Direct embryonic biopsy with transcervical embryoscopy is an effective method for karyotyping and morphology assessment in miscarriages.

PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study is to compare the validity of transcervical embryoscopy method with standard uterine evacuation method in detecting more accurate karyotypes in miscarriages below tenth week of pregnancy. Additionally, the frequency and distribution of fetal morphological abnormality were evaluated. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out at the Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Patients with missed abortions between sixth and tenth gestational weeks were included in the study group, and fetal morphological examination and direct embryonic biopsy were performed by transcervical embryoscopy. The control group consisted of patients who experienced miscarriage and genetic material obtained from routine uterine evacuation between February and October 2023. RESULT: A total of 60 patients in the study group and 189 patients in the control group were evaluated. The median ages, previous miscarriage numbers, median gravida numbers, and median gestational weeks were comparable between groups. Chromosomal abnormality was detected in 24 (42.8%) and 52 embryos (29.9%) in the study and control groups, respectively (p = 0.004). Culture failure rates were 6.6% (n = 4) and 7.9% (n = 15) in the study and control groups, respectively. In the study group, 12 embryos had a morphological abnormality in which 6 of them had normal karyotype. CONCLUSION: Direct embryonic biopsy with transcervical embryoscopy is an effective method to exclude maternal decidual cell contamination and placental mosaicism in miscarriages for karyotype analysis. In addition, detecting anomalies in morphology might contribute our understanding in the process of miscarriages which arises independent from structural/numerical chromosomal abnormalities.

Do small for gestational age fetuses have placental pathologies?

PURPOSE: Although small for gestational age (SGA) does not cause adverse perinatal outcomes, the placental pathology for fetal growth restricted (FGR) and SGA fetuses is still unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences between placentas of early onset FGR, late onset FGR, SGA, and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) pregnancies in the manner of microvasculature and expression of anti-angiogenic PEDF factor and CD68. METHODS: The study included four groups (early onset FGR, late onset FGR, SGA and AGA). Placental samples were obtained just after labor in all of the groups. Degenerative criteria were investigated with Hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemical evaluation with H score and m RNA levels of Cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) were performed for each group. RESULTS: The highest levels of degeneration were detected in the early onset FGR group. In means of degeneration SGA placentas were found to be worse than the AGA placentas. The intensity of PEDF and CD68 were significant in early FGR, the late FGR and SGA groups compared to the AGA group (p < 0.001). The mRNA level results of the PEDF and CD68 were also parallel to the immunostaining results. CONCLUSION: Although SGA fetuses are considered constitutionally small, the SGA placentas also demonstrated signs of degeneration similar to the FGR placentas. These degenerative signs were not seen among the AGA placentas.

Evaluation of Intracranial Structures of Fetuses With Congenital Heart Defects.

OBJECTIVES: We classified congenital heart defects (CHDs) according to cerebral blood flow oxygenation and aimed to evaluate the effect on the size of brain structures in these fetuses. METHODS: The study which was designed retrospectively, included 28 patients with fetal CHDs and 76 patients without fetal anomalies. RESULTS: The width and length of the cavum septum pellucidum significantly increased in the CHD group (P = .002, P = .004). The biparietal diameter and z scores were significantly lower in the single ventricle (SV) (P = .006, P = .019), and the head circumference (HC) and z scores were significantly lower in the transposition of great arteries (TGA) (P = .013, P = .038). The transverse cerebellar diameter, the cerebellar HC and the cerebellar hemisphere area values were lower in the SV (P = .005, P = .017, P = .044). CONCLUSIONS: Brain structure changes are more pronounced in groups with low cerebral oxygenation, especially in the SV and the TGA.

Fetal Ovarian Torsion Presenting with Fetal Abdominal Solid Mass and Ascites.

Fetal ovarian torsion is quite a rare event during the antenatal period and usually seen because of an ovarian cyst complication. In this case report, we present a case of fetal ovarian torsion without any ovarian cyst or underlying detectable causes. A 27-year-old primigravid woman with no significant past medical history had a routine prenatal ultrasound at 30 weeks' gestation. The ultrasound showed abdominal ascites and a 47×42-cm intraabdominal solid diffuse mass at the left side under the stomach. Doppler examination showed no blood flow on the mass. Paracentesis was performed, cytological examination reported no abnormality. Based on these findings, the diagnosis was thought to be fetal ovarian torsion. There is lack of consistent recommendations to guide the prenatal and the postnatal management of cases with in-utero diagnosis of ovarian torsion. A "wait-and-see" policy is usually preferred, as in our case.

