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To evaluate fetal ventricular diastolic function in pregnancies of women with gestational diabetes (GD), to determine whether minimal anomalies of glucose metabolism may influence fetal cardiac function. Fetal ventricular filling time was measured by transabdominal ultrasound in singleton pregnancies between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. We used a measurement which consists in the ratio between the diastolic time and the whole cardiac cycle time. The study included 35 women with a GD and 217 non-diabetic. Right ventricular filling time (RVFT) was significantly lower in the GD group (mean of RVFT = 39.2 ± 4.4 vs 43.6 ± 4.6; p < 0.01). Likewise, left ventricular filling time (LVFT) was shorter in the GD group compared to the non-GD group, though the difference was not significant (mean of LVFT = 43.6 ± 4.6 vs 44.6 ± 5.5; p = 0.33). Fetal right cardiac function is altered also in pregnancies where gestational diabetes is well controlled.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we describe the management of women with gestational diabetes (GD) and an ongoing Sars-Cov-2 infection. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether the COVID-19 infection can further complicate pregnancies and thus if the protocol we usually use for GDM pregnancies is also applicable to patients who have contracted a Sars-Cov-2 infection. METHODS: This is a retrospective study analysing all pregnant women with gestational diabetes and a concomitant COVID-19 infection admitted to our Institution for antenatal care between March 1st and April 30th 2020. RESULTS: Among pregnant women with GD and a concomitant COVID-19 infection, the mean age was 32,9 (SD 5,6) years. Two patients (33%) were of Caucasian ethnicity while four (67%) were non-Caucasian. All patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the third trimester of pregnancy. Two women were asymptomatic while four were symptomatic. Only two patients (33,3%) received treatment with insulin. None of the patients required intensive care or mechanical ventilation. No complications were found among the newborns. CONCLUSION: the COVID-19 infection was not found to worsen the prognosis of GD patients or of their offspring. Glycaemic monitoring, diet therapy and insulin, when needed, are sufficient for a good metabolic control and a favourable maternal and fetal outcome.

Objectives: To analyze soluble Fms-like tyrosine Kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) ratio concentrations in COVID-19 pregnant patients with and without Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP), compared with non COVID-19 pregnant patients with HDP and a control group. Study design: We recruited and obtained a complete follow-up of 19 COVID-19 pregnant patients with HDP and of 24 COVID-19 normotensive pregnant patients. Demographic, clinical and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio findings were compared with a group of 185 non COVID-19 pregnant patients with HDP and 41 non COVID normotensive patients. Findings were based on univariate analysis and on a multivariate adjusted model, and a case by case analysis of COVID-19 pregnant patients with an abnormal sFlt-1/PlGF ratio > 38 at recruitment. Main outcome measures: sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. Results: We confirmed a significant higher prevalence of HDP in women affected by COVID-19 compared to control population. sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was found high in HDP patients, with and without of Sars-Cov2 infection. COVID-19 patients with worse evolution of the disease showed greater rates of obesity and other comorbidities. sFlt/PlGF ratio proved not to be helpful in the differential diagnosis of the severity of this infection. Conclusions: COVID-19 pregnant patients showed a higher prevalence of HDP compared to non COVID-19 controls, as well as higher comorbidity rates. In spite of the possible common endothelial target and damage, between Sars-Cov-2 infection and HDP, the sFlt1/PlGF ratio did not correlate with the severity of this syndrome.

INTRODUCTION The objective of the present study is to compare the sonographic measurement of subcutaneous adipose thickness and visceral adipose thickness during 1st trimester screening for aneuploidies between non-diabetic pregnant women and patients who develop 1st trimester or 2nd trimester gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). MATERIAL AND METHODS Adipose thickness was measured by transabdominal ultrasound imaging in pregnant women attending our clinic for screening for fetal aneuploidies between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation. During the 1st trimester all patients were evaluated for fasting glycemia in accordance with the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) recommendations. Patients with confirmed fasting glycemia (FPG) ≥92 mg/dL were diagnosed as 1st trimester GDM. Patients with FPG

