BACKGROUND: The treatment options for third-trimester musculoskeletal issues are limited. This study aims to examine how heel height affects gait biomechanics and provides heel height recommendations for various musculoskeletal problems.
METHODS: Five third-trimester gravidas were recruited wearing uniform footwear with four heel heights (0 mm, 15 mm, 30 mm, and 45 mm). Lower-limb muscle forces, joint angles, joint torques, joint contact forces, and ground reaction forces (GRF) at specific moments (the first peak, valley, and second peak of GRF) were collected for one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures.
RESULTS: The soleus, gastrocnemius, tibialis posterior, plantaris, obturator externus, gluteus maximus, gemellus superior, and obturator internus were the smallest at heel heights of 45 mm and 15 mm at the valley of GRF. Hip extension and knee flexion displayed the smallest joint angle and joint torques at a height of 15 mm. Ankle joint contact force decreased with increased heel height.
CONCLUSIONS: The height of the heel significantly impacts muscle force, joint angles, joint torques, and joint contact force. A heel of 15 mm might be the most suitable heel height to potentially avoid or alleviate musculoskeletal problems during the third trimester.

UNASSIGNED: A large proportion of pregnant women in lower and middle-income countries (LMIC) seek their first antenatal care after 14 weeks of gestation. While the last menstrual period (LMP) is still the most prevalent method of determining gestational age (GA), ultrasound-based foetal biometry is considered more accurate in the second and third trimesters. In LMIC settings, the Hadlock formula, originally developed using data from a small Caucasian population, is widely used for estimating GA and foetal weight worldwide as the pre-programmed formula in ultrasound machines. This approach can lead to inaccuracies when estimating GA in a diverse population. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a population-specific model for estimating GA in the late trimesters that was as accurate as the GA estimation in the first trimester, using data from GARBH-Ini, a pregnancy cohort in a North Indian district hospital, and subsequently validate the model in an independent cohort in South India.
UNASSIGNED: Data obtained by longitudinal ultrasonography across all trimesters of pregnancy was used to develop and validate GA models for the second and third trimesters. The gold standard for GA estimation in the first trimester was determined using ultrasonography. The Garbhini-GA2, a polynomial regression model, was developed using the genetic algorithm-based method, showcasing the best performance among the models considered. This model incorporated three of the five routinely measured ultrasonographic parameters during the second and third trimesters. To assess its performance, the Garbhini-GA2 model was compared against the Hadlock and INTERGROWTH-21st models using both the TEST set (N = 1493) from the GARBH-Ini cohort and an independent VALIDATION dataset (N = 948) from the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore cohort. Evaluation metrics, including root-mean-squared error, bias, and preterm birth (PTB) rates, were utilised to comprehensively assess the model\'s accuracy and reliability.
UNASSIGNED: With first trimester GA dating as the baseline, Garbhini-GA2 reduced the GA estimation median error by more than three times compared to the Hadlock formula. Further, the PTB rate estimated using Garbhini-GA2 was more accurate when compared to the INTERGROWTH-21st and Hadlock formulae, which overestimated the rate by 22.47% and 58.91%, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: The Garbhini-GA2 is the first late-trimester GA estimation model to be developed and validated using Indian population data. Its higher accuracy in GA estimation, comparable to GA estimation in the first trimester and PTB classification, underscores the significance of deploying population-specific GA formulae to enhance antenatal care.
UNASSIGNED: The GARBH-Ini cohort study was funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (BT/PR9983/MED/97/194/2013). The ultrasound repository was partly supported by the Grand Challenges India-All Children Thriving Program, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (BIRAC/GCI/0115/03/14-ACT). The research reported in this publication was made possible by a grant (BT/kiData0394/06/18) from the Grand Challenges India at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), an operating division jointly supported by DBT-BMGF-BIRAC. The external validation study at CMC Vellore was partly supported by a grant (BT/kiData0394/06/18) from the Grand Challenges India at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), an operating division jointly supported by DBT-BMGF-BIRAC and by Exploratory Research Grant (SB/20-21/0602/BT/RBCX/008481) from Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), IIT Madras. An alum endowment from Prakash Arunachalam (BIO/18-19/304/ALUM/KARH) partly funded this study at the Centre for Integrative Biology and Systems Medicine, IIT Madras.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the positive rate of late-onset gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by additional fasting blood glucose (FBG) screening at 32-34 gestational weeks (GW) and analyse the perinatal outcomes of late-onset GDM after standard treatment.
METHODS: An Prospective cohort study.
METHODS: Single centre in China.
METHODS: 1130 singleton pregnancies with negative GDM screening in their first and second trimester.
METHODS: Additional FBG testing was performed at 32-34 GW. Pregnancies with FBG ≥5.1 mmol/L were diagnosed as GDM and received standardized treatment. Perinatal outcomes were collected and compared.
METHODS: Diagnosis of late-onset GDM, obstetric and neonatal outcomes.
RESULTS: 6.3% (71/1130) of participants had FBG values ≥5.1 mmol/L and were diagnosed with late-onset GDM. Sixty-five (91.5%) were treated by dietary therapy and 6 (8.5%) by insulin therapy. The perinatal outcomes of full-term delivery were compared. The incidence of macrosomia (22.7% vs. 5.1%, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.83-16.61, p = 0.002) and NICU transferring (18.3% vs. 10.1%, aOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.01-3.74, p = 0.046) was significantly higher in late-onset GDM group than that in FBG <5.1 mmol/L group. Elevated FBG was associated with overweight or obesity during pregnancy (54.9% vs. 34.9%, OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.40-3.68, p = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: 6.3% of singleton pregnancies with normal GDM screening results in the first and second trimester were found to have late-onset GDM by additional FBG screening at 32-34 GW, and their risk of macrosomia during a full-term pregnancy remains significantly higher after standard treatment.

