Perinatal and 2-year neurodevelopmental outcome in late preterm fetal compromise: the TRUFFLE 2 randomised trial protocol.

Introduction: Following the detection of fetal growth restriction, there is no consensus about the criteria that should trigger delivery in the late preterm period. The consequences of inappropriate early or late delivery are potentially important yet practice varies widely around the world, with abnormal findings from fetal heart rate monitoring invariably leading to delivery. Indices derived from fetal cerebral Doppler examination may guide such decisions although there are few studies in this area.

Short-term and long-term effects of caesarean section on the health of women and children.

A caesarean section (CS) can be a life-saving intervention when medically indicated, but this procedure can also lead to short-term and long-term health effects for women and children. Given the increasing use of CS, particularly without medical indication, an increased understanding of its health effects on women and children has become crucial, which we discuss in this Series paper. The prevalence of maternal mortality and maternal morbidity is higher after CS than after vaginal birth.

Gestational diabetes: screening for all, which test and which treatment?

Gestational diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in incidence, due to lifestyle changes, increasing obesity and maternal age. This increase makes universal screening mandatory; however, we are still far from it. Moreover, should we adopt rather strict oral glucose tolerance test cutoff values, resulting in a worldwide incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus of approximately 17.