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In this article we review the historically important cases of conjoined twins (Biddenden Maids, Siamese twins, Blazek sisters) and contemporary knowledge regarding incidence, etiopathogenesis, antenatal diagnosis, antenatal management, and outcome of conjoined twins. We also present a case of male cephalothoracoomphalopagus, which is extremely rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective . To analyze the cause of changing maternal mortality ratios (MMRs) in a tertiary women's health center in Turkey in the last eight years. Materials and methods . Charts of patients seen between 1998 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. The results were accepted to be significant when the p value was <50.05. Results. During this period, 27 pregnancy-related deaths were identified via hospital death records. The MMR was found to have decreased in rate by approximately 50% from 822.2/100 000 live births in the previous report including the years 1978–1997 to 412.0/100 000 during the last eight years (p<50.01). Pregnancy-induced hypertension was still the most frequent cause of maternal death. The decrease in MMR was due to the decrease in the ratio of maternal infection (26.4% in 1978–1997 to 7.4% in 1998–2005, p<50.01). Conclusion. Although treatment in the antenatal care and health service has decreased maternal deaths, it was discovered that the MMR has not reached the optimum levels found in developed countries in the last eight years. Also the percentage of direct obstetric deaths (with the exception of those caused by infection) showed no change and was similar to that found in the previous report (1978–1997). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of pure gonadal dysgenesis with streak gonads in which spontaneous conception occurred 10 years after the diagnosis. Her pregnancy proceeded as normal, and she gave birth to a live baby at term by cesarean section. A lactation period lasting for 1 year and afterwards proceeded as amenorrheic. Gonadotropins measurements in post-lactational period were at the menopausal levels again. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of pure gonadal dysgenesis with streak gonads in which spontaneous conception occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]