The effect of slow-release vaginal dinoprostone on maternal and fetal oxidative stress in term pregnancies complicated by oligohydramnios: Prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate changes in oxidant status using thiol/disulfide homeostasis in mothers and fetuses after induction of labor with slow-release vaginal dinoprostone inserts. METHODS: A total of 70 pregnant women were divided into two groups. Thirty-five women in whom labor was induced with slow-release vaginal dinoprostone inserts (10 mg of prostaglandin E2, group A) were compared before and after the administration. The other 35 women, who were followed up spontaneously during labor (group B), were included as a control group. Both groups were diagnosed with isolated oligohydramnios without signs of placental insufficiency. The thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters were calculated before medical induction and after removal of the insert at the beginning of the active phase of labor. Maternal and cord blood values were measured in both groups. RESULTS: Although the balance shifted to the antioxidant side after the slow-release vaginal dinoprostone insert was applied, there was no significant difference in maternal oxidative load compared to the pre-application status (5.32 ± 014/5.16 ± 0.15, p = 0.491). Despite the shift toward the antioxidant side, maternal antioxidants were still significantly lower in the group that received slow-release vaginal dinoprostone at the beginning of the active phase of labor than in the control group (295.98 ± 13.03/346.47 ± 12.04, respectively, p = 0.009). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of oxidative balance or newborn Apgar score ( p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Induction of labor with slow-release vaginal dinoprostone inserts in pregnancies with isolated oligohydramnios does not cause further oxidative stress and is safe for both mothers and neonates in terms of oxidant load by thiol/disulfide homeostasis.

Effect of delivery mode on admission to neonatal intensive care unit in healthy singleton pregnancies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term results of perinatal health in vaginal and cesarean deliveries and the indications for admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in terms of healthy singleton pregnancies. Materials and Methods: In this study, 300 pregnant women who gave birth in our tertiary hospital was included. The records of newborns admitted to the NICU of these pregnant women were reviewed between January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2021. Durations of newborn hospitalizations and problems encountered during admission were recorded. The results were statistically evaluated. Results: There was no significant difference between vaginal delivery and cesarean section groups in terms of the indications for admission to the NICU of term low-risk pregnant women (p=0.91, p=0.17). A higher admission in the NICU was found in the early term group. The early term group required more respiratory support compared to the full term group (p=0.02). When the groups were compared in terms of IV fluid treatment support, hypoglycemia or feeding difficulty, and jaundice requiring phototherapy, no significant difference was found. Conclusion: Withlimited data available for admission indications to the NICU of newborns born from term pregnancies, we found that the mode of delivery affects hospitalization indications of newborns, need for support, and Apgar scores. Early term delivery is associated with higher rates of neonatal morbidity and admission to the NICU. Better maternal care and prevention of factors that may lead to preterm birth will provide the prevention and management of these problems.

Does alpha-1-acid glycoprotein determine for infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome?

OBJECTIVES: The underlying cause of metabolic abnormalities and ovarian dysfunction in PCOS is thought to be chronic low-grade inflammation. This study aimed to show whether alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), an inflammatory marker, predicts the risk of infertility in fertile and infertile women with PCOS. Our study had a cros-sectional case-control design. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 20 fertile and 50 infertile patients with PCOS who wanted a child were in the early follicular phase were included in our study. Among the study groups (fertil (n = 20) and infertile (n = 50), AGP, CRP, NLR, BMI, FAI, VAI, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, HOMA-IR, SHBG, testosterone values and waist circumference were measured. RESULTS: Among the inflammatory markers compared in the fertile and infertile groups included in the study, only the difference between the AGP variable was statistically significant (p = 0.011). The mean AGP was found to be higher at a statistically significant level in the infertile group (p < 0.05). Age, BMI, waist circumference and AGP were weakly positive and CRP was moderately positive in the infertile group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: AGP can be a good indicator of inflammation in PCOS, especially in infertility.Revealing the risk of infertility in PCOS with AGP measurement may contribute to the correct management of the reproductive process.

