Fetal facial development is essential not only for postnatal bonding between parents and child, but also theoretically for the study of the origins of affect. However, how such movements become coordinated is poorly understood. 4-D ultrasound visualisation allows an objective coding of fetal facial movements. Based on research using facial ...

Some neurological diseases associated with pregnancy may develop initially during gestation, pregnancy may predispose the patient to some of these diseases or some may occur only with pregnancy. The aim of this study is to draw attention to the rare neurological diseases--other than eclampsia--that develop during pregnancy or the diseases ...

Objective. To correlate placental histopathology, in particular ischemic changes, with the clinical severity of preeclampsia. Design. A blinded retrospective study. Setting. One Swedish hospital. Sample. One hundred and fifty-seven women with severe (n= 116) or mild (n= 41) preeclampsia and 157 normotensive women matched according to gestational-age. Methods: One senior ...

Hypertensive pregnancy conditions have shown seasonal variations and have been related to low levels of vitamin D. In Sweden, the hours of sunlight per day are few in winter. We hypothesized that eclampsia would be more common in the winter season. We performed a population-based cross-sectional study of all singleton ...

To determine the underlying risk factors in early pregnancy complications and outcome. Case series. This study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit-IV, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, from July 2007 to June 2008. All the women with first trimester pregnancy with different complications ...

Pregnancy is a unique situation where significant physiological changes in all maternal organ systems take place. Most of these changes return to normal after delivery. During normal pregnancy the hemostatic balance changes in the direction of hypercoagulability, thus decreasing bleeding complications at time of delivery. The pregnancy-associated hypercoagulability sets a ...

Werner's syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder of the autosomal recessive type, characterized by features suggesting premature aging in young adulthood. Because of the concomitant hypogonadism, pregnancy among patients with Werner's syndrome occurs extremely rarely. We present a case of a successful outcome of pregnancy complicated by Werner's syndrome ...

Spontaneous pneumothorax during pregnancy is a rare pathological condition. Few cases have been reported previously in the literature. There is no universal guideline for the management of this condition yet. We report a case of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax during twin pregnancy in a 30-year-old woman. Surgical treatment under video-assisted thoracoscopic ...

To assess the outcome of pregnancies complicated by kyphoscoliosis in modern obstetric and orthopedic care. A total of 22 kyphoscoliotic patients with 34 pregnancies were identified from 46,828 pregnancies between 1998 and 2009. Their obstetric records and associated orthopedic problem were studied. The incidence of kyphoscoliosis complicating pregnancy was 0.072%. ...

BACKGROUND: Hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy is a threat to the health of both mother and fetus. The mothers suffer commonly from nephrolithiasis, hyperemesis, or even hypercalcemic crisis. Untreated disease will commonly complicate fetal development and fetal death is a significant risk. Treatment options, including medical and surgical therapy, are debated in ...

Objective.?To estimate the risk of gastrointestinal and pouch complications and alterations in pouch function related to pregnancy in women treated with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Methods.?Pregnancies following IPAA were identified in our center, and in the literature through MEDLINE and PUBMED searches. The incidence of each complication was calculated. Pouch ...

Recent attention to H1N1 influenza has increased awareness in the lay community of the seriousness of respiratory complications in the gravid patient. Historically, pneumonia during pregnancy has been associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Similarly, the increased number of pregnant patients with chronic medical illnesses, including diabetes, HIV, cardiac ...

The risk of severe complications arising from primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is increased during pregnancy. Gestational pHPT often goes undiagnosed, and by the time it is diagnosed, a majority of women have endured one or more failed pregnancies. During pregnancy, active transport of calcium ions from the mother to the fetus ...

A 33-year-old pregnant woman presented with peritonitis at the right iliac fossa. Preoperative ultrasonography identified an 8-cm tubular structure at the tender point that was mistaken as appendicitis. Emergency operation finally confirmed a 12-cm giant Meckel's diverticulum with genuine inflammation and imminent perforation. The patient made an uneventful recovery after ...

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) pregnant women show a high frequency of premature births and occurrence of renal crisis. Some evidences showed the role of L-arginine in the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia. Here, we report our experience on the effect of L-arginine treatment in four consecutive SSc pregnant women. Two patients, ...

In Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), pregnancy is associated with increased maternal and foetal complications to such an extent that the condition has been considered relatively contra-indicated in PNH. Eculizumab has revolutionized the treatment of PNH. We evaluate its use in pregnancy to date. We report on seven patients exposed to ...

BACKGROUND: Anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy is a rare and poorly understood complication of pregnancy. Intrauterine pressure catheter placement is a procedure routinely performed in labor and delivery that is traditionally associated with few complications. CASE: A pregnant woman at term experienced anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy associated with cardiopulmonary failure, disseminated ...

