An Update on Maternal Hydration Strategies for Amniotic Fluid Improvement in Isolated Oligohydramnios and Normohydramnios: Evidence from a Systematic Review of Literature and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Several trials aimed at evaluating the efficacy of maternal hydration (MH) in increasing amniotic-fluid-volume (AFV) in pregnancies with isolated oligohydramnios or normohydramnos have been conducted. Unfortunately, no evidences support this intervention in routine-clinical-practice. The aim of this systematic-literature-review and meta-analysis was to collect all data regarding proposed strategies and their efficacy in relation to each clinical condition for which MH-therapy was performed with the aim of increasing amniotic-fluid (AF) and improving perinatal outcomes.

Sonographic assessment of placental location: a mere notional description or an important key to improve both pregnancy and perinatal obstetrical care? A large cohort study.

During a standard obstetrical sonogram, the assessment of placental location (PL) is often limited to a mere notional description without formulating any association to possible implications on pregnancy and childbirth. The aim of the study was to speculate if different sites of PL may have a role in influencing fetal presentation-(FP) at birth and if certain pregnancy-complications may be more closely associated with one rather than with another PL. We conducted an observational-prospective-cohort study on pregnant women referred to the Ob/Gyn Unit of Padua University for routine third-trimester ultrasound scan.

Serum Stem Cell Factor Assay in Elderly Poor Responder Patients Undergoing IVF: A New Biomarker to Customize Follicle Aspiration Cycle by Cycle.

In humans, stem cell factor (SCF), produced during follicular phase, may reflect a successful stimulation and oocyte maturation and so it may be a predictor of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. An observational cohort study was conducted on 37 poor responders scheduled for fresh nondonor IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment with standard controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) using recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH; S-COS group). A total of 35 women received a second treatment using both rFSH and recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH; LH-COS group).

Uterine smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP): pathology, follow-up and recurrence.

The term smooth uterine muscle of uncertain malignant potential (STUMPs) indicates a group of uterine smooth muscle tumors (SMTs) that cannot be diagnosed unequivocally as benign or malignant. Diagnosis, surgical management, and follow-up of this neoplasm remain controversial, especially in pre-menopausal women with fertility desire, due to the non aggressive behaviour and prolonged survival rate when compared to leiomyosarcomas. However, recurrence is estimated between 8.