Acar Koç

The effects of subchorionic hematoma on pregnancy outcome in patients with threatened abortion.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of ultrasonographically detected subchorionic hematomas on pregnancy outcomes in patients with vaginal bleeding within the first half of pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with threatened abortion due to painless vaginal bleeding and who were followed up in an in-patient service during the first vaginal bleeding between January 2009 and December 2010 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of subchorionic hematoma. Miscarriage rates and pregnancy outcomes of ongoing pregnancies were compared between the groups. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding demographic parameters, including age, parity, previous miscarriage history, and gestational age at first vaginal bleeding. While 13 of 44 pregnancies (29.5%) with subchorionic hematoma resulted in miscarriage, 25 of 198 pregnancies (12.6%) without subchorionic hematoma resulted in miscarriage (p=.010). The gestational age at miscarriage and the duration between first vaginal bleeding and miscarriage were similar between the groups. The outcome measures of ongoing pregnancies, such as gestational week at delivery, birth weight, and delivery route, were also similar between the groups. CONCLUSION Ultrasonographically detected subchorionic hematoma increases the risk of miscarriage in patients with vaginal bleeding and threatened abortion during the first 20 weeks of gestation. However, it does not affect the pregnancy outcome measures of ongoing pregnancies.

Transperineal ultrasonography for labor management: accuracy and reliability.

To compare ultrasound measurements and clinical assessments of cervical dilatation, fetal head station and fetal head position.

Perinatal risk factors and mode of delivery associated with mortality in very low birth weight infants.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association of perinatal risk factors including delivery mode with mortality in very low birthweight (VLBW) in a tertiary hospital setting. Methods: Medical records of 241 live-born VLBW infants (≤1500 g) were retrospectively reviewed. Details of maternal, obstetrical, perinatal risk factors and their associations with infant mortality were evaluated. Results: The overall infant mortality rate was 23.2%. Mortality was significantly higher for infants born at ≤27 gestational weeks and with a birthweight of ≤750 g (p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, respectively), showing a steep decrease thereafter. On ROC analysis, a cut off of 26.5 weeks was determined for mortality with a sensitivity of 57.1% and a specificity of 90.3% (area under the curve = 0.792, 95% CI: 0.719–0.866). On multivariate regression analysis, gestational week at birth, birthweight, antenatal steroid treatment and pathologic Doppler ultrasound findings were found as independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusions: Gestational week at birth, birthweight and antenatal steroid treatment remain the most important perinatal risk factors for infant mortality in VLBW infants. Mode of delivery does not seem to be associated with mortality when adjusted for other perinatal risk factors.

Non-invasive prenatal testing for sex chromosome abnormalities: a source of confusion

Cell-free fetal DNA has received significant attention for the purposes of prenatal genetic testing in the past decade. Fetal DNA testing is a new method and promising for many applications such as aneuploidy screening, prenatal diagnosis, prediction of preeclampsia and more. A 37-year-old primigravida, with a pregnancy conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), was offered non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) due to advanced maternal age. NIPT performed at 23 weeks’ gestation reported a diagnosis of monosomy X. She was offered an amniocentesis, which revealed a euploid fetus with no sex chromosome abnormalities. Even with single nucleotide polymorphism-based NIPT, positive predictive value for detection of sex chromosome abnormalities is around 50%. Positive results of NIPT should be heeded with caution and an invasive diagnostic procedure should be performed, especially for rare chromosomal abnormalities and sex chromosome abnormalities where NIPT performs subpar compared to its performance for detection of trisomy 21.

Fetal hydrops and anemia as signs of Down syndrome

Before the 20th week of gestation, the most common cause of nonimmune hydrops fetalis is chromosomal abnormalities. Herein, we report a case of fetal hydrops, anemia, and intrauterine growth retardation that presented at 27 weeks of gestation with a negative chromosomal abnormality screening. Cordocentesis and karyotype analysis revealed fetal pancytopenia and Down syndrome. Down syndrome rarely presents with fetal hydrops and anemia. Therefore, when hydrops and anemia are diagnosed, especially in the second trimester of gestation, the possibility of Down syndrome should be kept in mind. In addition, if the pregnancy results in a live birth, the baby should be examined for transient abnormal myelopoiesis.

