The association between placenta previa and leukocyte and platelet indices — a case control study

Objectives: Despite medical advances, rising awareness, and satisfactory care facilities, placenta previa (PP) remains a challenging clinical entity due to the risk of excessive obstetric hemorrhage. Etiological concerns gave way to life-saving concerns about the prediction of maternal outcomes due to hemorrhage. Our study aimed to detect an early predictive marker of placenta previa. Material and methods: Ninety-three pregnant patients diagnosed with PP and 247 controls were recruited for this retro­spective study. Platelet and leukocyte indices were compared between the two groups. Results: The groups were similar with regard to age distribution (31.2 ± 5.1 years [mean ± SD] in the PP group and 31.7 ± 4.2 years in controls), body mass index (BMI) (27.7 ± 3.6 kg/m2 in the PP group and 27.4 ± 4.6 kg/m2 in controls), and most characteristics of the obstetric history. Total leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were significantly higher in the PP group. Mean platelet volume (MPV) and large platelet cell ratio (P-LCR) values were significantly lower in the PP group as compared to controls, with regard to third trimester values. However, patients who were diagnosed postnatally with placenta percreta had lower MPV and P-LCR values than other patients with PP. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups as far as first trimester values were concerned. Conclusions: Platelet and leukocyte indices in the third trimester of pregnancy may be valuable predictors of placenta previa and placenta percreta. More comprehensive studies are needed to address this issue

Oxidative stress markers in severe preeclampsia and preeclampsia-related perinatal morbidity — preliminary report

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine maternal serum total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase levels in severe preeclamptic pregnants and also to investigate whether these parameters are implicated in the occurence of perinatal morbidity or not. Material and methods: A case-control study was carried out including 60 pregnant women (30 with severe preeclampsia and 30 healthy controls). The optimal cut off points of oxidative stress markers for the diagnosis of severe preeclampsia and for the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Multi­variate logistic regression analysis was used to determine if a relationship between adverse perinatal outcomes and serum oxidative stress markers was present or not. Results: TAS (OR = 37.486, 95% CI 3.535–397.519, p = 0.003), TOS (OR = 15.588, 95% CI 2.135–113.818, p = 0.007) and ary­lesterase (OR = 31.356, 95% CI 2.284–430.548, p = 0.01) were found to be diagnostic for preeclampsia. Statistically significant positive correlation of adverse perinatal outcomes with serum TAS, PON and arylesterase levels were determined. Besides, a significant negative correlation was found between serum TAS levels and gestational week (r = –0.342, p = 0.007) and also between serum PON levels and birthweight (r = –0.262, p = 0.043). Conclusions: Increased maternal serum TAS, TOS and arylesterase levels are significantly associated with the presence of severe preeclampsia. Furthermore, elevated maternal serum TAS, PON and arylesterase levels are significantly and positively correlated with adverse perinatal outcomes. We suggest that in preeclampsia increased oxidative status may cause adverse perinatal outcomes and antioxidants may be increased in order to protect the fetus against oxidative damage

Diagnostic value of CA 19-9 in pregnancies complicated by spinal neural tube defects: a preliminary study

Objectives: Various physiological and pathological conditions can induce significant variations in plasma concentrations of tumor markers, such as CA 19-9, which is present in the serum and amniotic fluid of pregnant women. Herein, we aimed to determine the clinical importance of maternal serum CA 19-9 levels in the diagnosis of neural tube defects (NTDs). Material and methods: A total of 100 women were included in this controlled cross-sectional study. Thirty-three patients whose pregnancies were complicated by isolated meningocele or meningomyelocele constituted the study group, whereas 33 normal, healthy pregnant women constituted the control group, and 34 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched non-pregnant women were chosen for the validation group. Results: The mean maternal serum CA 19-9 levels were 17.2 ± 17.0 IU/mL, 7.1 ± 5.9 IU/mL, and 4.7 ± 3.6 IU/mL in the study, control, and validation groups, respectively (p < 0.001). ROC analyses showed that elevated CA 19-9 values may predict NTDs (p < 0.001). The cut-off value for CA 19-9 was found to be 9.6 IU/mL at 70% (51%–84%, 95% CI) sensitivity and 84% (74%–92%, 95% CI) specificity. Conclusions: CA 19-9 may be a promising noninvasive marker for NTDs. Further studies are needed to reveal the clinical applicability and diagnostic potential of maternal serum CA 19-9 levels in the identification of NTDs

