Comparison of body composition change, measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis, between singleton and twin pregnancy: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To determine the difference of body composition change measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) between singleton and twin pregnancy.

Study Design: A prospective study was performed in pregnant women admitted to maternal-fetal intensive care unit in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from June to August 2023. Twenty one patients were enrolled (9 singleton and 12 twin pregnancies) and underwent BIA at the admission.

Prognosis of remaining fetus in twin pregnancy after demise of one fetus according to its location.

Background: To investigate the prognosis of the remaining fetus in twin pregnancy after experiencing one fetal demise in the first trimester according to the location of the demised fetus.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of twin pregnancies with one fetal demise after the first trimester (14 weeks of gestation) delivered between September 2004 and September 2022. The study population was divided into two groups based on the location of the demised fetus as determined by the last recorded ultrasonography results: Group 1 included twin pregnancies where the presenting fetus was demised (n = 36) and Group 2 included twin pregnancies where the non-presenting fetus was demised (n = 44).

Semi-quantitative metalloproteinase-8 rapid test for the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: We aimed to determine whether the semi-quantitative metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) bedside test is a worthwhile indicator in reflecting the severity of of intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI) and in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Study Design: This retrospective cohort study comprised 76 singleton-pregnant women admitted to the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital with a diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membranes (preterm PROM) between 20 weeks 0 days and 33 weeks 6 days of gestation who underwent trans-abdominal amniocentesis to confirm intra-amniotic infection by positive results for aerobic/anaerobic bacteria, fungi, and genital mycoplasma and evaluate lung maturity. The semi-quantitative MMP-8 rapid test kit employs a colourimetric assay to quantify MMP-8 levels in amniotic fluid (AF), expressing results from 0 to 100 percent.

Efficacy and Safety of High Density LED Irradiation Therapy for Patients With Hand Osteoarthritis: A Single-Center Clinical Study.

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of high-density light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation therapy in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA) and compare the pre- and post-intervention symptoms.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with hand OA underwent eight sessions of high-density LED irradiation therapy directed at the five most painful areas in the finger joints. Each session lasted for 18 minutes; and the sessions were conducted twice a week, for 4 weeks.

Neonatal outcomes of early preterm births according to the delivery indications.

Objective: To compare the neonatal outcomes of early preterm births according to delivery indications and determine the obstetric risk factors associated with adverse outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively studied pregnancies delivered between 22 + 0 and 26 + 6 weeks at the tertiary center between April 2013 and April 2022. Stillbirths, elective termination of pregnancy, and multifetal pregnancies were excluded.

Effects of Fetal Images Produced in Virtual Reality on Maternal-Fetal Attachment: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) has been reported to be associated with the postpartum mother-infant relationship. Seeing the fetus through ultrasound might influence MFA, and the effect could be increased by more realistic images, such as those generated in virtual reality (VR).

Objective: The aim was to determine the effect of fetal images generated in VR on MFA and depressive symptoms through a prenatal-coaching mobile app.

Effects of antenatal corticosteroids on neonatal outcomes in twin and singleton pregnancies: a Korean national cohort study.

Objective: To investigate whether effects of antenatal corticosteroids on neonatal outcomes in preterm infants with very low birth weight were different by plurality.

Design: Nationwide prospective cohort study.

Patients: Twins and singletons with very low birth weight (<1500 g) who were born between 23 and 33 weeks of gestation and registered in the Korean Neonatal Network from January 2014 to December 2019.

Association between fertilisation embryo transfer and placental pathology in women with preterm birth: a retrospective cohort study.

Context: The number of women who achieve pregnancy through assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), is increasing worldwide. Placenta-mediated diseases associated with ART, such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, disorders of placental implantation, and placental abruption, are also increasing.

Aims: To determine the association between placental pathologies and IVF-ET in women with preterm births.

Preterm labor with intact membranes: a simple noninvasive method to identify patients at risk for intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation.

Objective: To develop a noninvasive scoring system to identify patients at high risk for intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation, which would reduce the need for amniocentesis.

Methods: This prospective cohort study comprised patients admitted with preterm labor and intact membranes (20-34 weeks of gestation) who underwent a transabdominal amniocentesis and for whom concentrations of quantitative cervical fetal fibronectin and of maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined. Intra-amniotic infection was defined as a positive amniotic fluid culture for microorganisms.

The role of intraamniotic inflammation in threatened midtrimester miscarriage.

Background: The assessment and management of patients with threatened midtrimester miscarriage is a clinical challenge because the etiology of this condition is poorly understood.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the frequency of intraamniotic infection or inflammation and the effect of antibiotics in patients presenting with regular uterine contractions and intact membranes before 20 weeks of gestation.