Technique to reduce blood loss during open abdominal myomectomy: transverse or vertical incision?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a difference between uterine incision techniques (vertical vs. transversal) in terms of clinical results. METHODS: All women with leiomyomas who underwent open abdominal myomectomy (n=61) between March and August 2016 at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic at the Women's Health Research and Training Hospital Zekai Tahir Burak were included, and the clinical results were included and prospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The estimated blood loss during myomectomy increased in the transversal group compared with the vertical group (809.33±483.34 versus 405.32±180.95 mL, p<0.001). The average operation duration was 60 min, and the patients got discharged on the second day after surgery. No intergroup statistical differences were observed in the surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should give preference to the most viable incision depending on the size and location of the leiomyoma.

The effects of water immersion and epidural analgesia on cellular immune response, neuroendocrine, and oxidative markers

Background/aim: Water immersion and epidural analgesia are the most preferred pain relief methods during the labor process. Adverse effects related to these methods, impact on the labor, and perception of pain is well studied in the literature. We aimed to investigate the cord blood level of copeptin, total serum oxidant (TOS), antioxidant (TAS), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and oxytocin after the labor with water immersion, epidural analgesia, and vaginal birth without pain relief. Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 102 healthy pregnant women admitted to the obstetric delivery unit for noncomplicated term birth. Copeptin, oxytocin, TAS, TOS, IL-1, and IL-6 levels of cord blood and obstetric and neonatal results after vaginal birth were compared. Results: The study included a total of 102 patients (group 1 = 30, group 2 = 30, and group 3 = 42). We found no significant difference between the three groups in terms of BMI, age, gravidity, parity, birth week, birth weight, interventional birth, perineal trauma, breastfeeding, duration of labor, oxytocin, IL-1 and IL-6 levels (p > 0.05). Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) need, TAS, TOS, and copeptin levels were higher. Apgar scores were lower in the epidural group (p = 0.011, p = 0.036, p = 0.027, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Epidural analgesia has deteriorated oxidative stress status and lower neonatal Apgar scores with higher NICU administration compared with water birth and vaginal birth without pain relief.

The effect of folate on ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat adnexal torsion model.

PURPOSE: The ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of ovaries in adnexal torsion may have inadvertent consequences. Many agents have been studied in terms of their ability to prevent reperfusion damage to ovaries in suspected cases. In this study, folic acid, known to have antioxidative properties, was investigated to determine whether it played a role in the prevention of I/R damage in a rat ovarian torsion model. METHODS: In this experimental study, 40 female adult Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into five groups as control, ischemia, I/R, Fol2 (2 mg/kg folic acid), and Fol4 (4 mg/kg folic acid). In the Fol2 and Fol4 groups, folic acid was intraperitonelly administered 30 min before reperfusion. Blood samples were obtained from the tails of each rat at the second hour of reperfusion. RESULTS: The total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status, cystatin C and folic acid levels of the five groups were investigated. Folic acid in 2 mg/kg dose could moderately increase the serum folic acid concentration (15.75-19.95 ng/ml, p < 0.05), reduce the level of cystatin C (0.18-0.12 µg/L, p < 0.05), and had a tendency to improve the oxidative stress injury (OSI: 76.05-33.06, p > 0.05), although there was no statistical difference in TOS levels (p = 0.07). Folic acid in 4 mg/kg dose, could significantly increase the serum folic acid concentration (15.75-37.65 ng/ml). However, it did not significantly reduce the level of cystatin C (0.18-0.19 µg/L, p > 0.05), and did not improve oxidative stress injury (76.05-130.58, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Folic acid in 2 mg/kg dose might improve the ovarian I/R injury though this was not statistically significant. Further studies are required to reach a definitive conclusion about the protective effect of folic acid in I/R injury.

