Search

To describe the long-term outcome of children with prenatally diagnosed isolated complete agenesis of the corpus callosum (cACC).In this single-center case series, we reviewed retrospectively the charts of fetuses referred to our fetal therapy unit from January 2004 to July 2020 for a suspected anomaly of the corpus callosum (CC). Cases with prenatally diagnosed isolated cACC were included. Fetal karyotype and comparative genomic hybridization microarray of amniotic fluid, in addition to fetal magnetic resonance imaging, were offered to all pregnant women with a diagnosis of fetal CC malformation. The surviving children were enrolled in the neurodevelopmental follow-up program at our institution, which included postnatal magnetic resonance imaging, serial neurological examinations and neurodevelopmental evaluations with standardized tests according to age. Families living in remote areas or far from our institution were offered a structured ad-hoc phone interview.A total of 128 pregnancies with fetal CC malformation were identified (mean gestational age at diagnosis, 24.5 (range, 21-34) weeks), of which 53 cases were diagnosed prenatally with apparently isolated cACC. Of these, 12 cases underwent termination of pregnancy, one resulted in intrauterine demise at 24 weeks of gestation and 13 cases were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 27 children, one was excluded due to an associated chromosomal anomaly (8p21.3q11.21 mosaic duplication) diagnosed after birth, which could have been detected prenatally if the parents had consented to amniocentesis. In the 26 children included in the analysis, neurodevelopmental follow-up was available for a median of 3 (range, 1-16) years. Three (11.5%) infants had severe neurodevelopmental impairment, two of which were diagnosed postnatally with a genetic syndrome (Mowat-Wilson syndrome and Vici syndrome) that would not have been diagnosed prenatally. Seven (26.9%) children had mild neurodevelopmental impairment and 16 (61.5%) had normal neurodevelopmental outcome. The Full-Scale Intelligence Quotients of the three children with severe neurodevelopmental impairment were 50, 64 and 63, respectively, while that of the remaining children was in the normal range (median, 101; range, 89-119).In 88% of the children with cACC included in this study, neurodevelopment was not severely impaired. However, long-term follow-up is recommended in all cases of congenital isolated cACC to recognize subtle neurodevelopmental disorders as early as possible. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

IntroductionThe term placenta praevia defines a placenta that lies over the internal os, whereas the term low-lying placenta identifies a placenta that is partially implanted in the lower uterine segment with the inferior placental edge located at 1–20 mm from the internal cervical os (internal-os-distance). The most appropriate mode of birth in women with low-lying placenta is still controversial, with the majority of them undergoing caesarean section. The current project aims to evaluate the rate of vaginal birth and caesarean section in labour due to bleeding by offering a trial of labour to all women with an internal-os-distance >5 mm as assessed by transvaginal sonography in the late third trimester.Methods and analysisThe MODEL-PLACENTA is a prospective, multicentre, 1:3 matched case–control study involving 17 Maternity Units across Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions, Italy. The study includes women with a placenta located in the lower uterine segment at the second trimester scan. Women with a normally located placenta will be enrolled as controls. A sample size of 30 women with an internal-os-distance >5 mm at the late third trimester scan is needed at each participating Unit. Since the incidence of low-lying placenta decreases from 2% in the second trimester to 0.4% at the end of pregnancy, 150 women should be recruited at each centre at the second trimester scan. A vaginal birth rate ≥60% in women with an internal-os-distance >5 mm will be considered appropriate to start routinely admitting to labour these women.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval for the study was given by the Brianza Ethics Committee (No 3157, 2019). Written informed consent will be obtained from study participants. Results will be disseminated by publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation in international conferences.Trial registration numberNCT04827433(pre-results stage)

The last few weeks of pregnancy are critical to a baby's health because important organs, including the brain and lungs, are not completely developed until the end of pregnancy. The adverse events during labor and childbirth can have very serious physical, psychological and financial consequences for the child, the family, health professionals and the whole community. These events can be reduced through interventions aimed at improving the safety and quality of care, based on evidence-based knowledge, guidelines and practices that must be widely and effectively applied. This work reports the experience of the Lombardy Region on improvement actions in the obstetric and gynecological procedures for the reduction of adverse events and sentinel events through the monitoring and management of the RCGS trigger tool.

