Evaluation of the follicular fluid thiol/disulfide balance among patients with poor ovarian response.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the thiol/disulfide balance, myeloperoxidase, and ischemia-modified albumin levels in the follicular fluid (FF) of poor ovarian response (POR) and normal ovarian response (NOR) women who received intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Methods: The study was performed between March 2021 and April 2022 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ankara City Hospital. The study included 27 POR and 35 NOR women who underwent ICSI. FF was obtained after the controlled ovarian stimulation cycle. The FF thiol/disulfide balance was detected using spectrophotometric methods. A correlation analysis was conducted to determine whether these oxidative stress markers could contribute to predicting oocyte quality. Results: Disulfide levels were significantly higher in the NOR group than in the POR group (p=0.014). The number of fertilized egg (2PN) oocytes was positively correlated with the total thiol level (r=0.258, p=0.046). The disulfide level was positively correlated with the anti-Müllerian hormone level (r=0.262, p=0.039) and the total number of retrieved oocytes (r=0.335, p=0.008). Conclusion: The disulfide levels differed significantly between the NOR and POR groups. The statistically significant differences of fewer metaphase II oocytes and lower percentage of good-quality embryos in the NOR group compared to the POR group might have resulted from the NOR group's elevated disulfide levels. The total thiol levels correlated with the total of 2PN oocytes. Future studies should examine the thiol/disulfide balance at assisted reproductive technology centers to predict which oocytes could be fertilized.

Does HPV-18 co-infection increase the risk of cervical pathology in individuals with HPV-16?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate differences between HPV-16 mono- and HPV-16/18 co-infections in terms of cervical dysplasia and invasive cancer. METHODS: This multicentre, retrospective study spanned from December 2017 to December 2020, involving women who visited gynaecological oncology clinics for colposcopy with either HPV-16 or HPV-16/18 positivity. A total of 736 patients, 670 in Group 1 (HPV-16 positivity) and 66 in Group 2 (HPV-16/18 positivity), were compared for the presence of CIN2+ lesions detected by colposcopic biopsy or endocervical curettage (ECC). Exclusions included hysterectomized patients, those with prior gynaecological cancers, and patients with HPV positivity other than types 16 and 18. RESULTS: Among the included patients, 42.4% had a diagnosis of CIN2+ lesions. The cytology results demonstrated abnormal findings in 45.3% in Group 1 and 42.2% in Group 2, with no significant difference between the groups. ECC revealed CIN2+ lesion in 49 (8.7%) patients in group 1, while only 1 (1.7%) patient had CIN2+ lesion in group 2. There was no difference between 2 groups in terms of ECC result (p = 0.052). In group 1, 289 (43.1%) patients had CIN2+ lesion, while 23 (34.8%) patients had CIN2+ lesions in group 2. There was no difference between group 1 and 2 in terms of diagnosis of CIN2+ lesions (p = 0.19). CONCLUSION: This multicentre retrospective study found no significant differences between HPV-16 mono- and HPV-16/18 co-infections regarding cervical pathologies. Larger studies are needed to validate and further explore these findings.

Do HPV 16 positive/ASC-H cervical cancer screening results predict CIN 2+ better than other high-risk HPV subtypes?

Objective: To determine whether patients with atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (ASC-H) cytology have a correlation between high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) type and CIN 2+1 lesion in final pathology. Material and Methods: The study was conducted retrospectively, using data from three tertiary gynecologic oncology centers located in various regions of Turkey. Data from 5,271 patients who had colposcopy between January 2003 and January 2021 were analyzed. Results: A total of 163 patients who had ASC-H cervical cytology test results, based on the Bethesda 2014 classification were eligible, and of these 83 (50.9%) who tested positive for HPV were included in the study. There was no correlation between the occurrence of CIN 2+ lesions and age (p=0.053). If there was any HPV 16 positivity (only HPV 16, HPV 16 and 18, HPV 16 and others) the presence of CIN 2+ lesions in the final pathology increased significantly. In HPV 16 positive ASC-H patients, the probability of CIN 2+ lesions in the final pathology were 72.5% while this rate was 48.1% in HPV 16 negative group (p=0.033). Conclusion: The guidelines do not provide a comprehensive definition of the role of the HPV test in managing ASC-H. Positive high-risk HPV types, especially HPV 16, together with an ASC-H smear result should bring to mind the possibility of high-grade dysplasia.

