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The ever-increasing wave of immigration in Italy has posed demanding challenges in the management of the new multiethnic obstetric population. The aim of this study was to compare pregnancy and perinatal outcomes between immigrants and the native population in an Italian public hospital. Singleton pregnant women (≥ 24 weeks of gestation) who delivered during a 3-year period in an Italian free care hospital were included. Long-term (≥ 2 years of residence) immigrant patients were divided into 4 groups according to their ethnic origin: Europeans, Asians, Latin Americans, and Africans. Perinatal indicators of obstetric outcomes were collected and compared between immigrants and Italians. Of the 3556 patients included, 1092 were immigrants and 2464 Italians. The immigrant cohort experienced a higher rate of macrosomia (1.8% vs 0.6%; p = 0.001), very low birth weight (1.3% vs 0.6%; p = 0.048), very early preterm delivery (1.4% vs 0.4%; p = 0.048), and gestational diabetes mellitus (1.8% vs 0.5%; p = 003) compared with the native population. The overall rate of cesarean sections was greater among Italians (56% vs 45.8%; p < 0.001). Among ethnic groups, Europeans and Latin Americans reported a higher rate of preterm delivery (20.2% and 19%, respectively; p < 0.001). Latin Americans carried also a greater risk of fetal macrosomia (3.6%; p < 0.008), while the rate of very low birth weight was higher among Europeans and Africans (2% and 1.8%, respectively; p < 0.04). Obstetricians should pay special attention to the potential disparities in pregnancy outcomes between immigrants and the native population. Future efforts should focus on reducing preterm delivery and glucose dysmetabolism among pregnant immigrants.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a rare complication generally associated with headache and acute changes in blood pressure. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment may result in death or in irreversible neurological sequelae. We present three cases of PRES occurring in young women during puerperium. We report a literature review ranged from January 1990 to June 2015 describing clinical features, diagnostic and medical approach, and maternal outcome.

Aim: To analyze the prognostic value of maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting funisitis in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM). Methods: 66 patients (gestational age 24–33 weeks) hospitalized 1–12 h after pPROM were enrolled. White blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT) and plasma concentration of CRP were assessed every 3 days. Histological evidence of chorioamnionitis and funisitis was obtained post-partum. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to evaluate the role of maternal CRP in predicting funisitis. Results: Funisitis was found in 24 patients (36.3%); 42 patients (63.7%) without funisitis were considered as controls. PLT and WBC at admission and before delivery did not show significant differences and were not statistically different between the two groups. Patients with funisitis had significantly higher CRP levels both at admission to hospital and 24– 48 h before delivery. ROC curve analysis showed that CRP at admission (area under the curve: 0.671, p = 0.021) and before delivery (area under the curve: 0.737, p = 0.001) are predictive of funisitis. Conclusions: High maternal serum CRP levels (>20,000 µg/l) in pPROM patients at admission to hospital may be an early marker which indicates, with a good diagnostic performance, the presence of funisitis.

Dyslipidemia is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). During pregnancy, physiological changes elevate cholesterol and triglyceride levels to support fetal development, which can exacerbate pre-existing conditions and lead to complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and increased ASCVD risk for both mother and child. Effective management strategies are necessary, especially for pregnant women with inherited forms of dyslipidemia (i.e., familial hypertriglyceridemia, hyperchylomicronemia), where personalized dietary adjustments are crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. Pharmacological interventions and lipoprotein apheresis may be necessary for severe cases, though their use is often limited by factors such as cost, availability, and potential fetal risks. Despite the promise of advanced therapies, their widespread application remains constrained by limited studies and high costs. Thus, a personalized, multidisciplinary approach is essential for optimizing outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current strategies and evidence-based practices for managing dyslipidemia during pregnancy, emphasizing the balance of maternal and fetal health. Additionally, it discusses the physiological changes in lipid metabolism during pregnancy and their implications, particularly for women with inherited forms of dyslipidemia.

In recent years, the rate of caesarean sections has risen all over the world. Accordingly, efforts are being made worldwide to understand this trend and to counteract it effectively. Several factors have been identified as contributing to the selection of caesarean section (CS), especially an obstetricians’ beliefs, attitudes and clinical practices. However, relatively few studies have been conducted to understand the mechanisms involved, to explore influencing factors and to clearly define the risks associated with the caesarean section on maternal request (CSMR). This comparative study was conducted to elucidate the factors influencing the choice of CSMR, as well as to compare the associated risks of CSMR to CS for breech presentation among Italian women. From 2015 to 2018, a total of 2348 women gave birth by caesarean section, of which 8.60% (202 women) chose a CSMR. We found that high educational attainment, use of assisted reproductive technology, previous operative deliveries and miscarriages within the obstetric history could be positively correlated with the choice of CSMR in a statistically significant way. This trend was not confirmed when the population was stratified based on patients’ characteristics, obstetric complications and gestational age. Finally, no major complications were found in patients that underwent CSMR. We believe that it is essential to evaluate patients on a case-by-case basis. It is essential to understand the personal experience, to explain the knowledge available on the subject and to ensure a full understanding of the risks and benefits of the medical practice to guarantee the patients not only their best scientific preparation but also human understanding.

AimsGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance that is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Maternal adipose tissue and fetal membranes secrete various molecules that are relevant players in the pathogenesis of GDM. This pilot study aimed to examine whether the expression of the high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and its receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its receptors (VPAC-1,-2) were modified in pregnant women with GDM.MethodsFetal membranes (FMs), omental adipose tissue (VAT) explants, and serum samples were obtained from 12 women with GDM and 12 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) at delivery. The expression of HMGB1, RAGE and VIP, VPAC-1,-2 was detected by Western Blotting in explants; circulating levels and “in vitro” release of HMGB1 and VIP were measured by ELISA tests.ResultsHMGB1 tissue expression was higher in FMs obtained from GDM women (p = 0.02) than in FMs from NGT women. VPAC2 (p = 0.03) and RAGE (p = 0.03) tissue expressions were significantly increased in VAT from GDM subjects. Only FMs of NGT released detectable levels of HMGB1, which was not observed in samples obtained from GDM. VAT of GDM released lower levels of VIP (p = 0.05) than NGT samples.ConclusionsThis study indicates that a fine tuned regulation exists between FMs and VAT throughout pregnancy to maintain immune metabolic homeostasis. In GDM a balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators has been observed. Further studies are needed to establish their exact role on fetal and maternal outcomes in GDM.

Objectives To compare the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MRI) and colour Doppler-ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of late pregnancy bleeding and to assess the accuracy of the different MR sequences in visualizing the origin of haemorrhage. Methods 42 patients in the third trimester of pregnancy underwent to US and MRI for the evaluation of painless vaginal bleeding. Multiplanar HASTE, True Fisp, 3D T1 GRE and sagittal DWI sequences were acquired. Two radiologists, blinded to the results of US, reviewed each case, resolving by consensus any discrepancy. Reference standards were surgical and pathological findings. Results The reference standards identified 22 placenta previa, 11 placental abruptions (1 coincident with a placental chorioangioma), 1 thrombohaematoma and 1 fibroma with haemorrhagic degeneration. MRI identified correctly all these condition with an interobserver agreement of 0.955. DWI and T1 weighted sequences were statistically superior to Haste and True Fisp sequences in detecting the cause of bleeding ( p  < .001). US had 6 false negatives and 2 false positive results, its diagnostic accuracy resulting lower than MRI ( p  = .001). Conclusions MRI accurately evaluates pregnancy bleeding with an excellent interobserver agreement and can grant new and additional data when US is negative.

Background Current knowledge indicate that epirubicin administration in late pregnancy is almost devoid of any fetal cardiotoxicity. We report a twin pregnancy complicated by breast cancer in which epirubicin administration was causatively linked to the death of one twin who was small for gestational age (SGA) and in a condition of oligohydramnios and determined the onset of a transient cardiotoxicity of the surviving fetus/newborn. Case presentation A 38-year-old caucasic woman with a dichorionic twin pregnancy was referred to our center at 20 and 1/7 weeks for a suspected breast cancer, later confirmed by the histopathology report. At 31 and 3/7 weeks, after the second chemotherapy cycle, ultrasound examination evidenced the demise of one twin while cardiac examination revealed a monophasic diastolic ventricular filling, i.e. a diastolic dysfunction of the surviving fetus who was delivered the following day due to the occurrence of grade II placental abruption. The role of epirubicin cardiotoxicity in the death of the first twin was supported by post-mortem cardiac and placental examination and by the absence of structural or genomic abnormalities that may indicate an alternative etiology of fetal demise. The occurrence of epirubicin cardiotoxicity in the surviving newborn was confirmed by the report of high levels of troponin and transient left ventricular septal hypokinesia. Conclusion Based on our findings we suggest that epirubicin administration in pregnancy should be preceded by the screening of some fetal conditions like SGA and oligohydramnios that may increase its cardiotoxicity and that, during treatment, the diastolic function of the fetal right ventricle should be specifically monitored by a pediatric cardiologist; also, epirubicin and desamethasone for lung maturation should not be closely administered since placental effects of glucocorticoids may increase epirubicin toxicity.

Background: Prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) declined following the publication of the Women's Health Initiative study. The number of women who experience recurrence of menopausal symptoms after discontinuation of long-term HRT (LT-HRT), the length of time these symptoms last and the preferred alternative treatments remain unknown. Methods: This prospective 3-year follow-up study analyses the prevalence and intensity of menopausal symptoms that occur in young postmenopausal women who discontinued LT-HRT. Symptoms were evaluated using the Menopause Rating Scale. Results: Women (254) who discontinued LT-HRT (mean use: 6.9 ± 2.3 years) were recruited. Mean age at menopause was 48.1 ± 3.4 years. Mean age at discontinuation was 56.8 ± 3.7 years. 23% of the women were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 196 women, 93% experienced a recurrence of menopausal symptoms within the first year, 25% resumed low-dose HRT, 62% used vaginal estrogens, 54% used phytoestrogens, and 2% used alternative therapies. A decrease in symptom prevalence and intensity was observed during the 3-year follow-up. Conclusions: Symptoms re-appeared in a significant proportion of patients within the first year after discontinuation of LT-HRT. However, after 3 years, the majority of these women were asymptomatic. Patients who discontinue LT-HRT may require a more detailed follow-up immediately after the discontinuation of treatment.