 20-40 years of age, and also in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were included in the study. PGP provocation tests were administered to 187 pregnant women to determine the presence and severity of PGP. Based on the test results, the study subjects were divided into two groups; Group 1 (GDM+, PGP+; n:32) and Group 2 (GDM-, PGP+; n:35). Both groups were asked to fill in the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ). The relationship between the presence of GDM and the presence of PGP was found to be significant (p = .043). It was found the groups were similar in view of pain, and also in PGQ total/subscale scores (p > .05). Although GDM has no effect on symptom severity, it has been determined that it may relate to the development of PGP. Therefore, early interventions (nutrition, exercise, belt using, etc.) are recommended to prevent the development of PGP in pregnant women with a family history of diabetes, with a previous diagnosis of diabetes and/or with GDM detected in their previous pregnancies. Clinical Trial Number: 04769375Impact of StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Gestational diabetes mellitus and pelvic girdle pain are pathologies that develops secondary to pregnancy-related systemic and biomechanical changes.What do results on this study add? GDM may related the development of PGP.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Early interventions (nutrition, exercise, belt using, etc.) and strict control of pregnant women in view of PGP is recommended to prevent the development of PGP in pregnant women with a family history of diabetes, with previous diagnosis of diabetes and/or with GDM detected in their previous pregnancies. The evaluation of pregnant women for PGP before administering interventions, such as exercise and diet (both decrease the pro-inflammatory markers), following the diagnosis of GDM and the measurement of plasma anti- and pro-inflammatory marker values in the same time period will further reveal the relationship between GDM and PGP.

Increased maternal leptin levels may be an indicator of subclinical hypothyroidism in a newborn.

Background: Several factors may influence newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations and cause subclinical hypothyroidism in a newborn. A sufficient level of leptin signalling is needed for the normal production of TSH and thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Our study aimed to investigate the correlation between maternal serum leptin concentration during the third trimester of pregnancy and newborn screening-TSH levels. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in obstetrics and gynaecology clinics of a state hospital between June and August 2013. Maternal venous blood samples were collected from 270 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester just before delivery. Measurements of maternal fT3, fT4, TSH, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO), and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies from serum samples were performed by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Maternal serum leptin levels were determined by ELISA. Dried capillary blood spots were used to measure newborn TSH levels. Results: Subjects were divided into two groups according to the neonatal TSH levels using a cut-point of 5.5 mIU/L. Median maternal serum leptin levels were significantly higher in newborns whose TSH levels were higher than >5.5 mIU/L [13.2 µg/L (1.3 - 46.5) vs 19.7 µg/L (2.4 - 48.5), p<0.05]. Serum leptin levels showed a negative correlation with maternal fT4 (r=0.32, p<0.05), fT3 (r=0.23, p<0.05), and a positive correlation with BMI (r=0.30, p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that high leptin levels in the third trimester of pregnancy influence maternal thyroid functions and might cause an increase in newborn TSH levels. Detection of high maternal serum leptin levels may be a reason for subclinical hypothyroidism.