Moguća povezanost gestacijskog dijabetesa s upalom

The aim of this study was to investigate whether gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with inflammation by comparing serum levels of human chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR). This case control study included 29 pregnant women with GDM and 29 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance matched for age (±2 years) and pre-pregnancy body mass index (±2 kg/m2). The YKL-40/CHI3L1 levels were measured, and NLR and PLR investigated. There were no statistically significant differences in maternal age, gestational age, gravidity and parity. Higher YKL-40 levels were recorded in pregnant women with GDM compared to control subjects (203 (65-300) ng/mL vs. 159.2 (14-290) ng/mL, p=0.007). NLR and PLR were significantly higher in GDM compared with control group. In conclusion, GDM is associated with high levels of YKL-40, NLR and PLR, which indicate inflammatory status.Cilj ovoga istraživanja bio je procijeniti je li gestacijski dijabetes melitus (GDM) udružen s upalom i to usporedbom serumskih razina humanog hitinazi-3-sličnog proteina 1 (YKL-40) te omjera neutrofila/limfocita (NLR) i omjera trombocita/limfocita (PLR). U ovo istraživanje parova bilo je uključeno 29 trudnica s GDM i 29 trudnica s normalnom tolerancijom glukoze. Dob (± 2 godine) i indeks tjelesne mase prije trudnoće bili su podjednaki u obje skupine. Mjerene su razine humanog hitinazi-3-sličnog proteina 1 (YKL-40/CHI3L1) te ispitani omjeri NLR i PLR. Nije bilo statistički značajnih razlika u dobi, gestacijskoj dobi i gravidnosti. Zabilježene su više razine YKL-40 u trudnica s GDM u usporedbi s kontrolnim trudnicama (203 (65-300) ng/mL prema 159,2 (14-290) ng/mL, p=0,007). NLR i PLR bili su značajno viši u skupini s GDM nego u kontrolnoj skupini. U zaključku, GDM je udružen s visokim razinama YKL-40, NLR i PLR koji ukazuju na upalno stanje

Can sonographic endometrial pattern be an early indicator for tubal ectopic pregnancy and related tubal rupture?

The present study aims to determine whether sonographic endometrial pattern can be addressed as an early indicator for tubal ectopic pregnancy and related tubal rupture in case ultrasonography reveals no adnexal mass and maternal serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level is below the discriminatory zone (a parts per thousand currency sign1,000 mIU/mL)

Maternal and perinatal outcomes of dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies diagnosed with vanishing twin syndrome: a retrospective analysis from a single clinical center

Objectives: Multiple pregnancies are known to be associated with adverse maternal and perinatal complications. How­ever, data regarding the outcomes of spontaneously reduced twin pregnancies are limited. In the current study we aimed to evaluate the consequences of the vanishing twin syndrome (VTS) in dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies for both mother and baby in our perinatal center. Material and methods: A total of 711 pregnancies were included into the study. 51 cases of vanishing twin syndrome constituted Group 1, 235 cases of normal twins constituted Group 2, and 425 singleton pregnancies formed Group 3. The pregnancies that had multifetal reduction and monochorionic twinning were excluded from both study group and twin control group. The collected data were as follows: age, gravidity, parity, gestational week at birth, delivery route, birth weight, obstetric complications, and maternal and perinatal outcomes. Results: No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding mean maternal age (p > 0.05). Mean birth weight, gestational age at birth and preterm birth ratio were significantly lower in the Group 2 when compared with Group 1 and Group 3 (all p < 0.001). Adverse perinatal outcomes including very low birth weight (VLBV) and low Apgar scores were more common in Group 1 (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of neona­tal intensive care unit admission and perinatal mortality ratios (p > 0.05). Obstetric complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and intrauterine growth restriction were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 and Group 3 (all p < 0.05). However, severe maternal morbidities were similar among three groups (p = 0.141). Conclusions: VTS is seems to be associated with VLBV and low Apgar scores. However, the incidence of severe maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in pregnancies with VTS is similar to other pregnancies

Predictive power of serum CA-125 and LDH in the outcome of first trimester pregnancies with human chorionic gonadotropin levels below discriminatory zone

The present study aims to investigate the predictive power of serum CA-125 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) for evaluating the outcome of first trimester pregnancies with beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels below discriminatory zone (a parts per thousand currency sign1,000 mIU/mL)

Predictive role of transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length at 22-26 weeks of gestation for preterm deliveries in twin pregnancies

Previous studies in overweight men have shown an increased likelihood of abnormal semen parameters. Obesity has been found to be associated with male subfertility. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of obesity on semen parameters and hormone levels in infertile males.This was a prospective cross-sectional study designed to assess the influence of obesity on semen parameters and hormone levels in infertile men. 88 obese [Body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2] men and 169 non-obese (BMI [Med-Science 2016; 5(3.000): 776-9