Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a hyperglycemic state that is typically diagnosed by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which is unpleasant, time-consuming, has low reproducibility, and results are tardy. The machine learning (ML) predictive models that have been proposed to improve GDM diagnosis are usually based on instrumental methods that take hours to produce a result. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a simple, fast, and low-cost analytical technique that has never been assessed for the prediction of GDM. This study aims to develop ML predictive models for GDM based on NIR spectroscopy, and to evaluate their potential as early detection or alternative screening tools according to their predictive power and duration of analysis. Serum samples from the first trimester (before GDM diagnosis) and the second trimester (at the time of GDM diagnosis) of pregnancy were analyzed by NIR spectroscopy. Four spectral ranges were considered, and 80 mathematical pretreatments were tested for each. NIR data-based models were built with single- and multi-block ML techniques. Every model was subjected to double cross-validation. The best models for first and second trimester achieved areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.5768 ± 0.0635 and 0.8836 ± 0.0259, respectively. This is the first study reporting NIR-spectroscopy-based methods for the prediction of GDM. The developed methods allow for prediction of GDM from 10 µL of serum in only 32 min. They are simple, fast, and have a great potential for application in clinical practice, especially as alternative screening tools to the OGTT for GDM diagnosis.

UNASSIGNED: Fetal ultrasound has limitations, especially if the patient is obese or in cases with oligohydramnios. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can then be used as a complement, but only few studies have focused on examinations in the second trimester.
UNASSIGNED: To validate MRI as a complement to diagnose fetal anomalies in the second trimester.
UNASSIGNED: This retrospective study retrieved data from January 2008 to July 2012 from the Fetal Medicine Unit and Department of Radiology at Uppsala University Hospital. Ultrasound and MRI findings were reviewed in 121 fetuses in relation to the final diagnosis, including postpartum follow-up and autopsy results.
UNASSIGNED: Of the 121 fetuses, 51 (42%) had a CNS anomaly and 70 (58%) a non-CNS anomaly diagnosed or suspected. MRI provided additional information in 21% of all cases without changing the management and revealed information that changed the management of the pregnancy in 13%. When a CNS anomaly was detected or suspected, the MRI provided additional information in 22% and changed the management in 10%. The corresponding figures for non-CNS cases were 21% and 16%, respectively. The proportion of cases with additional information that changed the management was especially high in patients with a BMI >30 kg/m2 (25%) and in patients with oligohydramnios (38%). In five cases in category III, false-positive ultrasound findings were identified.
UNASSIGNED: MRI in the second trimester complements ultrasound and improves diagnosis of fetal CNS- and non-CNS anomalies especially when oligohydramnios or maternal obesity is present.

UNASSIGNED: Isolated fetal ventriculomegaly can have a range of consequences, ranging from mild neurodevelopmental delay to perinatal death; the extent of these consequences often depend on the severity of ventriculomegaly. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the impact of the degree of ventricular dilatation on the risk of neurodevelopmental delay and adverse perinatal outcomes in fetuses diagnosed with isolated fetal ventriculomegaly from gestational week 15 onwards.
UNASSIGNED: PubMed, Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched electronically to identify studies investigating the prognosis of mild and/or severe isolated fetal ventriculomegaly. Articles were included if they reported neurodevelopmental or perinatal outcomes in fetuses prenatally diagnosed with isolated fetal ventriculomegaly from week 15 of gestation and onwards. Studies were excluded if they reported on non-isolated ventriculomegaly (IVM), failed to specify the degree of ventriculomegaly, were non-English papers, animal studies or published outside of the 21-year period of interest. Study quality was assessed by two independent reviewers using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Ventriculomegaly was defined as either mild or severe when ventricular diameter measured as 10-15 or >15 mm, respectively. Meta-analyses were conducted for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome, intrauterine fetal demise and infant mortality.
UNASSIGNED: Following the removal of duplicates, the search yielded 2,452 citations, of which 23 studies were included and 8 were eligible for meta-analysis. There were 767 and 347 cases of mild and severe isolated fetal ventriculomegaly, respectively. Adverse outcomes were consistently reported at a higher rate in severe cases than mild. The relative risks of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome, intrauterine fetal demise and infant mortality were 4.24 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.46-7.30], 4.46 (95% CI: 1.64-12.11) and 6.02 (95% CI: 1.73-21.00), respectively, upon comparison of mild versus severe cases of isolated fetal ventriculomegaly.
UNASSIGNED: The likelihood of adverse neurodevelopmental and perinatal outcomes, including intrauterine and infant mortality, is increased in severe isolated fetal ventriculomegaly compared to mild isolated fetal ventriculomegaly.