Heterotaxy syndrome: Prenatal diagnosis, concomitant malformations and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to define cardiac and extracardiac malformations in fetuses with heterotaxy syndrome and to determine perinatal and childhood prognosis. METHODS: In this retrospective study, fetuses diagnosed with heterotaxy syndrome on antenatal ultrasonography in a tertiary center between January 2014 and January 2021 were analyzed. Fetuses with heterotaxy syndrome were grouped as right atrial isomerism (RAI) and left atrial isomerism (LAI). RESULTS: A total of 62 fetuses, 32 (51.6%) with RAI and 30 (48.4%) with LAI, were included in the study. Extracardiac anomaly was detected in 25% of fetuses with RAI and 44% of fetuses with LAI (p = 0.13). Patients with univentricular repair had a higher childhood mortality than patients with biventricular repair (p = 0.031). The presence of conotruncal anomaly was an independent factor affecting mortality (HR = 5.09, CI 95% 1.09-23.71, p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Hydrops fetalis, univentricular physiology and conotruncal anomalies are associated with poor outcomes in heterotaxy syndrome. The severity of the cardiac malformation is the main determinant of the outcomes. The presence of extracardiac malformations is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Expectations of pregnant women for antenatal care services and factors affecting anxiety severity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the difficulties pregnant women encountered while receiving health care, their demands for antenatal care, and their mental state during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 447 pregnant women were included in this cross-sectional study. The data were collected through a face-to-face questionnaire, which assessed participants' demographic, individual, and obstetric characteristics, their opinions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, expectations from their antenatal care services, and their Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was determined that 17.2% of the pregnant women participating in our study could not go to antenatal follow-ups and almost half (45.9%) demanded that their follow-ups be reduced due to the risk of coronavirus transmission. The BAI scores were found to be significantly higher in participants with low-income levels, chronic diseases, those in the third trimester, those with high-risk pregnancy either previous or current, and those who got pregnant unintentionally. Young age, unintentional conception, advanced pregnancy week, previous high-risk pregnancy, and failure to receive regular antenatal care were independent variables that predicted moderate-severe anxiety in logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In order to minimize the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pregnant women, it is important to develop support programs that contribute to the well-being of the mother and fetus by recognizing the pregnant women at risk in the antenatal period.

Clinical significance of prenatal double bubble sign on perinatal outcome and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the double bubble sign in predicting duedonal obstruction, the prevalence of anomalies associated with congenital duedonal obstruction, and to evaluate the outcome of these pregnancies and review the literature. METHODS: We analyzed that the cases with double bubble sign were detected in prenatal ultrasonography between January 2014 and December 2019. Ultrasound reports, karyotyping results, surgical confirmed diagnoses and long-term results were extracted from the hospital database. RESULTS: Duodenal obstruction was detected in all operated cases with double bubble sign detected in prenatal ultrasonography. Karyotype anomaly was found in 63.9% and additional congenital anomaly was found in 69.4%. Adverse perinatal outcome was seen in 51.1% of cases. Adverse perinatal outcome was found significantly higher in abnormal karyotype and congenital anomaly groups than isolated group. 81.8% of the isolated cases lived after the operation. Only two isolated cases died. CONCLUSION: The prenatal double bubble sign is a highly reliable predictor for duodenal obstruction and structural anomalies and/or genetic abnormalities are present in the majority of cases. Duodenal obstruction is isolated, the outcomes appear favorable.

Combined use of oestradiol and progesterone to support luteal phase in antagonist intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles of normoresponder women: a case-control study.

We evaluated the effect of combined use of oral oestrogen (E2) and vaginal progesterone (P) to support luteal phase in antagonist intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. We analysed data from 176 patients who underwent ICSI cycles with antagonist protocol. P 90 mg vaginal gel once a day and micronised E2 of 4 mg/day, were started from the day of oocyte pick up and continued to the 12th day of embryo transfer. Group 1 (n = 79) patients received E2 + P for luteal phase support. In group 2 (n = 97) patients, only P 90 mg vaginal gel was used for luteal phase support. There were no significant differences between group 1 and group 2 patients in terms of clinical pregnancy rates (PRs) (26.58% vs. 20.62%, p = .352), early pregnancy loss rates (6.33% vs. 6.19%, p = .969), incidence of luteal vaginal bleeding (8.86% vs. 8.25%, p = .885) and implantation rates (22.8% vs. 16.9%, p = .298). In conclusion, our study showed no beneficial effect of addition of E2 to luteal phase support on clinical PR in antagonist IVF cycles.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Luteal phase deficiency is defined as a disruption in progesterone and oestrogen production after ovulation. It is clear that, luteal phase supplementation to improve the outcomes in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles is mandatory. As an iatrogenic complication of assisted reproductive technique, decreased luteal oestrogen and progesterone levels lead to decreased pregnancy rates (PRs) and implantation rates.What the results of this study add? In this study, we aimed to present the role of luteal phase oestrogen administration in GnRH antagonist cycles. A total of 176 cases received progesterone vaginal gel form for luteal phase support. Study group received 4 mg oral oestradiol hemihydrate in addition to progesterone. Compared to previous studies, our study consisted of larger number of patients and we used oestradiol through oral route. We found out that luteal oestradiol support did not improve the clinical PR.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our study showed no beneficial effect of addition of oestradiol to luteal phase support on clinical PR in antagonist IVF cycles.

