Beyond Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Review of Pregnancy Management following Bariatric Procedures.

The increasing prevalence of bariatric surgery among women of childbearing age raises critical questions about the correct management of pregnancy following these procedures. This literature review delves into the multifaceted considerations surrounding pregnancy after bariatric surgery, with a particular focus on the importance of preconception counselling, appropriate nutrition assessment, and the necessity of correct folic acid supplementation. Key areas of investigation include nutrient absorption challenges, weight gain during pregnancy, and potential micronutrient deficiencies. Examining the relationship between bariatric surgery and birth defects, particularly heart and musculoskeletal issues, uncovers a twofold increase in risk for women who underwent surgery before pregnancy, with the risk emphasized before folic acid fortification. In contrast, a nationwide study suggests that infants born to mothers with bariatric surgery exhibit a reduced risk of major birth defects, potentially associated with improved glucose metabolism. In addition, this review outlines strategies for managing gestational diabetes and other pregnancy-related complications in individuals with a history of bariatric surgery. By synthesizing existing literature, this paper aims to provide healthcare providers with a comprehensive framework for the correct management of pregnancy in this unique patient population, promoting the health and well-being of both mother and child.

Bilateral Renal Ectopia-Prenatal Diagnosis.

This report explores the diverse spectrum of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), ranging from asymptomatic presentations to the most severe form characterized by bilateral renal agenesis. Genitourinary anomalies, a prevalent subset within this domain, account for a significant proportion, constituting 15-20% of anomalies identified during prenatal screening. An ectopic kidney is defined by the presence of an empty renal fossa and the displacement of the kidney from the lumbar region to alternative locations, with the pelvic region emerging as the most prevalent site. The reported case involves bilateral renal ectopia with unilateral duplex kidney. Initial suspicions of a renal anomaly arose during the first trimester, leading to a definitive diagnosis in the second trimester. The patient underwent regular monitoring every four weeks, ultimately delivering a healthy baby at term. This case underscores the frequency of renal anomalies, emphasizing that a considerable proportion remains asymptomatic. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of congenital renal anomalies, their varied manifestations, and the importance of vigilant prenatal screening for early detection and management.

Cloacal Dysgenesis Sequence.

This article presents a rare case of cloacal dysgenesis sequence (CDS) detected at 23 weeks of gestation in a 36-year-old woman's first ongoing pregnancy. The fetal ultrasound demonstrated anhydramnios, megacystis, the "keyhole sign" and empty bilateral renal fossae, findings consistent with the fetal obstructive uropathy (FOU). A subsequent postmortem carried out confirmed a diagnosis of a cloacal dysgenesis sequence, characterized by the absence of anal, genital and urinary openings with intact perineum covered by smooth skin and a phallus-like structure.

Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis of Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a very rare vascular malformation syndrome also referred to as a capillary-lymphatic-venous malformation with unknown aetiology. The aim of our paper is to highlight interesting images, regarding a rare case of foetal Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome diagnosed prenatally in our department and confirmed postnatally with a favourable evolution during the gestation and neonatal periods. This case was diagnosed at 26 weeks gestation and characterised through ultrasound by the presence of superficial multiple cystic structures of different sizes spreading over the left leg with hemihypertrophy and reduced mobility. The cystic lesions were spreading to the left buttock and the pelvic area. The right leg and upper limbs had normal appearance with good mobility. There were no signs of hyperdynamic circulation or foetal anaemia, but mild polyhydramnios was associated. The ultrasound findings were confirmed postnatally, the left leg presented multiple cystic lesions and port wine stains, and there was hypertrophy and fixed position, with favourable evolution at 6 months of life, when the size of the lesions began to decrease and the mobility of the leg improved.

Sonographic Detection of Fetal Cholelithiasis.