Severe 25-OH vitamin D deficiency as a reason for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: There is a growing concern about the unfavorable effects of vitamin D deficiency in general population, including pregnant women, worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of severe maternal serum 25-OH vitamin D levels on adverse pregnancy outcomes in first trimester.Material and methods: Serum samples of 86 pregnant women in first trimester were collected prospectively from May 2017 to June 2017. Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay method. Patients were classified according to maternal serum 25-OH vitamin D levels as group 1 (n = 34) <10 ng/ml and group 2 (n = 52) >10 ng/ml. The two groups were compared in terms of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Results: The mean 25-OH vitamin D levels of the total 86 pregnant women were 13.83 (6-48) ng/ml. 40% of the pregnant women had low level of 25-OH vitamin D levels (<10 ng/ml). The adverse pregnancy outcomes were significantly increased in group 1 (p<.018).Conclusions: Maternal serum 25-OH vitamin D levels <10 ng/ml is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. 25-OH vitamin D levels should be screened in high-risk pregnant women and treated in case of deficiency.

Dose dependent protective effects of vardenafil on ischemia-reperfusion injury with biochemical and histopathologic evaluation in rat ovary.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of vardenafil on the histopathology and biochemical parameters in reducing damage in experimental ovarian ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model and to compare the effect of two different doses of vardenafil. METHODS: Forty-two rats with experimental ovarian torsion. Group-I: sham; Group-II: ovarian ischemia; Group-III: 2 hours of ischemia followed by a 2-hour reperfusion. Group-IV: two hours before the sham operation, rats received 1mg/kg vardenafil; Group V and VI: A 2-hour period of ovarian ischemia was applied, in which rats were treated with intraperitoneal vardenafil 1 and 2mg/kg dose, after 1.5 hours of ovarian ischemia. After 2 hours of reperfusion, the ovaries on the right side were removed for examination. The ovarian ischemia/reperfusion injury was evaluated by calculating total antioxidant status, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index; and histopathologic examination of all ovarian rat tissue. RESULTS: The histologic findings in vardenafil treatment groups were statistically significant decreased edema and follicle degeneration, with vascular congestion, hemorrhage and follicle degeneration being dose-dependent. There were no statistically significant changes in the biochemical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: According to histopathological examination, low and high dose vardenafil is effective in attenuating ischemia-reperfusion induced ovary injury.

Is there an association between liver type fatty acid binding protein and severity of preeclampsia?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the level of liver fatty acid binding protein (LFABP) in women with preeclampsia. METHOD: A case-control study was conducted in 90 pregnant women who were divided into the following three groups: normal pregnancy (n = 30), mild-moderate preeclampsia (n = 30), and severe preeclampsia (n = 30). Maternal blood samples were obtained during an antenatal clinic visit in normal pregnant women, and at the time of diagnosis in women with preeclampsia. Serum LFABP levels were measured by the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. RESULTS: Serum LFABP level was significantly higher in severe and mild-moderate preeclampsia groups than normal pregnancy group (1,709.90 ± 94.82, 1,614.93 ± 118.22, and 1,532.36 ± 140.98 pg/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the severity of preeclampsia was correlated with LFABP level [unadjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 1.008 (1.003-1.012), p < 0.001 and LDH 1.063 (1.029-1.099), p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Maternal serum LFABP level appears to be correlated with the severity of the preeclampsia and can be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Effects of repeated propranolol administration in a rat model of surgically induced endometriosis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether propranolol has an inhibitory effect on the angiogenesis of endometriosis in an experimental rat model or not. STUDY DESIGN: This was an experimental animal model study. Twenty-four female Wistar albino rats (200-250 g) were used to create a model for surgical induction of endometriosis. Two rats died during the surgeries. The rats were randomly divided into treatment (n=11) and control groups (n=10), which were treated with daily intraperitoneal propranolol (10 mg/kg) and saline (2 mL), respectively. Study duration was 8 weeks. The volumes and histopathological findings of the implants, and immunochemistry for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9 were evaluated. RESULTS: Viable endometriotic implants were created in all animals. In the propranolol-treated group, the mean implant volume significantly decreased after treatment (142.5 vs. 32.1 mm(3), respectively; p=0.008), while the mean implant volume significantly increased in the control group (141.0 vs. 174.2 mm(3), respectively; p=0.009). There were also significant reductions in VEGF immunoreactivity scores and both stroma and epithelium MMP-2 and MMP-9 immunoreactivity scores in the propranolol-treated group compared with the control group (p<0.005 for all scores). CONCLUSIONS: Propranolol may suppress endometrial tissue by its antiangiogenic activity through inhibitory actions on VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Therefore, propranolol is a promising candidate drug for effective treatment of patients with endometriosis, which needs to be confirmed with further studies.