Fetal cardiac morphology and geometry in pregnancies with class A1 and A2 gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether certain parameters on fetal cardiac morphology and geometry measured at 20-22 weeks of gestation differ in subsequently diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pregnancies and whether these changes are associated with disease severity as indicated by class A1 and A2 GDM. METHOD: It was designed as a retrospective study. All measurements were taken between 20 and 22 weeks of gestation. We compared fetal cardiac structural measurements of 200 uncomplicated pregnancies (control group) with those of 307 GDM patients (160 of the them were regulated with diet (GDM A1) and 147 of them received insulin treatment (GDM A2) during pregnancy). GDM were diagnosed between 24-28 weeks of gestation with 75 gram (g) oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: The interventricular septum (IVS) was thicker in both in GDM A2 and GDM A1 than control (p < .001, p < .001), and there was statistically significant difference between GDM A2 and GDM A1 (p = .012). In both left and right wall thickness in GDM A1 and GDM A2 were remarkably higher than control group (p < .001, p < .001, p < .001, p < .001). The left and right spherical indices were higher in both GDM A1 and GDM A2 groups than controls (p = .021 and p = .028). Left and right area in GDM A1 and GDM A2 groups were significantly smaller than control groups (p < .001 and p = .001). CONCLUSION: Gestational diabetes is a common obstetric morbidity, which causes fetal cardiac structural changes. Our study shows that these changes can occur during the early weeks of pregnancy.

Comparison of cardiac morphology and function in small for gestational age fetuses and fetuses with late-onset fetal growth retardation.

OBJECTIVES: To compare cardiac structural and functional findings of fetuses with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and small for gestational age (SGA). METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, patients were classified into three groups using Delphi procedure according to fetal weight, umbilical, uterine artery Doppler and cerebroplacental ratio. Fetal cardiac ultrasonographic morphology and Doppler examination was performed to all pregnant women at 36 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Seventy three patients were included in the study. There were one (6.7%) patient in the control group, 2 (13.3%) in the SGA group and 12 (80%) in the FGR group who needed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and NICU requirement was significantly higher in FGR fetuses (p<0.001). Left spherical index was found to be lower only among FGR fetuses (p=0.046). Left ventricular wall thickness was decreased and the right/left ventricular wall ratio was increased in FGR fetuses (p=0.006, p<0.001). Tricuspid/mitral valve ratio and mitral annular plane systolic excursion value was lower in FGR fetuses (p=0.034, p=0.024 respectively). Also, myocardial performance index was remarkably higher in FGR group (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We detected cardiac morphological changes in cases of both SGA and FGR-more pronounced in the FGR cases. Findings related to morphological changes on the left side in FGR cases were considered secondary to volume increase in FGR cases as an indicator of a brain-protective effect. In the FGR group, both systolic and diastolic dysfunctions were detected in the left heart.

Antenatal follow-up, anesthesia management and perinatal outcomes in pregnancy with renal transplant

Objective: Due to the recent increase in the successful pregnancies after renal transplant, the number of renal transplant recipients having vaginal or cesarean delivery possibly associated with high maternal, fetal and/or neonatal risk requiring team approach increased. We aimed to evaluate antenatal follow-up, perinatal outcomes, and anesthesia management in pregnancies with renal transplantation and to compare them with the current literature. Materials and Methods: After ethics committee approval, renal transplant recipients who gave birth in our hospital between January 2010 and December 2019 were documented in this retrospective study. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, antenatal follow-up, anesthesia management, and maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes were presented. Results: A total of 20 pregnant women who underwent renal transplant were identified. The mean age of the parturients was 31±5 years. The median interval from transplantation to conception was 8.15±4.8 years. Antenatal mean serum creatinine level and proteinuria were 1.48±1.39 mg/dL and 1.397±1.316 mg/dL, respectively. No allograft rejection was recorded. Comorbidities including hypertension (n=12), preeclampsia (n=6), and preterm delivery (n=10) were noted. The median gestational age was 35±3 weeks and the median newborn weight was 2.520±832 gram. There was one abortion, two pregnancy terminations, and 17 deliveries (3 vaginal and 14 cesareans). Cesarean sections (11/14; 78.6%) were mostly performed under spinal block and general anesthesia was performed in three (21.4%) women. Epidural analgesia for vaginal delivery was recorded in one parturient. Conclusion: Despite the presence of preterm delivery and comorbidities, antenatal/peripartum follow-up and analgesia/anesthesia management of renal transplant recipients revealed good perinatal outcomes.

