The Effects of Maternal Smoking on Thyroid Function: Findings from Routine First-Trimester Sonographic Anomaly Screening.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the effect of tobacco exposure on maternal thyroid function and investigate its relationship to subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women during the first trimester. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A comparison of maternal thyroid function was made on 45 smokers, who composed the study group, and 72 non-smokers, pregnant women, who constituted the control group. After determining smokers by questionnaire, carbon monoxide (CO) levels in the expiratory air of the participants in both groups were measured and recorded, and the smokers' exposure was objectively confirmed. RESULTS: Smoking and non-smoking pregnant women were similar regarding body mass index (BMI). While the TSH and fT4 levels were respectively 1.48 mlU/L and 11.43 pmol/L in pregnant women who smoked, that ratio changed to 1.72 mlU/L and 11.17 pmol/L in the non-smokers' group. But the differences between the groups were not statistically significant (p=0.239, p=0.179). Even though the rate of subclinical hypothyroidism was 8.9% in the smoking group, it was approximately 19.4% in the non-smoker group; the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.187). CONCLUSION: This study proved that there is no statistically significant difference between maternal serum TSH and fT4 levels and the rate of subclinical hypothyroidism in smokers during pregnancy in the first trimester.

The effects of maternal smoking on fetal cranial development. Findings from routine midtrimester sonographic anomaly screening.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of continued smoking before and during pregnancy on mid-trimester fetal head development. A total of 250 pregnant women enrolled in the study. All participants were confirmed to be smokers or non-smokers by verifying breath carbon monoxide readings. Biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), lateral ventricle (LV), and cisterna magna (CM) were evaluated by ultrasound between 20-22 weeks of pregnancy. Gender and gestational age-adjusted BPD z- scores were not statistically different between smokers and non-smokers (-0.75 ± 1.6 vs -0.51 ± 1, p = .3). HC measurements and z- scores were significantly lower in the smoking group than in the non-smoking groups (183.38 ± 14.56 vs. 189.28 ± 12.53, p = .003, 0.18 ± 1.39 multiple of median (MoM) vs. 0.56 ± 0.92, respectively, p = .023). At linear regression analysis, maternal smoking was the only independent factor associated with fetal HC z score (p = .041). In conclusion, continued smoking during pregnancy reduces fetal HC and has no effect on BPD, LV, or CM measurements at mid-gestation.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Smoking during pregnancy is one of the most common environmental factors affecting fetal and neonatal growth and well-being. Despite the well-known effects of smoking on somatic growth, current studies have shown that it selectively affects some parts of the fetal brain, even in appropriately growing fetuses.What do the results of this study add? Continued smoking during pregnancy reduces fetal HC and has no effect on BPD, LV or CM measurements at mid-gestation. Since smoking is well known for its early and late childhood behavioral and neurological consequences, smaller mid-trimester fetal HC measurements should bring maternal smoking to mind as one of the potentially reversible causes.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The harmful effects of smoking start before the third trimester and antenatal counseling should be started early in the gestation. Every effort should be made to quit smoking before or early in pregnancy.

Sleep, depression, anxiety and fatigue in women with premature ovarian insufficiency.

PURPOSE: To assess sleep disturbances, levels of anxiety, depression and fatigue in women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 62 women with POI and 62 age-matched controls. Women in both groups completed questionnaires. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia severity index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Fatigue Severity Scale were used. RESULTS: We found poor sleep quality, higher levels of insomnia in women with POI than in controls. Depression was much more prevalent and severe in POI women. Total anxiety score, the severity of anxiety and fatigue did not differ significantly between the groups. According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, being married and having POI were associated with worse quality of sleep, and having more children was associated with an increase in depression levels in the whole cohort. Backward analysis showed that when POI status was taken as a reference, married women were at 6.5 fold increased risk of poor sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: Women with premature ovarian failure are more likely to suffer from poor sleep quality, insomnia and depression than healthy women.

