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Objective: Subclinical hypothyroidism is the most frequent thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy with an incidence of 2-5% which can easily be overlooked due to the absence of clinical symptoms. Studies have shown that thyroid hormones could alter the level of free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) released from the placenta during early pregnancy. Since these two serum markers are the two of the parameters used in the first-trimester combined screening, we hypothesized that distorted risk calculation results could be obtained from pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism. Methods: We conducted a prospective and cohort study at a tertiary university hospital in northwest Turkey between February 2018 and June 2018, involving 250 pregnant women in their first trimester who were seeking care at the obstetrics outpatient clinic. After evaluation of thyroid functions, first-trimester screening was performed in all 250 singleton pregnancies with fetuses at 11+0 to 13+6 gestational weeks. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values above 2,5 mIU/L were considered high. The correlation between the results and parameters of the first-trimester combined screening and thyroid hormone values was examined. Results: Among the participants, after analyzing the fT4 values, all 35 pregnant women with high TSH values were diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism. We observed a statistically weak negative correlation between TSH and ß-HCG, which was expected given the similarities in their alpha subunits. There was no statistically significant correlation between TSH and PAPP-A values, combined risk scores, and age risk scores of first-trimester screening. As a matter of course, combined risk scores of first-trimester screening were found to be statistically lower in younger mothers. Conclusion: Pregnant women with normal thyroid functions and subclinical hypothyroidism were investigated for alterations in first-trimester screening parameters and risk scores. As a result, no statistically significant correlation was found between subclinical hypothyroidism and first-trimester screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy in our hospital and thus contribute to screening and management strategies. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the records of 607 pregnant women were analyzed. Patients were tested for serum Toxoplasma gondii antibodies at their first antenatal visit. The seronegative cases were rescreened at 32 weeks’ gestation with immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG for seroconversion. Demographic, clinical, and serological characteristics of patients were evaluated. Results: During the study period, 461 (75.94%) patients were seronegative for toxoplasmosis. IgG seropositivity was detected in 110 (18.12%) patients, whereas 33 (5.43%) patients had both IgG and IgM seropositivity; low avidity was observed in 6 (0.98%) of these 33 patients. IgM seropositivity was detected in only 3 (0.49%) cases. Toxoplasma IgG and IgM tests were repeated for 93 seronegative patients at 32 weeks’ gestation but seroconversion was not observed in any patient. Acute Toxoplasma infection during pregnancy was found in 9 (1.48%) patients and amniocentesis was performed in four of these. No infant was diagnosed with congenital Toxoplasma infection. Conclusion: Congenital Toxoplasma infection is clearly a preventable and treatable disease that poses a serious public health risk. Educating people on the transmission routes and implementing routine prenatal testing both regionally and globally during gestation are key preventative measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acrania is a rare congenital anomaly and characterized by partial or complete absence of the calvarium with abnormal brain tissue development. The pathogenesis of acrania is unknown and differential diagnosis should be searched to rule out other similer conditions to anencephaly and acalvaria. Diagnosis of cranial bone defects can be established by ultrasonography in the first trimester of pregnancy. We report two cases, diagnosed prenatally by ultrasonography, one with isolated acrania and the other one associated with meningocele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]