The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before radical surgery in stage IB2/IIA2 squamous cell cervical cancers.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients diagnosed with stage IB2/IIA2 cervical squamous cell carcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) prior to radical hysterectomy compared to those who did not receive NACT before surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a multicenter study including data of 6 gynecological oncology departments. The study is approved from one of the institution's local ethics committee. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on the receipt of NACT preceding their surgical intervention. Clinico-pathological factors and progression-free survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 87 patients were included. Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) was observed as 40% in the group receiving NACT, while it was 66.1% in the group not receiving NACT (p = 0.036). Deep stromal invasion (> 50%) was 56% in the group receiving NACT and 84.8% in the group not receiving NACT (p = 0.001). In the univariate analysis, application of NACT is statistically significant among the factors that would be associated with disease-free survival. Consequently, a multivariate analysis was conducted for progression-free survival, incorporating factors such as the depth of stromal invasion, the presence of LVSI, and the administration of NACT. Of these, only the administration of NACT emerged as an independent predictor associated with decreased progression-free survival. (RR:5.88; 95% CI: 1.63-21.25; p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: NACT shouldn't be used routinely in patients with stage IB2/IIA2 cervical cancer before radical surgery. Presented as oral presentation at National Congress of Gynaecological Oncology & National Congress of Cervical Pathologies and Colposcopy (2022/ TURKEY).

Adnexal masses and pregnancy: a single-center experience of 9 years.

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the experience of a tertiary health center about the management of adnexal masses that have been diagnosed during pregnancy or detected accidentally during cesarean delivery. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 160 women who underwent concurrent surgery for adnexal mass during cesarean section, 24 women who delivered vaginally and subsequently had surgery due to the prenatal diagnosis of adnexal mass and 10 women who underwent surgery for adnexal mass during pregnancy. Corresponding to the delivery and surgery times, 200 women who had no diagnosis of pregnancy-associated adnexal mass served as controls. RESULTS: The women in the control group and study groups had statistically similar gestational age at delivery, birth weight and preterm delivery (p > 0.05 for all). Miscarriage was significantly more frequent in women undergoing surgery for adnexal mass during pregnancy (p = 0.001). The women who had surgery for adnexal mass during pregnancy, at the time of cesarean section and following delivery were statistically similar with respect to surgery type and histopathological diagnosis (p > 0.05 for both). Malignancy was detected in none of the patients who underwent surgery for adnexal mass during pregnancy. Acute abdomen was the indication for the emergency surgery in six patients (3.5%) who had surgery for adnexal mass during pregnancy. Four patients (2.4%) had surgery for adnexal mass during pregnancy due to the high index of suspicion for malignancy. CONCLUSION: The risk of malignancy was relatively lower in this cohort of adnexal masses detected during pregnancy and cesarean delivery. Surgical management of adnexal masses should be postponed to postpartum period as such management leads to an increased risk of miscarriage. Unless there is a need for emergent surgery or cancer staging, vaginal delivery should be encouraged in women diagnosed with adnexal mass during pregnancy.

Defining the relationship between ovarian adult granulosa cell tumors and synchronous endometrial pathology: Does ovarian tumor size correlate with endometrial cancer?

