Personalized Antenatal Corticosteroid Therapy and Central Nervous System Development: Reflections on the Gold Standard of Fetomaternal Therapy.

Background: The term "fetal programming" refers to the effects of endogenous and exogenous corticosteroids, whether received from the mother or the fetus, on brain development and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reset. The authors of this narrative review examine the WHO's guidelines for prenatal corticosteroids in pregnant women who are at high risk of premature delivery. These guidelines are regarded as the best available for preventing late-life problems resulting from preterm.

Successful pregnancies in a patient with Takayasu arteritis and antiphospholipid syndrome, maintained on infliximab corticosteroid-free regimen: case-based review.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a large vessel vasculitis affecting predominantly females below the age of 40. Patients with TA seem to be at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, resulting in mother or child complications. Although few studies analyzed the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA) in TA patients, an association between antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and TA is rarely reported in the literature, mainly in the form of case reports.

Clinical and ultrasonographic parameters in assessment of labor induction success in nulliparous women.

Evaluation of simplified Bishop score and ultrasound cervicometry in the assessment of labor induction success in nulliparous women. Prospective cohort study included 146 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy and indications for labor induction. Prior to labor induction, cervicometry and Bishop score were determined.

Biochemical Markers for Prediction of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

Background: Gestational hypertension (GH) and pre eclampsia (PE) are the most common gestational complications. Several placental biochemical markers are used to predict GH/PE, but with conflicting results.

Methods: The study aim was to estimate the biochemical markers' ability to predict hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Maternal glycoregulation in pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus in the prediction of fetal echography findings and perinatal outcomes.

Aim: We aimed to determine maternal hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and pregestational body mass index (BMI) as the predictors of glycemic control and its importance for fetal echography findings and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: Our intention was to evaluate how BMI and HbA1c levels might be used to predict fetal interventricular septum (IVS) thickness, atrioventricular inflow early diastole (E)/ atrial systole (A) velocity ratio, and perinatal outcomes. Patients in the 38th gestational week were divided into three groups according to their insulin therapy: (i) patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treated only with dietary changes (GDM group, n = 32); (ii) patients with GDM treated with insulin therapy (DM2 group, n = 27); and (iii) patients with type 1 DM (DM1 group, n = 22).

Correlation between maternal anxiety, reactivity of fetal cerebral circulation to auditory stimulation, and birth outcome in normotensive and gestational hypertensive women.

This study investigated the correlation between maternal anxiety and blood flow changes through the fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) after defined acoustic stimulation in 43 normotensive (C) and 40 gestational hypertensive (GH) subjects. Neonatal outcomes (gestational age at birth, Apgar score, birth weight) in the C and GH groups were analyzed. State (STAI-S) and trait (STAI-T) anxiety was assessed using Spielberger's questionnaire.

First trimester ultrasonographic parameters in prediction of the course and outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancies.

Background/aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association and the potential predictive value of first trimester ultrasonographic parameters on the course and outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies.

Materials And Methods: A prospective cohort study was undertaken of 39 healthy women with consecutive monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies. During first-trimester screening, crown-rump length (CRL) and nuchal translucency (NT) were measured.

Follow-Up Imaging of Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Uterus and Its Spontaneous Regression.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an aggressive benign mass that may arise from various tissues and organs with a great variability of histological and clinical appearances. Due to variable and nonspecific imaging findings, diagnosis of IMT is not obtained before surgery. The aim of this paper is to present CT and MRI findings during four-year follow-up of complete, spontaneous regression of IMT of the uterus.

Direct intramuscular fetal or maternal antenatal corticosteroid therapy: short-time effects on fetal behavior and oxygenation: a comparative study.

Objective: To compare the effects of antenatal administration of corticosteroids used in two different regimens, on fetal biophysical profile (BPP), baseline fetal heart rate (BFHR), nonstress test (NST) and perinatal outcomes.

Study Design: We evaluated the effects of single direct intramuscular (i.m.

