The effect of recurrent vaginal infections on preterm birth in a high-risk cohort of women with cervical cerclage.

Introduction: Cervical insufficiency is a known risk factor for preterm birth and miscarriage and is often associated with vaginal infections. For patients with a short cervix on sonography, the preferred treatments are vaginal progesterone administration and cervical cerclage. Although microbial imbalances are associated with negative pregnancy outcomes in cerclage-treated patients, the screening of infection before cerclage is not a standard practice.

Correlation between clinical and sonographic assessment of the fetal head station in the second stage of labor: a prospective observational study.

Background: A correct estimation of the head level is required to evaluate labor progression and decide how to best expedite birth - i.e. instrumental vs cesarean delivery - if dystocia or fetal distress are diagnosed during the second stage.

Passive maternal immunity in children born to women with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease - A case-control study.

Introduction: The transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies is essential for neonatal immunity but can be affected by maternal health conditions and pregnancy complications. In women with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) this transfer may be influenced by the autoimmune condition itself and/or the immunosuppressive therapies administered during pregnancy.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the transplacental transfer and efficacy of vaccine-induced antibodies in pregnant women with SARD compared to healthy controls.

Vacuum extraction is successful in 95% of cases with an occiput posterior position: the results of a prospective, multicenter study.

Background: Occiput posterior position is associated with labor arrest, need for operative delivery, and failed instrumental vaginal delivery, with resulting adverse peripartum outcomes. Vacuum extraction is the most commonly performed type of instrumental delivery worldwide.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the outcome of vacuum extraction in fetuses with sonographically confirmed occiput posterior position before the procedure.

Massive Fetomaternal Hemorrhage Caused by an Intraplacental Choriocarcinoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Intraplacental choriocarcinoma (IC) is a gestational trophoblastic neoplasia located within the placenta. Due to its silent presentation, more than half of the cases are diagnosed incidentally. An association with fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH), stillbirth, and intrauterine growth restriction has been found.

Evaluation of the Management and Outcome of Patients with Retained Products of Conception after Gestational Week 23+0: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Retained products of conception after childbirth or miscarriage are associated with an increased rate of maternal complications, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and infections. Late complications may also include intrauterine adhesions, causing infertility. Surgical interventions carry a certain risk.

Impact of a virtual reality-based simulation training for shoulder dystocia on human and technical skills among caregivers: a randomized-controlled trial.

This study analyzed the adherence to the modified Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) algorithm (HELP-RER) for handling shoulder dystocia (SD) using a virtual reality (VR) training modality. Secondary outcomes were improvements in the post-training diagnosis-to-delivery time, human skills factors (HuFSHI), and perceived task-load index (TLX). Prospective, case-control, single-blind, 1:1 randomized crossover study.

[Gestational diabetes mellitus (Update 2023)].

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset during pregnancy and is associated with increased feto-maternal morbidity as well as long-term complications in mothers and the offspring. Women detected to have diabetes early in pregnancy receive the diagnosis of overt, non-gestational, diabetes (glucose: fasting ≥ 126 mg/dl, spontaneous ≥ 200 mg/dl or HbA ≥ 6.5% before 20 weeks of gestation).

Factors Influencing the Duration of Termination of Pregnancy for Fetal Anomaly with Mifepristone in Combination with Misoprostol.

This study's aim was to determine relevant factors that influence the time interval between first induction and fetal expulsion in late termination of pregnancy (TOP) and TOP after previous feticide for severe fetal malformation with a mifepristone-misoprostol regime. This retrospective study included 913 TOPs from a single tertiary care referral center. In 197 out of 913 TOPs, a previous feticide had been performed due to advanced gestational age (after 22 + 0 weeks of gestation).

Use of polysaccharide hemostatic agent (HaemoCer™) in breast cancer surgery to reduce postoperative complications: A randomised controlled trial.

Postoperative wound-site bleeding, tissue inflammation and seroma formation are well-known complications in the field of breast surgery. Hemostatic agents consisting of polysaccharides may be used intra-operatively to minimise postoperative complications. We conducted a prospective randomised-controlled, single-centre study including 136 patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery for invasive or intraductal breast cancer.