OBJECTIVE: The main feature of adult granulosa cell tumors (AGCT) is their capacity to secrete hormones, with nearly all of them capable of synthesizing oestradiol. The primary goal of this study is to identify synchronized endometrial pathologies, particularly endometrial cancer, in AGCT patients who had undergone a hysterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort comprised retrospectively of 316 AGCT patients from 10 tertiary gynecological oncology centers. AGCT surgery consisted of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy, peritoneal cytology, omentectomy, and the excision of any suspicious lesion. The median tumor size value was used to define the relationship between tumor size and endometrial cancer. The relationship between each value and endometrial cancer was evaluated. RESULTS: Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia, or hyperplasia with complex atypia, was detected in 7.3% of patients, and endometrial cancer in 3.1% of patients. Age, menopausal status, tumor size, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, ascites, and CA-125 level were not statistically significant factors to predict endometrial cancer. There was no endometrial cancer under the age of 40, and 97.8% of women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia were over the age of 40. During the menopausal period, the endometrial cancer risk was 4.5%. Developing endometrial cancer increased to 12.1% from 3.2% when the size of the tumor was >150 mm in menopausal patients (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Endometrial hyperplasia, or cancer, occurs in approximately 30% of AGCT patients. Patients diagnosed with AGCT, especially those older than 40 years, should be evaluated for endometrial pathologies. There may be a relationship between tumor size and endometrial cancer, especially in menopausal patients.

The effect of slow-release vaginal dinoprostone on maternal and fetal oxidative stress in term pregnancies complicated by oligohydramnios: Prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate changes in oxidant status using thiol/disulfide homeostasis in mothers and fetuses after induction of labor with slow-release vaginal dinoprostone inserts. METHODS: A total of 70 pregnant women were divided into two groups. Thirty-five women in whom labor was induced with slow-release vaginal dinoprostone inserts (10 mg of prostaglandin E2, group A) were compared before and after the administration. The other 35 women, who were followed up spontaneously during labor (group B), were included as a control group. Both groups were diagnosed with isolated oligohydramnios without signs of placental insufficiency. The thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters were calculated before medical induction and after removal of the insert at the beginning of the active phase of labor. Maternal and cord blood values were measured in both groups. RESULTS: Although the balance shifted to the antioxidant side after the slow-release vaginal dinoprostone insert was applied, there was no significant difference in maternal oxidative load compared to the pre-application status (5.32 ± 014/5.16 ± 0.15, p = 0.491). Despite the shift toward the antioxidant side, maternal antioxidants were still significantly lower in the group that received slow-release vaginal dinoprostone at the beginning of the active phase of labor than in the control group (295.98 ± 13.03/346.47 ± 12.04, respectively, p = 0.009). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of oxidative balance or newborn Apgar score ( p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Induction of labor with slow-release vaginal dinoprostone inserts in pregnancies with isolated oligohydramnios does not cause further oxidative stress and is safe for both mothers and neonates in terms of oxidant load by thiol/disulfide homeostasis.

The Association of ICSI Outcomes with Semen and Blood Bisphenol A Concentrations of the Male Partner.

This study investigated the association of blood and semen Bisphenol A (BPA) levels of the male partner on the reproductive outcome in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment cycles. For this prospective study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02703584), blood and semen samples of the male partner of the 75 women who had ICSI were analyzed. The study group consisted of men who had ICSI for male factor infertility other than azoospermia, while men with normal spermiogram whose partners underwent ICSI due to tubal factor infertility were taken as the study group. Habitual consumption of drinking water from plastic carboys/bottles (PBW) at home was also questioned in both groups as it was considered as chronic BPA exposure. The association of ICSI outcome with blood BPA (bBPA) and semen BPA (sBPA) levels was analyzed in both groups. No significant correlation was found between sperm parameters and bBPA levels in both groups. A negative correlation was found between sBPA levels and total sperm count and progressive sperm motility in men who consumed PBW. Embryo development arrest was found to be significantly higher in patients who have high sBPA levels. Although sBPA levels were not different in PBW consumers, bBPA levels were found to be significantly lower in those who consumed tap water (TW) than those who used PBW. Elevated bBPA were associated with a significant decrease in clinical pregnancy rate. Considering the widespread human exposure to BPA, the effect of BPA on the male reproductive system needs to be further examined.