This study is a single-center, retrospective analysis of postmenopausal women presenting with dyspareunia and vulvar pain, aiming to evaluate relative effectiveness of vestibular CO

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized by NO synthase (NOS), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of NOS. We aimed to investigate l-arginine and ADMA levels in transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) and their relationship with systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and disease severity. Infants born at ⩾35 weeks gestational age with clinical signs and chest X-ray findings consistent with TTN were enrolled; controls were recruited at the same time. l-arginine and ADMA levels were measured at 12 to 24 h (first samples) and at 48 to 72 h (second samples). Systolic PAP was evaluated on the second day. Patients were divided according to the duration of tachypnea and designated as group A (duration ⩽72 h) and group B (duration >72 h). In the first samples, the ADMA levels were significantly higher in patients with TTN compared with controls (P

The aims of this study were to observe the changes in antioxidative defense enzymes and renal morphology after 7,12-dimethyl-benz[a]anthracene (7,12-DMBA) administration in mice and to investigate the possible protective effects of melatonin against 7,12-DMBA-induced renal damage in comparison with vitamin E + selenium (vit E + Se). Forty female mice were divided into four groups: control, DMBA, DMBA + vit E + Se and DMBA + melatonin. In the DMBA group, mice were given injections of 7,12-DMBA (20 mg/kg). DMBA + vit E + Se group mice received injections of 7,12-DMBA + vit E + Se (20 mg/kg + 90 mg/kg + 1.8 microg/kg). In the melatonin group, mice were given injections of 7,12-DMBA + melatonin (20 mg/kg + 4.2 mg/kg). The experiment lasted for 21 days. Mice were killed and the kidneys were taken for enzyme analyses and histologic examination. Catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were found significantly decreased in the DMBA group and in the DMBA + vit E + Se group when compared with the control group (P < 0.05), whereas CAT and GSH-Px activities were found significantly elevated in the DMBA + melatonin group when compared with the control (P < 0.05) and the DMBA group (P < 0.01). Exposure to DMBA resulted in tubular alterations in renal cortex. Morphometric analysis revealed proximal and distal tubular damage (P < 0.05). These alterations were found to be prevented by melatonin but not with vit E + Se administration. These results reveal that melatonin stimulates CAT and GSH-Px activities and prevents renal injury better than vit E + Se combination in mice kidneys.

The aim of the study was to describe the recent trends in antiretroviral treatment in late pregnancy and the sociodemographic changes among pregnant women with HIV over the last 6 years. Data from the National Program on Surveillance on Antiretroviral Treatment in Pregnancy in Italy were grouped per calendar year, and changes in antiretroviral treatment, population characteristics, maternal immunovirologic status and newborn clinical parameters were analyzed. A total of 981 HIV-infected mothers who delivered between 2002 and 2008 were evaluated. The proportion of women receiving at least three antiretroviral drugs at delivery increased significantly from 63.0% in 2002 to 95.5% in 2007-2008, paralleled by a similar upward trend in the proportion of women who achieved complete viral suppression at third trimester (from 37.3 in 2002 to 80.9 in 2007-2008; p < 0.001). The co-formulation of zidovudine plus lamivudine remained the most common nucleoside backbone in pregnancy, even if a significant increase in the use of tenofovir plus emtricitabine was observed in more recent years. Starting from 2003, nevirapine prescription declined, paralleled by a significant rise in the use of protease inhibitors (PI), which were present in more than 60% of regimens administered in 2007-2008. Nelfinavir was progressively replaced by ritonavir-boosted PIs, mainly lopinavir. No significant changes in preterm delivery, Apgar score, birth weight, and birth defects were observed during the study period, and the rate of HIV transmission remained below 2%. These data demonstrate a significant evolution in the treatment of HIV in pregnancy. Constant improvements in the rates of HIV suppression were observed, probably driven by the adoption of stronger and more effective regimens and by the increasing options available for combination treatment

In this study, the antiproliferative effects of the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (arimidex®) was evaluated on estrogen receptor (ER) positive FM3A cell line originated from C3H mouse mammary carcinoma.For this purpose cell kinetic parameters including viability analysis, mitotic index and labelling index were used. Three different doses of anostrozole (D1= 0.01 μM, D2= 0.1μM, D3= 1μM) were applied to cells for 24 h to determine the most effective dose. A dose of 1μM dose was determined as the most effective and this was used in all subsequent applications for 0-72 h.The results showed that there was a significant decrease in viability, mitotic index and labelling index for all experimental groups. The differences between control and all experimental groups were statistically significant (p0.01) for all applications.Anastrozole offers a promising treatment modality in estrogen sensitive breast cancer.