Introduction Anemia during pregnancy is characterized by decreased hemoglobin levels. Iron deficiency poses a significant global health concern, especially in pregnant women, where increased iron demands are crucial for both maternal and fetal well-being. Method In the current study, we investigated the effectiveness and safety of 30 mg SunActiveTM Fe (Taiyo GmbH, Yokkaichi, Japan), emulsified microsomalTM ferric pyrophosphate (EMFP) tablets in treating iron deficiency anemia in 27 second-trimester singleton pregnant women. Results Our study results demonstrated that hemoglobin levels increased significantly within 30 days of treatment and continued to remain higher than baseline throughout the study. Serum ferritin levels exhibited a 6.61-fold increase, maintaining elevated levels consistently. Serum iron also increased significantly by 46.9%. Additionally, symptoms such as nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, irritability, and heartburn were notably reduced, leading to improved quality of life. Subjects reported decreased overall fatigue, indicating an enhanced quality of life. Babies born during the study showed healthy birth weights, with uncomplicated deliveries. High treatment compliance of 99.5% underscored patient commitment to the study. Furthermore, the investigational product demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with only two mild adverse events observed, unrelated to the treatment. Conclusion These findings suggest that EMFP could be a valuable therapeutic option for managing iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women, promoting better maternal and fetal outcomes. Further research with an increased sample size is warranted to delve into the underlying mechanisms behind these positive outcomes, nonetheless, our study provides a promising foundation for addressing this critical health issue.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of termination of pregnancy with live fetuses in the second trimester (14-28 weeks), using misoprostol 400 mcg intravaginal every 6 h, between women with previous cesarean section (PCS) and no previous cesarean section (no PCS).
METHODS: A comparative study was conducted on a prospective database of pregnancy termination in the second trimester, Chiang Mai university hospital. Inclusion criteria included: (1) singleton pregnancy; (2) gestational age between 14 and 28 weeks; and (3) pregnancy with a live fetus and medically indicated for termination. The participants were categorized into two groups; PCS and no PCS group. All were terminated using misoprostol 400 mcg intravaginal every 6 h. The main outcomes were induction to fetal delivery interval and success rate, defined as fetal delivery within 48 h.
RESULTS: A total of 238 women, including 80 PCS and 158 no PCS, were recruited. The success rate of fetal delivery within 48 h between both groups was not significantly different (91.3% vs. 93.0%; p-value 0.622). The induction to fetal delivery interval were not significantly different (1531 vs. 1279 min; p-value > 0.05). Gestational age was an independent factor for the success rate and required dosage of misoprostol. The rates of most adverse effects of misoprostol were similar. One case (1.3%) in the PCS group developed uterine rupture during termination, ending up with safe and successful surgical removal and uterine repair.
CONCLUSIONS: Intravaginal misoprostol is highly effective for second trimester termination of pregnancy with PCS and those with no PCS, with similar success rate and induction to fetal delivery interval. Gestational age was an independent factor for the success rate and required dosage of misoprostol. Uterine rupture could occur in 1.3% of PCS, implying that high precaution must be taken for early detection and proper management.
CONCLUSIONS: Intravaginal misoprostol is highly effective for termination of second trimester pregnancy with a live fetus, with a comparable success rate between women with and without previous cesarean section, with a 1.3% risk of uterine rupture among women with previous cesarean section.

Background The research delves into the intricate relationship between periodontal health and specific blood biomarkers in pregnant women during their second trimester. It specifically focuses on the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in those suffering from chronic periodontitis compared to healthy controls. Methodology A detailed approach was taken involving 60 pregnant women categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of chronic periodontitis. Out of 60 pregnant women, 30 had chronic periodontitis, while the other 30 served as controls selected from the regular patient population of the college. The study utilized blood sample analysis and advanced statistical tools for data analysis, ensuring precise and reliable results. Levels of IL-6, LDH, and CRP in those suffering from chronic periodontitis compared to healthy controls were checked. Results The findings revealed a notable variance in IL-6, LDH, and CRP levels between the two groups. Women with chronic periodontitis exhibited significantly higher levels of these biomarkers. The statistical analysis reinforced the validity of these differences, highlighting their significance. Conclusions The study underscored a clear link between higher levels of IL-6, LDH, and CRP and the presence of chronic periodontitis in pregnant women. These biomarkers emerge as potential indicators for early detection and monitoring of periodontal health in this demographic.