Clinical features of gestational choriocarcinoma: A retrospective bicentric study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features, prognostic factors, treatment, clinical response, and outcome of gestational choriocarcinoma (GCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was made of the clinicopathological and survival data of 13 patients who were diagnosed and treated for GCC in two referral centers in Turkey between 1992 and 2020. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 36 years (range, 27-54 years), and seven were ≤39 years. The antecedent pregnancy was a term in nine (69.2%) cases, and the risk score was ≥7 in 11 (84.6%). According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 staging, eight cases were in stage I, two in stage III, and three in stage IV. With the exception of one patient, all the others received combination chemotherapy (CT), and two of those were also treated with radiotherapy. Chemoresistance developed in 50% (6/12), and second-line CT was given to four of these. The overall complete response rate was 69.2%. Four patients died of chemoresistance and disease progression, all of them were with antecedent-term pregnancy, had high scores ≥7, and had metastases. CONCLUSION: GCC is a unique subtype of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, which differs from others in terms of poor prognosis, a frequent tendency to early metastasis, and resistance to treatment. To be able to achieve the most efficient therapy and prognosis, histopathology-based risk models should be developed.

Middle Cerebral Artery Blood Flow Velocity During Normal Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate resting middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocities using transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) in healthy women at different stages of pregnancy, and to compare these velocities with those of normal controls. METHODS: A total of 105 healthy normotensive pregnant women and 25 non-pregnant healthy controls were included in the study. We formed 3 groups according to gestational age: first trimester (7 to 13 wk pregnant), second trimester (14 to 28 wk pregnant), and third trimester (29 to 42 wk pregnant). Age, body mass index, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and hematological data were recorded and TCD was performed on the subjects. Regarding TCD, we evaluated the mean cerebral blood flow velocity, the peak systolic velocity, the end-diastolic flow velocity, S/D ratio, the pulsatility Index (PI) and the resistance Index (RI). RESULTS: The MCA mean blood flow velocities differed significantly among the groups ( P <0.001) and were higher in the controls than those of the first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester groups ( P <0.01, P <0.001, P <0.001 respectively). The MCA mean and peak blood flow velocities, and the PI and RI decreased significantly with advancing gestation. CONCLUSIONS: TCD is a noninvasive and non-toxic method of monitoring the adaptation of the maternal cerebral blood flow in pregnancy. The progressive decreases in the MCA mean and peak blood flow velocities, PI, and RI during gestation may be the result of chemical and neuronal factors. This study supports the need for additional studies using TCD to establish normative cerebral blood flow volumes throughout pregnancy.

Assessment of the differences in oncologic outcomes between patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma and uterine serous carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate whether the recurrence rates, recurrence patterns, and survival outcomes differed according to the primary site of the tumor in patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and uterine serous carcinoma (USC). METHODS: The population of this multicenter retrospective study consisted of patients who had USC or HGSOC. Progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) estimates were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 247 patients with HGSOC and 34 with USC. Recurrence developed in 118 (51.1%) in the HGSOC group and 14 (42.4%) in the USC group (p = 0.352). The median time to recurrence was 23.5 (range, 4-144) and 17 (range, 4-43) months in the HGSOC and USC groups, respectively (p = 0.055). The 3-year PFS was 52% in the HGSOC group and 47% in the USC group (p = 0.450). Additionally, 3-year DSS was 92% and 82% in the HGSOC and USC groups, respectively (p = 0.060). CONCLUSIONS: HGSOC and USC are aggressive tumors with high recurrence and mortality rates in advanced stages. These two carcinomas, which are similar in molecular features and clinical management, may also have similar recurrence patterns, disease failure, and survival rates.

Is adjuvant chemotherapy necessary for 2014 FIGO stage IC adult granulosa cell tumor?: Multicentric Turkish study.