Postoperative Acute Parotitis After Cesarean Delivery Under Spinal Anaesthesia.

Postoperative acute painless parotid gland swelling, which is a rare complication has been reported after caesarian section (CS) under neuraxial anaesthesia. Hereby, we aimed to present a parturient suffering from acute parotitis complication for her elective CS under spinal anaesthesia who had a previous history of acute parotitis after epidural anaesthesia.

Obstetric and long-term graft outcomes in pregnant kidney transplant recipients: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation (KT) is the best option for many women with end-stage renal disease desiring pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate obstetric and graft outcomes among KT recipient women in our center. METHODS: Maternal and fetal data were assessed in 29 pregnancies of 18 female KT recipients. Each patient was matched with two controls without pregnancy history for factors known to affect graft function. According to pre-pregnancy levels, serum creatinine and eGFR slope in the gestational and postpartum periods were calculated as percentages. RESULTS: The main maternal and fetal complications were preeclampsia (38%) and preterm births (38%), respectively. Pregnancy (odds ratio [OR]: 5.09; p = .02), proteinuria in the third trimester (OR: 5.52; p = .02), proteinuria in postpartum third months (OR: 7.4; p = .008) and stable creatinine levels in the first 6 months of pregnancy (OR: 11.25 p = .03) were associated with graft dysfunction. Postpartum first year eGFR decline (-16.8% vs. -6.7%; p = .04) and second-year eGFR decline (-18.5% vs. -8.3%; p = .04) were significantly higher in the pregnancy group than those matched controls. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy after KT is associated with high rates of maternal and fetal complications. The sustained decline of eGFR may suggest an increased risk of graft loss compared to recipients with similar clinical characteristics.

Does Exposure of Smart Phones during Pregnancy Affect the Offspring's Ovarian Reserve? A Rat Model Study.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of prenatal exposure to smart phone radiation and the protective effect of omega-3 on ovarian reserve of offspring. Methods: 24 pregnant Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Group-I received neither radiofrequency (RF) radiation nor omega-3, group-II received RF, group-III received RF radiation and 300 mg omega-3 and group-IV received RF radiation and 600 mg Omega-3 till birth. At 42 days, bilateral oophorectomy was performed on all female offspring for follicle count and immunohistochemical staining (GDF9, FOXO1 and TUNEL). Results: Group-II had significantly lower mean number of primordial (p = 0.006), secondary follicles(p = 0.003) and a higher atresia score. Group-III variables were comparable with group-I variables. Group-IV had statistically higher median number of atretic follicles than group-I (p = 0.023). Conclusions: Ovarian reserve of offspring diminished with RF exposure during pregnancy. Omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the potential premature ovarian failure.

Is cervical swab an efficient method for developing a new noninvasive prenatal diagnostic test for numerical and structural chromosome anomalies?

Background/aim: Prenatal diagnosis is vital to obtain healthy generation for risky pregnancies. There have been several approaches, some of which are routinely applied in clinics to evaluate the possible prenatal deficiencies and/or diseases. In the present study, we aimed to isolate the fetal cells from endocervical samples and try to identify possible anomalies which were proved by Amniocentesis (AS) and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) methods. Materials and methods: Endoservical specimens were collected from 100 pregnant women. Cells were separated in parallel by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) using human leukocyte antigen (HLA) G233 and placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) antibodies. CMA (comprehensive meta-analysis) were carried out and male fetuses were confirmed with Sex determining region Y (SRY) amplification. Results: The percent of HLA G233 and placental and placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) positive cells were 4.55% and 84.59%, respectively. The percent of cells positive for both markers was 14.75%. CMA analyses were not informative. (SRY) was amplified in 67% of the samples. Conclusion: However, the success rate of the both cell sorting and scanning of DNA anomalies by aCGH and/or RT-PCR was limited, preventing the applicability of this proposal in the clinics. Still, the success of the proposed method depends on the development of the novel fetal cell-specific antibodies and the improvements in the sorting systems.