WOS: A1996UX54000012 PubMed: 8828970 …

To compare serum vitamin D levels and bone mineral density (BMD) values in patients with fibromyalgia and healthy controls.The so far available reports of low levels of vitamin D and low BMD values in patients with fibromyalgia are inconsistent.Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels and BMD values were measured in thirty women with fibromyalgia and compared with thirty age-matched healthy women. Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were also measured. All participants completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS). Pain severity was assessed with visual analog scale (VAS).Mean serum 25-OHD levels did not differ between the groups (fibromyalgia 10.57 +/- 10.46, controls 10.87 +/- 5.52 ng/l; p=0.89); nor did the frequency of vitamin D deficiency (25-OHDor = 20 ng/l) in each group (fibromyalgia 86.7%, controls 96.7%; p=0.353). Although, mean serum PTH level was found significantly higher in fibromyalgic patients than in controls (p=0.014), only one patient and two of controls had barely elevated PTH levels. There was no relationship between vitamin D level and FIQ score (p=0.707) or HADS (p=0.824) or pain VAS (p=0.414). BMD values in the patients with fibromyalgia were comparable to those in controls at both, the lumbar spine (p=0.866) and femur neck (p=0.61).Neither vitamin D levels nor BMD values are different between women with and without fibromyalgia. In this cross-sectional study, mean serum PTH level was found higher in the fibromyalgic patients than in controls. Nevertheless, in order to confirm the findings of this preliminary study it is still necessary to perform a controlled longitudinal study (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 35). Full Text in free PDF www.bmj.sk.

Fetal hypoxia and acidemia have been reported in pregestational diabetic pregnancies in relation to poor glycaemic control, but it is still uncertain whether this is the case in apparently well-controlled gestational diabetes.Maternal arterial and umbilical venous and arterial blood samples were collected from 37 normal (N) and 38 pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes (GDM) at the time of caesarean section.Respiratory gases, acid-base balance, lactate and glucose concentrations were measured.Both fetal and placental weights were significantly increased in GDM compared to N pregnancies, despite similar gestational age. Maternal biochemical parameters were similar in N and GDM but GDM fetuses were significantly more hypoxic (O2 saturation: N 63.2+/-13.9; GDM 53.8+/-14.6%, P0.01; O2 content: N 5.5+/-1.4; GDM 4.8+/-1.2 mmol/l, P0.05). Glucose (N 3.4+/-0.5, GDM 3.9+/-1.2 mmol/l, P0.05) and lactate (N 1.32+/-0.49; GDM 1.64+/-0.75 mmol/l, P0.05) concentrations were significantly increased in the umbilical vein in GDM compared to N fetuses. Placental histology was consistent with altered villous morphology.Our data indicate that fetuses from gestational diabetic mothers have increased umbilical glucose concentrations despite normal maternal glucose levels and a reduction in oxygen saturation and O2 content together with increased lactate concentration, reflecting altered fetal metabolism. These data suggest that 'good maternal metabolic control' achieved by currently used methods of monitoring glucose control is not sufficient to ensure a normal oxygenation status and metabolic milieu for the fetus in GDM pregnancies.