AIM: The aim of our study is to examine the clinical, surgical, and pathological factors of stage 1C adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) patients and to investigate the effects of adjuvant therapy on recurrence and survival rates in this patient group. METHODS: Out of a total of 415 AGCT patients treated by 10 tertiary oncology centers participating in the study, 63 (15.2%) patients with 2014 FIGO stage IC constituted the study group. The FIGO 2014 system was used for staging. Patient group who received adjuvant chemotherapy was compared with patient group who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy in terms of disease-free survival (DFS), and disease-specific survival. RESULTS: The 5-year DFS of the study cohort was 89%, and the 10-year DFS was 85%. Those who received adjuvant chemotherapy and those who did not were similar in terms of clinical, surgical and pathological factors, except for peritoneal cytology. In the univariate analysis, none of the clinical, surgical or pathological factors were significant for DFS. Adjuvant chemotherapy and type of treatment protocol had no impact on DFS. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with improved DFS and overall survival in stage IC AGCT. Multicentric and randomized controlled studies are needed for early stage AGCT in order to confirm these results and reach accurate conclusions.

Prognostic factors of adult granulosa cell tumors of the ovary: a Turkish retrospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical, histopathological features and the prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with adult granulosa cell tumors of the ovary (AGCT). METHODS: A 322 patients whose final pathologic outcome was AGCT treated at nine tertiary oncology centers between 1988 and 2021 participated in the study. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 51.3±11.8 years and ranged from 21 to 82 years. According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2014, 250 (77.6%) patients were stage I, 24 (7.5%) patients were stage II, 20 (6.2%) patients were stage III, and 3 (7.8%) were stage IV. Lymphadenectomy was added to the surgical procedure in 210 (65.2%) patients. Lymph node involvement was noted in seven (3.3%) patients. Peritoneal cytology was positive in 19 (5.9%) patients, and 13 (4%) had metastases in the omentum. Of 285 patients who underwent hysterectomy, 19 (6.7%) had complex hyperplasia with atypia/endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia, and 8 (2.8%) had grade 1 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. It was found that 93 (28.9%) patients in the study group received adjuvant treatment. Bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin was the most commonly used chemotherapy protocol. The median follow-up time of the study group was 41 months (range, 1-276 months). It was noted that 34 (10.6%) patients relapsed during this period, and 9 (2.8%) patients died because of the disease. The entire cohort had a 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) of 86% and a 5-year disease-specific survival of 98%. Recurrences were observed only in the pelvis in 13 patients and the extra-abdominal region in 7 patients. The recurrence rate increased 6.168-fold in patients with positive peritoneal cytology (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.914-19.878; p=0.002), 3.755-fold in stage II-IV (95% CI=1.275-11.063; p=0.016), and 2.517-fold in postmenopausal women (95% CI=1.017-6.233; p=0.046) increased. CONCLUSION: In this study, lymph node involvement was detected in 3.3% of patients with AGCT. Therefore, it was concluded that lymphadenectomy can be avoided in primary surgical treatment. Positive peritoneal cytology, stage, and menopausal status were independent prognostic predictors of DFS.

Factors Related to Low COVID-19 Vaccination Rate in Pregnant and Postpartum Women with and without COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: This study focused on pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to determine the attitudes and behaviors of vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, and the vaccination behaviors in the groups with and without the disease. The reasons for refusing the vaccine were also questioned. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed from September 2021 to October 2021. The study data were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire. The participants were pregnant women who applied to the hospital for routine antenatal care and were hospitalized, and women in the postpartum period. Additionally, pregnant and postpartum patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at the time of admission and were hospitalized and admitted to the intensive care unit due to this disease were also included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 1,146 pregnant and postpartum women who completed the questionnaire were included in our study. Only 43 (3.8%) of the participants were vaccinated; 154 (13.4%) of the participants had comorbidities. The number of COVID-19-positive patients was 153. The lack of sufficient information about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine is the most common reason for the refusal. CONCLUSION: Vaccine refusal can significantly delay or hinder herd immunity, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality. Considering the adverse effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy, it is essential to understand pregnant and postpartum women's perceptions toward vaccination to end the pandemic.

