Cervical sliding sign; does it have a contribution in cases of threatened preterm labor in singleton pregnancies with intact membranes?

Objective: To investigate the contribution of the cervical sliding sign to conventional cervical length measurement in patients at risk of preterm labor.

Methods: The study, performed as a prospective cohort study, included patients admitted to a tertiary research hospital with a diagnosis of threatened preterm labor. The participants were divided into two groups: those who gave birth before and after 37 weeks of gestation.

Aggregate index of systemic inflammation: A novel systemic inflammatory index for prediction of neonatal outcomes and chorioamnionitis in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: To determine the value of the Aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) in predicting admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and chorioamnionitis.

Methods: The present retrospective cohort study with pregnant women who were diagnosed with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) in the Department of Perinatology, Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital between January 1, 2021, and June 1, 2023 (n = 357). The patients were categorized into subgroups: (1) cases with (n = 27) or without (n = 330) chorioamnionitis, (2) admission (n = 182) or no admission (n = 175) to NICU; (3) gestational age at birth <28 weeks or 28 weeks or longer; and (4) gestational age at birth <34 weeks or 34 weeks or longer.

Umbilical artery half peak systolic velocity deceleration time: a novel Doppler parameter for prediction of neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with preeclampsia.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of half peak systolic velocity deceleration time (hPSV-DT) in predicting neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with preeclampsia and to compare its usefulness with the conventional umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility index (PI) approach.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women with preeclampsia who were admitted to the Department of Perinatology, Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital between 01 September 2022 and 01 January 2023 at 28-41 weeks gestational age. 55 patients were divided into two groups: the study group with UA hPSV-DT value < 5th percentile (n = 22) and the control group with UA hPSV-DT value ≥ 5th percentile (n = 33).

Evaluation of fetal cardiac output in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Aim: We aimed to investigate fetal cardiac output (CO) in pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and its relationship with umbilical cord pH.

Methods: This was a prospective study in total 90 pregnancies at 24-37 weeks gestation including 42 pregnancies with PPROM and 48 that healthy controls. Fetal cardiac function including combined, left and right CO z-scores were compared.

Comparison of VEGF-A levels in women with threatened abortion, early pregnancy loss and uncomplicated healthy pregnancies.

Introduction: To estimate the possible role of VEGF-A in predicting poor early pregnancy outcomes including threatened abortion and early pregnancy loss.

Methods: We conducted a prospective case-control study with three groups of pregnant women diagnosed with threatened abortion, early pregnancy loss, and uncomplicated healthy pregnancies between 01 March 2023 and 15 March 2023. Maternal serum VEGF-A concentration was measured using the Sandwich-ELISA method in accordance to the commercial kit's instructions.

Cervical sliding sign at second trimester in the prediction of early preterm birth in twin pregnancy.

Objective: To examine the cervical sliding sign (CSS) alongside cervical length (CL) in twin pregnancies to predict preterm birth (PB).

Methods: Twin pregnancies (n = 37) with no known risk factor for PB were included in this prospective study. CSS was defined as the ultrasonographic finding in which the anterior lip of the cervix slides over the posterior lip with gentle and continuous pressure application.

Adverse outcomes and maternal complications in pregnant women with severe-critical COVID-19: a tertiary center experience.

Objectives: This study aimed to present perinatal outcomes, clinical challenges, and basic ICU management in pregnant women with severe-critical COVID-19 at our tertiary referral center.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, patients were divided into two groups, whether they survived or not. Clinical characteristics, obstetric and neonatal outcomes, initial laboratory test results and radiologic imaging findings, arterial blood gas parameters at ICU admission, and ICU complications and interventions were compared between groups.

Post-COVID-19 fetal cardiac evaluation in moderate infection group of pregnant women.

Purpose: To determine the long-term fetal cardiac effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women recovered from moderate COVID-19 with fetal echocardiography (ECHO).

Methods: Forty-five pregnant women that recovered from moderate COVID-19 (CRG) 4 weeks after the infection confirmation, were compared with 45 gestational and maternal age-matched control groups (CG) in terms of demographic features fetal cardiac morphological (sphericity index, cardiothoracic ratio), and functional (myocardial performance index, mitral E/A, tricuspid E/A, mitral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) parameters.

Results: There was no difference in demographic features between the groups.

Experience of a tertiary pandemic centre on the labour and delivery of 337 pregnant women with COVID-19: a prospective cohort study from Turkey.

The aim of the present study is to share the experience of a tertiary reference pandemic centre on the labour and delivery of pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This prospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with COVID-19 ( = 337). Patients were divided into two groups based on their severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity ( = 103 positive and  = 234 negative) during the delivery.

The Association of Serum Electrolytes with Disease Severity and Obstetric Complications in Pregnant Women with COVID-19: a Prospective Cohort Study from a Tertiary Reference Center.