A 41-year-old woman presented with acute, severe left-sided abdominal pain and vomiting at 37 weeks\' gestation. Her symptoms were attributed to renal colic, and she was admitted for supportive treatment. During her admission, she went into spontaneous labour. Due to other obstetric indications, the team proceeded with delivery by emergency caesarean section. Intra-operatively, a necrotic left fallopian tube and ovary were identified, and a diagnosis of adnexal torsion (AT) was recognised. There was no return of tissue perfusion on de-torsion, and a left salpingo-oopherectomy was performed. AT in pregnancy is unusual, with only a minority of cases occurring in the third trimester. This is a challenging diagnosis to establish and requires a high index of suspicion. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful in establishing a diagnosis but should not delay definitive treatment. Prompt surgical intervention is paramount to prevent irreversible damage to ovarian tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the quality scores validated for second-trimester ultrasound scan can be used for third-trimester ultrasound scan.
METHODS: Prospective multicenter ancillary study using data from the RECRET study. Nulliparous women, with no reported history, with second- and third-trimester ultrasound examinations performed by the same ultrasonographer and using the same ultrasound machine were recruited. The global score and the individual score of each ultrasound image were compared between second- and third-trimester ultrasound scan. The sample size was calculated for a non-inferiority (one-sided) paired Student t test.
RESULTS: 103 women with 1606 anonymized ultrasound images were included. The median term at second- and third-trimester ultrasound scan was 22.2 weeks gestation (22.0-22.7) and 31.6 weeks gestation (30.7-34.7), respectively. The mean global score of ultrasound images was comparable between the second- and the third-trimester ultrasound examination (32.37 ± 2.62 versus 31.80 ± 3.27, p = 0.13). Means scores for each biometric parameters i.e. head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur diaphysis length were comparable. The scores for the four-chamber view (5.11 ± 0.91 versus 5.36 ± 0.75, p = 0.02) and the spine (4.18 ± 1.17 versus 5.22 ± 1.02, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the third trimester compared to the second trimester. The score for the kidney image was significantly higher for third trimester images compared to second trimester images (4.73 ± 0.51 versus 4.32 ± 0.67, p < 0.001.
CONCLUSIONS: Biometrics parameters quality scores images previously validated for the second trimester ultrasound scan can be also used for the third trimester scan. However, anatomical quality scores images performances may vary between the second and the third trimester scan.

The traditional criteria for diagnosing preeclampsia include a new onset of hypertension and new-onset proteinuria at 20 weeks gestation. However recent studies suggest preeclampsia and even eclampsia may develop in the absence of either proteinuria or hypertension. This paper reports a dual tragedy of maternal and fetal loss after 36 weeks in the third trimester. Autopsy findings revealed an enlarged liver with multiple patchy hemorrhages, and histopathology confirmed submassive hepatic necrosis. Early diagnosis with timely referrals to higher centers is always helpful for the patients in such cases.