Acardiac acephalic twin gestation with transposition of great arteries in pump twin.

ABSTRACT  We report here a case of twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence with transposition of great arteries in the pump twin. Color Doppler and fetal echocardiographic examination revealed an acardiac, anencephalic twin without upper limbs and a pump twin with transposition of great arteries. To our knowledge despite multiple anomalies reported in the acardiac twin, major anomalies, especially of a cardiac type are extremely rare and not reported in the pump twin, which maintains circulation. Management is directed at saving the pump fetus; therefore, we believe that during sonographic exam, emphasis should be placed on associated organ anomalies or complications that may hamper viability of the pump.

Comparison of effects of digital vaginal examination with transperineal ultrasound during labor on pain and anxiety levels: a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate whether routine vaginal examination during labor is associated with increased levels of anxiety and pain compared with transperineal ultrasound assessment.

Comparison of digital vaginal examination versus transperineal ultrasound during labor on pain and anxiety levels: a randomized controlled trial.

To evaluate whether routine vaginal examination during labor is associated with increased levels of anxiety and pain compared with transperineal ultrasound assessment.

Is omitting the 3rd hour measurement in the 100 g oral glucose tolerance test feasible

Abstract Background: To evaluate the diagnostic value of the 3rd hour plasma glucose level in the 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Methods: Records of all pregnant patients with abnormal 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT) between January 2005 and December 2013 were reviewed (n=1963). The 100 g OGTT results were analyzed separately for both Carpenter & Couston (CC) and National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) criteria. Results: The number of patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was 297 (15.1%) according to CC criteria and 166 (8.4%) according to NDDG criteria. The 1st hour plasma glucose level showed the highest correlation with GDM diagnosis (ρ=0.595 for CC and ρ=0.567 for NDDG). However, the 3rd hour plasma glucose level showed the weakest correlation with GDM diagnosis (ρ=0.216 for CC and ρ=0.213 for NDDG). The 3rd hour value of 100 g OGTT was one of the two elevated measurements in 10.8% of patients when CC criteria are used and in 13.8% of patients when NDDG criteria are used. Conclusion: Omitting 3rd hour plasma glucose measurement in 100 g OGTT results in unacceptable rates of underdiagnosed patients.

Effects of obstetric gel on the process and duration of labour in pregnant women: Randomised controlled trial

Abstract The present study investigated maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women who used obstetric lubricant gels during active labour. This prospective randomised controlled study included 180 pregnant women. Women were randomly assigned to two groups during the first-stage of labour. Pregnant women in the obstetric gel group received standard antepartum care plus vaginal application of obstetric gel. Women in the control group received standard antepartum care without obstetric gel. Mean duration of the second stage of labour was significantly shorter in the obstetric gel group than control group (45 ± 34 min vs. 58 ± 31 min, respectively; p = .005). Mean APGAR values at 5 min were significantly higher in the obstetric gel group (9.5 ± 0.6 vs. 9.2 ± 0.7; p = .0014). Among nulliparous women, mean duration of the second stage of labour was significantly shorter in the gel group than control group (53 ± 52 min vs. 83 ± 45 min, respectively; p = .003). Using obstetric gel at the beginning of the first stage decreases the length of the second stage of labour, particularly in nulliparous women, and may be associated with an improved APGAR score at 5 min. Impact statement A limited number of studies in the literature have demonstrated that obstetric gels shorten the second stage of labour and are protective for the pelvic floor. The results of this study show that using obstetric gel shortens the second stage of labour in only nulliparous, but not multiparous women. In addition, a significant improvement in the 5 min APGAR score was seen in the neonates of women who used obstetric gel. The application of obstetric gels during the labour of nulliparous women may be a useful clinical practice and may have a widespread use in the future.