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An urachus is a remnant of allantois in embryo development constituting a connection between the dome of the bladder and umbilicus. It develops on day 16 after conception and closes during the pregnancy to form the median umbilical ligament. Patent urachus results from a failure in closing its lumen in 10-12 gestational weeks. This anomaly occurs in 1-2 babies in 100,000 births. We present the case of patent urachus. In 20 gestational weeks, a dilatation of the umbilical cord with an anechoic mass with a transverse dimension of 19 x 12 mm starting from the fetal insertion and length of 30 cm was seen on ultrasound without any other fetal and placental disorders. Histology showed cystic edema. Prenatal diagnosis of patent urachus can be difficult because this pathology may be mistaken with other, more dangerous causes of cord cysts; thus, the occurrence of cord cysts should be closely monitored.

Objective: Twin pregnancies are associated with higher neonatal mortality and morbidity. Growth discordance and monochorionicity are among the factors that worsen the course of pregnancy. The study aimed to assess neonatal conditions and mortality in relation to growth type and chorionicity. Materials and methods: Data from 820 pregnant women with twin pregnancies and their 1640 newborns were analyzed. The Apgar score and umbilical artery blood pH, as well as the rate of complications, were compared between dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) and monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins with symmetric and discordant growth. The Student's t-test and the Pearson chi-square test were used for comparisons. Results: There were 576 (70.2%) DCDA pregnancies, including 421 (73.1%) with symmetric growth and 155 (26.9%) with discordant growth, and 244 (29.8%) MCDA pregnancies, including 110 (45.1%) with symmetric growth and 134 (54.9%) with discordant growth. A significantly greater percentage of twins with discordant growth occurred in women older than 34 years than in those that were younger. An Apgar score of ≤7 was significantly more common among MCDA discordant twins, while an arterial umbilical blood pH of

Background The increased use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) contributes to the increased rate of twin pregnancies, which are burdened with a higher risk of complications. Factors that affect the condition of the second twin are understudied. Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the delivery mode, chorionicity, amnionicity, and the type of fetal growth on the postnatal condition of the second twin. Material and methods The study included data from 475 pregnant women with twin pregnancies. Maternal age, parity, chorionicity, amnionicity, type of fetal growth, mode of delivery, gestational weeks at delivery, Apgar score, and umbilical arterial blood pH were retrospectively analyzed. Data normality was checked with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test and χ2 test were used for comparisons between groups. To check predictive value of the analyzed variables multiple linear regression was used. Results The mean maternal age was 29.22 (standard deviation (SD) ±5.19) years. The maternal age and gestational age at delivery did not differ significantly between women who delivered by cesarean section (CS) and vaginal delivery (VD). In the second twin, the Apgar score and values of arterial umbilical blood pH were lower in infants delivered by VD than in those delivered by CS (6.30 ±2.83 and 7.30 ±0.12; p = 0.0209 and 7.26 ±0.12 and 7.30 ±0.11; p = 0.0236, respectively). In monochorionic diamniotic twins with asymmetric growth, the second twin achieved significantly lower outcome than the first twin. Vaginal delivery was a predictive factor for a lower Apgar score and lower values of umbilical arterial blood pH in second twins, while not in first twins. Symmetrical fetal growth of twins was a predictive factor for better postnatal condition for both twins. Conclusions In twin pregnancies, VD, but not CS, is associated with increased risk of worse postnatal condition of the second twin. In monochorionic diamniotic pregnancies complicated by growth discordance, CS seems to be a reasonable mode of delivery.

Background Ultrasound is a routine procedure performed during pregnancy to monitor the status of the human fetus, including the development of the digestive tract. The aim of this publication was to determine the shape of the fetal sigmoid colon mesentery during the first and second trimester of pregnancy by means of ultrasound. Methods The study was performed in 45 pregnant women (age: 36.4 years on average, range 25–45) during a routine ultrasound examination. The fetuses were between 12 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. The shape of the fetal sigmoid colon mesentery was analyzed. Results We visualized the triangular shape of the mesentery in all 45 cases. A prevalence of scalene or isosceles acute triangles was found in both trimesters. At the 12−13 weeks we observed 5 different forms of mesenteric triangles – the scalene or isosceles acute triangles appeared at 33.3% and 28.6%, respectively. The obtuse scalene was present in 23.8 %. In the 2nd trimester (20−22 weeks) 4 types were found, among them 37.5 % acute scalene and 33.3 % acute isosceles. Conclusions The fetal sigmoid colon mesentery can be visualized from the 12th week of pregnancy. The triangular shape of the sigmoid colon mesentery is easy to follow during routine ultrasound examinations.

