The assessment of maternal and umbilical cord homocysteine levels in obese pregnant women.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the maternal plasma and umbilical cord blood homocysteine levels in obese and non-obese pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred-ten term pregnant women, who completed their 3711, gestational weeks and were not in active labor, were enrolled in the study. While 41 out of them were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)), 69 were non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m(2)). The maternal plasma and umbilical cord homocysteine levels and umbilical cord pH values were compared between the groups. The statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Mann Whitney test, and Chi-square test. Ap < 0.05 value was set as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean of age was higher in obese group in borderline significance (26.8 ± 5.4 vs. 28.8 ± 5. l,p = 0.049). The mean of gestational weeks, birthweight, the mode of delivery, and umbilical cord pH values were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). The maternal plasma homocysteine levels [median (interquartile range); 7.6 (4.1) vs. 7.1 (4.9)] and umbilical cord homocysteine values were not statistically different [8.6 (4.2) vs. 8.8 (4.5)] between the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The maternal and umbilical cord blood homocysteine levels are not different in obese and non-obese pregnant women.

Association of antepartum vitamin D levels with postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength and symptoms.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Vitamin D affects skeletal muscle strength and functions via various mechanisms. Strength and/or functional dysfunctions of the pelvic floor muscles may be associated with the distortion of pelvic floor functions. We hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) by affecting pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy on postpartum PFMS. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a university hospital. One hundred and eighty pregnant women were admitted to our hospital in their third trimester and compared with 156 healthy nulliparous women. Venous blood samples for examining vitamin D levels were taken from each participant and stored at -80 °C. At 8-10 weeks postpartum, patients were invited to the hospital, asked about their PFD symptoms, and PFMS was measured using a perineometer. RESULTS: There was no statistical significance among groups regarding mean age, maternal age, and weight at delivery. Postpartum PFMS and duration in vitamin D-deficient women were significantly lower than those without the deficiency. Vitamin D-deficient vaginal delivery cases (group I) had a postpartum PFMS average of 21.96 ± 7.91 cm-H2O, nonvitamin D-deficient normal delivery cases (group III) had a PFMS of 29.66 ± 10.3 cm-H2O (p = 0.001). In the cesarean delivery groups, vitamin D-deficient (group II) and nonvitamin D-deficient (group IV) cases had PFMS values of 32.23 ± 9.66 and 35.53 ± 15.58 cm-H2O respectively (p = 0.258). CONCLUSIONS: Lower vitamin D levels in the third trimester correlates with decreased PFMS.

Obturator Nerve Injury: An Infrequent Complication of TOT Procedure.

Transvaginal mid-urethral slings have become the most preferred surgical treatment option for female stress urinary incontinence. However, various complications have been reported for these operations occurring especially during penetration of the retropubic space. It can negatively affect patient's quality of life. Early treatment increases the chance of complete normalization of the functions. In this case report we presented a case of obturator nerve damage that was diagnosed and treated at early stage after TOT operation.