Computerized cardiotocography and fetal heart response to maternal coffee intake: a prospective study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of caffeine on fetal heart rate (FHR) as determined by computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) parameters.

Methods: Term pregnancies that performed a fetal antepartum cCTG were included. Two physicians recorded coffee habits before the cCTG, and pregnant women were divided into two groups: the coffee group and the control group.

Randomized trial of screening for preterm birth in low-risk women - the preterm birth screening study.

Background: Preterm birth is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. It is unclear whether the introduction of a universal transvaginal ultrasound cervical length screening program in women at low risk for preterm delivery is associated with a reduction in the frequency of preterm birth.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the introduction of a midtrimester universal transvaginal ultrasound cervical length screening program in asymptomatic singleton pregnancies without prior preterm delivery would reduce the rate of preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation.

Open Questions on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Twin Pregnancies.

Background: The concurrent, recent increase in prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and twin pregnancy, in combination with the shared risk factors, has led to speculation that multiples are a risk factor for GDM and, GDM may contribute to twin complications. Twin pregnancies have different physiology and greater obstetric risks compared to singletons, including prematurity and growth restriction. However, in twins methods of GDM screening, thresholds for diagnosis and treatment, as well as glycaemic control targets, have been predominantly extrapolated from singletons.

The diagnostic performance of the ductus venosus for the detection of cardiac defects in the first trimester: a systematic review and diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis.

Purpose: Abnormal flow in the ductus venosus (DV) has been reported to be associated with adverse perinatal outcome, chromosomal abnormalities, and congenital heart defects (CHD). Aneuploid fetuses have increased risk of CHD, but there are discrepancies on the performance of this markers in euploid fetuses. The aim of this meta-analysis was to establish the predictive accuracy of DV for CHD.

Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Women with Diabetes in Pregnancy Treated before and after the Introduction of a Standardized Multidisciplinary Management Protocol.

Background: Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk to the woman and to the developing fetus. Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal management strategies for the follow-up and the timing of delivery of pregnancies affected by gestational and pregestational diabetes, with different international guidelines suggesting different management options.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from January 2017 to January 2021, to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by gestational and pregestational diabetes, followed-up and delivered in a third level referral center before and after the introduction of a standardized multidisciplinary management protocol including diagnostic, screening, and management criteria.

Efficacy of phloroglucinol in shortening the first stage of labor: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Protracted labor is associated with an elevated risk of maternal and fetal complications. Results of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy in labor of phloroglucinol (PHL), a pure antispasmodic drug, are uncertain.

Objectives: To evaluate whether PHL is effective in shortening the first stage of labor.

Maternal death related to COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis focused on maternal co-morbidities and clinical characteristics.

Background: Besides reducing the quality of obstetric care, the direct impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and postpartum is uncertain.

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of pregnant women who died due to COVID-19.

Search Strategy: Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to February 2021.

Usefulness of atosiban for tocolysis during external cephalic version: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Breech/transverse presentation is responsible for about 30-50 % of cesarean sections in the world. Cesarean section carries a five-fold greater morbidity than vaginal delivery, deeply impacting on women's health. External Cephalic Version (ECV) is an external manipulation used to convert a non-cephalic to a cephalic presentation.

"In patient" medical abortion versus surgical abortion: patient's satisfaction.

Objective: To compare patients' satisfaction with medical and surgical abortion, implementing the Italian guidelines on medical abortion entailing an "in patient" procedure.

Methods: A total of 1832 pregnant chose between surgical (vacuum aspiration) or medical abortion (mifepristone p.o.

Effects of a prolonged, 72 hours, interval between mifepristone and gemeprost in second trimester termination of pregnancy: a retrospective analysis.

Objective: To evaluate if the 72 hours interval between mifepristone and gemeprost has a similar efficacy compared to the 48 hours interval for second trimester termination of pregnancy

Study Design: Two-hundred and fifteen consecutive pregnant women, admitted to our hospital, for second trimester TOP, were included in this retrospective analysis. Standard protocol was followed for all patients. On the first day of the procedure oral mifepristone 200 mg was administered.

Portal Cavernoma during Pregnancy.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is characterized by the obstruction of the portal venous system. The venous obstruction can be partial or complete and it is caused by thrombogenic conditions (acquired or hereditary) or nonthrombotic factors. The acquired conditions include abdominal inflammation, infections, surgery, myeloproliferative disorders, obesity, oral contraceptive intake, pregnancy, and postpartum period.

Successful pregnancy complicated by spontaneous, familial, recurrent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: report of two cases.

We here report two cases of spontaneous, familial, recurrent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome ended in a successful pregnancy. First case was a 26-year-old woman, gravida 3 para 0 and two previous terminations of pregnancy due to spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). During her pregnancy, patient was treated with IV fluid therapy, albumin and thromboembolic prophylaxis and required pleural and peritoneal drainage.

Case report: a most peculiar family with spontaneous, recurrent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) mostly occurs as a complication of induction of ovulation. However, rarely, it may occur spontaneously at the beginning of a natural pregnancy and in the absence of any assisted reproductive treatment. Spontaneous OHSS has been reported in pregnant women affected by hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, gonadotropin-producing pituitary adenoma, but also in normal pregnancies.