New approaches in predicting and diagnosing preeclampsia: Congo Red Dot Paper Test (Review).

Preeclampsia (PE), a complication of pregnancy that is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy, influencing 2.5-7% of singleton and 7-21% of twin pregnancies. At present, diagnosis is based on traditional but unreliable and nonspecific clinical markers, and treatment of PE is suboptimal, with minimal effect on maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity.

Benefits of α-lipoic acid in high-risk pregnancies (Review).

α-Lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural molecule that is inconsistently synthesized by the human body and must be provided from exogenous sources, such as food and dietary supplements. Once absorbed, the oxidized form of ALA is transformed into its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA). ALA/DHLA exert direct and indirect antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and fine immunomodulatory effects.

Non-sexual HPV transmission and role of vaccination for a better future (Review).

Human papilloma viruses (HPVs) belong to the Papillomaviridae family and are epitheliotropic infecting squamous epithelia (skin and mucosae). HPV is estimated to be the cause of 99% of cervical cancers (there is no evidence of significant genetic predisposition for cervical cancer), 90% of anal cancer, 65% vaginal cancers, 50% vulvar cancers, and 45-90% oropharyngeal cancers. The route of HPV transmission is primarily through skin-to-skin or skin-to-mucosa contact.

Reference ranges for the fetal mesencephalon to occiput measurement at 11 to 13+6 weeks of gestation.

The objective was to have a quantitative description of the normal position of the fetal midbrain in the first trimester, through defining the reference ranges for the mesencephalon to the occipital bone distance, in the axial plane. This was a prospective study that included normal fetuses screened between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation. The distance was measured between the posterior limit of the mesencephalon to the occipital bone in the same axial view as the one required for the biparietal diameter (BPD) assessment, at this gestational age (GA).

Posterior fossa assessment in the axial view of the head at 11-14 weeks of gestation in normal and aneuploid fetuses.

Posterior fossa ultrasound appearance may offer clues for brain anomalies as early as the first trimester. The purpose of the study was to find an easy, reproducible method to examine the posterior fossa. From January 2017 to March 2018, 132 consecutive pregnancies presenting for first-trimester screening, were selected at 11-14 weeks' gestation.

Impact of early supplementation with low-dose aspirin on functional first trimester parameters in low-risk pregnancies.

Introduction: There is recent evidence that prophylaxis with 150 mg of aspirin given before 14-16 weeks significantly reduces preeclampsia rates and may improve pregnancy outcome. We conducted an observational study that investigates the effect of low-dose aspirin initiated early in pregnancy or in preconception on functional parameters assessed at 11-14 weeks.

Materials And Methods: We have retrospectively selected 128 pregnant women that presented for the first trimester screening for aneuploidies between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation and received low-dose aspirin before 14 weeks.