Introduction Ultrasound examinations during pregnancy are routine procedures used to detect fetal congenital malformations. Ultrasound monitoring of sigmoid colon mesenterial development could be useful for early detection of subjects at risk of sigmoid colon volvulus. Objective The aim of our paper was to assess the sigmoid colon length, and sigmoid colon mesentery width and height in the late fetal period, and, using the results, to estimate the surface area of the mesocolon (in mm2) in living fetuses. Moreover, we attempted to repeat some of these measurements in living fetuses using ultrasound imaging. Methods The study was carried out on 209 formalin fixed human fetuses (100 female and 109 male) aged from 4th to 7th gestational months (102–203 days), with a crown-rump length of 132–342 mm. The length of the sigmoid colon, as well as the height and width of its mesentery were measured. The surface area of the mesocolon was estimated. Correction for formalin induced shrinkage was applied. Pilot ultrasound examinations of live fetuses were performed. Results Mean values of sigmoid colon length, mesenteric width and height (formalin fixed fetuses) for respective gestational ages were: month 4: 21.46 ± 6.7 mm, 6.80 ± 2.1 mm, 5.5 ± 1.49 mm; month 5: 27.32 ± 1.2 mm, 7.62 ± 2.01 mm, 7.33 ± 2.17 mm; month 6: 47.56 ± 9.57 mm, 11.68 ± 3.8 mm, 10.3 ± 3.05 mm; month 7: 56.92 ± 17.48 mm. 15.32 ± 8 mm, 12.81 ± 3.16 mm. The surface area ranges of the sigmoid colon mesentery found for respective gestational months (intrauterine fetuses) were as follows: month 4: 33.24–51.95 mm2; month 5: 49.63–77.6 mm2; month 6: 106.89–167.15 mm2 and month 7: 145.69–272.53 mm2. Conclusion The surface area of the sigmoid colon mesentery can be used as a simple parameter applied in fetal ultrasonographic evaluation. The development of the sigmoid colon accelerates in the 6th gestational month, and decelerates in the 7th gestational month. The sigmoid colon mesentery width was larger than its height between the 4th and 7th gestational months.

The aim of the study was to assess the self-reported cervical cancer screening rate among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and patient attitude towards human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination. A self-designed survey was conducted in hospitalized IBD patients. The survey comprised demographic data, questions regarding cervical smear test frequency and vaccinations recommended for an IBD patient. Randomly, patients completed the survey with a physician present to determine question comprehension. In order to provide test-retest reliability a group of 10 patients completed it twice. Survey data from 150 IBD patients (mean age: 36 years, SD ± 13; mean IBD duration: 10 years, SD ± 6.5) were analyzed. Fifteen percent of the patients reported irregular cervical testing and 15% do not remember when having had a previous cervical testing performed. Only 69% of the patients undergo testing regularly; 30% annually, 32% every 2-3 years; 7% every 5 years. The mean age of patients tested regularly was 22 years, vs. 32 years tested irregularly (p

Purpose The aim of the study was to determine reference values for placental vascular indices and placental volume according to gestational age. Material/methods The assessment of placental vascular indices and placental volume using 3D Power Doppler and the Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis (VOCAL) technique was performed on 100 normal fetuses between 22 and 41 weeks of gestation. In this study the method of the individual setting of the power Doppler gain value was used. Only patients with entirely visualized placenta were included in the study. Results No statistically relevant difference in the values of placental vascular indices and placental volume between different localizations of the placenta was detected. No statistically significant changes to placental vascular indices depending on gestational age were found. It enabled to determine the 10th, 50th and 90th percentile values for the vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), vascularization-flow index (VFI), which are independent of gestational age. No correlation was found between placental volume and placental vascular indices. Conclusions The values of placental vascular indices are constant between the 22nd and 41st week of a normal pregnancy. Placental volume measured with the use of the VOCAL program increases between 22nd and 41st week of a normal pregnancy. In a normal pregnancy the placental vasculature increases adequately to the increase of its volume. The method of the individual setting of the power Doppler gain value makes it possible to achieve comparable values of placental vascular indices regardless of the distance between the probe and the placenta.

