Investigation of maternal and cord blood erythropoietin and copeptin levels in low-risk term deliveries complicated by meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal, cord blood erythropoietin (EPO), and copeptin levels in low-risk term deliveries which are complicated by meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) to those with clear amniotic fluid. Also, to evaluate the relations between these markers and cord blood pH values. METHODS: Low-risk term pregnant women with MSAF at an active phase of labor were defined as the study group (n = 39). Pregnant women with clear amniotic fluid were selected for the control group (n = 41). The two groups were matched for age, body mass index and gestational age. Maternal, cord blood EPO and copeptin levels with cord blood pH values were also measured. RESULTS: Maternal, cord blood EPO, and copeptin levels of study and control groups were 42.6 ± 9.0 versus 40.7 ± 9.2, 134.2 (20.5-834.6) versus 38.4 (10.3-114.2), 4.9 (0.1-31.1) versus 4.0 (3.1-28.4), and 4.7 (2.6-25.5) versus 3.6 (2.0-23.2), respectively. The differences were statistically significant for cord blood EPO, maternal and cord blood copeptin levels (p < 0.001, p = 0.004, p < 0.001, respectively). The study group had a statistically and significantly lower cord blood pH values (7.25 ± 0.05 versus 7.34 ± 0.04, p < 0.001). Moreover, cord blood EPO and maternal and cord blood copeptin levels were inversely correlated with cord blood pH values in the study group (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, and p = 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSION: We suggest that higher cord blood EPO and maternal and cord blood copeptin levels may be an indicator of fetal acidosis in low-risk term deliveries complicated by MSAF.

Management of a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 during pregnancy: A case report and review of the literature.

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) or Wermer's syndrome is a rare hereditary endocrine syndrome with high penetrance caused by mutations in MEN1 tumor suppressor gene. MEN1 is characterized by hyperplasia or tumoral enlargement in a number of endocrine organs (parathyroid glands, pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal gland) and it could be hormonally active or inactive. MEN1 is a significant cause of morbidity due to hormone secretion and mass effect. Since it is a rare condition, there are no guidelines with respect to the follow-up of pregnant women with MEN1. Herein, we aimed to present the diagnosis and gestational follow-up of a 29-year-old pregnant with MEN1 syndrome.

Postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery: Assessment of risk factors in a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the obstetrics risk factors for postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of 234 women with a vaginal delivery, 19 (8.1%) women who had postpartum urinary retention were cases, and 215 (91.9%) women who did not were controls. Postpartum urinary retention was defined as the presence of postvoid residual bladder volume ≥150 mL or the inability to void within 6 hours after vaginal delivery. Logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for urinary retention. RESULTS: Prolonged duration of the second stage of labor (OR=0.46, 95% CI for OR=0.06-3.67, p<0.001), presence of episiotomy (OR=0.07, 95% CI for OR=0.01-0.68, p=0.022) and perineal laceration (OR=97.09, 95% CI for OR=7.93-1188.93, p<0.001), and birth weight of >4000 g for the newborn (OR=0.04, 95% CI for OR=0.01-0.20, p<0.001) were found as independent risk factors for postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery is a relatively common condition. Awareness of risk factors, including prolonged second stage of labor, episiotomy, perineal lacerations, and macrosomic birth, may allow us to take the necessary precautions against this complication.