Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Pregnancy: An Update.

Parenteral transmission is the major route of hepatitis C virus transmission in adults; however, vertical transmission is most common in children. There are several factors that have been shown to be associated with vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus, including hepatitis C virus RNA, human immunodeficiency virus coinfection, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell infection. As there is no effective vaccine to prevent hepatitis C virus infection, and there are no human data describing the safety of the new direct acting antiviral agents in pregnancy, the only preventive strategy for vertical transmission is to treat the hepatitis C virus infection before becoming pregnant.

The role of unexplained high serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels in the second trimester to determine poor obstetric outcomes.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between gestational complications and high levels of maternal serum alfa-fetoprotein (MSAFP) and/or beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and to determine whether these markers are effective predictors of poor pregnancy outcomes.

Materials And Methods: In this study, we enrolled a total of 679 women at 15-20 gestational weeks with MSAFP and hCG below or above 2.0 multiples of the median (MoM); of those, 200 women with normal MSAFP and hCG MoM formed the control group.

Prospective randomized trial of oxytocin administration for active management of the third stage of labor.

Objective: To determine the most efficient route and timing of oxytocin administration for active management of the third stage of labor.

Methods: A prospective randomized study was done at one center in Ankara, Turkey, between January and October 2010. Women with a singleton pregnancy (>37 weeks) who had a live vaginal birth were randomly allocated to four groups: iv-A (intravenous oxytocin after delivery of the fetus), iv-B (when anterior shoulder seen), im-A (intramuscular oxytocin after delivery), and im-B (when anterior shoulder seen).

Fetal tyhmus size as a predictor of histological chorioamnionitis in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: To predict histological chorioamnionitis (CA) in the cases of preterm premature rupture of membranes by using fetal thymus transverse and anteroposterior diameters and areal measurements.

Methods: Fifty healthy and 50 patients diagnosed with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) between 24 and 37 weeks of gestation were included in the study. Fetal thymus measurements were done and repeated on a weekly basis until delivery, Furthermore white blood cell, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured every other day until delivery, too.

Increased MPV is not a significant predictor for preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Background: Preeclampsia, defined as the presence of hypertension and proteinuria, is usually related with maternal and neonatal adverse effects. However, the exact predictor of preeclampsia is still lacking. Even though there are some conflicting data, mean platelet value or MPV, that is, platelet ratio with or without Doppler velocimetry was determined as highly sensitive markers for preeclampsia.

Comparison of the effectiveness of single versus double intrauterine insemination with three different timing regimens.

Objective: To compare double insemination with two different single insemination regimens.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary education and research hospital.

The seroprevalences of HBs Ag and anti-HCV in pregnant women in Ankara.

In the previous decade, the prevalence of HBs-Ag positivity and the anti-HCV positivity declined in Turkey. We aimed to investigate the prevalences of HBs Ag and anti-HCV positivity in pregnant women in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, while the vertical transmission should be important way of HBV and HCV transmission. HBs-Ag positivity was determined 2.

Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary: the Hacettepe University experience.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment regimens used for patients with endodermal sinus tumors (EST), and also to examine the prognostic value of surgicopathological variables.

Study Design: Twenty-two patients treated for pure EST, and seven patients who had mixed germ cell tumors with EST components were included. Initial surgery consisting of surgical staging to achieve optimal debulking was the principal mode of therapy.