To evaluate the association of serum electrolytes with disease severity and obstetric complications in pregnant women with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This prospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19. Study population was divided into two groups: 1) Mild COVID-19 group (n = 811) and 2) Moderate/severe COVID-19 group (n = 52).

Influence of Covid-19 infection on fetal thymus size after recovery.

Objectives: To investigate the long-term effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on the fetal immune system by fetal thymus size measurements with ultrasound (USG).

Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital between November 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021, with recovered, pregnant women, four weeks after they had been confirmed for the SARS-CoV-2 infection by real-time polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR). COVID-19 recovered (CR) pregnant women compared with age-matched pregnant controls in terms of demographic features, fetal thymic-thoracic ratio (TTR), and laboratory parameters.

Factors affecting the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine in the postpartum period.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world, causing massive morbidity and mortality. Vaccination during puerperium protects both the mother and the newborn and is important to keep the pandemic under control.

Methods: Women who gave birth at Ankara City Hospital between February 11, 2021 and March 21, 2021 were included.

Management of pregnant women with COVID-19: A tertiary pandemic center experience on 1416 cases.

The aim of this study is to share the comprehensive experience of a tertiary pandemic center on pregnant women with COVID-19 and to compare clinical outcomes between pregnancy trimesters. The present prospective cohort study consisted of pregnant women with COVID-19 who were followed up at Ankara City Hospital between March 11, 2020 and February 20, 2021. Clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes were compared between the pregnancy trimesters.

Can Anakinra and corticosteroid treatment be an effective option in pregnant women with severe Covid-19?

Anakinra, which is an Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist with the advancing disease process, has started to be considered as an alternative treatment for Covid-19 patients with cytokine storms. We evaluated the effect of corticosteroids and IL-1 receptor blockage with anakinra on pregnant patients with Covid-19 at high risk for respiratory distress, ongoing fever, deterioration in their general condition and consequently maternal and fetal complications. Fourteen pregnant women who received anakinra (median dosage: 400 mg) and corticosteroid (methylprednisolone-median dosage: 80 mg) treatment were evaluated retrospectively.

Fetal pulmonary artery Doppler evaluation in pregnant women after recovery from COVID-19.

Objective: To evaluate fetal lung development using pulmonary artery Doppler in pregnant women who had recovered from COVID-19.

Methods: The prospective case-control study included 41 pregnant women who had recovered from COVID-19 and 43 healthy pregnant women (control group). All the women in the study group had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and had completed a quarantine period.

Cardiotocographic features in COVID-19 infected pregnant women.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the cardiotocograph (CTG) traces of 224 women infected with novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and analyze whether changes in the CTG traces are related to the severity of COVID-19.

Methods: We designed a prospective cohort study. Two-hundred and twenty-four women who had a single pregnancy of 32 weeks or more, and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were included.

Effects of SARS-COV-2 infection on fetal pulmonary artery Doppler parameters.

Purpose: To determine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the fetal pulmonary system using the acceleration time (AT), ejection time (ET), and acceleration/ejection time ratio (PATET) of the fetal main pulmonary artery Doppler waveform.

Methods: We prospectively studied pregnant women attending our hospital with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR test and an age-matched control group who admitted for routine prenatal care. An ultrasound examination that included measurements of the AT, ET, and AT/ET ratio (PATET) were performed and the results were compared.

Maternal selenium status plays a crucial role on clinical outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 infection.

Adequate maternal selenium level is essential for immune response and healthy pregnancy. This study aimed to shed light on the selenium status of pregnant women with COVID-19 and the effects of potential deficiency in serum selenium levels. Totally 141 pregnant women, 71 of them were COVID-19 patients, in different trimesters were included in the study.

Assessment of fetal Doppler parameters in pregnant women with COVID-19 infection: a prospective case-control study.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on fetal Doppler parameters.

Methods: This was a prospective case-control study conducted in Ankara City Hospital with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnants between August 1, 2020 and October 1, 2020. There were 54 COVID-19 confirmed pregnant women and 97 age-matched pregnant women as a control group between 28 and 39 weeks.

Comparison of hematological parameters and perinatal outcomes between COVID-19 pregnancies and healthy pregnancy cohort.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnancy and adverse perinatal outcomes. The secondary aim is to analyze the diagnostic value of hematologic parameters in COVID-19 complicated pregnancies.

Methods: The current study is conducted in a high volume tertiary obstetrics center burdened by COVID-19 pandemics, in Turkey.

Does having a high-risk pregnancy influence anxiety level during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Objective: We aimed to analyze the changing level of anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in pregnant women, with and without high-risk indicators separately, in a tertiary care center serving also for COVID-19 patients, in the capital of Turkey.

Study Design: We designed a case-control and cross-sectional study using surveys. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale questionnaire (STAI-T) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) which were validated in Turkish were given to outpatient women with high-risk pregnancies as study group and normal pregnancies as control group.