Evaluation of the Success of Hysteroscopic Uterine Septum Resection.

Objectives: The aim is to use three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasonography (3-D TVUS) to evaluate the success of hysteroscopic metroplasty for the uterine septum and to compare the pregnancy outcomes. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight patients with uterine septum who had hysteroscopic uterine septum resection were recruited. Preoperative 3-D TVUS measurements of the septal apex to the uterine fundus (s1), septal apex to internal os distance (s2), and intercornual distance (s3) were compared with the postoperative values. The pregnancies of the patients were followed up for a year postoperative period. Results: Out of the 38 patients, thirty-five had partial uterine septum (class U2a), while 3 patients had complete uterine septum (class U2b). Eighteen (47.36%) of the patients who underwent uterine septum resection achieved pregnancy, and thirteen of these pregnancies were (72.2%) term pregnancies, and all term pregnancies resulted in a live birth. Natural conception was achieved in 77.7% (14 of 18) of the patients. Term pregnancy occurred in 68.7% (11 of 16) of the patients with a partial septum and in 66.6% (2 of 3) of the patients with a complete uterine septum. A comparison of the 3-D TVUS measurements of the uterus pre- and postoperatively showed a decrease in s1 and an increase in s2 (P < 0.05). The uterine cavity length of pregnant patients was found to be higher than nonpregnant patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Reproductive results of hysteroscopic metroplasty were favorable in achieving live and term birth. three-dimensional TVUS can be preferred as a noninvasive effective method in objective evaluation of the success of the hysteroscopic surgery.

Does the decrease in E2 levels between the trigger of ovulation and embryo transfer affect the reproductive outcome in IVF-ICSI cycles?

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the rate of decline in serum estradiol (E2) levels between hCG injection and the day of embryo transfer (ET) on the success of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in women with infertility of different etiologies. Materials and Methods: Women 20-45 years of age who underwent a standard GnRH antagonist or long agonist protocol and fresh ET during day 3 of their first ART cycle were included. Group 1 was diagnosed with low ovarian reserve, group 2 comprised high ovarian responders, and group 3 consisted of normal responders. Both groups were divided into four subgroups according to the decrease in E2 levels between the day of hCG injection and the day of ET. Subgroup A patients had a decrease of <20%, subgroup B a decrease of 20-40%, subgroup C a decrease of 41-60%, and subgroup D a decrease >60%. The primary outcome measure was the effect of an E2 decline, based on the measurement of E2 on the day of hCG administration and day of ET, on the implantation rate. The secondary outcome was the change in E2 values in these three groups. Results: The study was conducted on 1.928 women. Of these, 639 were poor responders (group 1), 502 were high responders (group 2), and 787 women had a normal ovarian response (group 3). Patients with a 60% decrease in their E2 levels on the ET day after hCG had a lower live birth rate (LBR) and higher miscarriage rate (MCR), except normoresponders, in whom a similar decline was significant only with respect to MCR. Conclusion: We indicate that high ovarian responders who underwent fresh ET cycles with a 60% decrease in their E2 levels on the ET day after human chorionic gonadotropin had lower LBRs and higher miscarriage. However, in normoresponder women, this decline was only significant in miscarriage.

The Turkish validity and reliability of the maternal health literacy inventory in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: There is no Turkish scale measuring maternal health literacy during pregnancy. This study adapted the Maternal Health Literacy Inventory in Pregnancy (MHELIP) to Turkish. METHODS: A methodological study's sample consisted of 500 pregnant women admitted to the antenatal clinics of a Maternity Hospital in Ankara, Türkiye. Data were collected using a personal information form, the MHELIP and the Turkish Health Literacy Index (HLI). Language, content, and construct validity were determined. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and item analysis were used to assess reliability. Equivalent-form reliability was evaluated using the HLI. RESULTS: The scale has a four-factor structure that fits well with 48 items (factor loadings: 0.57-0.92; fit index: 4.15 x2/df, 0.08 RMSEA, 0.07 SRMR). The total scale has a Cronbach's alpha of 0.96. The subscales "maternal health knowledge," "search for maternal health information," "assessment of maternal health information," and "maternal health decision making and behavior" have Cronbach's alpha of 0.96, 0.91, 0.86, and 0.94, respectively. There is a correlation between MHELIP and HLI scores (r = 0.570, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The MHELIP is a valid and reliable tool for measuring and screening the maternal health literacy of Turkish pregnant women.

