The effect of obesity on the onset of spontaneous labor and scheduled delivery rates in term pregnancies

Objective: To determine the effect of obesity on the onset of spontaneous labor, scheduled delivery rates and perinatal outcomes in term pregnancies. Material and methods: 242 obese and 244 non-obese pregnant women ≥37 gestational weeks were compared in terms of the onset of spontaneous labor, scheduled delivery rates and perinatal outcomes. Results: Obese pregnant women had statistically significantly lower onset of spontaneous labor and higher rates of scheduled delivery. No difference was determined in respect of the type of delivery, 1st and 5th minutes APGAR scores and the need for intensive care. Higher values of birth weight, large for gestational age, macrosomia, gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia were determined in obese women. Conclusion: The onset of spontaneous labor rates in term obese pregnancies were lower and scheduled delivery rates were higher than in the non-obese pregnancies. However, more extensive studies are needed to better understand this relationship. Keywords: Pregnancy, Obesity, Delivery, Labor, Pregnancy outcome

Pallister–Killian syndrome: Cytogenetics and molecular investigations of mosaic tetrasomy 12p in prenatal chorionic villus and in amniocytes. Strategy of prenatal diagnosis

Abstract Objective Pallister–Killian syndrome (PKS) is a rare, sporadic genetic disorder caused by mosaic tetrasomy of the short arm of chromosome 12 (12p). Clinically, PKS is characterized by several systemic abnormalities, such as intellectual impairment, hearing loss, epilepsy, hypotonia, craniofacial dysmorphism, pigmentary skin anomalies, epilepsy, and a variety of congenital malformations. Prenatally, PKS can be suspected in the presence of ultrasound anomalies: diaphragmatic hernia, rhizomelic micromelia, hydrops fetalis, fetal overweight, ventriculomegaly in the central nervous system, congenital heart defects, or absent visualization of the stomach. In all these cases, a detailed genetic study is required. PKS is diagnosed by prenatal genetic analysis through chorionic villus sampling, genetic amniocentesis, and cordocentesis. Case Report We report two cases of PKS with prenatal diagnosis of isochromosome 12p made by cytogenetic studies. The first case is of a 36-year-old pregnant woman who underwent genetic chorionic villus sampling at 13 th weeks of gestation after 1 st trimester prenatal ultrasound revealed clinical features of PKS: flat nasal bridge and fetal hydrops. The second case is of a 32-year-old pregnant woman with genetic amniocentesis at 17 th weeks of gestation that showed mos46,XX[21]/47,XX,+i(12p) associated to PKS. Conclusion New molecular cytogenetic techniques array comparative genomic hybridization and fluorescence in-situ hybridization in association with conventional karyotype are pivotal innovative tools to search for chromosomic anomalies and for a complete prenatal diagnosis, especially in cases such as PKS where array comparative genomic hybridization analysis alone could not show mosaicism of i(12p)

How to Achieve High-Quality Oocytes? The Key Role of Myo-Inositol and Melatonin

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have experienced growing interest from infertile patients seeking to become pregnant. The quality of oocytes plays a pivotal role in determining ART outcomes. Although many authors have studied how supplementation therapy may affect this important parameter for both in vivo and in vitro models, data are not yet robust enough to support firm conclusions. Regarding this last point, in this review our objective has been to evaluate the state of the art regarding supplementation with melatonin and myo-inositol in order to improve oocyte quality during ART. On the one hand, the antioxidant effect of melatonin is well known as being useful during ovulation and oocyte incubation, two occasions with a high level of oxidative stress. On the other hand, myo-inositol is important in cellular structure and in cellular signaling pathways. Our analysis suggests that the use of these two molecules may significantly improve the quality of oocytes and the quality of embryos: melatonin seems to raise the fertilization rate, and myo-inositol improves the pregnancy rate, although all published studies do not fully agree with these conclusions. However, previous studies have demonstrated that cotreatment improves these results compared with melatonin alone or myo-inositol alone. We recommend that further studies be performed in order to confirm these positive outcomes in routine ART treatment

Risk factors associated with adverse fetal outcomes in pregnancies affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a secondary analysis of the WAPM study on COVID-19.