A cross-sectional study in non-anaemic pregnant women in Turkey to assess necessity of iron supplementation.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia in pregnancy. Guidelines recommend different threshold values for iron supplementation. AIMS: To determine trimester-specific reference ranges for haematological values (haemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin) in healthy pregnant women who have not used any iron supplementation during pregnancy to guide future iron treatment. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out on 168 pregnant women aged 18-45 years, with singleton pregnancies in the first trimester, Hb ≥ 11 g/dL and ferritin ≥ 12 µg/L, and not using iron supplementation. Multiple pregnancies, pregnancies with obstetric complications and smokers were excluded from the study. Mean haemoglobin (Hb) and ferritin values, trimester-specific reference ranges and percentile values of Hb and ferritin were determined for each trimester. The normality of the variables was tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. RESULTS: Mean Hb decreased significantly between trimesters from 12.6 to 11.9 and then 11.5 g/dL. In addition, Hb, hematocrit and ferritin decreased significantly from the first to the second trimester (P < 0.001 for all) but stayed comparable between the second and third trimesters (P = 0.246, P = 0.575, P = 0.408, respectively). The lower reference value for Hb was calculated as 10.67, 10.08 and 9.18 g/dL for 10-14, 20-24 and 30-34 gestational weeks respectively. CONCLUSION: This pioneer study allows us to understand that iron supplementation may not be needed as any decrease is due to physiological haemodilution. These results may prevent unnecessary iron prescription during pregnancy.

Prevalences of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism with universal screening in early pregnancy.

PURPOSE: To reveal the prevalence of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism among Turkish population during pregnancy. Also to investigate the prevalence of hypothyroidism using ATA 2017 criteria. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Patients were consisted of 1416 consecutive pregnant women who were universally screened for thyroid disease in their first trimester between 2013 and 2015. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 (FT4) levels were analyzed during the first antenatal visit (before 12 weeks of gestation). We compared different cutoffs for TSH. We further determined the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for TSH and FT4. RESULTS: Initially, the cutoff of 2.5 IU/ml was selected. Accordingly, 305 women (22.3%) had subclinical hypothyroidism and 22 (1.6%) was diagnosed with overt hypothyroidism. When the cutoff was increased to 4 IU/ml, only 40 (2.9%) women were diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Prevalences of overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism were 0.6% and 2.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Universal screening of pregnant women with TSH, using the 2.5 mIU/L cutoff; one in four women was found to be a candidate for thyroid hormone replacement in our cohort. When the cutoff was determined to be 4 mIU/L, prevalence of hypothyroidism decreased approximately 10 times.

Thiol-disulfide homoestasis in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction.

Aim: To investigate the role of dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis in preeclamptic and idiopathic fetal growth restricted (FGR) pregnancies. Material and method: In this prospective case-control study, a total of 110 singleton pregnancies with FGR (study group) (51 preeclamptic and 59 idiopathic FGR's cases) were compared with 68 healthy pregnant controls at the same gestational weeks (control group). For serum disulfide-thiol homeostasis, a newly used method described by Erel and Neselioglu was used. Results: Serum native thiol and total thiol levels were lower in FGR pregnancies (285.63 ± 55.92 µmol/L, 324.41 ± 44.18 µmol/L, respectively) than control group (324.41 ± 44.18 µmol/L, 362.98 ± 51.43 µmol/L, p < .001, p = .004, respectively). In subgroup analysis, only preeclamptic FGR's have lower native and total thiol levels (254.41 ± 59.55, 324.41 ± 44.18 µmol/L, respectively) compare to both idiopathic FGR's and control's. There was no difference in native and total thiol levels with idiopathic FGR's with controls. Idiopathic FGR's have higher levels of disulfide than preeclamptic FGR's (21.72 ± 17.72 versus 16.80 ± 11.20 µmol/L). The serum albumin and total protein levels were positively and spot urine protein/creatinine ratio, 24-h urine protein levels were negatively correlated with native thiol and total thiol levels. Conclusion: The balance of thiol-disulfide homeostasis was shifted and native and total thiol levels were decreased only in preeclamptic FGR pregnancies. The serum disulfide level was increased in idiopathic FGR pregnancies compare to preeclamptic FGR pregnancies which may be a sign of oxidative stress in idiopathic FGR pregnancies with normal thiol pool.

Evaluation of growth in children and adolescents after renal transplantation.

