Figen Kir Sahin

Obstructive sleep apnea in pregnancy and fetal outcome

To simultaneously investigate the polysomnography (PSG) and nonstress test (NST) records of pregnant women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to observe NST changes during maternal desaturation and determine maternal and fetal outcomes.

Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: Relationship with anxiety and depression

Objective. To investigate the association between either depression or anxiety early in pregnancy, and nausea and vomiting, in a clinical sample. Methods. Anxiety and depression scores of 230 women were investigated by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) were scored by using the Rhodes system. These scores and demographic data were compared and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results. A significant correlation between Rhodes score and both anxiety (r = 0.388, P < 0.001) and depression score, (r = 0.351, P < 0.001) was found. Gestational age showed an inverse correlation with anxiety scores (P = 0.019). There was no significant correlation between demographic data and anxiety/depression scores, or Rhodes scores. Conclusion. There is an association between anxiety and depression early pregnancy and severity of NVP.

Body fat composition and distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objectives. The aims of the present study were to compare the distribution and accumulation of body fat in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI), and to investigate the association between androgen levels, insulin resistance and fat distribution. Materials and methods. Thirty-one PCOS women and 29 age- and BMI-matched healthy control women were evaluated in terms of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness determined with a skinfold caliper and body composition analyzed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Blood samples were obtained for determination of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, 17β-estradiol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, basal prolactin, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), androstenedione, insulin and glucose levels. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by fasting glucose/insulin ratio and free androgen index (FAI) was calculated as 100 × testosterone/SHBG. Differences between means were analyzed by Students t test or the Mann–Whitney U test according to distribution of the data. Correlation analysis was performed between the body fat distribution and parameters concerning insulin resistance and androgens. Results. FAI was significantly higher in patients with PCOS compared with the control group (p = 0.001). Fasting insulin was significantly higher and fasting glucose/insulin ratio was significantly lower in the PCOS group vs. controls (p = 0.03 and 0.001, respectively). There was significantly less subcutaneous adipose tissue in the controls than the PCOS women at the triceps (p = 0.04) and subscapular region (p = 0.04). Waist-to-hip ratio of PCOS women was significantly higher than that of control subjects (p = 0.04). Conclusion. Upper-half type body fat distribution is linked with PCOS, high free testosterone levels and insulin resistance.

Resting metabolic rate and exercise capacity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

To assess the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and exercise capacity (or maximal oxygen consumption [VO2 max]) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and central adiposity.

Protective effect of aprotinin on ischemia–reperfusion injury in rat ovary

Aim:  We investigated the effects of aprotinin on reperfusion injury in a controlled experimental rat torsion–detorsion model.

The protective effect of α‐lipoic acid in experimental ovarian ischaemia‐reperfusion injury

Background:  We investigated the effect of α‐lipoic acid (LA) on reperfusion injury in a rat ovarian torsion–detorsion model. The changes in tissue and plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), end‐product of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XO) and nitric oxide (NO), were determined. Ovarian histopathological findings were scored and compared among groups.

Attitudes towards mode of delivery and cesarean on demand in Turkey

To assess the attitudes of healthcare providers and the public in Turkey towards mode of delivery and cesarean delivery on demand.

Oxidative stress markers in pregnant women who snore and fetal outcome: a case control study

Background. To determine the levels of oxidative stress markers in pregnant women who snore and compare with non‐snoring pregnant women. Fetal outcome of these 2 groups was also evaluated. Materials and methods. Prospective, case control study. Some 40 pregnant women who snored and 43 non‐snoring pregnant women were evaluated. The glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels of the 2 groups were studied. Infant birthweight, Apgar scores, and other indicators of fetal outcome were obtained. Results. The mean level of GSH‐Px was significantly lower in the pregnant women who snored (p = 0.005), while the mean level of MDA was significantly higher in this group (p = 0.005). Levels of MPO were comparable between the groups (p > 0.05). The pregnant women who snored did not have infants with evidence of an increase in compromised outcome. Conclusion. Although the pregnant women who snored had high levels of MDA, they did not appear to be at increased risk for delivering infants with fetal compromise.

The prevalence of panic disorder in pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE The principal aim of this study was to assess the current prevalence rate of panic disorder (PD) in pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy. The second aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of PD in pregnant and nonpregnant women. METHOD The study data were gathered from 512 consecutive women in the third trimester of pregnancy who were admitted to the obstetric outpatient clinics of 2 university research centers. The diagnosis of PD was determined by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Axis I disorders in the third trimester of pregnancy. Within the same period, the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale was used to determine the severity of PD. In addition, we compared the clinical characteristics of PD in gravid subjects (n = 13) with their control group. A control group was composed of 19 consecutive nonpregnant female outpatients diagnosed with PD who presented to the psychiatric outpatient clinics of the same hospitals. RESULTS The prevalence rate of PD was found to be 2.5% (n = 13) among the subjects in the third trimester of pregnancy. Of these 13 pregnant, 7 subjects reported that PD developed during the 6th to 28th weeks of their gestation, and the number of subjects who experienced PD symptoms before pregnancy was 6. In addition, there was no statistically difference between gravid and nongravid PD cases with regard to the severity of panic symptoms. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that PD may be common among pregnant females during the third trimester of pregnancy and seems to be associated with similar clinical features during gestation and nongestation.

A prenatal diagnosed case of primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

Congenital brain tumors presenting in the first year of life account for 1.4–8.5% of all childhood brain tumors. Only 18% of congenital brain tumors are diagnosed before or at delivery. Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a highly malignant, small, blue-cell tumor which is characterized by early recurrence, metastasis, and high mortality. It makes up 13% of all fetal and neonatal brain tumors. Prenatal diagnosis of PNET or other congenital brain tumors is important because the presence of tumors may alter the time and mode of delivery and postnatal care planning. A prenatal case of PNET is described that was diagnosed with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging; the case was confirmed histopathologically at postmortem examination.