Assessment of the sexually abused female children admitted to a tertiary care hospital: Eight year experience.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the medical, social and legal characteristics of the child sexual abuse and to provide a perspective for gynecologists on this topic. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out of the medicolegal records of female children below the age of 18 referred to a tertiary teaching hospital and diagnosed as being exposed to sexual abuse within the family between the years of 2004 to 2012. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-nine cases were diagnosed as being exposed to sexual abuse during the 8 year period, 23 of them (16.5%) had been involved in sexual abuse within the family. Eleven out of 23 had been admitted as part of a legal process while the rest were reported by a third person. CONCLUSION: Since sexual abuse within the family is a taboo in Islamic societies, the diagnosis can take a long time. Recognition of sexually abused children, providing early performance of medicolegal examinations, and applying standardized medical guidelines are essential to protect these children.

Role of postprandial bile acids in prediction of perinatal outcome in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of fasting and postprandial total bile acids (fTBA, ppTBA) in prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 111 patients, 57 with ICP and 54 controls, were evaluated for preterm birth (PTB), meconium-stained amnion (MSA), neonatal intensive-care unit admission and asphyxia. We further classified the ICP group as mild and severe. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the associated biochemical and clinical parameters with adverse perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: In the ICP group, PTB, asphyxia, admission to neonatal intensive-care unit, and MSA were more frequently observed (P = 0.001, P = 0.027, P = 0.006 and P = 0.030, respectively). In subgroup analysis, PTB was more frequent in severe ICP cases than in mild cases (P = 0.028). Fasting and ppTBA were positively correlated with serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. Postprandial TBA and difference between fasting and postprandial TBA levels were associated with asphyxia (P = 0.014 and P = 0.023, respectively). Gestational age at diagnosis and fTBA were associated with adverse perinatal outcomes (P = 0.001 and P = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: Postprandial TBA and difference of fasting and postprandial TBA are associated with asphyxia in ICP. The gestational age at diagnosis and fTBA are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.

Abdominal pregnancy after hysterectomy: a rare cause of hemoperitoneum.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy after hysterectomy is an extremely rare event. However, if not diagnosed and managed properly, it may result in life-threatening consequences. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 28-year-old woman with a history of cesarean hysterectomy 3 years prior who was referred to our institution for evaluation of abdominal pain. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a 15-week live fetus in the left pelvic region and normal-appearing bilateral ovaries. Laparotomy showed a 15-week live fetus with its placenta attached to the left adnexal region and the left lateral side of the cervix, including bowel loops. CONCLUSION: The possibility of pregnancy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in women with intact ovaries despite a history of hysterectomy. A pregnancy test should be a part of the diagnostic work-up of these patients when they present in the emergency department.

Inflammation and glycemic tolerance status in pregnancy: the role of maternal adiposity.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the association between inflammation and insulin resistance is well known, the data related to the role of inflammation in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of several inflammatory mediators with the glycemic status in pregnancy. METHODS: Leukocyte count, ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and interleukin-6 levels were measured in 70 patients with normal glucose tolerance, in 57 patients with impaired glucose tolerance and in 35 patients with GDM as determined based on 50-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 100-gram OGTT results. RESULTS: A significant difference among the groups was seen only with regard to CRP and fibrinogen levels; however, no significant differences were observed after adjustment for body mass index (BMI). CRP was found to be strongly associated with current BMI in all three groups. CONCLUSION: Maternal serum levels of inflammatory mediators are not related to GDM at the time of the glucose challenge test in the late second or early third trimester. The significant difference in the levels of CRP in different strata of glycemic tolerance was not observed after adjustment for BMI. Adiposity may have a central role in GDM, causing an inflammatory response.

