Effect of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy on maternal serum screening tests.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether the changes in the first and second trimester maternal serum biochemical markers used for prenatal screening are associated with euploid pregnancies complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). METHODS: A total of 94 pregnant women were included in this retrospective comparative study. Thirty-seven women whose pregnancy was complicated with ICP constituted the study group whereas 57 of them constituted the control group. All hospital records were examined in terms of combined first trimester screening test and second trimester triple test parameters. Perinatal outcomes were also recorded. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the two groups in term of age, BMI, and obstetric history (all p > 0.05). Mean serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum bile acid concentrations in the study group were significantly higher than in the controls (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of first and second trimester serum biochemical markers. Newborn gender, route of birth, and NICU admission rates were also similar in the two groups. Mean birth weight of the control group was statistically significantly higher than the ICP group (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: We report no significant differences between pregnancies complicated by ICP and healthy pregnancies in terms of first and second trimester maternal serum screening test results.

P wave and QT dispersion in familial mediterranean fever.

OBJECTIVE: Familial mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common auto-inflammatory disease that is characterized by recurrent, self-limited attacks of fever and serous membrane inflammation. Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases are considered to have a raised cardiovascular diseases risk. The aim of this study was to investigate; by means of P wave dispersion (Pd) and QT dispersion (QTd) parameters detected by simple standard electrocardiogram (ECG), atrial and ventricular repolarization changes in pregnant women with and without FMF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this case-control study including 37 pregnant women with FMF who already put on colchicine treatment and 40 healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy cases, were prospectively assessed using 12-lead ECG and echocardiography. RESULTS: No differences in Pd and corrected QT values were found between the groups. Epicardial fat thickness values were significantly higher in the FMF group compared with the control group (p = 0.015). A positive correlation was found between FMF duration and epicardial fat thickness (r = 0.350, p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Pd, a non-invasive marker of potential atrial arrhythmia and QT-d, a non-invasive marker of potentially lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmia, constitute a recent contribution to the field of noninvasive electrocardiology. Pd and QT-d values were not altered in pregnant women with FMF who already put on colchicine treatment, with no increased risk of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias indicated. Colchicine may have a cardio-protective effect beyond the effect mediated through suppression of inflammation.

Anterior placenta previa is associated with increased umbilical cord blood hematocrit concenrations.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the umbilical cord blood (CB) hematocrit (Hct) levels in women with anterior located placenta previa (PP). METHODS: This is a prospective case-control study performed in a tertiary level maternity hospital. Thirty seven pregnant women diagnosed with anterior PP (study group) and 37 women without PP (control group) included into the study. Groups were matched with regard to age, gestational age, and fetal gender. All women underwent Cesarean section. Umbilical CB Hct levels of the newborns were measured. Demographics, operative features, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Umbilical CB Hct levels were statistically significantly higher in the PP patients compared with controls (p: 52.6±5.0 vs. 47.5±5.0, p < 0.001). Preoperative maternal hemoglobin (Hgb) and Hct levels were similar in the two groups. However, postoperative Hb and Hct levels were significantly lower in the study group (p: 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively). Intraoperative complication rates were higher in this group. Neonatal Apgar scores were lower and neonatal intensive care unit admission was more common in the PP group when compared with controls. CONCLUSION: We think that anterior PP is associated with increased umbilical CB Hct levels. Neonatologists should consider this condition in the infants born to mothers with anterior PP.