Maternal serum procalcitonin levels in prediction of chorioamnionitis in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

INTRODUCTION: Chorioamnionitis is one of the most important maternal complications in the expectant management of patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Procalcitonin (proCT), the precursor of the hormone calcitonin, is used to differentiate bacterial infections from non-bacterial ones. The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of maternal serum procalcitonin levels in the early prediction of chorioamnionitis in women with PPROM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in 76 pregnant women hospitalized due to PPROM at the maternal-fetal medicine unit of a tertiary center in Istanbul. Patients were followed up with white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and proCT levels every 2 days. The values of investigated parameters were recorded at the diagnosis of PPROM and at the time of delivery. The maximum values during the follow-up period were also recorded. RESULTS: Out of the 76 patients with PPROM, 15 (19.73%) developed clinical chorioamnionitis. No significant difference could be detected in the gravidity, parity, duration of hospitalization and gestational week at diagnosis between those patients who developed clinical chorioamnionitis and those who did not. The WBC at the time of hospital admittance and before delivery, and CRP levels before delivery were statistically higher in the chorioamnionitis group (p < 0.05). No difference in the proCT levels could be detected either at the time of hospital admittance or before delivery between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal proCT was not found to be predictive of chorioamnionitis. However, since there are reports in the literature that contradict these results, further studies are warranted to determine the true efficacy of proCT in the prediction of clinical chorioamnionitis.

Clinical predictors of successful vaginal myomectomy for prolapsed pedunculated uterine leiomyoma

Objective: Uterine leiomyomas are the most common pelvic tumor in women. The calculated prevalence of prolapsed pedunculated leiomyoma was 2.5% in patients who underwent surgery. Although vaginal removal is safe and effective, hysterectomy demand is questionable. We aimed to analyze the association between patient characteristics, clinical features of prolapsed pedunculated submucosal leiomyoma, and the probability of successful vaginal myomectomy. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in 35 women who presented with prolapsed pedunculated uterine leiomyoma. Patients were grouped according to the treatment procedure, either vaginal myomectomy or hysterectomy. Results: Hysterectomy was performed in 14 patients and vaginal myomectomy was performed in 21 women. The mean ages and menopausal status were similar. Parity was higher in the hysterectomy group (p=0.02). The preoperative hematocrit value of patients undergoing vaginal myomectomy was significantly lower (p=0.04). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the largest leiomyoma diameter. However, the median calculated leiomyoma volume was lower in the vaginal myomectomy group (p=0.04). None of the variables were independently associated with successful vaginal myomectomy on multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: The feasibility and choice of vaginal myomectomy is associated with low parity, absence of coexisting leiomyoma, high volume of leiomyoma estimated via ultrasound measurement, and severe anemia.

Correlation Between Transperineal 3-Dimensional Ultrasound Measurements of Levator Hiatus and Female Sexual Function.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the association of sexual functions with levator hiatus biometry measurements and levator ani muscle defect. METHODS: In 62 heterosexual, sexually active premenopausal women without pelvic floor disorders or urinary incontinence, 3-dimensional transperineal ultrasound imaging was used. Two 3-dimensional volumes were recorded, one at rest and one on Valsalva maneuver. Levator biometry measurements and levator defect were evaluated in an axial plane. Sexual function was assessed by a validated questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The primary outcome measure was correlation of sexual functions with the levator hiatus area, transverse and anteroposterior diameters, levator ani muscle thickness, vaginal length, and changes in measurements with Valsalva and levator defect. RESULTS: Forty-two women (67.7%) had low total FSFI scores (<26.55). Levator defect rates were similar in female sexual dysfunction (7/42, 16.7%) and women without female sexual dysfunction (5/20, 25%). The FSFI was negatively and weakly correlated with Δhiatal anteroposterior diameter (r = -0.33, P < 0.009) in the study population. There was a weak and inverse correlation between Δhiatal anteroposterior diameter and arousal (r = -0.35, P < 0.002), desire (r = -0.38, P < 0.001), and orgasm (r = -0.33, P < 0.007). Pain and lubrication did not correlate with any measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Hiatal area and diameters at rest are not related to sexual functions. Changes in anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus during Valsalva, which may be a sign of pelvic floor laxity or levator muscle weakness, are weakly associated with sexual functions, particularly desire, arousal, and orgasm domains.

Assessment of postpartum symphysis pubis distention with 3D ultrasonography: a novel method.

OBJECTIVES: Determining the accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) sonographic measurement of symphysis pubis (SP) distension in comparison to plain X-ray pelvic radiographs and assessing the interperformer reliability of this method. METHODS: Pelvic X-ray was performed on 86 women who delivered singleton babies within 36 h of delivery then each woman was examined by 3D transperineal ultrasound imaging by two sonogrographers. RESULTS: Measurements of SP with 3D transperineal ultrasonography in comparison to pelvic X-ray showed 95% limits of agreement. Interperformer reproducibility was substantial (interclass correlation coefficient 0.66-0.70) for measures of SP. CONCLUSIONS: Pubic symphysis width, superior pubic ligament length, and SP height can be reliably measured with 3D ultrasonography.