Fetal biliary lithiasis is a benign condition characterized by the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder of a developing fetus. It is typically detected incidentally during a routine obstetric echography. The incidence of this condition varies from 0.03% to 2.3%. In most cases, fetal cholelithiasis resolves spontaneously and has an excellent prognosis. However, there are certain risk factors that may contribute to its development. Maternal factors that increase the risk of fetal cholelithiasis include placental abruption, elevated estrogen levels, narcotic use, diabetes, enteral nutrition, and specific medications, such as ceftriaxone, furosemide, and prostaglandin E2. Fetal factors that can contribute to the condition include Rhesus or ABO blood group incompatibility, congenital anomalies affecting the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or urinary systems, twin pregnancies with the fetal demise of one twin, genetic anomalies such as trisomy 21, chromosomal aberrations, cystic fibrosis, growth restriction, oligohydramnios, hepatitis, or idiopathic causes. Usually, the gallstones spontaneously resolve before or after birth without requiring specific treatment. However, in rare instances, complications can arise, such as the formation of biliary sludge, inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), or obstruction of the bile ducts. If complications occur or if the gallstones persist after birth, further evaluation and management may be necessary. Treatment options can include medication, minimally invasive procedures, or, in severe cases, surgical removal of the gallbladder.

Skeletal Dysplasia: A Case Report.

This paper presents a rare case of fetal hydrops detected at just 23 weeks of gestation in a 22-year-old woman's first pregnancy. The fetal ultrasound revealed severe skeletal anomalies, craniofacial deformities, and thoracic abnormalities, suggesting a complex and severe skeletal dysplasia, potentially type IA Achondrogenesis-a lethal autosomal recessive condition marked by ossification delay. This case highlights the significance of advanced genetic testing, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), in diagnosing and understanding skeletal dysplasias. Skeletal dysplasias represent a group of genetic disorders that affect osteogenesis. The prevalence of this condition is 1 in 4000 births. Sadly, 25% of affected infants are stillborn, and around 30% do not survive the neonatal period. There is a wide range of rare skeletal dysplasias, each with its own specific recurrence risk, dysmorphic expression, and implications for neonatal survival and quality of life. When skeletal dysplasia is incidentally discovered during routine ultrasound screening in a pregnancy not known to be at risk of a specific syndrome, a systematic examination of the limbs, head, thorax, and spine is necessary to reach the correct diagnosis. Prenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia is crucial for providing accurate counselling to future parents and facilitating the proper management of affected pregnancies. An accurate diagnosis can be a real challenge due to the wide spectrum of clinical presentations of skeletal dysplasia but advances in imaging technologies and molecular genetics have improved accuracy. Additionally, some of these skeletal dysplasias may present clinical overlap, making it especially difficult to distinguish. After the 11th revision of genetic skeletal disorder nosology, there are 771 entities associated with 552 gene mutations. The most common types of skeletal dysplasia are thanatophoric dysplasia, osteogenesis imperfect, achondroplasia, achondrogenesis, and asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy.

Amniotic Band Syndrome-Prenatal Diagnosis.

This is a case of a fetus affected by an amniotic band detected at 20 weeks of gestation. A presumptive diagnosis was made based on the ultrasound features. The ultrasound showed an abnormally developed right lower limb and no other associated fetal abnormalities. The unilaterality of the defect decreases the chances of genetic abnormality or an early vascular insult. The postnatal examination of the newborn concluded that the prenatal diagnosis was right.

Microduplication 3p26.3p24.3 and 4q34.3q35.2 Microdeletion Identified in a Patient with Developmental Delay Associated with Brain Malformation.

Microdeletions and microduplications are involved in many of prenatal and postnatal cases of multiple congenital malformations (MCM), developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID), and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Molecular karyotyping analysis (MCA), performed by DNA microarray technology, is a valuable method used to elucidate the ethology of these clinical expressions, essentially contributing to the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases produced by DNA copy number variations (CNVs). MCA is frequently used as the first-tier cytogenetic diagnostic test for patients with MCM, DD/ID, or ASD due to its much higher resolution (≥10×) for detecting microdeletions and microduplications than classic cytogenetic analysis by G-banded karyotyping. Therefore, MCA can detect about 10% pathogenic genomic imbalances more than G-banded karyotyping alone. In addition, MCA using the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-array (SNP-array) method also allows highlighting the regions of loss of heterozygosity and uniparental disomy, which are the basis of some genetic syndromes. We presented a case of a five-year-old patient, with global development delay, bilateral fronto-parietal lysencephaly, and pachygyria, for which MCA through SNP-Array led to the detection of the genetic changes, such as 3p26.3p24.3 microduplication and 4q34.3q35.2 microdeletion, which were the basis of the patient's phenotype and to the precise establishment of the diagnosis.

Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors: Pictorial Essay.

