Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Vaccine-naive Pregnant Women: Assessment of IgG and IgA Antibody Profile at Delivery and 42 Days Postpartum.

This prospective cohort study assessed the SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA Ab profiles at delivery and 42 d postpartum in unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women and determined the association with the timing and the clinical course of the infection. A total of 387 vaccine-naive women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy were included. IgG and IgA Abs were detected in maternal blood at delivery and 42 d postpartum using ELISA kits.

Oral microbiome and preterm birth.

Background: The etiology of preterm birth (PTB) is heterogeneous and not yet well known. Maternal periodontal disease has been investigated for decades and is a known risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, no particular bacterial species or higher taxonomic order has been found as causative of PTB, leading to studies of the whole oral microbiome.

Fetal death from SARS-CoV-2 mediated acute placental failure.

Introduction: We demonstrate the nonlinear severity of symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the mother leading to fetal death after acute placental failure.

Methods: Careful clinical evaluation, real-time RT-PCR molecular microbiologic testing, isolation of a viable virus, and autopsy with histologic results were used to investigate the possible vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection from mother to fetus.

Results: Histologic changes in the placenta correlate with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

European guidelines on perinatal care: corticosteroids for women at risk of preterm birth.

of recommendationsCorticosteroids should be administered to women at a gestational age between 24 and 33weeks, when preterm birth is anticipated in the next seven days, as these have been consistently shown to reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity. (Strong-quality evidence; strong recommendation). In selected cases, extension of this period up to 34weeks may be considered (Expert opinion).

Perinatal outcomes in women with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection: comparison with contemporary and matched pre-COVID-19 controls.

Objectives: To compare perinatal outcomes in women with vs. without severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Methods: Perinatal outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women who delivered at our institution between October 27th 2020 and January 31st 2021 were compared to SARS-CoV-2 negative pregnancies (contemporary controls) and historical 2019 controls matched by maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index and parity.

Treatment of preeclampsia at extremely preterm gestation with therapeutic plasma exchange.

Aims: Different forms of apheresis have been proposed as potential therapeutic approaches to remove soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and allow safe pregnancy prolongation in cases of extremely preterm preeclampsia. This is a follow-up study presenting our experiences with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in 5 women with preeclampsia at < 28 weeks of gestational age.

Materials And Methods: All women received standard treatment for preeclampsia and 2 - 3 TPE treatments per week.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organised cervical cancer screening: The first results of the Slovenian cervical screening programme and registry.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the impact of cervical cancer screening and global cervical cancer elimination goals. As cervical cancer screening programmes were adjusting to the new situation, we evaluated the intensity, quality, and outcomes of cervical cancer screening in Slovenia in the first seven months of the pandemic.

Methods: Historical observational study on data from a population-based cervical cancer screening registry.

Therapeutic plasma exchange and dextran-sulfate plasma adsorption as extracorporeal treatments of extremely preterm preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction.

Aim: To evaluate effectiveness and safety of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and dextran-sulfate plasma adsorption (DSA) for extracorporeal removal of soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) as part of expectant management of preeclampsia at extremely preterm gestational age.

Methods: Retrospective case series of six patients with preeclampsia at <28 weeks of gestation, treated with DSA or TPE. Laboratory results, clinical characteristics and neonatal outcomes were collected from charts and National Perinatal Information System.

Preterm delivery risk in infertile women who conceived after reproductive surgery: natural conception versus IVF/ICSI.

Study Question: Is preterm delivery an infertility treatment-related adverse outcome in infertile women who conceived after reproductive surgery?

Summary Answer: Compared with matched fertile women, preterm delivery appears to be a modest infertility treatment-related adverse outcome in infertile women who have reproductive surgery then conceived naturally or after IVF/ICSI.

What Is Known Already: Most observational studies have shown that women who receive any infertility treatment are more likely to deliver preterm than do fertile women. However, studies on the outcome of pregnancies in infertile women who conceive naturally after reproductive surgery are scarce.

Usefulness of COVID-19 screen-and-test approach in pregnant women: an experience from a country with low COVID-19 burden.

Objectives: Information on the usefulness of screen-and-test strategies of pregnant women for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is lacking.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the Ljubljana Maternity Hospital database and searched for pregnant women, who were admitted to the hospital between March 15 and May 16, 2020, for a planned procedure or hospitalization. Their medical records were examined and SARS-CoV-2 test results were retrieved.

Risk factors associated with adverse fetal outcomes in pregnancies affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a secondary analysis of the WAPM study on COVID-19.

Objectives To evaluate the strength of association between maternal and pregnancy characteristics and the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with laboratory confirmed COVID-19. Methods Secondary analysis of a multinational, cohort study on all consecutive pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from February 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020 from 73 centers from 22 different countries. A confirmed case of COVID-19 was defined as a positive result on real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay of nasal and pharyngeal swab specimens.

Effect of hysteroscopic septum resection on preterm delivery rate in singleton pregnancies.

Introduction: Uterine septum is the most common uterine anomaly and is often found during the work-up in primary infertile women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential effect of hysteroscopic septum resection (HSR) on preterm delivery (PTD) in primary infertile women who had singleton pregnancies.

