The nomogram of prenasal thickness and nasal bone ratio and its relationship with nuchal fold in second-trimester fetal ultrasound.

Aim: We aimed to define the normal values of second-trimester fetal prenasal thickness and nasal bone length ratio (PNT/NBL) in a low-risk Turkish population and investigate the relationship between the increased PNT and nuchal fold (NF).

Method: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 650 cases considered to be euploid fetuses who presented to our clinic between December 2013 and September 2014 for a second-line ultrasound between 17 and 24 weeks. Their PNT, NBL, NF and biometric (BPD, HC, AC, FL and HL) measurements were recorded.

Is the presence of corpus callosum predictable in the first trimester?

Corpus callosum agenesis (CCA) is a clinical condition accompanied by various aneuploidy and genetic syndromes. We identified the development of the corpus callosum (CC) in 278 patients before 18 weeks of gestational age by visualising the pericallosal artery (PCA) in the callosal sulcus and changes in the lengths and ratios of the midbrain (MB) and falx (F), which suggested elevation of the third ventricle and thalamus due to CCA in the first trimester. We succeeded in visualising the path of the PCA in 273 patients.

Is primiparity a risk factor for advanced maternal age pregnancies?

Objective: Currently, more women are delaying childbearing until their 40s.This study compared the pregnancy and maternal features, pregnancy and foetal outcomes between multiparous and primiparous patients. We compared the same factors between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and non-ART primiparous patients because of the high proportion of ART used in the primiparous patients.

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided local methotrexate administration as the first-line treatment for cesarean scar pregnancy: Follow-up of 18 cases.

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs in previous cesarean section scar tissue, with an incidence of 1 in 1800-3000 pregnancies. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided local methotrexate (MTX) administration presents as a non-systemic option with possible better penetration to the pregnancy site. We present the management of 18 patients with CSP solely by transvaginal ultrasound-guided local MTX administration.

The impact of sweeping the membranes on cervical length and labor: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate to what extent sweeping of the membranes contributes to cervical shortening and if cervical shortening is related to the time to onset of labor and duration of the active phase of labor

Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was performed at Baskent University between February and March 2011. Women were randomly assigned to receive membrane sweeping (Sweeping Group) (n = 69) or no membrane sweeping (Control Group) (n = 71). Cervical length was measured (cervix1) in both groups by examiner 1 and the Bishop Score was determined in the control group and sweeping was performed in the sweeping group by examiner 2.

Prophylactic red blood cell exchange may be beneficial in the management of sickle cell disease in pregnancy.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with chronic hemolysis and painful episodes. Pregnancy accelerates sickle cell complications, including prepartum and postpartum vasoocclusive crisis, pulmonary complications, and preeclampsia or eclampsia. Fetal complications include preterm birth and its associated risks, intrauterine growth restriction, and a high rate of perinatal mortality.

Does bleeding affect fetal Doppler parameters during genetic amniocentesis?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fetal Doppler parameters and bleeding at insertion points during amniocentesis.

Material And Methods: This prospective study was conducted between July 2010 and February 2011. A total of 215 amniocentesis procedures were performed during this period.

Comparison of intrathecal levobupivacaine combined with sufentanil, fentanyl, or placebo for elective caesarean section: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study.

Background: The addition of opioids to local anesthetics contributes to the quality of spinal anesthesia and postoperative analgesia.

Objective: In our prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study, our aim was to compare the effect of low-dose sufentanil plus levobupivacaine or a fentanyl plus levobupivacaine mixture on anesthesia quality, block characteristics, newborn and mother well-being, surgeon satisfaction, and duration of postoperative analgesia.

Methods: Ninety-three patients were randomized into 3 groups (n = 31).

Obstetrical complications associated with first-trimester screening markers in twin pregnancies.

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the relation between perinatal complications in twin pregnancies and the combination of first-trimester maternal serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) levels.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted at the Perinatology Department of Baskent University between January 2005 and December 2011. In total, 104 patients with twin pregnancies were recruited.

First trimester maternal lipid levels and serum markers of small- and large-for-gestational age infants.

Objective: To investigate if first trimester lipids, sonographic parameters and serum markers are related to small- and large-for-gestational age (SGA, LGA) infants.

Methods: This study was conducted at Baskent University Adana Research Center between December 2009 and July 2011 and enrolled 433 women. Blood samples were drawn to measure fasting blood glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, fβ-hCG and pregnancy associated protein-A (PAPP-A) at the first trimester.

Fetal axillary cystic hygroma: a novel association with triple X syndrome.

Background: Triple X syndrome is a relatively common sex chromosomal aneuploidy with an estimated incidence of one in every 1000 female births. There is considerable diversity in phenotypes among patients with triple X syndrome. Triple X syndrome has been shown to have associated abnormalities, with genitourinary malformations being the most consistent.

Do intrauterine growth restricted fetuses of the hypertensive and normotensive mothers differ from each other?

Purpose: To investigate if normotensive and hypertensive patients with intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses were different with respect to maternal and fetal characteristics and Doppler flow.

