Laparoscopic management of a large, twisted, ovarian dermoid cyst during pregnancy: a case report

Mature cystic teratomas, commonly known as dermoid cysts, are the most frequent ovarian tumors discovered during pregnancy. They are present in 0.3% of pregnancies from weeks 16-20 of gestation. The diagnosis of mature cystic teratomas during pregnancy presents the vexing problem of weighing the risks of surgery under general anesthetic against the risks of an untreated persistent adnexal mass

[Role of vaginal infection in fetal and neonatal mortality]

Preterm delivery is the chief problem in obstetrics today and the main determinant of infant mortality and morbidity. Despite the dramatic decrease in infant mortality rate during the past several years, the percentage of preterm (<37 weeks gestation) and low birth weight (LBW) (<2500) rates remain elevated. Approximately 10% of all births are preterm, with a rate of 1-2% of infant born before the end of the 32 weeks of gestation and with a weight <1500 g. Despite the importance of the problem, the majority of preterm live births remain unexplained, and programmatic attempts at reversing the high level of preterm births have not been successful. Numerous studies have linked bacterial vaginosis, chorioamniotitis and endometritis with preterm birth and LBW, especially among African women. The number of preterm live births among African women is twice the one among Caucasians. Bacterial vaginosis is an independent risk factor for preterm and LBW births and the mechanism by which bacterial vaginosis causes the preterm birth of an infant with LBW is unknown. The aim of this article was to underline the importance of the treatment and early identification of vaginal infection, in particular if due to bacterial vaginosis, as it can have a substantial affect on the incidence of preterm delivery with LBW

Use of the Internet by women seeking information about potentially teratogenic agents

The aim of this study was to evaluate if the Internet provides evidence-based information to women seeking information about teratogenic risk factors and women's risk perception. Furthermore, we evaluated the possible risk related to teratogen exposure in the study sample and analysed age, gravidity, educational level, geographic location, marital status and type of exposure compared to a control group made up of women who did not use the Internet to search for teratogen-related information. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate if the Internet provides evidence-based information to women seeking information about teratogenic risk factors and women's risk perception. Furthermore, we evaluated the possible risk related to teratogen exposure in the study sample and analysed age, gravidity, educational level, geographic location, marital status and type of exposure compared to a control group made up of women who did not use the Internet to search for teratogen-related information. STUDY DESIGN: Between October 2008 and June 2009, a questionnaire was administered to pregnant women calling our Teratology Information Service concerning a suspected teratogenic exposure. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent (n=116) of callers had used the Internet to find medical information about their exposure, while 43% (n=87) had not. Internet users had a medium-high level of education and consulted the Internet because of its convenience, usually early in their pregnancy. We verified the accuracy of the information the women obtained from the Internet and found that 59.5% (n=69) of women received evidence-based answers; 18.1% (n=21) were informed that their exposure was dangerous when it was not; 4.3% (n=5) were wrongly reassured; and the rest (n=18) were not able to interpret the data they found or found no relevant information. CONCLUSIONS: Internet use during pregnancy is a widespread phenomenon as the Internet offers the opportunity to share apprehensions and doubts with other women, but it can often lead to increased and unjustified anxiety. Medical information published on websites cannot be considered a substitute for informed medical advice, and patients should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional

In-utero stem cell transplantation: clinical use and therapeutic potential

Early evidence suggests that in-utero stem cell transplantation represents a new therapeutic strategy for different congenital disease. Moreover, gene therapy constitutes one of the most promising new approach to treat a wide spectrum of genetic disorders. It was shown that the fetus could represent an ideal recipient because of his immunologic early naivet\ue9 in gestation that reduces the risk of immunoreactions. Clinical experience in human fetus was performed in order to treat immunodeficiency and metabolic disorders, hemoglobinopathies and some other genetic diseases. Use of alternative source (i.e., cord blood, placenta, membrane, amniotic fluid, fetal tissue) of stem cell transplanted has been only one of the several strategies to improve donor cell advantages on host stem cell. The present review focused on the clinical use and therapeutic potential of in-utero stem cell transplantation, reporting the outcome of human cases treated and the limits of this therapy and possible future applications.Early evidence suggests that in-utero stem cell transplantation represents a new therapeutic strategy for different congenital disease. Moreover, gene therapy constitutes one of the most promising new approach to treat a wide spectrum of genetic disorders. It was shown that the fetus could represent an ideal recipient because of his immunologic early naivet\ue9 in gestation that reduces the risk of immunoreactions. Clinical experience in human fetus was performed in order to treat immunodeficiency and metabolic disorders, hemoglobinopathies and some other genetic diseases. Use of alternative source (i.e., cord blood, placenta, membrane, amniotic fluid, fetal tissue) of stem cell transplanted has been only one of the several strategies to improve donor cell advantages on host stem cell. The present review focused on the clinical use and therapeutic potential of in-utero stem cell transplantation, reporting the outcome of human cases treated and the limits of this therapy and possible future applications

Folic Acid Use in Planned Pregnancy: An Italian Survey

It is well known that periconceptional folic acid supplementation decreases the risk of neural tube defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and practices of women with planned pregnancies regarding periconceptional folic acid intake and to identify factors associated with the use of this supplement. During 2\ua0years of observation, we surveyed women with planned pregnancies who called our Teratology Information Service. A total of 500 women were surveyed: 217 (43.4\ua0%) took folic acid before becoming pregnant, and 283 (56.6\ua0%) did not take it. The women who took folic acid before becoming pregnant had a high education level and received preconception counselling. Our results suggest that less than half of Italian women took folic acid before they became pregnant although they were trying to conceive. Knowledge about the benefits of this vitamin is inadequate also among women who planned the pregnancy and the level of information received from their physicians