Ovarian germ cell tumors of the ovary represent a histologically heterogenous group of tumors with a high incidence at reproductive age. Patients with this pathology are very often young women with amenorrhea. The aim of this article is to present a pictorial essay of this rare pathology and to promote a national tumor registry and protocol. The treatment is individualized according to age, and fertility-sparing surgery is the actual standard of surgical treatment for young patients in early stage of the disease.

Ultrasound Appearance of Fetal Posterior Fossa and a Case Report of Prenatal Diagnosis of Dandy-Walker Malformation.

Prenatal sonographic assessment of the posterior fossa in the mid-sagittal plane at 11-14 weeks' gestation has been highlighted as an essential diagnostic step by the current literature. This approach is used for the early detection of open spina bifida during the first trimester by analyzing the three spaces of the posterior fossa: brain stem, the fourth ventricle and cisterna magna. Abnormal size of fetal posterior fossa spaces is an important sign in the diagnosis of fetuses with central nervous system malformation and needs to be submitted for differential diagnosis when any alterations are observed. Among them, Dandy-Walker malformation is one of the major causes of congenital hydrocephalus, being a rare condition, with poor-prognosis, manifested by enlarged posterior fossa. On the basis of available evidence, the assessment of the fetal posterior cranial fossa is feasible from 11 to 14 weeks gestational age and it is believed that abnormal appearance of the posterior fossa at this stage of pregnancy could improve early detection of Dandy-Walker malformation by prompting an early second trimester ultrasound evaluation.

Incidence of Emergency Peripartum Hysterectomy in a Tertiary Obstetrics Unit in Romania.

Background and Objectives: Emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) is a life-saving surgical procedure performed when medical and surgical conservative measures fail to control postpartum hemorrhage. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of EPH and to determine the factors leading to this procedure and the maternal outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study with all cases of EPH performed at Filantropia Clinical Hospital in Bucharest between January 2012 and May 2021. Results: There were 36 EPH, from a total of 36,099 births recorded. The overall incidence of EPH was 0.99 per 1000 deliveries, most cases being related to placenta accreta spectrum disorder and uterine atony. Conclusions: Peripartum hysterectomy is associated with an important maternal morbidity rate and severe complications. Efforts should be made to reduce the number of unnecessary cesarean deliveries.

Severe Neonatal Anemia Due to Spontaneous Massive Fetomaternal Hemorrhage at Term: An Illustrative Case with Suspected Antenatal Diagnosis and Brief Review of Current Knowledge.

Fetomaternal hemorrhage is defined as transfer of fetal blood into placental circulation and therefore into maternal circulation during pregnancy, and represents an important contributor to intrauterine fetal demise and neonatal death. The condition is rarely diagnosed prenatally because clinical findings are often nonspecific, and it is unpredictable. In this paper we present an illustrative case of massive spontaneous fetomaternal hemorrhage where the diagnosis was highly suspected antenatally based on maternal reported reduced fetal movements, abnormal suggestive cardiotocographic trace, and increased peak systolic velocity in the fetal middle cerebral artery. We discuss obstetrical and neonatal management and review the current knowledge in the literature. Maintaining a high index of suspicion for this condition allows the obstetrician to plan for adequate diagnostic tests, arrange intrauterine treatment or delivery, and prepare the neonatal team.

The Relationship between the Infertility Specialist and the Patient during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The doctor-patient relationship is fundamental in the treatment of infertility, due to the emotional implications of fertilization procedures. However, insufficient data are available specifically for this relationship. The general objective of the study is to establish the associations between the fundamental concepts that define the doctor-patient relationship: communication, empathy, trust, collaboration, compliance and satisfaction. A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2020 and followed the methods of a quantitative analysis, collecting the data using questionnaires. The research plan was specific to path analysis with the mediation effect, in which the hypotheses were tested. The research group consisted of 151 women diagnosed with infertility, voluntarily recruited through online support communities. Findings demonstrate that affective empathy mediates the relationship between communication and trust in the doctor. In conclusion, this study draws attention to the importance of basic concepts in the relationship of infertility specialists with infertile patients. Thus, it is necessary for health care providers in assisted human reproduction to participate in programs for the continuous training of empathic communication skills, given the sensitivity of this diagnosis.

Secondary Amenorrhea and Infertility Due to an Inhibin B Producing Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary. A Rare Case Report and Literature Review.

Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary (GCT) is a rare ovarian tumor with nonspecific symptoms. Studies reported that GCT are usually secreting estrogens and inhibins, especially inhibin B. It is considered that, in premenopausal women, irregular menses or secondary amenorrhea may be an early symptom of GCT and, in postmenopausal women, the most common manifestation is vaginal bleeding. Additionally, endometrial abnormalities can be associated due to estrogenic secretion. At reproductive age, high levels of inhibin, lead to low levels of FSH and secondary amenorrhea causing infertility. At times, increased levels of LH in women with GCT are observed and the pathogenesis is still unclear. Therefore, inhibin B level can differentiate GCT from other causes of secondary amenorrhea. We report the case of a 26-year-old nulliparous, women who presented in our clinic with secondary infertility lasting longer than 2 years, secondary amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and suspicion of right ovarian endometrioma on CT scan. The ultrasound examination revealed that the right ovary was transformed in an anechoic mass with increased peripheral vascularity having a volume of 10 cm3. This patient had high serum levels of inhibin B and LH but normal levels of FSH and estradiol. The preliminary diagnosis of granulosa cell tumor of the ovary was made. After counseling, the informed consent for treatment was obtained and the patient agreed to undergo surgery. An uneventful laparoscopy was performed with right oophorectomy and multiple peritoneal sampling. The histological diagnosis confirmed adult GCT limited to right ovary, with negative peritoneal biopsies (FIGO IA). After surgery the patient recovered fully and had normal menstrual cycles with normal serum levels of hormones. Two months later she conceived spontaneously and had an uneventful pregnancy. In conclusion, for cases with secondary amenorrhea, the evaluation of inhibin B level is essential. Elevated inhibin B level may be a sign for the presence of an unsuspected tumor. With early diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis is generally good and the fertility may be preserved, especially in young patients with GCT.

Asthma in Pregnancy. Review of Current Literature and Recommendations.

Background:Asthma is the most common respiratory disorder affecting women during pregnancy. Although it is a reversible disease, it may adversely affect maternal quality of life and perinatal outcomes, especially in severe and inappropriately managed cases. Conversely, pregnancy influences the course of asthma through the physiological respiratory, hormonal, and immune system changes. Exacerbations are a key feature of asthma, representing a significant problem if severe, requiring aggressive medical intervention, hospital and even ICU admission. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to summarize the current knowledge and to provide a comprehensive overview of asthma in pregnancy. We also want rising awareness among patients and clinicians on the importance of proper asthma management during pregnancy. Data sources: A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Medline, and Taylor& Francis was performed. We have searched for review articles as well as prospective and retrospective studies published in English, investigating the bilateral relationship between asthma and pregnancy, using the key words mentioned bellow. Manual search through both national and international guidelines as well as relevant journals and publications on the topic has been also conducted. Conclusion:Optimal asthma control, preventing, detecting, and treating the exacerbations are of the utmost importance to minimize the adverse effects for both the mother and fetus/neonate. Guidelines recommend active asthma management during pregnancy. Strong support prior and throughout the pregnancy and individualized treatment, guided by a multidisciplinary team, is suggested. Education on the importance of anti-asthmatic therapy, avoiding triggers, frequent and accurate monitoring are essential for good asthma management. Considering the pandemic, we are facing and the potential impact of COVID-19 on asthma, Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guideline recommendations for physicians are mentioned in the present article.

Double Ovarian Stimulation in the Same Ovarian Cycle.

The theory of multicyclic development of follicles during the menstrual cycle prompted new approaches to ovarian stimulation such as double stimulation within the same menstrual cycle, in both follicular and luteal phases. New stimulation approaches, together with cryopreservation techniques, provide higher chances for patients with poor ovarian response who undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) to get pregnant. The double ovarian stimulation protocol has been proposed to optimize the number of oocytes retrieved within the shortest possible timeframe. Moreover, the short overall duration of this strategy is also useful in cases of a fertility preservation that requires rapid intervention before administering a gonadotoxic therapy, such as in oncologic therapy. In general, the aim of DUOSTIM is to obtain the highest number of oocytes in the shortest time, thus avoiding waste of time, which is crucial for these patients. Several protocols have been proposed with similar results, regardless of the protocol used.