UNASSIGNED: Umbilical artery thrombosis (UAT) is a rare complication of pregnancy and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal intrauterine distress, intrauterine growth restriction, and still birth. UAT is unpredictable, and prenatal diagnosis is challenging. There is no consensus on the treatment strategy of UAT, especially for patients with prenatal detection of one of the umbilical artery embolisms. In most previous cases, an emergency cesarean section was performed, or intrauterine fetal death occurred at the time of UAT diagnosis.
UNASSIGNED: In this report, we describe a case of thrombosis in one of the umbilical arteries detected by routine ultrasonography at 31+3 weeks of gestation in a 34-year-old woman. Following expectant management with intensive monitoring for 4 four days, an emergency cesarean section was performed because of abnormal fetal umbilical cord blood flow and middle cerebral artery blood flow; the newborn was in good condition at birth. The final umbilical cord histopathology revealed thrombosis in one of the umbilical arteries. Both mother and newborn described in this case underwent long-term follow-up for nearly 2 two years and are currently in good health without any complications.
UNASSIGNED: Based on our experience, obstetricians should comprehensively consider the current gestational age and fetal intrauterine status when UAT is suspected to determine the best delivery time. The appropriate gestational age should be prolonged as long as the mother and fetus are stable when the fetus is immature, trying our best to complete the corticosteroid treatment to promote fetal lung maturity and magnesium sulfate to protect fetal brain. During expectant management, ultrasound monitoring, electronic fetal heart monitoring, and fetal movement counting should be strengthened. Clinicians should ensure that the patients and their families are informed about all potential risks of expectant management for UAT.

BACKGROUND: Body image perception and social support during pregnancy can impact the psychological distress levels experienced by pregnant women. As a result, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between various components of social support and body image perception on psychological distress levels among pregnant women in their third trimester in Nigeria.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 pregnant women who were in the third trimester and attending selected health care facilities in Ogbomoso, a semiurban city in Oyo State, Nigeria. Body image perception, social support, and psychological distress scales were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed and summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA and multiple regression), with significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: Regression analysis showed that 44% of the variation in psychological distress among pregnant women was explained by the background variables, marital status, body image perception, appraisal support, tangible support, belonging support, interaction between body image perception and appraisal support, belong support and tangible support.
CONCLUSIONS: Intervention programs focusing on bolstering tangible support, belonging support and appraisal support are recommended at reducing the psychological distress due to body image perception among pregnant women at third trimester.

BACKGROUND: Fetal sex affects fetal and maternal health outcomes in pregnancy, but this connection remains poorly understood. As the placenta is the route of fetomaternal communication and derives from the fetal genome, placental gene expression sex differences may explain these outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: We utilized next generation sequencing to study the normal human placenta in both sexes in first and third trimester to generate a normative transcriptome based on sex and gestation.
METHODS: We analyzed 124 first trimester (T1, 59 female and 65 male) and 43 third trimester (T3, 18 female and 25 male) samples for sex differences within each trimester and sex-specific gestational differences.
RESULTS: Placenta shows more significant sexual dimorphism in T1, with 94 T1 and 26 T3 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The sex chromosomes contributed 60.6% of DEGs in T1 and 80.8% of DEGs in T3, excluding X/Y pseudoautosomal regions. There were 6 DEGs from the pseudoautosomal regions, only significant in T1 and all upregulated in males. The distribution of DEGs on the X chromosome suggests genes on Xp (the short arm) may be particularly important in placental sex differences. Dosage compensation analysis of X/Y homolog genes shows expression is primarily contributed by the X chromosome. In sex-specific analyses of first versus third trimester, there were 2815 DEGs common to both sexes upregulated in T1, and 3263 common DEGs upregulated in T3. There were 7 female-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T1, 15 female-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T3, 10 male-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T1, and 20 male-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T3.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest cohort of placentas across gestation from healthy pregnancies defining the normative sex dimorphic gene expression and sex common, sex specific and sex exclusive gene expression across gestation. The first trimester has the most sexually dimorphic transcripts, and the majority were upregulated in females compared to males in both trimesters. The short arm of the X chromosome and the pseudoautosomal region is particularly critical in defining sex differences in the first trimester placenta. As pregnancy is a dynamic state, sex specific DEGs across gestation may contribute to sex dimorphic changes in overall outcomes.

Pericardial effusions are rarely brought to clinical attention in pregnancy. When present, effusions are typically small, clinically silent, and related to fluid shifts in pregnancy. We present a case of a large pericardial effusion during the third trimester of pregnancy with management considerations for labor and delivery.