Background: The antioxidant status of the tissue affected by ischemia-reperfusion is of great importance for the primary endogenous defense against the free-radical-induced injury. Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the activities of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD)[, ]glutathione peroxidase (GPX)[, ]and catalase (CAT)] in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and severity of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in newborns. Methods: Thirty full-term asphyxiated infants (gestational age >37 weeks) and 11 full-term infants (none of whom showed any signs of asphyxia) were included in this study. Activities of SOD, GPX, and CAT in CSF were measured within the first 72 h of life in infants with HIE and controls. Results: Activity of SOD in CSF was significantly higher in infants with HIE compared with controls (p 0.05). The activities of GPX and CAT were significantly increased in severe HIE as compared with mild HIE and controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Both the duration of the hypoxic-ischemic insult and the severity of HIE modulate elevations of enzymatic activity as an adaptive response to excessive free radical production in CSF in newborn infants with HIE. The activities of antioxidant enzyme alterations in CSF correspond highly to the severity of HIE, and these patterns may be useful for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (7,12-DMBA) is a member of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with a severe carcinogenic effect. In this study, nitrate levels and ADA (Adenosine deaminase) activity in the liver homogenates of mice were measured and the effect of free radicals induced by 7,12-DMBA on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and ADA activity were investigated. Antioxidant effects of melatonin were also compared. Three groups of mice were included in the study. The first served as control, the second was treated only with 7,12-DMBA and the third was treated with 7,12-DMBA + melatonin. Spectrophotometric methods were used at all measurements. Data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis Variance Analysis Test and Mann–Whitney U Test that were applied to the groups. The nitrate concentrations of mouse liver were as follows: 4.98 ± 0.63 μmol/L in the control group (n = 10), 8.23 ± 1.58 μmol/L (higher than control group, p < 0.05) in the 7,12-DMBA-treated group (n = 10), and 6.43 ± 0.57 μmol/L (lower than 7,12-DMBA-treated group, p < 0.05) in the 7,12-DMBA + melatonin-treated group (n = 10). Liver ADA activities were measured to be 4.14 ± 0.674 U/L in the control group, 6.25 ± 1.261 U/L (higher than control group, p < 0.05) in the 7,12-DMBA-treated group, and 4.93 ± 0.916 U/L (lower than 7,12-DMBA-treated group, p < 0.05) in the 7,12-DMBA+melatonin-treated group. Differences between free nitrite levels were no significantly. Results demonstrated that nitrate levels and ADA activities were increased by means of free radicals induced by 7,12-DMBA. Melatonin inhibited the 7,12-DMBA induced increase that was observed in the activities of ADA enzyme and nitrate levels. It is concluded that determination of ADA activity and nitrate levels can be useful in the assesment of liver damage caused by toxic chemicals. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 16:260–262, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10041

An increased QT dispersion (QTd) is associated with a variety of cardiac diseases and predicts sudden death. Although chronic renal failure patients and patients on hemodialysis are shown to have an increased QTd, evidence of increased QTd in renal transplant patients is scarce. In this study, renal transplant patients were evaluated to find out if they had an increased QTd. Thirty-four renal transplant recipients aged 35 +/- 8 years and 34 healthy control subjects aged 34 +/- 8 years were included in the study. The mean time after transplantation was 51.8 +/- 40.4 (range 5-154) months. The QT interval was measured by 12-lead electrocardiogram, and the QTd was defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum QT interval. Bazett's formula was used to correct for the heart rate (QTc). Both QTd and QTc dispersion (QTcd) in renal transplant patients were compared with those of control subjects. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiographic assessment and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Renal transplant recipients had similar QTd (37 +/- 15 vs. 39 +/- 17 ms) and QTcd (50 +/- 18 vs. 55 +/- 20 ms) compared to control subjects. QTd and QTcd were similar in patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy (QTd 37 +/- 14 vs. 36 +/- 17 ms and QTcd 50 +/- 14 vs. 49 +/- 21 ms, respectively). No association was found between QTd and left ventricular mass index or blood pressure measurements. The QTd was not found to be increased in renal transplant recipients as compared with that of healthy controls in this study. Normalization of the QTd after renal transplantation may be through the correction of several factors responsible for increased QTd in uremic patients.

TT virus (TTV) has recently been identified in patients with post-transfusion non-A, non-G hepatitis. It is reported to be common in patients with a variety of liver diseases and with history of transfusion. Its pathogenesis in chronic liver diseases remains unclear. In this study, we have determined the prevalence of TTV in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) population and related its prevalence with history of previous hemodialysis, transfusion, HCV positivity and serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT) levels. TTV was detected in 44% of 63 CAPD patients and 30% of 43 healthy controls (p = 0.15). Frequency of TTV was similar in previously hemodialysed and never hemodialysed (8/14, 57% vs. 20/40, 41%, p = 0.15) and previously transfused and non-transfused (7/19, 37% vs. 15/44, 34%) CAPD patients. Prevalence of TTV was also similar in HCV(+) and HCV(–) patients. Serum ALT levels were 19 ± 16 and 20 ± 12 U/l in TTV(+) and TTV(–) patients, respectively. These results indicate that prevalence of TTV in a CAPD population is similar to healthy controls, and other routes of transmission in addition to parenteral routes might be involved in the transmission of TTV.

