Preconception Thyrotropin Levels and Thyroid Function at Early Gestation in Women With Hashimoto Thyroiditis.

Context: Preconception optimization of thyroid function in women with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is highly recommended to prevent/reduce the risk of thyroid insufficiency at early gestation.

Objective: This work aimed to evaluate the prevalence of first-trimester thyroid insufficiency in HT women with preconception thyrotropin (T0-TSH) values consistently less than or equal to 2.5 mIU/L with or without levothyroxine (LT4) treatment, and to calculate T0-TSH cutoffs that best preconceptionally identified HT women requiring first-trimester LT4 adjustment/prescription.

Prenatally diagnosed fetal tumors of the head and neck: a systematic review with antenatal and postnatal outcomes over the past 20 years.

Aim: The aim of this study was to review prenatally diagnosed tumors of the head and neck in the fetus and to report antenatal and postnatal outcomes.

Methods: PubMed/Medline, EMBASE/SCOPUS, Cochrane database and Google Scholar were reviewed over the last 20 years. No language or article type restriction was used.

Prenatal diagnosis of gastric and small bowel atresia: a case series and review of the literature.

Objective: To describe seven cases of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) obstructions and to report a skewed review of the literature.

Methods: We performed a search of our permanent perinatal database about cases with prenatal ultrasound and MRI diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract obstructions between 2006 and 2013. All cases were followed until hospital discharge and pre-natal diagnosis were confirmed by fetal MRI, postnatal imaging and/or intra-operative findings.

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.

Prenatal Diagnosis of a Fetus with de novo Supernumerary Ring Chromosome 16 Characterized by Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization.

A fetus with de novo ring chromosome 16 is presented. At 20 weeks' gestation, ultrasound examination demonstrated bilateral clubfoot, bilateral renal pyelectasis, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, and transposition of the great vessel. Amniocentesis was performed.

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.

Nonvisualization of fetal gallbladder: a case report and review of the literature.

Failure to visualize prenatally the gallbladder at ultrasound scan may indicate different fetal malformations with a highly variable prognosis, but also a simple anatomic variable. An adequate prenatal management could help in defining diagnosis and prognosis.

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.

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.

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.