Methods: The records of patients with IUGR fetuses who had to be delivered before 34th gestational week because of fetal distress were examined. Early Doppler abnormalities were defined as increased umbilical artery resistance and redistribution of blood flow in the middle cerebral artery while late Doppler abnormalities were defined as the absence or reversal of umbilical artery blood flow and Doppler flow changes in venous Doppler.

Transient hydrops fetalis in a prenatally diagnosed pentasomy X?

Numerical abnormalities of sex chromosomes are seen approximately 1 in 400 live births. Pentasomy X is a very rare chromosomal abnormality and it is defined as presence of five X chromosomes instead of two. Prenatal sonographic features have rarely been described in the literature before.

Can the 50-g glucose challenge test be important for subsequent pregnancies?

Aim: Our aim in this study was to examine the risk factors associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in women who did not have GDM during a previous pregnancy.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the charts of all pregnant women who delivered two pregnancies between January 2000 and June 2010. Group 1 consisted of patients with gestational diabetes and Group 2 served as the control.

Comparison of uterine artery Doppler in pregnant women with thrombophilia treated by LMWHs and without thrombophilia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to use uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography to investigate the cases of women with thrombophilia who used LMWH during the 18-22-week period of gestation.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at our university between January 2005 and July 2010. 64 patients were treated with low-dose LMWHs (enoxaparine 40 mg) from the beginning of pregnancy until 36 weeks of gestation.

Prenatal diagnosis of right diaphragmatic eventration associated with fetal hydrops.

Congenital diaphragmatic eventration (CDE) is a rare diaphragmatic abnormality. Clinical manifestations of CDE may mimic congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Prenatal differential diagnosis of eventration is critical because postnatal managing and prognosis of these conditions vary significantly.

Joubert syndrome and related disorders, prenatal diagnosis with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.

Joubert syndrome (JBTS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by intellectual disability, hypotonia, ataxia, tachypnea/apnea, and abnormal eye movements. A pathognomonic midbrain-hindbrain malformation seen on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which consists of hypoplasia of the midline cerebellar vermis that resembles the cross-section through a molar tooth, has been described previously. The molar tooth sign is defined by a peculiar appearance resembling a molar tooth secondary to an abnormally deep interpeduncular fossa and enlarged superior cerebellar peduncles on axial images at the pontomesencephalic level.

Pregnancy-related peritoneal ectopic decidua (deciduosis): morphological and clinical evaluation.

Objective: Ectopic decidual reaction (deciduosis) can be seen rarely on the peritoneum during laparotomy for a cesarean section for pregnancy, in addition to the ovary and cervix. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical characteristics of ectopic decidua cases that were incidentally found in the peritoneum during a cesarean section.

Material And Method: A total of seven cases where decidualization was found in the peritoneal biopsy taken during pregnancy at the Baskent University Medical Faculty Adana Teaching and Training Hospital Department of Pathology were included in this study.

A pericardial hydatid cyst and pregnancy.

A cardiac hydatid cyst in pregnancy is a very rare condition. Surgical intervention followed by medical therapy is the treatment of choice. A hydatid disease in pregnancy is challenging with a varied presentation and manifestation.

Isolated abnormal value during the 3-hour glucose tolerance test: which value is associated with macrosomia?

Objective: The aim of this retrospective review was to evaluate obstetric outcomes in patients with an isolated abnormal value on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 0, 1, 2, and 3 h.

Methods: From January 2003 through June 2009, all consecutive pregnant women who presented to Baskent University were screened for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Patients with one abnormal value based on findings of the OGTT were grouped according to increased levels of glucose at 0, 1, 2, and 3 h (Group 1  >  95 mg/dl for fasting glucose concentration, Group 2  >  180 mg/dl for the serum glucose concentration in the first hour, Group 3  >  155 mg/dl for the serum glucose concentration in the second hour, Group 4  >  140 mg/dl for serum glucose concentration in the third hour).

Macrosomia prediction using different maternal and fetal parameters in women with 50 g glucose challenge test between 130 and 140 mg/dl.

Objective: Our aim in this study was to investigate the association between 1-h glucose challenge test (GCT) of 130-140 mg/dl and the development of macrosomia.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients with GCT between 130 and 140 mg/dl were divided into two groups. Macrosomic and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) term neonates were compared for the presence of maternal risk factors and fetal abdominal circumference between 29 and 34 weeks.

Prenatal diagnosis and postmortem findings of Neu-laxova syndrome.

Neu-laxova syndrome is a lethal, autosomal recessive condition associated with ectodermal abnormalities and other characteristic features, including microcephaly, marked intrauterine growth restriction, limb deformities, central nervous system malformations and abnormal facial features, consisting of severe proptosis with ectropion, hypertelorism, micrognathia, flattened nose, malformed ears, and gaping mouth. Here we present a fetus having a dysmorphic face with proptotic eyes, retracted eye lids, depressed nasal bridge and micrognathia at 25 weeks of gestation. The extremities were contracted and no fetal movements were observed during the ultrasonographic examination.

Antenatal diagnosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma--two different case reports.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the most common fetal tumour. It may be readily diagnosed by two-dimensional ultrasonography in the early second trimester. Three-dimensional ultrasonography is recommended as a supplemental examination to obtain further detailed information for multidisciplinary management of SCT.