Exposure to Perchlorate in Lactating Women and Its Associations With Newborn Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.

Background: Perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate can block iodide transport at the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) and this can subsequently lead to decreased thyroid hormone production and hypothyroidism. NIS inhibitor exposure has been shown to reduce iodide uptake and thyroid hormone levels; therefore we hypothesized that maternal NIS inhibitor exposure will influence both maternal and newborn thyroid function. Methods: Spot urine samples were collected from 185 lactating mothers and evaluated for perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate concentrations. Blood and colostrum samples were collected from the same participants in the first 48 h after delivery. Thyroid hormones and thyroid-related antibodies (TSH, fT3, fT4, anti-TPO, anti-Tg) were analyzed in maternal blood and perchlorate was analyzed in colostrum. Also, spot blood samples were collected from newborns (n = 185) between 48 and 72 postpartum hours for TSH measurement. Correlation analysis was performed to assess the effect of NIS inhibitors on thyroid hormone levels of lactating mothers and their newborns in their first 48 postpartum hours. Results: The medians of maternal urinary perchlorate (4.00 µg/g creatinine), maternal urinary thiocyanate (403 µg/g creatinine), and maternal urinary nitrate (49,117 µg/g creatinine) were determined. Higher concentrations of all three urinary NIS inhibitors (µg/g creatinine) at their 75th percentile levels were significantly correlated with newborn TSH (r = 0.21, p < 0.001). Median colostrum perchlorate level concentration of all 185 participants was 2.30 µg/L. Colostrum perchlorate was not significantly correlated with newborn TSH (p > 0.05); however, there was a significant correlation between colostrum perchlorate level and maternal TSH (r = 0.21, p < 0.01). Similarly, there was a significant positive association between colostrum perchlorate and maternal urinary creatinine adjusted perchlorate (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). Conclusion: NIS inhibitors are ubiquitous in lactating women in Turkey and are associated with increased TSH levels in newborns, thus signifying for the first time that co-exposure to maternal NIS inhibitors can have a negative effect on the newborn thyroid function.

Cytological assessment of endometrial washings obtained with Karman cannula using a liquid-based preparation method for the detection of endometrial pathologies.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and utility of liquid-based cytology in ThinPrep (Cytyc Corporation, Boxborough, MA) for endometrial lesions in patients presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirteen women scheduled for dilatation and curettage because of abnormal uterine bleeding were enrolled in the study. After providing informed consent, all the women proceeded sequentially to endometrial cytology and then dilatation and curettage. RESULTS: In the premenopausal group, cytological failure was 4.8%, histopathological failure was 2.4%; cytologic insufficiency in the postmenopausal group was 2.1%, and histopathologic insufficiency was 19.6%. When cytologic and histopathological sufficiency rates were compared in all cases, cytologic insufficiency was 4.2% and histopathologic insufficiency was 6.1%. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.039). The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the liquid-based endometrial cytology for premenopausal patients were 96.79, 58.33, 97.92, 70, and 96.58%, respectively. In the postmenopausal cases, the accuracy of diagnosis of endometrial cytology was 97.30%, sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.67%, PPV 87.50%, and NPV 100%. When cytologic and histopathologically inadequate cases were excluded, no cytologic and histopathological abnormal findings were found in endometrial thickness cutoff ≤ 5 mm for all patients. CONCLUSION: The use of liquid-based cytology with TVS may contribute to increasing the diagnostic accuracy of the test and reduce unnecessary D&C for women. When TVS is used as a triage indicator, regardless of menopausal status in ≤ 5 mm endometrial thickness cases, endometrial cytology is an absolutely reliable method for detecting cancer.

Clinical analyses of successful and previously failed intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle parameters in patients with poor ovarian reserve.