Vaginal delivery or cesarean section at term breech delivery--chance or risk?

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine maternal age, parity, and estimated neonatal birth weight (BW) depending on the mode of a full-term breech presentation (BP) birth delivery and neonatal outcomes.

Material And Methods: One hundred and forty-six singleton term breech presentation pregnancies were included in a retrospective study conducted at the Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade in 2013. Statistical analysis: Student's-t test, χ(2) likelihood ratio, and the Fisher's exact test.

Fetus sound stimulation: cilia memristor effect of signal transduction.

Background: This experimental study evaluates fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) circulation after the defined prenatal acoustical stimulation (PAS) and the role of cilia in hearing and memory and could explain signal transduction and memory according to cilia optical-acoustical properties.

Methods: PAS was performed twice on 119 no-risk term pregnancies. We analyzed fetal MCA circulation before, after first and second PAS.

Nutrition in pregnancy: basic principles and recommendations.

Healthy diet in pregnancy should guarantee proper fetal growth and development, maintain (and promote) maternal health and enable lactation. Nutritional counseling and interventions need to be an integral part of antenatal care and continue during pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of maternal, fetal and neonatal complications, as well as the short- and long-term adverse outcomes. Adverse pregnancy outcomes are more common in women who begin the gestation as undernourished or obese in comparison to pregnant women whose weight is within normal ranges.

Change of pulsatility index of the fetal middle cerebral artery after auditory stimulation in no risk pregnancies and in pregnancies with gestational hypertension.

Purpose: An aim was to determine the degree and the mode of variation of PI of middle cerebral artery in no risk pregnancies and in pregnancies with gestational hypertension, after the constant sound stimuli.

Method: Study included 343 patients divided in two groups. Group 1: low risk pregnancies and group 2: gestational hypertension.

Correlation of biochemical parameters and neonatal outcome in patients with gestational hypertension.

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are one of the leading causes of maternal death in the world and one of the major causes of perinatal mortality. The incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy is 8%-15%. Significant changes of biochemical parameters in cases of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are increased levels of blood glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid (hyperuricemia), transaminases, and LDH.

Normal vaginal flora, disorders and application of probiotics in pregnancy.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of vaginal administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX 54 in preventing the occurrence of abnormal vaginal flora and the alteration of parameters relevant to the progression of pregnancy.

Methods: Sixty pregnant women were assigned randomly to the untreated arm of the study (n = 30) or received (n = 30) vaginal application of one tablet containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX 54, once a week for 12 weeks. Every 4 weeks (T0-T3), vaginal and cervical swabs were collected and pH, and quantity and quality of vaginal discharge measured as well as consistency, length and dilatation of cervix, and level of the presenting part of the foetus relative to interspinous diameter.

Value of fetal echocardiography in diagnosis of congenital heart disease in a Serbian university hospital.

Objective: Ultrasound examination for each and every pregnancy is being accepted as a standard practice worldwide, and prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) is improving due to both staff education and ultrasound equipment modernization. The objective of this study was to estimate the value and accuracy of fetal echocardiography for diagnosis of fetal CHD in a large tertiary referral center for obstetrics and gynecology.

Methods: This study was based on a prospective follow-up of 27,051 consecutive patients at the Institute of Ob/Gyn, Belgrade, during 1999-2003.

[The influence of direct intramuscular corticosteroid therapy on parameters of venous circulation in hypoxaemic foetuses].

Introduction: The influence of glucocorticosteroid therapy on foetal lung maturation is evident but little is known about its effects on parameters of foetal venous circulation.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of direct intramuscular (i.m.

Anticoagulation therapy during pregnancy of patients with artificial heart valves: fetomaternal outcome.

Objectives: The major problem is the need for anticoagulant therapy in patient with mechanical heart valves.

Study Design: The aim of the study was to analyze the course and outcome of pregnancies of patients with artificial mechanical heart valves with anticoagulant therapy. Study included 43 pregnancies leaded and terminated at the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Center of Serbia in 20 years.