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is characterized by the failure of the fetus to grow at a normal rate in utero and is associated with a number of endocrine and metabolic changes. Our knowledge of the placental nutrient supply and the endocrine status of the fetal-placental unit during pregnancies involving IUGR has greatly increased over the past decade as a result of the availability of fetal blood samples obtained under relatively steady state conditions. These studies have provided evidence that the supply of glucose is impaired only under severe conditions, whereas placental transfer of amino acids is reduced even in fetuses with normal oxygenation and feto-placental blood flow. Moreover, significant in utero relationships have been reported between fetal weight and circulating levels of growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-I and leptin. When measured per kg fetal weight, however, levels of leptin are significantly higher in growth-retarded fetuses, with abnormal feto-placental blood flow and reduced oxygen content. The metabolic and endocrine changes observed should be interpreted in relation to the severity of the disease.

Late fetal loss can be associated with placental insufficiency and coagulation defects. Thrombomodulin (TM) and the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) are glycoprotein receptors expressed mainly on the endothelial surface of blood vessels and also in the placenta; they both play a key physiological role in the protein C anticoagulant pathway. Defects in these proteins might play an important role in the pathogenesis of late fetal loss. We performed a case-control study in 95 women with unexplained late fetal loss (20 weeks), to elucidate whether TM or EPCR gene mutations were associated with an increased risk for this complication of pregnancy. The control group comprised 236 women who gave birth to at least one healthy baby and had no history of late fetal death or obstetrical complications. The entire TM and EPCR genes, including the promoter region, were screened. In total, five mutations were identified in the TM gene in 95 patients and three in 236 control subjects, and two mutations were identified in the EPCR gene in 95 patients and one in 236 control subjects. The relative risk for late fetal loss when having a mutation in the TM or EPCR gene was estimated by an odds ratio of 4.0 (95% CI 1.1-14.9). In conclusion, identified mutations in the TM and EPCR genes of women with unexplained fetal loss are more prevalent compared with women with no obstetrical complications.

A review is provided on the use of fetal blood sampling during pregnancy. Informations on the technique, its indications, risks and benefits are provided. In addition, the application of fetal blood sampling in cases of intrauterine growth retardation as well as some metabolic features of intrauterine life are discussed.

We investigated the duration of fetal electrocardiographic events during normal pregnancies and during pregnancies with fetal abnormalities. The fetal abdominal signal was processed and enhanced by means of the averaging technique after removing the maternal complex. In normal pregnancies P wave and QRS complex duration increases progressively from the 17th week up to the term: this increase parallels the gain in weight of the fetal heart and particularly of the ventricular mass. These results indicated that the duration of fetal complexes could be used as an index of the size, development and maturity of the fetal heart. When fetal growth retardation (FGR) is present, the weight of the fetal heart is significantly reduced, and is reflected in a decrease in QRS duration. In a series of 107 cases the sensitivity of this parameter in detecting FGR was 81% and the specificity 93%. Moreover no perinatal death nor Apgar values below 7 occurred in growth retarded fetuses with normal QRS duration, while in the group with shortened QRS neonatal deaths were 11% and Apgar scores below 7 26%. Abdominal FECG do provide important auxiliary information for prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defects (CHD). Anomalies with abnormal atrioventricular connection were reflected in longer PR interval. Ventricular hypertrophia and hypoplasia were associated with increased or decreased QRS duration, respectively. Furthermore, the three fetuses which developed congestive heart failure showed prolonged QRS duration. In severe RH disease, chronic fetal anemia can lead to myocardial hypertrophy and cardiac enlargement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Background The aim of this study was to explore the oral hygiene practices and oral health status of Italian postpartum women. Methods A self-administered questionnaire assessed socio-demographic information, oral hygiene habits and frequency of dental visits. All women received a thorough oral examination within five days after delivery. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for exposures of interest and the presence of ‘severe’ periodontitis. Results Seven hundred and fifty women participated in the study; 99.1% brushed their teeth everyday and 59.9% visited the dentist annually. The mean frequency of sites with bleeding on probing was 16.1% and the median clinical attachment level was 2.1 mm. The mean caries experience score (DMFT) was 8. Severe periodontal disease was present in 21.9% of individuals. Patients who reported visiting a dentist only when in pain and women with three dental caries or more were significantly more likely to have periodontitis (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.2; p