The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnant Women.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has meant significant precautions and changes in delivering healthcare services. The aim of the study was to explore the lifestyle changes of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania, the changes in prenatal care and delivery during the pandemic and the psychological impact on women and to determine how healthcare providers can help them to overcome this period. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted anonymously and distributed among pregnancy-related groups from Romania, recruiting 559 study participants, between May and October 2020. A total of 559 pregnant women completed an online 26-item questionnaire but we only validated 557 responses for study. The survey included basic demographic questions, pregnancy-related questions, questions regarding the pregnant women's lifestyle changes during the pandemic and their perception of the COVID-19 pandemic and questions which evaluated the impact of the pandemic on prenatal care and delivery in Romania. RESULTS: The pandemic restrictions affected women's routine activities regarding professional, familial and social life. Therefore, for pregnant women who were emotionally vulnerable, these restrictions had a great impact on their mental health. The majority of the study participants (78.8%, N = 439) were emotionally affected by the pandemic. The fear related to the possibility of having their pregnancy affected by the virus was dominant in the group (45.8%). A high number of women (69.5%) felt safe when they accessed health services, but private hospitals were considered safer (53.1%) compared to public hospitals (14.4%). The majority of participants (53.7%) used to have prenatal care in a private healthcare system. During the pandemic, preventive measures were associated with low confidence in the healthcare system. Of the total group of participants, 123 women (22.1%) gave birth during the pandemic. Of these, a majority of the study participants considered that it was very difficult for them to cope without their partner during the hospitalization and labor period. CONCLUSIONS: The main anxiety of pregnant women were related to threats to their lives and their baby's health because of the uncertainty caused by pandemic. It is important to know that the restrictions and the changes in maternity care had a negative impact on them. This conclusion must be taken into account when preventive measures will be decided for helping them to get through such a period. Additionally, psychological support will be essential for improving the mental health of pregnant women and for preventing a negative outcome of the pregnancy. These feelings must be taken into account when preventive measures will be established during pandemic and a psychological support will be essential for improving their mental health for preventing negative outcome of pregnancy.

Heterotopic Quadruplet Pregnancy. Literature Review and Case Report.

Heterotopic pregnancy is the condition where both intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy are present. It rarely occurs after natural conception, but is more common with assisted reproductive techniques, when more than one embryo is transferred. Quadruplet heterotopic pregnancy is exceedingly rare. METHODS: A literature review was conducted aiming to highlight the diagnosis difficulties and the management options in heterotopic quadruplet pregnancies. RESULTS: Nine relevant studies were identified by researching PubMed up to 2021 for "heterotopic quadruplet pregnancy", "quadruplet intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy", "synchronous intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy". CONCLUSIONS: In this paper, we present a case of heterotopic quadruplet pregnancy and address the difficulty in diagnosing this condition and make formal recommendations.

Anxiety, Difficulties, and Coping of Infertile Women.

The present study aims to highlight how women perceive and adapt to infertility difficulties. To better understand the difficulties that women diagnosed with infertility are experiencing, the study explores this concept in correlation with anxiety and coping. 240 women with fertility problems from various parts of Romania completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Form Y), Brief COPE and the scale "Difficulties With Infertility and Its Treatment." Statistical analyzes showed that women who were at the beginning of treatment obtained higher scores on the anxiety [F(2,237) = 4.76, p = 0.009] and on the difficulties scale [F(2,237) = 3.53, p = 0.031], compared to participants who resorted to repeated fertilization procedures. It is important to emphasize that there is a significant positive correlation between the perception of infertility difficulties and coping, and also between difficulties and state anxiety. Regarding the relationship between state anxiety and coping, there were significant positive associations between maladaptive coping strategies and state anxiety, while adaptive strategies were negatively associated with state anxiety. In addition, regarding coping strategies, venting and self-blame occurred predominantly in women who know that the cause of infertility is female-related. These findings draws attention to the fact that infertile women live this experience at very high levels of anxiety, using quite a few adaptive coping mechanisms. These results highlight the need to investigate ways to reduce anxiety and optimizing adaptive coping strategies.

Corpus luteum in ectopic ovarian tissue miming tubal pregnancy.

We report an extraordinarily rare case of a pregnant patient with history of multiple ovarian cyst surgery. The corpus luteum developed on an ectopic ovarian tissue, miming an tubal pregnancy. One week later after the diagnostic laparoscopy an intrauterine pregnancy was visualised. Therefore, ectopic ovarian tissue with normal follicular activity may appear after multiple ovarian surgery.