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This study investigated the correlation between maternal anxiety and blood flow changes through the fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) after defined acoustic stimulation in 43 normotensive (C) and 40 gestational hypertensive (GH) subjects. Neonatal outcomes (gestational age at birth, Apgar score, birth weight) in the C and GH groups were analyzed. State (STAI-S) and trait (STAI-T) anxiety was assessed using Spielberger's questionnaire. The MCA blood flow was assessed once between 28 and 41 weeks of gestation using color Doppler ultrasound before and after application of defined acoustic stimulus. Relative size of the Pulsatility index (Pi) change (RePi) was calculated. The general hypotheses were: (1) women in GH group would have higher anxiety; (2) higher anxiety correlates with higher RePi change and poorer neonatal outcome; (3) fetuses from the GH group would have poorer neonatal outcome. Subjects from the GH group had higher STAI-T and RePi compared to the C group. A positive correlation between RePi and STAI-S, STAI-T, and systolic/diastolic blood pressure was found in both groups. There were more preterm deliveries in the GH group compared to the C group. A significant effect of STAI-T on body weight was observed in the C and GH group. There was a predictive effect of STAI-T and RePi on the C group, and STAI-S, STAI-T, diastolic blood pressure, and RePi on the GH group in terms of neonatal body weight. This study demonstrates an association between antenatal anxiety in GH women and increased fetal cerebral circulation in response to defined auditory stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hospital Pharmacology: International Multidisciplinary Journal is the property of Serbian Medical Society, Section for Clinical Pharmacology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Hospital Pharmacology: International Multidisciplinary Journal is the property of Serbian Medical Society, Section for Clinical Pharmacology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of vaginal administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX 54 in preventing the occurrence of abnormal vaginal flora and the alteration of parameters relevant to the progression of pregnancy. Methods: Sixty pregnant women were assigned randomly to the untreated arm of the study ( n = 30) or received ( n = 30) vaginal application of one tablet containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX 54, once a week for 12 weeks. Every 4 weeks (T0-T3), vaginal and cervical swabs were collected and pH, and quantity and quality of vaginal discharge measured as well as consistency, length and dilatation of cervix, and level of the presenting part of the foetus relative to interspinous diameter. Results: In untreated women, there was a significant trend towards increase in the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the vaginal and/or cervical swabs ( p < 0.05), and in average pH values ( p < 0.05), amount ( p < 0.05) and 'whiff test' positivity ( p < 0.05) of vaginal discharge. Significant trend was also found for decrease in length ( p < 0.0001) and increase in dilatation ( p < 0.05) of cervix, as well as for lower position of the foetus ( p < 0.0001). In the group treated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX 54, none of these values significantly changed throughout the observation period, with the exception of cervical length that was significantly decreased at T3 ( p < 0.01). Conclusions: During pregnancy, vaginal administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX 54 is effective in preventing the development of abnormal vaginal microflora, lowering of the presenting part of the foetus and modifying cervical parameters that could represent risk factors of vulnerability to preterm delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to analyze the course and outcome of pregnancies with congenital heart disease of the fetus, diagnosed and terminated at the Institute of gynecology and obstetrics Clinical Center of Serbia over four years. The study included 71 patients, divided into 3 groups according to the fetal outcome. Group 1 had consisted of 9 pregnancies terminated artificially, Group 2 of 48 patients who delivered live fetuses, and Group 3 of 14 pregnancies terminated as fetal intrauterine death. The types congenital heart diseases were categorized as follows: 40 had L-R shunting type, 18 R-L shunting type, 8 coartacion of aorta, and 7 valvular diseases. Intrauterine fetal death occurred in 11 pregnancies in Group 3 after 28 weeks of gestation. In 13 cases karyotypisation were done, because of maternal age or intrauterine growth retardation diagnosed with ultrasound, and 9 of them had genetic disorders. Forty-eight fetuses were born alive. Fourteen died in the first 2–7 days and 12 had successful heart surgery. Twenty-two needed no surgical correction. Ultrasound findings were false negative in 3 cases. The diagnosis of fetal heart disease should be done by fetal echocardiogram, which can be preformed early in the beginning of the pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]