OBJECTIVE: To determine some major characteristic differences between two consecutive successful and unsuccessful intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in poor responders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty women with poor ovarian response as determined using the Bologna criteria underwent ICSI cycles following an unsuccessful trial. Some parameters of both cycles including age, body mass index (BMI), serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol levels, antral follicle count, gonadotropin dosage, duration of stimulation, antagonist starting day, duration of antagonist administration, endometrial thickness at trigger day, number of total and fertilized oocytes, embryo transfer day, number of embryo cells, and fertilization rate were compared in the same patients to identify predictors of cycles with clinical pregnancy. RESULTS: The mean age, BMI, serum FSH, estradiol concentrations, and antral follicle count were 35.9 years (range, 30-42 years), 25.9 kg/m2 (range, 18.4-33.5 kg/m2), 10.9 IU/mL (range, 7-13 IU/mL), 52.9 pg/mL (range, 11.6-75 pg/mL), and 4.7 (range, 2-10), respectively. A comparison of cycle characteristics showed a significantly higher total number of mature and fertilized oocytes in successful cycles. The fertilization rate was also significantly higher in cycles with clinical pregnancy. Early initiation of antagonist was shown to result in favorable outcomes. A comparison of embryo characteristics showed that transfer of higher-stage embryos and embryos with higher numbers of cells had a significant impact on cycle outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our comparison of parameters of failed and successful ICSI cycles in poor responders revealed significantly earlier antagonist initiation, higher total number of mature and fertilized oocytes, fertilization rate, and significantly higher stage of embryo development and cell numbers at transfer in cycles that resulted in clinical pregnancy.

Effect of Young Maternal Age on Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes: Results from the Tertiary Center in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Young maternal age is variously defined in studies of its effect on obstetrics and perinatal outcomes. Also, pregnancy has been reported as the leading cause of death in adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries. AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether young maternal age was associated with an increased risk of obstetrics and perinatal adverse outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: This case-control study was derived from a database of the medical records between January 2008 and December 2012. In the present study, 1374 teenage pregnancy and 1294 adult pregnancy cases were included. After restriction of analyses to singleton primiparous women, 1282 teenage pregnancy and 735 adult pregnancy cases were analyzed. Maternal age was separated into three groups: 15 and less, 16-19, and 20-34 years. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were derived through logistic regression models for the potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Adolescents aged 15 years and younger had higher risks of preterm delivery, early preterm delivery, intrauterine fetal death and neonatal death compared with women aged 20 to 34 years after adjustment for confounding factors. In addition, both groups of adolescents had higher risks for anemia and episiotomy and lower risk of cesarean delivery. The rates of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, chronic diseases, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) were higher in the adult group. CONCLUSION: Younger maternal age was correlated with increased risks of preterm delivery, fetal and neonatal death and anemia.

Prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus at first trimester in low-risk pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the relationship among the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and cholesterol panel values to predict subsequent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in low-risk pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight pregnant women with GDM and 295 low-risk pregnant women without GDM were included in this study. Maternal blood samples were obtained during the first trimester examination to determine the SHBG, HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, insulin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The variables that exhibited statistically significant differences between the groups and independent predictors for GDM were examined using logistic regression analysis. The risk of developing GDM, according to cutoff values, was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The SHBG, HOMA, LDL, and TG levels were found to be the significant independent markers for GDM [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.991; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.986-995; OR = 1.56; 95% CI, 1.24-1.98; OR = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; and OR = 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02, respectively]. The HbA1c, body mass index, and mean arterial pressure values were nonindependent predictors of GDM. The areas under the ROC curve used to determine the predictive accuracy of SHBG, HOMA, TG, and LDL-C for development of GDM were 0.73, 0.75, 0.70, and 0.72, respectively. For a false positive rate of 5% for the prediction of GDM, the values of the sensitivities were 21.1, 26.3, 21.1, and 18.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The HOMA, SHBG, TG, and LDL-C levels are independent predictors for subsequent development of GDM in low-risk pregnancies, but they exhibit low sensitivity.

Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of fetal teratomas.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US) in the prenatal identification of teratomas and the perinatal outcome of the fetuses with those teratomas. METHODS: In this retrospective case series study, we searched the archives using the keywords "fetal mass" or "fetal tumor" or "fetal teratoma" and "sacrococcygeal teratoma," diagnosed between 2009 and 2014, within the US database of our center. RESULTS: One hundred seven fetuses were prenatally diagnosed as having a cystic or solid mass, tumor, or teratoma. Nineteen of those cases were diagnosed prenatally as having fetal teratoma, but that diagnosis could not be verified in three cases. In one fetus, the prenatal diagnosis could not be confirmed. The sensitivity of US in identifying fetal teratoma was 100% and the false-positive rate, 3.3%. Six pregnancies complicated by a fetal teratoma were terminated. A normal karyotype was identified in all fetuses that underwent karyotyping. Among the nine women who continued their pregnancy, polyhydramnios was identified in four fetuses; although high-output heart failure was also identified in two of those fetuses during prenatal follow-up, none developed hydrops. On delivery, nine infants were born alive, but three (33.3%) of them died within the early neonatal period. CONCLUSIONS: US has very high sensitivity and low false-positive rates in identifying fetal teratoma prenatally. The risk of chromosomal abnormalities is very low in fetuses with teratoma, and their prognosis depends on the location and size of the tumor and any associated perinatal complications.

Prenatal diagnosis and outcome of lymphangiomas and its relationship with fetal chromosomal abnormalities.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate ultrasound findings and perinatal outcome after prenatal diagnosis of lymphangioma. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series study. We searched the archives of our ultrasound database at our center for cases with the prenatal diagnosis of the lymphangioma in the period between January 2008 and November 2014. We described maternal, fetal and perinatal variables for all cases. RESULTS: Nine fetuses with lymphangioma were identified. All cases were diagnosed during the second and third trimesters with the average gestational age of 22.6 ± 3.9 weeks. The average diameter of lymphangioma was 55.4 ± 20.1 mm at the time of diagnosis. Five fetuses (55.6%) had lymphangioma on the neck, and four fetuses (44.4%) had lymphangioma on other localizations. Normal fetal karyotype was detected in all cases. There were a total of six live births, one intrauterine death and two medical terminations of pregnancy following the diagnosis of lymphangioma. No abnormal Doppler finding or hydrops were detected in the antenatal follow-up of remaining six cases. CONCLUSION: The risk of chromosomal abnormalities is very low in pregnancies with isolated lymphangioma. The outcome of pregnancies with lymphangioma is generally favorable and prognosis depends on their locations and size.

Maternal and fetal risk factors affecting perinatal mortality in early and late fetal growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors which affect the perinatal deaths in early and late fetal growth restriction (FGR) fetuses using threshold of estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 5(th) percentile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included singleton 271 FGR fetuses, defined as an EFW < 5(th) percentile. All fetuses considered as growth restrictions were confirmed by birth weight. Fetuses with multiple pregnancy, congenital malformation, chromosomal abnormality, and premature rupture of membrane were excluded. Samples were grouped in early and late FGR. Early FGR fetuses was classified as gestational age at birth ≤ 34 weeks and late FGR was classified as gestational age at birth > 34 weeks. Factors which affect the perinatal deaths were analyzed descriptively in early and late FGR. The perinatal mortality was calculated by adding the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths. RESULTS: The study included 86 early and 185 late FGR fetuses, 31 resulted in perinatal deaths, 28 perinatal deaths were in early FGR, and three perinatal deaths were in late FGR. Perinatal deaths occurred more commonly in early FGR fetuses with an EFW < 3(rd) percentile. Prior stillbirth, preeclampsia, the degree of increasing vascular impedance of umbilical artery(UA) and uterine artery (UtA) showed significant correlation with perinatal death in early FGR. All three perinatal deaths in late FGR occurred in fetuses with EFW < 3(rd) percentile and severe oligohydramnios. Also, placental abruption and perinatal death was found significantly higher in increased vascular impedance of UtAs whatever the umbilical artery Doppler. CONCLUSION: Only EFW < 3(rd) percentile and severe olgohydramnios seem to be contributing factors affecting perinatal death in late FGR in comparison with early FGR.