Correlation of systemic inflammation biomarkers and disease severity in pregnant women with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of whole blood parameters, systemic inflammatory indices, and systemic inflammatory markers in pregnant women with COVID-19. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the demographic, clinical, and laboratory data (i.e., whole blood parameters, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, ferritin, and D-dimer) of 464 pregnant women with COVID-19 who attended a tertiary hospital between January and April 2021 were reviewed. Systemic inflammatory indices (i.e., neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/neutrophil ratio, and systemic immune inflammation index) were calculated. Asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic pregnant women were classified as Group 1 (n=413), and those with severe disease were classified as Group 2 (n=51). RESULTS: Lymphocyte count and lymphocyte percentage in whole blood parameters were significantly lower (p<0.05), and C-reactive protein, ferritin, and procalcitonin values were higher in Group 2 (p<0.05). Systemic inflammatory indices [neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (4.7±2.9 (1.1-21.2) vs 7.5±4.7 (2.13-23.2)), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (191.1±104.3 (53.0-807.1) vs 269.5±118.9 (105.0-756.0)), systemic immune inflammation index (1,000±663 (209-5,231) vs 1,630±1,314 (345-7,006))] were found statistically significantly higher in severe disease group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Evidence in this study indicates that neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and systemic immune inflammation index at first admission are simple, rapid, and inexpensive indices in predicting the prognosis of COVID-19 in pregnant women.

Placental Pathology and Its Importance in Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated what placental pathologies were associated with adverse preterm births. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Placental findings, classified according to the Amsterdam criteria, were correlated with infant outcomes. The fetal vascular lesions, inflammatory responses other than histological chorioamnionitis (HCA), and placentas with combined maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) and HCA were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 772 placentas were evaluated. MVM was present in 394 placentas, HCA in 378. Early neonatal sepsis, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, and neonatal death occurred more often in the MVM-only group than HCA-only group. The frequency of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was 38.6% in the HCA-only group, and it was 20.3% in the MVM-only group (p < 0.001). HCA was the most important independent risk factor for BPD (OR 3.877, 95% CI 2.831-5.312). CONCLUSION: Inflammation in the placenta influences fetal and neonatal outcomes. HCA is an independent risk factor for BPD.

Effect of delivery mode on admission to neonatal intensive care unit in healthy singleton pregnancies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term results of perinatal health in vaginal and cesarean deliveries and the indications for admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in terms of healthy singleton pregnancies. Materials and Methods: In this study, 300 pregnant women who gave birth in our tertiary hospital was included. The records of newborns admitted to the NICU of these pregnant women were reviewed between January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2021. Durations of newborn hospitalizations and problems encountered during admission were recorded. The results were statistically evaluated. Results: There was no significant difference between vaginal delivery and cesarean section groups in terms of the indications for admission to the NICU of term low-risk pregnant women (p=0.91, p=0.17). A higher admission in the NICU was found in the early term group. The early term group required more respiratory support compared to the full term group (p=0.02). When the groups were compared in terms of IV fluid treatment support, hypoglycemia or feeding difficulty, and jaundice requiring phototherapy, no significant difference was found. Conclusion: Withlimited data available for admission indications to the NICU of newborns born from term pregnancies, we found that the mode of delivery affects hospitalization indications of newborns, need for support, and Apgar scores. Early term delivery is associated with higher rates of neonatal morbidity and admission to the NICU. Better maternal care and prevention of factors that may lead to preterm birth will provide the prevention and management of these problems.