Objectives To evaluate the strength of association between maternal and pregnancy characteristics and the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with laboratory confirmed COVID-19. Methods Secondary analysis of a multinational, cohort study on all consecutive pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from February 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020 from 73 centers from 22 different countries. A confirmed case of COVID-19 was defined as a positive result on real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay of nasal and pharyngeal swab specimens. The primary outcome was a composite adverse fetal outcome, defined as the presence of either abortion (pregnancy loss before 22 weeks of gestations), stillbirth (intrauterine fetal death after 22 weeks of gestation), neonatal death (death of a live-born infant within the first 28 days of life), and perinatal death (either stillbirth or neonatal death). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate parameters independently associated with the primary outcome. Logistic regression was reported as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 30.6+/-9.5 weeks, with 8.0% of women being diagnosed in the first, 22.2% in the second and 69.8% in the third trimester of pregnancy. There were six miscarriage (2.3%), six intrauterine device (IUD) (2.3) and 5 (2.0%) neonatal deaths, with an overall rate of perinatal death of 4.2% (11/265), thus resulting into 17 cases experiencing and 226 not experiencing composite adverse fetal outcome. Neither stillbirths nor neonatal deaths had congenital anomalies found at antenatal or postnatal evaluation. Furthermore, none of the cases experiencing IUD had signs of impending demise at arterial or venous Doppler. Neonatal deaths were all considered as prematurity-related adverse events. Of the 250 live-born neonates, one (0.4%) was found positive at RT-PCR pharyngeal swabs performed after delivery. The mother was tested positive during the third trimester of pregnancy. The newborn was asymptomatic and had negative RT-PCR test after 14 days of life. At logistic regression analysis, gestational age at diagnosis (OR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.8-0.9 per week increase; pPeer reviewe

How Does Contraceptive Use Affect Women’s Sexuality? A Novel Look at Sexual Acceptability

Among the components of a healthy life, sexuality is essential, contributing to both the psychophysical and social well-being of women and, consequently, to their quality of life. A poorly investigated standpoint is the acceptability of contraceptive methods, both in terms of their tolerability and metabolic neutrality and in terms of their impact on sexual life. In this context, we will provide an overview of the different methods of contraception and their effects on female sexuality, from biological changes to organic, social, and psychological factors, which can all shape sexuality. A MEDLINE/PubMed review of the literature between 2010 and 2021 was conducted using the following key words and phrases: hormonal contraception, contraceptives, female sexual function, libido, sexual arousal and desire, and sexual pain. Recent studies have supported the effects of contraceptives on women’s sexuality, describing a variety of positive and negative events in several domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, enjoyment). However, satisfaction with sexual activity depends on factors that extend beyond sexual functioning alone. A more holistic approach is needed to better understand the multitude of factors linked to women’s sexuality and contraception. Contraceptive counseling must consider these important elements since they are closely related to good compliance and maximize non-contraceptive health benefits

The REP-b (removal of endometrial pathologies-basket) in-office hysteroscopy

The aim of this study was to assess the safety, effectiveness and advantages of a new surgical technique for the extraction of endometrial polyps after in-office hysteroscopic polipectomy. Between November 2009 and September 2013, 140 pre- and post-menopausal women with a sonographic diagnosis of endometrial polyps underwent polypectomy in-office hysteroscopy, followed by lesion removal using classical surgical instruments or the new REP-b technique. A total of 70 women underwent endometrial polyp removal using the new surgical technique REP-b (GROUP A), and 70 women received endometrial polyp removal using classical surgical instruments (GROUP B). The extraction time Tr, calculated as the time from the introduction of the basket into the operative hysteroscopic sheath to the complete removal of the previously sectioned polyp, in GROUP A (REP-b technique) was significantly lower compared with GROUP B (control group). The median Tr for GROUP A was 29.50 s versus the median Tr for GROUP B of 54.00 s (P<0.01). The use of the REP-b technique improves the outcome of the operation and reduces the extraction time for the removal of endocavitary uterine lesions