Study Design: This retrospective study comprised patients who met the following criteria: (1) singleton gestation, (2) gestational age before 20 weeks, (3) the presence of regular uterine contractions confirmed by a tocodynamometer (8 or more contractions in 60 minutes), (4) intact amniotic membranes, and (5) transabdominal amniocentesis performed for the evaluation of the microbiologic and inflammatory status of the amniotic cavity.

Recurrent postpartum hemorrhage at subsequent pregnancy in patients with prior uterine artery embolization: angiographic findings and outcomes of repeat embolization.

Objective: To evaluate angiographic findings and outcomes of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for recurrent postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in a subsequent pregnancy in patients with a history of prior UAE.

Methods: Between March 2004 and February 2021, UAE was performed for PPH with gelatin sponge slurry in 753 patients. Among these, 13 underwent repeat UAE for recurrent PPH after subsequent delivery.

The association between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and pregnancy outcomes of preeclampsia.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of pre-pregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI) to pregnancy outcomes in patients diagnosed as preeclampsia.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospectively study on women who had been diagnosed as preeclampsia and delivered at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between June 2017 and March 2020. Multifetal gestation, major fetal anomaly, and fetal death in utero were excluded.

Lamellar body count: Marker for foetal lung maturation promoted by intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation.

Objective: There is evidence indicating that the risk of respiratory distress syndrome is reduced in preterm neonates exposed to intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation. We hypothesised that foetal lung maturation promoted by intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation results in elevated lamellar body count (LBC) in amniotic fluid (AF). This study aimed to determine the relationship between LBC in AF and intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation in patients with threatened preterm birth.

Methylated Cytochrome P450 and the Solute Carrier Family of Genes Correlate With Perturbations in Bile Acid Metabolism in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder following Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's disease is hypothesized to be caused by a multifaceted interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Herein, and for the first time, we describe the integration of metabolomics and epigenetics (genome-wide DNA methylation; epimetabolomics) to profile the frontal lobe from people who died from PD and compared them with age-, and sex-matched controls.

Association between cesarean section rate and maternal age in twin pregnancies.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of maternal age to the cesarean section rate of twin pregnancies in late preterm and term gestation.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on twin pregnancies delivered at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from June 2003 to December 2020. Preterm births before 34 weeks of gestation were excluded, and only live births were analyzed.

Breech Presentation in Twins as a Risk Factor for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

Introduction: Identifying risk factors associated with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is essential for early diagnosis and treatment. Breech presentation is a major DDH risk factor, possibly because of crowding of the fetus within the uterus. In multifetal pregnancy, fetuses are generally smaller than singletons, which may obscure the effect of breech presentation on fetal hips.

Advances in cerebral palsy biomarkers.

Cerebral palsy (CP), defined as a group of nonprogressive disorders of movement and posture, is the most common cause of severe neurodisability in children. The prevalence of CP is the same across the globe, affecting approximately 17 million people worldwide. Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term used to describe the disease due to its inherent heterogeneity.

A new quantification system for assessing the degree of acute cervical insufficiency based on physical and sonographic examination.

Objectives: Acute cervical insufficiency accounts for 10-25 % of all mid-trimester pregnancy losses. However, the definition and description for the degree of acute cervical insufficiency were obscure and different among the many studies. The aim of this study was to suggest a new 4-digit quantification system and to evaluate the outcome according to the new system in women with acute cervical insufficiency.

CT angiography for the management of postpartum hemorrhage refractory to conservative treatment.

Introduction: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Computerized tomographic (CT) angiography is a useful tool to identify hemorrhage from various conditions. However, the feasibility of CT angiography for the management of PPH has not been well evaluated.

Longitudinal change in arterial stiffness after delivery in women with preeclampsia and normotension: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Preeclampsia is associated with increased arterial stiffness during pregnancy. However, data on the longitudinal change in arterial stiffness after delivery in women with preeclampsia are lacking. In this pilot study, we aimed to examine the longitudinal change in arterial stiffness using the cardio-ankle vascular index after delivery in women with preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies.

Gestational weight gain in twin pregnancies in Korea: application of the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations.

Objective: To investigate the effect of gestational weight gain (GWG) on maternal and neonatal outcomes based on the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines for twin pregnancies.

Methods: This study included women with twin pregnancies who delivered at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Based on the weight gain per gestational week according to the 2009 IOM guidelines, the subjects were divided into the following 3 groups: inadequate, adequate, and excessive GWG.