Evaluation of Maternal-Fetal Outcomes After Emergency Vaginal Cerclage Performed With Shirodkar-McDonald Combined Modified Technique.

Background: Several techniques of emergency vaginal cerclage have been proposed in case of unexpected and abrupt cervical incompetence (CI), in order to prolong the pregnancy as much as possible and to reduce the adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of emergency cervical cerclage, performed with the combined modified Shirodkar-McDonald technique.

Methods: We selected 12 cases of emergency vaginal cerclage, performed between January 1, 2008 and June 30, 2013.

3D sonohysterography vs hysteroscopy: a cross-sectional study for the evaluation of endouterine diseases.

Purpose: To assess the concordance between the presumed diagnosis obtained with the 3D sonohysterography (SHG) and with the diagnostic hysteroscopy (HYS); to determine whether the 3D SHG has the accuracy needed to be considered as a diagnostic screening standard in cases of suspected endouterine pathology.

Methods: We selected 224 patients who voluntarily decided to undergo 3D SHG from a population with suspected presence of endouterine disease at TVS. The patients underwent first 3D SHG and then diagnostic HYS.

Sjögren's syndrome associated with antiphospholipid syndrome and fetal myocardial echogenicity: case report.

Introduction: Sjögren's syndrome is a rare systemic autoimmune disorder associated with pregnancy (0.3-0.6%).

An unusual form of mirror syndrome: a case report.

Aim: Mirror syndrome is a triad consisting of fetal hydrops, maternal edema and placentomegaly. Its pathogenesis is unclear and it is frequently mistaken for preeclampsia, even though distinguishing features can be identified. It is associated with an increase in fetal mortality and maternal morbility.

The influence of planned kinds of delivery on pregnant women's emotional state.

Objective: To evaluate if labour induction and elective caesarean section could influence anxiety and depression in pregnant women.

Methods: One hundred and sixteen consecutive pregnant women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at term, scheduled for these two obstetric procedures were enrolled. An anonymous questionnaire with two self-rating instruments STAI and HAM-A for anxiety and HAM-D for depression was administered.

Maternal thyroid function in different conditions of iodine nutrition in pregnant women exposed to mild-moderate iodine deficiency: an observational study.

Objective: We examined the effect of different conditions of nutritional iodine intake on maternal thyroid function throughout gestation in a cohort of healthy, anti-thyroid antibody-negative women from a mild-moderately iodine-deficient (ID) area.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Patients: The study included 168 women receiving prenatal preparations containing 150 μg of iodine from early pregnancy (150-I group); 105 women who had regularly used (>2 years) iodized salt prior to becoming pregnant (I-salt group); 160 women neither taking iodine supplements nor using iodized salt (no-I group).

The effect of vaginally administered genistein in comparison with hyaluronic acid on atrophic epithelium in postmenopause.

Purpose: The quality of life in postmenopause is seriously affected by the symptoms related to vaginal atrophy. To evaluate in a 3-month, prospective, randomized, double blind, study whether vaginal suppositories containing genistein might improve genital symptoms, colposcopical and cytologic findings or modify DNA cytometric features in postmenopausal women affected by vaginal atrophy, in comparison with vaginal suppositories containing hyaluronic acid (HA).

Methods: A total of 62 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive intravaginally 97 μg of genistein (group A, n = 31) or 5 mg of HA (group B, n = 31) daily for 15 days continuously/month for 3 months.

Thyroid function in women found to have early pregnancy loss.

Background: Pregnancy influences thyroid function and may bring to light mild and latent disorders. Thyroid dysfunction has been related to obstetrical complications such as premature delivery, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and placental abruption. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the occurrence and timing of pregnancy loss could be related to thyroid autoimmunity or subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) per se.

Wound length and corticosteroid administration as risk factors for surgical-site complications following cesarean section.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of some specific gestational factors and other known variables associated with poor wound healing in women who delivered by cesarean section.

Design: Observational, prospective study.

Setting: University Hospital of Messina.

General versus spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean sections: effects on neonatal short-term outcome. A prospective randomised study.

Objective: To compare neonatal short-term outcome in patients who underwent spinal, general anaesthesia and conversion from spinal to general anaesthesia.

Methods: One hundred seventy-nine pregnant women undergoing elective caesarean section were allocated randomly to general (n=89) or spinal anaesthesia (n=90) and compared with 63 patients who required conversion to general anaesthesia. Umbilical cord artery pH, Apgar score as well as its individual parameter and need for assisted ventilation were evaluated.

Gestational thyroid function abnormalities in conditions of mild iodine deficiency: early screening versus continuous monitoring of maternal thyroid status.

Objective: To longitudinally evaluate the timing of maternal thyroid underfunction occurrence in mildly iodine-deficient (ID) pregnant women, and ultimately assess the benefit of thyroid function testing at early gestation only in identifying maternal thyroid underfunction.

Participants/methods: Serum free-thyroxine and TSH were measured in 220 consecutive women once in early pregnancy (by week 12) and twice per trimester subsequently. Anti-thyroperoxidase and anti-thyroglobulin were also determined at initial and final observation.

Emotional state and dreams in pregnant women.

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of recall and the content of dreams during pregnancy, as well as their correlation with socio-demographic, obstetric and physician-patients relationship variables, emotional state and duration of labour. A questionnaire, designed to analyse background characteristics, was given to 290 women in the third trimester of gestation. The psychiatric analysis of anxiety and depression was performed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, while dreams were divided into masochistic and pleasant according to Beck's criteria.

Prenatal identification of isolated bilateral radial dysplasia.

Radial aplasia or hypoplasia is characterized by complete or partial absence of the radius and/or radial ray structure occurring in 1:30,000 live births. It may be unilateral or bilateral of varying severity, and may be isolated or associated with other anomalies. We report an unusual case of isolated radial aplasia at 20 weeks' gestation with complete absence of the right radius and thumb associated with marked hypoplasia of the left radius.

Effects of antepartum electronic fetal monitoring on maternal emotional state.

Background: To evaluate the emotional state of pregnant women undergoing computerised cardiotocography (cCTG).

Methods: A questionnaire including questions about socio-demographic background, personal obstetric history and physician-patient relationship was given to 204 pregnant women about to undergo cCTG. The Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess patients' mood state before CTG, while the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to evaluate anxiety levels before and after this examination.

Cesarean section on demand: are there differences related to obstetricians' gender?

To assess possible differences related to the physicians' gender, in the motivations for a cesarean section on demand, an anonymous questionnaire was sent to 60 male and 60 female obstetricians. Maternal emotional motivations, role of relatives, influence of instrumental examinations and personal attitude towards fulfilling maternal choice were analysed. Among emotional motivations, a previous negative perinatal experience and the fear of childbirth were more frequently reported by males (96.

Women's preference on mode of delivery in Southern Italy.

Background: Rates of cesarean section are rising worldwide and maternal requests for this kind of delivery contribute to the increase in this trend. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors influencing maternal demand in our region and the profile of women preferring this mode of delivery.

Methods: Six obstetricians (3 male and 3 female) were asked to give out a questionnaire to their patients with an uncomplicated pregnancy.