Il DNA fetale

Nel circolo materno è presente materiale genetico di origine fetale sotto forma di una miscela di frammenti di acidi nucleici aventi due distinte origini: materna e fetale. La quantità di DNA fetale rilevata nel campione di plasma analizzato rispetto al DNA plasmatico totale (materno + fetale) viene espressa in termini di frazione fetale (FF). Per poter fornire risultati attendibili è necessaria una frazione fetale di almeno il 4%. Le principali tecniche di sequenziamento utilizzate per l’analisi del cfDNA sono tecniche quantitative di seconda generazione (Next Generation Sequencing - NGS) dell’intero genoma (Massively Parallel Shotgun Sequency - MPSS) o di specifiche regioni (CSS, Chromosome Selective Sequencing). Un approccio alternativo di tipo qualitatitvo è basato sull'analisi dei polimorfismi a singolo nucleotide (Single-nucleotide polymorphysm- SNPs). Nessuna delle tecniche di analisi del cfDNA attualmente in uso è in grado di fornire una percentuale di falsi positivi (FPR) pari a 0% e sensibilità (DR) del 100%, configurandosi, di fatto, come test di screening e non diagnostici. Alcune delle applicazioni del cfDNA riguardano l’indagine non invasiva di microdelezioni e altre malattie monogeniche, tuttavia, allo stato attuale non sono disponibili dati sufficientemente validati per porre indicazione al loro utilizzo nella pratica clinica. Una valutazione ecografica accurata nel primo trimestre dovrebbe essere offerta a tutte le donne che richiedono uno screening prenatale indipendentemente dalla scelta di sottoporsi al test del cfDNA. L’esito del cfDNA test viene espresso in forma di due possibili risultati per ciascuna delle aneuploidie cromosomiche prese in esame: basso rischio (> 1 su 10.000) o alto rischio (> 99%). Un risultato di basso rischio consente di ridurre il rischio a priori di circa 300 volte per la trisomia 21 e di 50 volte per la trisomia 18 e 13. Un risultato di alto rischio prevede una conferma diagnostica mediante villocentesi o amniocentesi. In una percentuale variabile tra l’1% e il 5% delle gravidanze, il test del cfDNA può non fornire alcun risultato al primo prelievo. Tentativi successivi forniscono un risultato nel 60-70% dei casi. Il fallimento della metodica nella maggior parte dei casi è attribuibile ad una bassa frazione fetale. L’implementazione del cfDNA nella pratica clinica può essere realizzata attraverso due possibili percorsi: in sostituzione all’attuale Test Combinato (“screening universale”) oppure come screening di seconda linea dopo Test Combinato (“screening contingente”). Il modello contingente appare il più vantaggioso

Isoflavones, calcium, Vitamin D and inulin improve quality of life, sexual function, body composition and metabolic parameters in menopausal women: Result from a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study

Introduction: Menopause results in metabolic changes that contribute to increase risk of cardiovascular diseases: increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides and decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL), weight gain are associated with a correspondent increase in incidence of hypertension and diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a preparation of isoflavones, calcium vitamin D and inulin in menopausal women. Material and methods: We performed a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. A total of 50 patients were randomized to receive either oral preparations of isoflavones (40 mg), calcium (500 mg) vitamin D (300 UI) and inulin (3 g) or placebo (control group). Pre- and post-treatment assessment of quality of life and sexual function were performed through Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); evaluations of anthropometric indicators, body composition through bioelectrical impedance analyser, lumbar spine and proximal femur T-score and lipid profile were performed. Results: After 12 months, a significant reduction in MENQOL vasomotor, physical and sexual domain scores (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in all FSFI domain scores (p < 0.05) were observed in treatment group. Laboratory tests showed significant increase in serum levels of HDL (p < 0.05). No significant changes of lumbar spine and femur neck T-score (p > 0.05) were found in the same group. Conclusions: According to our data analysis, isoflavones, calcium, vitamin D and inulin may exert favourable effects on menopausal symptoms and signs