Awareness of Turkish female adolescents and young women about HPV and their attitudes towards HPV vaccination.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccines and attitudes towards vaccination among the females aged 9-24 years in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were filled out individually by the participants covering demographic information, knowledge about HPV infection and HPV vaccines, attitudes towards vaccination, and the perceptions of them about their parental attitudes about vaccination. RESULTS: Of the 408 subjects participating in the study, 41.6% (n=170) had heard of HPV. Thirty-three percent (n=136) knew the causal relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. Only 27.9% (n=114) of them knew that HPV vaccines can prevent cervical cancer. Eleven percent (n=46) of the females participating in the study were willing to be vaccinated, and only 1.4% (n=6) were already vaccinated at the current time. The main reason listed among the participants who were not willing to be vaccinated was lack of information. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness and knowledge of Turkish female adolescents and young women about HPV, relation with cervical cancer and prevention of cervical cancer by Pap smear and vaccine are still limited. If the most important barrier to vaccination, which is reported as lack of information, were to be addressed, it would greatly impact the decision-making and vaccine acceptance.

Endometriomas in adolescents and young women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical aspects of endometriomas encountered in late adolescent females and young women and to review the issues specifically related to the disease in this age group. DESIGN: Retrospective medical chart review study. SETTING: Adolescent gynecology and infertility clinic of a tertiary care hospital with women's health focus. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-three late adolescent females and young women aged ≤ 24 years with endometrioma. INTERVENTIONS: Operative laparoscopy for endometriomas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline clinical characteristics of the patients including age, marital status, body mass index, symptoms on admission, family history of endometriosis, past medical history, CA-125 levels, presence of a müllerian anomaly, endometriosis characteristics at the time of surgery, and correlation between ASRM scores and patient characteristics. RESULTS: The mean age and body mass index of the patients were 22 ± 2 (range 17-24) years and 20.8 ± 2.6 (range 16.6-28.5) kg/m(2) respectively. Chronic pelvic pain was the most common symptom (44%). Two patients had a diagnosis of genital malformation. Forty-one (65%) patients had endometrioma on the right ovary, and 14 (22%) patients had bilateral endometriomas. Only one patient had posterior cul-de-sac completely obliterated. Fifty-five (87%) patients had score <16 points for adnexal adhesions calculated according to the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification. CONCLUSION: Endometriomas, although rare, can be encountered in adolescents and young women. The disease in adolescent patient group offers particular importance since early intervention is essential in order to decrease pain, prevent progression of the disease and enhance future fertility.

A survey on human papillomavirus awareness and acceptance of vaccination among nursing students in a tertiary hospital in Ankara, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the awareness and knowledge regarding human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV related conditions and HPV vaccine among nursing students, and to identify their attitudes towards HPV vaccination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out at a tertiary Women's Health Care Center in Ankara, Turkey. Self-administered questionnaires were filled out individually by the nursing students and by a control group including similar aged women. Data regarding demographic information, knowledge and awareness about HPV infection and HPV vaccine, attitudes towards vaccination, acceptance of HPV vaccine and assessment of HPV vaccination attitudes of the nurses with respect to the gender of their children was assessed and recorded. RESULTS: A total of 752 participants was included in the analysis. Five hundred and twenty (69.14%) of the participants were nursing students and the rest (n=232; 30.8%) were control group. The mean ages of the nursing students and the control group were 19.4 (16-27) and 19.4 (16-25) years, respectively. Majority of the nursing students knew the causal relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. Seventy-eight percent of the nursing students and 22.4% of the control group stated that they had heard of HPV vaccine. While the rate of the willingness to be vaccinated was 33.7% in the nursing student group, it was only 13.4% in the control group. CONCLUSION: The awareness and knowledge about HPV, its relation with cervical cancer and prevention of cervical cancer by HPV vaccine were favorable among nursing students at a tertiary hospital in Ankara, Turkey. However, although aware of the theoretical implications, they did not seem to apply it to practice, such as not having regular gynecologic examinations and Pap smears. Thus, further studies are needed to evaluate the factors that affect practical applications of health care professionals responsible for providing health education to the public.