Spot protein/creatinine ratio in preeclampsia as an alternative for 24-hour urine protein.

BACKGROUND: Proteinuria is a major component of preeclampsia. Urine protein measurement after 24-hour urine collection is the traditional standard method for the detection of proteinuria. It is time-consuming. As an alternative, random spot sampling for a urine protein to creatinine (P/C) ratio has been investigated. AIMS: The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the protein to creatinine ratio (P/C) compared with 24-hour urine collection for the detection of remarkable proteinuria and to evaluate the P/C ratio for different proteinuria ranges in patients with preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Two hundred and eleven pregnant women who met the criteria of preeclampsia comprised the study group and fifty three pregnant women were taken as the control group. Spot urine specimens for measuring P/C ratio were obtained taken immediately before 24-hour urine collection. The correlation between the P/C ratio in the spot urine samples and urinary protein excretion in the 24-hour collections was examined using the Spearman correlation test. RESULTS: It was found a good positive correlation between the P/C ratio and 24-hour protein excretion, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.758. The best cut-off which gave the maximum area under the curve was 0.45 for 300 mg, 0.9 for 1000 mg, 1.16 for 2000 mg, 1.49 for 3000 mg, 2.28 for 4000 mg and 2.63 for 5000 mg per 24h. A P/C ratio above 0.9 strongly predicts significant proteinuria for more than 1 gram (AUC 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99 and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of 91%, 95.4%, 95.2%, and 91.2%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The P/C ratio can be used as a screening test as a good predictor for remarkable proteinuria. The P/C ratio seems to be highly predictive for diagnosis to detect proteinuria over one gram and it could be used as a rapid alternative test in preeclamptic patients not to delay implementation treatment.

Effect of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity on pregnancy outcomes in low risk population.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity in early pregnancy on adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcome. METHODS: 497 pregnant women between 10 and 12 gestational age were invited who were attending for their first antenatal visit and asked to perform blood tests for thyroid function and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies. A total of 395 women were recruited in the present study. Cases were classified into four groups according to thyroid function and anti-TPO results. The pregnancy outcomes included gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, cesarean rate, small for gestational age, low birth weight. RESULTS: 2.5-(OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.06-5.89) and 4.8-(OR 4.85, 95% CI 1.89-12.42) fold increase in preterm delivery was detected in groups with isolated anti-TPO positivity and subclinic hypothyroidism with anti-TPO positivity compared to reference group, respectively. No association was found between thyroid dysfunction and anti-TPO positivity with gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, cesarean rates, low birth weight and small for gestational age neonates. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with anti-TPO antibody positivity alone or with subclinic hypothyroidism were more likely to experience a spontaneous preterm delivery.

The effects of progesterone selection on psychological symptoms in hormone replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of hormone replacement therapy using dienogest and medroxyprogesterone acetate on psychological symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 73 patients who sought treatment at the menopause units of the authors' gynecology and obstetrics clinics between of November 2003 and October 2004 complaining of vasomotor symptoms were included in the study prospectively. The cases were divided into two groups: Group I (37 patients) was given 2 mg estradiol valerate and 2 mg dienogest, and Group II (36 patients) was given 2 mg estradiol valerate and 10 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate. The groups' results in months 0 and 6 were compared through the evaluation of vasomotor and psychological symptom levels. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the groups when the initial levels of vasomotor and psychological symptom subtypes were compared (p = 0.16). It was observed that all the psychological symptoms decreased in the 6th month in the group using dienogest in comparison with the initial situation, and that psychological symptoms increased in the group using medroxyprogesterone acetate in the evaluation performed in the 6th month compared with the initial levels. It was also found out that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups when compared in terms of these symptoms (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: While the use of dienogest normalizes the general psychological situation and sleep, it was observed that the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) worsens the general psychological situation.