In the last 2 decades, a large proportion of studies have focused on the relationship between maternal periodontal disease and poor obstetric outcomes. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge about human studies on the pathogenetic mechanisms linking periodontal diseases with adverse pregnancy outcomes. A search of the medical literature was conducted using NIH (National Institute of Health) Pubmed through April 2011. Articles were identified with the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) and free text terms "small for gestational age (SGA)," "preeclampsia," "preterm labor," and "periodontal disease." Experimental human studies have shown that periodontal pathogens may disseminate toward placental and fetal tissues accompanied by an increase in inflammatory mediators in the placenta. As such, new inflammatory reactions within the placental tissues of the pregnant woman may occur, the physiological levels of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the amniotic fluid may increase and eventually lead to premature delivery. Although many data from clinical trials suggest that periodontal disease may increase the adverse pregnancy outcome, the exact pathogenetic mechanism involved remains controversial. The findings explain the potential link between periodontal infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes. First, periodontal bacteria can directly cause infections both of the uteroplacenta and the fetus; second, systemic inflammatory changes induced by periodontal diseases can activate responses at the maternal-fetal interface. Of note, associative studies have produced different results in different population groups and no conclusive evidence has still been produced for the potential role of preventive periodontal care to reduce the risk factors of preterm birth.

Objective(s): The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between periodontal health and pregnancy outcomes in a large cohort of Italian postpartum women. Methods: 750 postpartum women were enrolled in a case–control study within 5 days from delivery at three Italian obstetric clinics. Cases were defined as those mothers who delivered an infant weighing under 2500 g (LBW) and/or had premature delivery and/or delivered small for gestational age newborns (SGA) and/ or experienced preeclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension (PE/PIH) or preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) during pregnancy. All women received comprehensive oral and dental examination. Associations between adverse pregnancy outcome and exposures of interest were evaluated by the use of multivariate logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: There was no significant difference between cases and controls with respect to country of birth, age, place of residence, educational achievement, smoking, and periodontal status. By definition, infant birth weight [2,750 g (IQR = 2,300–3,200 g) and 3,275, (IQR = 3,010–3,538 g) p < 0.001, respectively] and gestational age at delivery [259 days (IQR = 245–273) and 273 days (IQR = 266–280), p < 0.01, respectively] were significantly lower in cases than in controls. In multivariate analyses, a borderline association was found between poor obstetric outcomes and current smokers (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 0.1–2.5). Finally, after adjusting for smoking status neither country of birth, nor age or place of residence or education or periodontitis were associated with a significantly increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. Conclusion(s): Our data failed to demonstrate the association between periodontitis and an adverse pregnancy outcome such as preterm birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and premature rupture of membranes.

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to describe oral hygiene practices and periodontal symptoms among postpartum women and to assess whether self-reported periodontal symptoms are correlated with a clinical diagnosis of periodontal disease. Methods A self-administered questionnaire was developed to assess socio-demographic information, oral hygiene habits and frequency of dental visits among a group of 409 postpartum women. Additional questions included information on self-reported periodontal symptoms. Pregnancy information was obtained from medical charts. Results 99.3% of the participants brushed their teeth every day; 46.2 and 53.8% reported teeth brushing once a day or more, respectively. Periodontal disease was present in 61.4% of women. Patients with gum swelling and tooth mobility were almost twice as likely to have a periodontal disease (OR 1.7, CI 95% 0.9–2.8 and OR 1.7, CI 95%: 0.8–3.5, respectively). No associations were found between periodontal disease, gum swelling PTB and/or LBW. Conclusions Maternal clinical periodontal disease at delivery was related with self-perceived gum swelling and tooth mobility. Dentists and prenatal medical care providers may have the opportunity to target pregnant women that might be at higher risk for periodontal disease by asking whether they have tooth mobility and/or swollen gums

WOS: 000364108900003, PubMed ID: 25243496, Aim. In children with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), the aim of present study was to determine the cerebral hemodynamic changes assessed with Doppler ultrasonography with measurements of lumen diameter (LD), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and total cerebral blood flow volume (tCBFV) of common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA, and vertebral artery (VA). Methods. This case-control study examined children with clinically defined CCHF as cases (N.=24) and healthy children as controls (N.=17). The CCHF and healthy children underwent ultrasonography of the CCA, ICA and VA for the measurements of flow velocity and cerebral blood flow volume. Doppler ultrasonography were performed in the CCHF children if vital signs were stable and fever lower than 37.5 degrees C. Results. There was no significant difference between the CCHF and healthy children in the lumen diameter of study arteries (P>0.05). PSV and EDV values were significantly higher in the CCHF children compared to the controls (P0.05). tCBFV values of CCHF children was found higher compared to healthy controls (P