Knowledge about HPV, relation between HPV and cervix cancer and acceptance of HPV vaccine in women in eastern region of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge of the women living in the eastern region of Turkey about human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervix cancer and their approaches to HPV vaccine. METHODS: The questionnaire forms were distributed to 1,052 patients who applied to the Gynecology Department of Elazig Training and Research Hospital. The subjects were recruited from the general gynecology outpatient clinic of the hospital. The patients from sexually transmitted disease and oncology outpatient clinics were not included in the study. The information about 945 women who completely filled in the questionnaire form was included into the study. The questions set forth in the questionnaire form consisting of 20 questions were prepared by taking the studies previously performed as model. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent of the women were married and 83.5% were housewives (unemployed). Thirteen percent of the women were illiterate, only 12% were graduated from university. Seventy-four percent of the women did not hear about HPV, 78.4% did not know about HPV vaccine, 63% did not know about the fact that some viruses cause cancer, and 83% did not know about the relation between HPV and cervix cancer. According to the multivariate analysis, free-of-charge vaccination, vaccinated relatives or friends, graduation from university and being under the age of 25 predict to accept the vaccine for themselves. CONCLUSION: The young population and the women who graduated from university seem to be more well-informed about HPV and more sensitive about being vaccinated. In addition, free vaccination will ensure the expansion of the vaccine.

Hepcidin and erythropoietin measurements in the cord blood of neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

AIM: To compare hepcidin and erythropoietin levels in the cord blood of neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) to levels obtained from age-, body mass index- and gravidity-matched neonates with clear amniotic fluid. METHODS: A cross-sectional controlled study was conducted in secondary and tertiary care centers. Cord blood samples of 40 neonates following term gestations (≥37 weeks' gestation) with MSAF and 40 maternal age-, body mass index- and gravidity-matched controls with clear amniotic fluid were analyzed in this study. Demographic data, delivery outcomes and laboratory evaluations were recorded. RESULTS: Cord blood pH levels were lower in fetuses with MSAF when compared to those with clear amniotic fluid (P=0.0001). Fetuses with MSAF had higher cord blood erythropoietin levels in comparison to those with clear amniotic fluid (P=0.0001). Delivery outcomes and hepcidin measurements were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated a significant relationship between erythropoietin levels and meconium passage, but failed to show the existence of a relationship between hepcidin levels and meconium passage.

Office hysteroscopy improves pregnancy rates following IVF.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of office hysteroscopy (OH) on pregnancy rate in patients undergoing IVF. A total of 1258 patients attending an IVF clinic with normal hysteroscopic findings were enrolled. The impact of timing of OH before embryo transfer on pregnancy rate was investigated. The women were evaluated in three groups: group 1, OH performed 50 days or less before embryo transfer (n=407), group 2, OH between 51 days to 6 months, (n=280) and group 3, OH more than 6 months before embryo transfer (n=571). The implantation rates were 22.1%, 16.1% and 11.1% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Overall pregnancy rates were 48.2%, 38.9% and 29.9% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The clinical pregnancy rates were 45.2%, 34.3% and 27.1% and the live birth rates were 36.9%, 27.9% and 22.6%, respectively. Implantation, pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were significantly higher in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3 (all P<0.05). OH may improve pregnancy rates, but timing of the procedure is important. The endometrial effect is highest when hysteroscopy is performed 50 days or less before embryo transfer. Office hysteroscopy (OH), which helps the clinician for the evaluation of the uterine cavity before IVF treatment, may affect the pregnancy rates depending on when the procedure is performed. A total of 1258 patients attending an outpatient IVF clinic were enrolled in the study. The women were evaluated in three groups: group 1, OH performed 50 days or less before embryo transfer (n=407), group 2, OH between 51 days to 6 months, (n=280) and group 3, OH more than 6 months before embryo transfer (n=571). The implantation, pregnancy and clinical pregnancy rates were significantly higher in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3. OH may improve pregnancy rates when performed 50 days or less before embryo transfer.