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GD) is characterized by glycemic and lipid metabolism alterations in an environment of low-grade inflammation. Our trial aimed to assess the effect of nutraceutical supplements (omega-3 fatty acids, anthocyanins, and alpha-cyclodextrins) in GD patients and evaluate the role of anthropometric, metabolic, and inflammatory parameters as biomarkers to identify subjects who require pharmacological hypoglycemic treatment during gestation. Pregnant women with GD at 24–28 weeks of gestation were enrolled in a double-blind trial and randomized to receive either nutraceutical supplements or a placebo for 12 weeks. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in blood and urine measurements of metabolic, inflammatory, and antioxidant parameters. In the whole cohort, pre-pregnancy BMI and anthropometric measurements were significantly different in patients who required pharmacological intervention. These patients showed higher triglycerides, CRP, and insulin levels and gave birth to newborns with significantly higher weights. Subjects with a greater AA/EPA ratio had higher PAF levels and gave birth four days earlier. In conclusion, one-to-one nutritional coaching and poor compliance with nutraceutical supplementation might have outweighed the impact of this intervention. However, triglyceride concentration and the AA/EPA ratio seems to be a biomarker for higher inflammatory levels and GD candidates for pharmacological treatment. An adequate assumption of omega-3 in women with GD, either by a controlled diet or by nutraceutical supplementation, reduces the need for pharmacological therapy.

Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome is a rare genetic multisystem disorder with an estimated prevalence between 1 per 100,000–125,000 live births. Diagnosis is usually clinical and subsequent to birth. In fact, the rarity of the syndrome and the presence of aspecific morphologic anomalies make prenatal diagnosis challenging. The aim of our work is to analyze ultrasonographic findings, detectable with a combination of 2D and 3D techniques, which may increase the sensitivity of in utero diagnosis of this condition. We report a case of a sonographic prenatal diagnosis of broad and angulated thumbs and halluces and of an abnormal ductus venosus at 21 weeks of gestational age. These findings allowed us to suspect Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome. An accurate ultrasonographic examination may allow a prenatal diagnosis of those syndromes which are usually diagnosed after birth.

Background: In gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pancreatic &beta, cell breakdown can result from a proinflammatory imbalance created by a sustained level of cytokines. In this study, we investigated the role of specific cytokines, such as B-cell activating factor (BAFF), tumor necrosis factor &alpha, (TNF-&alpha, ), and platelet-activating factor (PAF), together with methylglyoxal (MGO) and glycated albumin (GA) in pregnant women affected by GDM. Methods: We enrolled 30 women whose inflammation and metabolic markers were measured at recruitment and after 12 weeks of strict dietetic therapy. We compared these data to the data obtained from 53 randomly selected healthy nonpregnant subjects without diabetes, hyperglycemia, or any condition that can affect glycemic metabolism. Results: In pregnant women affected by GDM, PAF levels increased from 26.3 (17.4&ndash, 47.5) ng/mL to 40.1 (30.5&ndash, 80.5) ng/mL (p &lt, 0.001). Their TNF-&alpha, levels increased from 3.0 (2.8&ndash, 3.5) pg/mL to 3.4 (3.1&ndash, 5.8) pg/mL (p &lt, 0.001). The levels of methylglyoxal were significantly higher in the women with GDM (p &lt, 0.001), both at diagnosis and after 12 weeks (0.64 (0.46&ndash, 0.90) &mu, g/mL, 0.71 (0.47&ndash, 0.93) &mu, g/mL, respectively) compared to general population (0.25 (0.19&ndash, 0.28) &mu, g/mL). Levels of glycated albumin were significantly higher in women with GDM (p &lt, 0.001) only after 12 weeks from diagnosis (1.51 (0.88&ndash, 2.03) nmol/mL) compared to general population (0.95 (0.63&ndash, 1.4) nmol/mL). Conclusion: These findings support the involvement of new inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers in the mechanisms related to GDM complications and prompt deeper exploration into the vicious cycle connecting inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic results.