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are at increased risk for complications from seasonal influenza. Early data suggest that influenza A (H1N1) may present an even greater risk. CASE: We present the case of a pregnant woman with severe pulmonary complications from 2009 H1N1 whose care was further complicated by delay in diagnosis ...

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a ligand-activated transcription factor, has protective roles in the cerebral circulation and is highly activated during pregnancy. Thus, we hypothesized that PPARγ is involved in the adaptation of cerebral vasculature to pregnancy. Non-pregnant (NP) and late-pregnant (LP) rats were treated with a specific PPARγ inhibitor GW9662 ...

INTRODUCTION: The application of bariatric surgery has recently spread among obese women including women of reproductive age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We sought to present three cases of obese women undergoing bariatric surgery, their monitoring and complications during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: We suggest that conception should be postponed for at least 18 ...

Background: Although rare, pancreaticobiliary disease during pregnancy can pose a serious risk to both the mother and fetus. Data regarding the relative safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during pregnancy are sparse. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 17 ERCP procedures performed at a single tertiary care referral center ...

Fertility among women receiving conventional hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is very low. For those able to conceive it appears that infant survival is poor, and prematurity and its related complications are still commonplace. Nocturnal hemodialysis (NHD) is a form of intensive, self-administered hemodialysis whereby patients receive 3-4 times the duration ...

BACKGROUND: This study is the first population-based measurement of outcomes after cholecystectomy during pregnancy. METHODS: We identified all pregnant women who underwent cholecystectomy in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 1996-2006. Outcomes were fetal, maternal, and surgical complications, length of stay (LOS), and hospital cost. Pregnant and nonpregnant ...

The aims of our research involved to investigate DYS-14 copy number variations in healthy males, to quantify extracellular DNA in maternal circulation in normal versus complicated pregnancies, and to study variations in the DYS-14 copy number in extracellular male fetal DNA. Fifty-five healthy males, 43 uncomplicated male singleton pregnancies (23 ...

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in pregnant women with prior pregnancy complications. METHODS: Seventy-six pregnant women at a maternal-fetal medicine referral clinic were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Fifty-six women had a prior pregnancy complication (study group), and the remaining 20 had none (comparison ...

We encountered a 26-year-old Japanese woman with recurrent episodes of polymyalgia rheumatica-like symptoms associated with pregnancy. At a 13-week pregnancy, she was admitted to our outpatient clinic, complaining of myalgia on both thighs, shoulders and upper limbs. Laboratory examinations of blood yielded normal creatine kinase and mild elevation of erythrocyte ...

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a metabolic disturbance resulting from severe thiamine deficiency classically described in malnourished alcoholics. Untreated, it can result in stupor, coma, and death. WE has previously been reported as a complication of pregnancy in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. We report a case of WE complicating pregnancy in ...

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute or subacute demyelinating polyneuropathy that rarely complicates pregnancy, but increases maternal and perinatal morbidity. A 15-year-old pregnant woman was admitted with ascending paralysis and acellular lumbar puncture suggestive of GBS. She required mechanical ventilation for 26 days, and was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and ...

The present report concerns a young woman previously diagnosed as having childhood asthma who presented with a secondary spontaneous pneumothorax during the third trimester of pregnancy; at term a caesarean section was recommended for safety reasons. Post partum a severe fixed ventilatory defect unresponsive to inhaled bronchodilator and a short ...

Iron Deficiency anemia ranks 9(th) among 26 diseases with highest burden. Asia bears 71% of this global burden. Adverse maternal and birth outcome associated with hemoglobin status renders the issue worth attention. Indian scenario has worsened over the period despite continuous international and national efforts. This indicates some lacunae in ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate pregnancy complications and offspring sex ratio according to mode of conception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive study. SETTING: Tertiary, university hospital. POPULATION: A total of 176 women with PCOS diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria. METHODS: Women with PCOS who have participated ...

As enterocystoplasty has become a routine procedure in pediatric urology, long-term complications are emerging in adult patients. Pediatric urologists in general do not follow their patients beyond late adolescence. The sequelae of enterocystoplasty have fallen into the hands of their adult colleagues. Some of the complications of enterocystoplasty, such as ...

Microwave endometrial ablation (MEA) is the most commonly used new generation ablative technique in the UK. It is one of the new generation techniques recommended for management of menorrhagia by NICE. They are favoured over Tran cervical resection or ablation because of the ease of use and equitable effectiveness. Ablative ...