Recurrence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: To Assess Glucose Metabolism and Clinical Risk Factors at the Beginning of a Subsequent Pregnancy.

Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at high risk of developing hyperglycemia in a subsequent pregnancy. This study aimed to assess parameters of glucose metabolism at the beginning of a subsequent pregnancy in women with a history of GDM. This prospective cohort study included 706 women who had at least one previous pregnancy (120 with prior GDM and 586 without GDM history).

Antepartum stillbirth rates during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria: A population-based study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has had dramatic effects on the pregnant population worldwide, increasing the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.

Objective: To assess the incidence of antepartum stillbirth (aSB) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria.

Methods: We collected epidemiological data from the Austrian Birth Registry and compared the rate of aSB (i.

Perinatal and postpartum care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to analyze perinatal outcomes and adverse events during the COVID-19 pandemic's first wave to help direct decision making in future waves.

Methods: This study was an epidemiological cohort study analyzing comprehensive birth registry data among all 80 obstetric departments in Austria. Out of 469 771 records, 468 348 were considered eligible, whereof those with preterm delivery, birthweight <500 g, multiple fetuses, fetal malformations and chromosomal anomalies, intrauterine fetal death, maternal cancer, HIV infection, and/or inter-hospital transfers were excluded.

Correlation Between Preoperative Radiological and Postoperative Pathological Tumor Size in Patients With HER2 Breast Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Plus Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in combination with anti-HER2 treatment is standard of care in patients with early HER2 positive breast cancer. Preoperative radiological evaluation is mandatory for defining the extent of surgery. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between preoperative radiological and postoperative pathological tumor size in early HER2 positive patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in combination with trastuzumab and pertuzumab.

Screening Pregnant Women for Bacterial Vaginosis Using a Point-of-Care Test: A Prospective Validation Study.

Bacterial vaginosis in early pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. The introduction of a simple screen-and-treat program into antenatal care was shown to significantly reduce the rate of preterm birth. The gold standard for diagnosing bacterial vaginosis is Gram staining, which is, however, time-consuming and requires laboratory facilities.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 and melanoma of the iris arising from a dysplastic nevus: A rare yet casual association?

Purpose: We investigated the molecular causes of an unusual pigmented and ulcerated iris lesion detected in a patient diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

Case Report: A 52-year-old man was referred to our clinic with a non-traumatic ulcer in his left eye. Hyphema reabsorption disclosed a pigmented iris mass, thus ultrasound biomicroscopy and anterior segment fluorescein angiography were performed to investigate for the presence of a malignant lesion.

Early Assessment of the Risk for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Can Fasting Parameters of Glucose Metabolism Contribute to Risk Prediction?

Background: An early identification of the risk groups might be beneficial in reducing morbidities in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the biochemical predictors of glycemic conditions, in addition to fasting indices of glucose disposal, to predict the development of GDM in later stage and the need of glucose-lowering medication.

Methods: A total of 574 pregnant females (103 with GDM and 471 with normal glucose tolerance [NGT]) were included.

Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation After Bariatric Surgery - a Consensus Statement from the OEGGG.

Bariatric surgery is recommended when other weight loss interventions, such as lifestyle modification or medications, have failed. A considerable number of women undergoing bariatric surgery are of childbearing age; hence, it is necessary to be aware of the effects of bariatric surgery on pregnancy for managing these patients. Although bariatric surgery is associated with positive effects on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters, side effects such as anaemia, the risk of developing internal hernia, altered glucose metabolism and the risk of small for gestational age offspring have to be considered.

Pregnancy after bariatric surgery: a narrative literature review and discussion of impact on pregnancy management and outcome.

Bariatric surgery (BS) is regarded to be the most effective treatment of obesity with long lasting beneficial effects including weight loss and improvement of metabolic disorders. A considerable number of women undergoing BS are at childbearing age.Although the surgery mediated weight loss has a positive effect on pregnancy outcome, the procedures might be associated with adverse outcomes as well, for example micronutrient deficiencies, iron or B12 deficiency anemia, dumping syndrome, surgical complications such as internal hernias, and small for gestational age (SGA) offspring, possibly due to maternal undernutrition.