Büyükkaragöz B, Bakkaloglu SA, Tuncel AF, Kadioglu-Yilmaz B, Karcaaltincaba D, Pasaoglu H. Evaluation of growth in children and adolescents after renal transplantation. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 217-227. Despite the advances in the last decades, it is well-known that optimal growth is usually not achieved in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) even after successful renal transplantation (RTx). In this study, our aim was to evaluate growth patterns and factors affecting growth in pediatric and adolescent renal transplant recipients (RTR). Thirty-seven prevalent RTR with mean age of 17.0±2.9 years and mean post-RTx duration of 4.2±2.0 years were evaluated. Growth parameters, height velocities and factors affecting growth at the time of RTx (baseline) and in the post-RTx follow-up were also retrospectively assessed. Cumulative corticosteroid (CS) doses were calculated. Mean height and weight standard deviation score (SDS) values were negative (-1.4±1.1 and -1.2±1.5, respectively), whereas height SDS was positive in 16% of the patients. Mean weight, height, and BMI (body mass index) SDS of the RTR were significantly higher than the values at transplantation (p < 0.001 for weight and height SDS; p < 0.05 for BMI SDS). Height SDS was < -2.0 in 19% of the patients while 60% at the baseline. Main factors associated with post-RTx height SDS were pre-RTx height SDS (B: 0.448, p < 0.01) and CKD duration (B: -0.01, p < 0.05). Although it was much better than the pre-RTx period, the present study reveals that post- RTx growth was less than anticipated. As well as minimizing post-RTx CS doses and preserving graft function in the post-RTx follow-up, performing early transplantation and all efforts for minimizing pre-RTx growth deficit are crucial for an optimal post-RTx growth.

Fetal intraabdominal umbilical vein varix: antenatal diagnosis and management.

OBJECTIVE: Fetal intraabdominal vein varix (FIUVV) is a sonographic finding with unknown prevalence. We aimed to point out this particular abnormality and review possible associations and complications which may arise. METHOD: We performed an unrestricted literature search via PubMed and included all cases diagnosed with FIUVV. CASE PRESENTATION: A 24-year-old, gravida 1 para 0 woman was referred to our clinic with possible diagnosis of FIUVV. We confirmed the diagnosis and detailed sonogram was normal. Beyond the gestational age of 32 weeks, intruterine growth restriction became evident. Close fetal surveillance was performed. We did not detect any thrombus formation within the varix or signs of cardiac decompansation during these visits. Delivery was planned after completion of 37 weeks. A healthy baby weighing 2100 g was delivered and discharged without any complications. CONCLUSION: It is generally accepted that fetal anatomic survey is necessary after detection of FIUVV. Karyotyping could be performed for those cases associated with additional structural malformations. Close surveillance of fetal well being and growth is important. Possibility of thrombus formation within the varix should be kept in mind.

Are the women with Sjögren's Syndrome satisfied with their sexual activity?

OBJECTIVE: Females with Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) often experience vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, along with glandular and extraglandular symptoms. We aimed to evaluate sexual function and life quality in women with SS. METHODS: Forty-six premenopausal women with SS and 47 age-matched controls were studied. Age, duration of the disease, medications, and comorbid diseases were noted. Participants completed 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Patients were asked about vaginal discharge and itching in the last month, and if they informed their rheumatologists about any sexual problems. Gynecologic examinations were performed and vaginal smears were taken on each participant. RESULTS: The median total scores of FSFI were significantly lower in the SS group than the controls [17.12 (2.4-27.8) and 27.4 (16.9-36.0), respectively, p<0.001]. In the SS group, 37 (80.4%) and in the control group 18 (38.3%) of patients were sexually dissatisfied (p<0.001). Vaginal dryness and lubricant use were significantly increased in patients with SS compared to controls (p<0.001). Life quality scores were significantly lower in patients with SS than the controls (p<0.001). Vaginal dryness was negatively correlated with FSFI total (r=-0.312, p=0.035) and subscores except desire and arousal. Physical functioning, role physical and role emotional scores were positively correlated with total FSFI scores (r=0.449, p=0.002, r=0.371, p=0.011, r=0.299, p=0.043, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Women with SS experience less satisfaction with sexual activity, which can be affected by age, vaginal dryness, physical pain, and impaired function due to the disease. Therefore, rheumatologists should pay attention to these symptoms and management.