[Group A-streptococcal infection during pregnancy].

Group A-streptococcal (GAS) infection can lead to various clinical presentations and is fulminant when it reaches the deep tissues, leading to a high morbidity and mortality. The severity of postpartum GAS infections is widely known. In this case report we describe the course of disease in a pregnant patient with GAS toxic shock syndrome with initial complaints of abdominal pain, diarrhea and fetal demise at first presentation.

A higher preconceptional paternal body mass index influences fertilization rate and preimplantation embryo development.

Background: Obesity is a worldwide problem affecting the health of millions of people throughout the life course. Studies reveal that obesity impairs sperm parameters and epigenetics, potentially influencing embryonic development.

Objective: To investigate the association between preconceptional paternal body mass index (BMI) and embryo morphokinetics using a time-lapse incubator and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.

Periconceptional maternal and paternal homocysteine levels and early utero-placental (vascular) growth trajectories: The Rotterdam periconception cohort.

Introduction: Maternal elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is involved in the origin of several placenta-related pregnancy complications. The first trimester is the most sensitive period for placentation influenced by maternal and paternal health. The aim is to study associations between periconceptional parental tHcy levels and utero-placental growth trajectories in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Higher preconceptional maternal body mass index is associated with faster early preimplantation embryonic development: the Rotterdam periconception cohort.

Background: Overweight and obesity affect millions of people globally, which has also serious implications for reproduction. For example, treatment outcomes after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are worse in women with a high body mass index (BMI). However, the impact of maternal BMI on embryo quality is inconclusive.

Prenatal growth trajectories and birth outcomes after frozen-thawed extended culture embryo transfer and fresh embryo transfer: the Rotterdam Periconception Cohort.

Research Question: Are there differences in prenatal growth trajectories and birth outcomes between singleton pregnancies conceived after IVF treatment with frozen-thawed extended culture embryo transfer at day 5, fresh embryo transfer at day 3 or naturally conceived pregnancies?

Design: From a prospective hospital-based cohort, 859 singleton pregnancies were selected, including 133 conceived after IVF with frozen-thawed embryo transfer, 276 after fresh embryo transfer, and 450 naturally conceived pregnancies. Longitudinal 3D ultrasound scans were performed at 7, 9 and 11 weeks of gestation for offline crown-rump length (CRL) and embryonic volume measurements. Second trimester estimated fetal weight was based on growth parameters obtained during the routine fetal anomaly scan at 20 weeks of gestation.

Preconceptional maternal weight loss and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), Preeclampsia (PE), Hemolysis Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets (HELLP) and chronic hypertension, are leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although the pathophysiology of HDP is complex, preconceptional weight reduction in obese women might reduce these complications. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effectiveness of preconceptional weight loss by lifestyle intervention or bariatric surgery in overweight and obese women and the reduction of the risk of HDP.

The impact of the origin of surgical sperm retrieval on placental and embryonic development: The Rotterdam Periconception cohort.

Background: In patients with azoospermia, pregnancy can be achieved after surgical techniques using sperm retrieved from the testis or epididymis, which can impact on DNA integrity and epigenetics. DNA of the fetus and placenta is equally derived from both parents; however, genes important for placental development are expressed from the paternal alleles. Therefore, the origin of sperm may affect fetal and placental development.

Preconceptional Maternal Vegetable Intake and Paternal Smoking Are Associated with Pre-implantation Embryo Quality.

Inadequate nutrition and lifestyle behaviors, particularly during the periconception period, are associated with a negative impact on embryonic and subsequent fetal development. We investigated the associations between parental nutritional and lifestyle factors and pre-implantation embryo development. A total of 113 women and 41 partners, with a corresponding 490 embryos, who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment subscribed to the mHealth coaching platform "Smarter Pregnancy.

Paternal Folate Status and Sperm Quality, Pregnancy Outcomes, and Epigenetics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Scope: The effectiveness of maternal folate in reducing the risk of congenital malformations during pregnancy is well established. However, the role of the paternal folate status is scarcely investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the evidence of associations between the paternal folate status and sperm quality, sperm epigenome, and pregnancy outcomes.

Posterior axilla sling traction: a new technique for severe shoulder dystocia.

We describe a case of severe shoulder dystocia where, after failing of the known techniques, the posterior axilla sling traction technique was applied successfully. This technique was first described in 2009 by Hofmeyr and Cluver and must be considered at severe cases of shoulder dystocia where all other non-invasive techniques have failed.

Does the father matter? The association between the periconceptional paternal folate status and embryonic growth.

Objective: To study the association between periconceptional paternal folate status and embryonic growth trajectories in early pregnancy.

Design: Prospective periconceptional cohort study.

Setting: Single tertiary hospital.

[Spontaneous dissection of the upper mesenteric artery: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain].

Background: Acute abdominal pain is a common complaint and one with which many general practitioners and first-line specialists are faced. The differential diagnosis is extensive and appropriate selection of additional diagnostics is therefore very important.

Case Description: We present a 48-year-old male with acute abdominal pain and with no medical history suggesting the cause of this pain.