Recent evidence implicates the immune system and the clotting mechanisms in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD). This study investigates the association of steady state platelet count with the severity of SCD in pregnancy. A total of 40 SCD women who were asymptomatic early in pregnancy were studied retrospectively: ...

Patients with significant renal impairment have difficulties maintaining a viable pregnancy due to maternal and fetal complications. Both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis support throughout pregnancy has been reported to assist in these pregnancies. We report our experience with the use of peritoneal dialysis in five cases leading to successful deliveries ...

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome(HELLP) is a severe pregnancy complication since it is life-threatening for both mother and fetus. When HELLP syndrome associates with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or with other complications it is necessary to terminate the pregnancy; however, due to fetal prematurity, it may ...

More women are postponing pregnancy into the fourth and fifth decades of life for a variety of reasons. Advanced maternal age, traditionally defined as age more than 35 years, has been associated with increased obstetric morbidity and interventions. In addition, perinatal complications are reported to be higher in this patient ...

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism is a rare complication of pregnancy. Its peak incidence is in the perimenopausal period. CASE: A 31-year-old woman was admitted at 8 weeks of pregnancy with intractable hyperemesis and fatigue. After parathyroidectomy, at 18 weeks' gestation, she remained asymptomatic. Biochemistry gradually normalized, and her body mass index ...

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experiences with laparoscopic management of complicated adnexal masses in the first trimester of pregnancy. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: A teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Eleven patients with singleton pregnancy who underwent laparoscopic operation for complicated benign adnexal mass during their first trimester. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic surgery for complicated ...

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the risk of aortic complications (aortic dissection or prophylactic aortic surgical replacement) associated with pregnancy in Marfan syndrome in the absence of specific care. BACKGROUND: Data are scarce on aortic complications during pregnancy in Marfan syndrome. METHODS: Retrospective study on a large population (415 patients) followed up in ...

Bariatric surgery is both a popular and highly effective treatment for obesity. Pregnancy after these procedures has proved safe, with certain gestational complication rates lower than those associated with pregnancy in the obese. Current recommendations suggest delaying pregnancy until after the first postoperative year to avoid gestation during the rapid ...

To identify and estimate prevalence rates of maternal morbidities by pregnancy outcome and selected covariates during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods in a defined population of pregnant women. We used electronic data systems of a large, vertically integrated, group-model health maintenance organization (HMO) to develop an algorithm that searched ...

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) success rates and maternal and neonatal complication rates for selected antenatal conditions. STUDY DESIGN: This was a population-based cohort study using administrative discharge data for women delivering in California hospitals during 2002. RESULTS: Among 41,450 women, ...

Tenascin-X (TNX) is a large, multi-domain, extracellular matrix glycoprotein. Complete deficiency of TNX in humans leads to a recessive form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and TNX haploinsufficiency is a cause of hypermobility type EDS. EDS patients appear to have a higher risk of several complications during pregnancy, such as pelvic ...

Lipomatosis is a nonmalignant disease of unknown origin distinguished by overgrowth of nonencapsulated fatty tissue usually in the abdominal and pelvic cavities. Limited cases of complicated mediastino-abdominal lipomatosis have been described in the literature. We present a case of complicated diffuse lipomatosis mimicking ascites in a 65-year-old man.

BACKGROUND: Abetalipoproteinemia is a rare, autosomal recessive disease, in which the absence of beta-lipoprotein results in the malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins. There are few reported complications from abetalipoproteinemia during pregnancy. We present a case of untreated abetalipoproteinemia complicating the puerperium. CASE: A 23-year-old, gravida 3, para 0020 woman presented to ...

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the most common non-obstetric indication for surgical intervention in pregnant women. The benefits of a laparoscopic over an open approach to appendicectomy are well established in the non-pregnant population. Data on the optimal surgical approach to acute appendicitis in pregnant women are conflicting. METHODS: A systematic ...

BACKGROUND: Early reports described adverse perinatal outcomes of pregnancies after weight loss surgery (WLS), which subsequently raised concerns regarding safety. Our objective was to investigate, in a community-based, academic, tertiary care center, the safety of pregnancies after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and its potential effect on obesity-related perinatal complications. ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of pregnancy and childbearing on women with spinal cord injuries and their attitude toward pregnancy. Design and setting. State-wide questionnaire survey from two databases, Florida, USA. METHODS: Women with spinal cord injuries between 18 and 40 years were invited to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge ...

The phenomenon of pregnancy can be compromised by a number of complications, such as threatened abortion, recurrent spontaneous miscarriage, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery. Research conducted during the last decade has opened up the possibility that cellular immune effectors may underlie such pregnancy complications. Particularly interesting are the effects of pro-inflammatory ...