Metastatic choriocarcinoma during viable pregnancy is rare worldwide, and neonate survival following pregnancy termination in the second trimester is uncommon. Here, we report the successful delivery of a pregnancy by a patient with metastatic choriocarcinoma, who received three courses of etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine (EMA-CO) chemotherapy in the second trimester. After multidisciplinary discussions, she was administered paclitaxel and carboplatin (TC) chemotherapy. Regular contractions occurred during her first paclitaxel infusion, and a healthy infant was delivered by cesarean section at 26+4 gestational weeks. Choriocarcinoma was not detected in the placenta. Following delivery of the pregnancy, the patient underwent total treatment comprising one cycle of TC, seven cycles of EMA-CO, and five courses of etoposide, cisplatin, methotrexate, and dactinomycin chemotherapy; her serum level of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin gradually fell after chemotherapy. Uterine and pulmonary metastases shrank, and no distant metastasis or recurrence were found until the eighth course of maintenance treatment with immunotherapy. The patient received periodic chemotherapy for recurrence at the time of publishing this case report. The child was disease-free 15+ months after delivery. Despite serious metastases and complications, metastatic choriocarcinoma diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy can be successfully treated with minimal delay by multidisciplinary medical and nursing management.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies (CSEPs) are associated with significant maternal morbidity and termination is often recommended in the early first trimester. Management of more advanced cases is challenging due to higher risks of major intraoperative hemorrhage. Hysterectomy is currently the intervention of choice for advanced cases. This study aimed to investigate if advanced live CSEPs could be managed effectively conservatively using suction curettage and interventional radiology.
METHODS: A retrospective single-center cohort study was performed. A total of 371 women diagnosed with CSEP were identified between January 2008 and January 2023. A total of 6% (22/371) women had an advanced live CSEP with crown-rump length (CRL) of ≥40 mm (≥10 weeks\' gestation). Of these, 77% (17/22) opted for surgical intervention, whilst the remaining five continued their pregnancies. A preoperative ultrasound was performed in each patient. All women underwent suction curettage under ultrasound guidance and insertion of Shirodkar cervical suture as a primary hemostatic measure combined with uterine artery embolization (UAE) if required. The primary outcome was rate of blood transfusion. Secondary outcomes were estimated intraoperative blood loss, UAE, intensive care unit admission, reintervention, hysterectomy, hospitalization duration and rate of retained products of conception. Descriptive statistics were used to describe these variables.
RESULTS: Median CRL of the 17 patients included was 54.1 mm (range: 40.0-85.7) and median gestational age based on CRL was 12 + 3 weeks (range: 10 + 6-15 + 0). On preoperative ultrasound scan placental lacunae were recorded in 76% (13/17) of patients and color Doppler score was ≥3 in 67% (10/15) of patients. At surgery, Shirodkar cervical suture was used in all cases. It was successful in achieving hemostasis by tamponade in 76% (13/17) of patients. In the remaining 24% (4/17) patients tamponade failed to achieve complete hemostasis and UAE was performed to stop persistent arterial bleeding into the uterine cavity. Median intraoperative blood loss was 800 mL (range: 250-2500) and 41% (7/17) women lost >1000 mL. 35% (6/17) needed blood transfusion. No women required hysterectomy.
CONCLUSIONS: Surgical evacuation with Shirodkar cervical suture and selective UAE is an effective treatment for advanced live CSEPs.

We present a rare case of pneumomediastinum in the setting of hyperemesis gravidarum. Pneumomediastinum is a condition characterized by the presence of air leaking into the mediastinum. Often secondary to trauma, there remains the potential for it to develop spontaneously. This is a time-sensitive diagnosis that requires vigilance for effective treatment. A 21-year-old gravida 1 para 0 female at 15 weeks of gestation with no significant past medical history presented to the emergency department complaining of four weeks of daily nausea and vomiting and two weeks of chest pain, cough, and difficulty breathing. Computed tomography angiography of the chest revealed the presence of subcutaneous air in the mediastinum, and esophageal rupture was ruled out by a gastrografin esophagram. Due to extensive pneumomediastinum and severe metabolic derangements, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit. A gastrografin esophagram was obtained, which showed no esophageal tear.No surgical intervention was performed, and she was managed with conservative treatment. This case illustrates some of the severe complications of pregnancy. Although pneumomediastinum secondary to hyperemesis gravidarum seen in this patient is rare (the incidence of pregnancy-related pneumomediastinum has been noted to be 1:100,000), it is an important adverse complication that the clinician should keep in mind in pregnant patients with hyperemesis gravidarum. Providing education to patients during the prenatal process can help identify the signs and symptoms of this condition to prevent potentially fatal consequences.

UNASSIGNED: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to fetuses that are small for their gestational age. There is no effective test to predict this disease. The aim of our study is whether fetal three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (USG)-assisted thymus volume (TV) measurement predicts IUGR cases.
UNASSIGNED: Fetal 3D USG thymus measurement between 15 and 24 weeks of gestation was performed in a total of 100 women of reproductive age. Fetal TV was measured using the virtual organ computer-assisted analysis system program. All cases were followed up in terms of pregnancy complications until delivery.
UNASSIGNED: IUGR was developed in six cases in total. In cases with IUGR, mean fetal TV was found to be statistically significantly lower than in healthy cases without it. When the fetal TV was taken as 0.1645, the sensitivity was calculated as 89.5% and the specificity as 50% for predicting IUGR. The use of low fetal volume parameters is a significant and good indicator for predicting IUGR according to the binary logistic regression analysis result.
UNASSIGNED: According to the results of this study, 3D fetal TV measurement may be used in routine second-trimester sonographic anomaly screening to predict the development of fetal IUGR. In this way, fetal mortality and morbidity caused by IUGR may be reduced.