Material And Methods: We analyzed 420 singleton pregnancies after primary infertility treatment and compared the PTD rates in women who underwent previous HSR (cases) and women who did not undergo previous operative hysteroscopy or cervical dilation (controls), regardless of the modality of conception (spontaneous or by fertilization).

Effect of current guidelines on prevention of pre-eclampsia with low-dose aspirin in primary settings: A population-based case-control study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of low-dose aspirin, which was administered at or before the 16th week of pregnancy due to maternal characteristics and history of a pre-existing medical condition, on prevention of pre-eclampsia, and on the birth of a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate without pre-eclampsia in nulliparas in primary settings.

Methods: We performed a case-control study using population-based data on 47 271 nulliparas with a singleton pregnancy who delivered in Slovenia from 2013 to 2017. The treated group received low-dose aspirin.

Changes in perinatal outcomes after implementation of IADPSG criteria for screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus: A national survey.

Objective: To compare perinatal outcomes before and after implementation of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria for testing of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A national, perinatal, registry-based cohort study of prospectively collected data was conducted. Patients with diabetes type 1 or 2 were excluded.

Establishing a Differential Marker Profile for Pregnancy Complications Near Delivery.

Objective: The aim of this work was to define a differential marker profile for pregnancy complications near delivery.

Methods: We enrolled pregnant women who were referred to the outpatient pregnancy clinic of the University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia, due to symptoms of pregnancy complications and women with a history of pregnancy complications attending the high-risk hospital clinic for close surveillance. They were evaluated for prior risk and were tested for biophysical and biochemical markers at the time of enrolment.

Contextual-relationship and stress-related factors of postpartum depression symptoms in nulliparas: a prospective study from Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Background: For a significant proportion of women, postpartum depression (PPD) is the first mood episode in their lives, yet its aetiology still remains unclear. Insecure attachment in close adult relationships is considered to be a risk factor for depressive symptoms. This study aimed to gain further insight into the risk factors for postpartum depression symptoms (PPDS) of nulliparas in Slovenia and to examine vulnerability to developing depressive symptoms, with an emphasis on contextual and stress-related characteristics.

Planned home birth in Slovenia-Are we ready?

Nowadays, women want a more intimate and familiar atmosphere during labour, which results in increased planned home birth rates. Every woman has the autonomy to decide where she will give birth; however, it is important that she is informed of risks and advantages beforehand. Home births can be distinguished between planned and unplanned home births.

Individual and Contextual Factors of Nulliparas' Levels of Depression, Anxiety and Fear of Childbirth in the Last Trimester of Pregnancy: Intimate Partner Attachment a Key Factor?

Background: Depression, anxiety and fear of childbirth have numerous consequences for women and their developing offspring. Insecure attachment in close adult relationships is considered to be a risk factor for depressive symptoms. This study aims to gain further insight into the risk factors for depressive and anxiety symptoms in nulliparous women during the third trimester of pregnancy regarding the main contextual relations, with an emphasis on partner attachment.

Total gestational weight gain and the risk of preeclampsia by pre-pregnancy body mass index categories: a population-based cohort study from 2013 to 2017.

Background Identifying the risk factors for preeclampsia (PE) is essential for the implementation of preventive actions. In the present study, we aimed at exploring the association between total gestational weight gain (GWG) and PE. Methods We performed a population-based cohort survey of 98,820 women with singleton pregnancies who delivered in Slovenia from 2013 to 2017.

Customised birthweight standard for a Slovenian population.

Objective To produce a customised birthweight standard for Slovenia. Methods This retrospective study used a cohort from the National Perinatal Information System of Slovenia (NPIS). Prospectively collected information from pregnancies delivered in all of Slovenia's 14 maternal hospitals between 1st January 2003 and 31st December 2012 was included.

Correlation between uterine artery Doppler and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in different phenotypes of placental dysfunction.

Objective: To explore correlations between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and uterine arteries (UtA) Doppler indexes in placental dysfunction-related disorders (PDD).

Methods: We prospectively included women with a singleton pregnancy with preeclampsia (PE) only (n = 22), preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction (FGR) (n = 32), FGR only (n = 12), or normal pregnancy (n = 29).

Results: In PDDs, significantly positive correlations between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and the mean UtA pulsatility (mPI-UtA), as well as the resistance index (mRI-UtA) were found (p = 0.

Peripheral arterial tonometry and angiogenic biomarkers in preeclampsia.

Objective: To evaluate changes in vascular function and serum biomarkers in women with and without preeclampsia (PE) to create a model for the easier and more precise diagnosis of PE in the future.

Methods: Endothelial function and arterial stiffness were evaluated using peripheral arterial tonometry and concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin (sEng) were determined by immunoassay.

Results: Arterial stiffness deteriorates and endothelial function is better in women with PE compared with a healthy pregnancy.

Abuse of pregnant women in the healthcare system.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of abuse in healthcare system during pregnancy and its impact on pregnancy outcomes. A validated screening Norvold Abuse Questionnaire for the identification of female victims of four kinds of abuse: emotional, physical, sexual, and the abuse in the healthcare system was anonymously offered to all women in the first 2 days postpartum. The study group consisted of 1018 women, 6.