Objectives To evaluate the differences in placental vascular indices and placental volume between normal and IUGR pregnancies. Methods A prospective study was conducted on a group of 100 normal and 20 IUGR pregnancies between 22 and 42 weeks of gestation. For the purpose of evaluation of placental volume and placental vascular indices, we applied 3D Power Doppler and VOCAL technique. Only patients with entirely visualized placenta were included in the study. Results A comparative analysis of vascularization index (VI), vascularization flow index (VFI), flow index (FI), and placental volume (PV) revealed statistically significant differences between normal and IUGR pregnancies. In normal pregnancies, the volume of the placenta was on average 92.42 cm3 larger than in pregnancies complicated by IUGR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the clinical usefulness of placental vascular indices and placental volume for discriminating IUGR and normal pregnancies. It was concluded that the VI, VFI, PV, FI parameters are the best discriminants, with the cut-off values of 5.30, 2.30, 199, and 36.0, respectively. Conclusions The quantitative assessment of placental vasculature and placental volume by means of 3D Power Doppler and VOCAL technique is an adjunctive modality for differentiation between normal and IUGR pregnancies. Our findings further suggest that the vascularization index (VI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) are the best parameters with the most favorable discriminating potential for proper identification of IUGR pregnancies.

Objectives: The study aimed at determining whether there exists a correlation between the cervical cohesion parameters assessed in the elastography and the length of the cervix. Material and methods: Assessment of cervical cohesion parameters with the use of real-time sonoelastography was performed on 59 patients between 28 and 39 weeks of gestation. Results: The analysis showed that there exists a statistically significant (p=0.033) correlation between the cervical length and the elasticity of the front cervical labium (strain ratio A). Correlation coefficient (r) stood at (-) 0.28. Conclusions: 1. There exists a negative correlation between the condition on the front cervical labium in elastographic imaging and the length of the cervical canal in USG imaging. 2. Elastography of the uterine cervix may be helpful in assessing the risk of premature labour or cervical insufficiency. 3. There is a need to perform a study on a larger group of patients in order to determine whether elastography may find its place among routine obstetric diagnostic methods.

Cytokines play an essential role in the regulation of immunological responses. Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a glycoprotein secreted primarily by macrophages and monocytes. IL-15 plays a key role in the immunological response of the cellular type.The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the concentration of interleukin 15 in amniotic fluid in the second and the third trimesters ofa normal pregnancy.The study included 74 pregnant women who were subjected to a diagnostic amniocentesis in order to extract amniotic fluid samples. The patients were divided into two groups: group I - 45 pregnant women in the 2nd trimester, subjected to genetic amniocentesis during the 15th through 19th weeks. The results of the cytogenetic tests were found to be normal in all the fetuses. Group II: 29 pregnant women in their 3rd trimester, were subjected to amniocentesis in order to determine the biological maturity of the fetuses. The concentration of IL-15 was marked with the ELISA method using a kit made by the RD company. Method sensitivity was2 pg/ml.The average concentration of IL-15 in the amniotic fluid of 2nd trimester pregnancies was 6.54 pg/ ml, whereas in the 3rd trimester it rose to 18.62 pg/ml. Discrepancies were found to be statistically significant (p0.05).The presence of IL-15 in the amniotic fluid in the second trimester of gestation indicates an early activation of the fetus's defensive mechanisms. An average concentration of IL-15 in the amniotic fluid is significantly higher in the third trimester of pregnancy than in the second trimester, which can mean about the development of the immune response in the fetus.

Little is known about the behavior of interleukin 15 (IL-15) and 18 (IL-18) in the amniotic fluid in the second trimester of gestations complicated by chromosomal defects in the fetus. Likewise, it has not yet been established whether a fetus with chromosome abnormalities creates its immunity mechanisms in the same way as a fetus with a normal karyotype.The aim of this work was to assess the concentration of IL-15 and IL-18 in the amniotic fluid in the second trimester of gestation in fetuses with normal karyotypes and with chromosome abnormalities.The material consisted of 51 samples of amniotic fluid obtained from genetic amniocenteses carried out between the 15th and the 19th weeks of gestation. On the basis of cytogenetic screening, two groups were singled out: Group I--45 fetuses with normal karyotypes, and Group II--6 fetuses with abnormal karyotypes. The concentrations of IL-15 and IL-18 in the amniotic fluid were assessed with ready-made assays and analyzed, and the results from both groups were compared.The differences between the IL-15 levels in the amniotic fluid from Groups I and II proved to be statistically insignificant (p = 0.054). However, the average IL-18 levels in the amniotic fluid of the fetuses with normal karyotypes were significantly higher than in the amniotic fluid of the fetuses with chromosome abnormalities (p = 0.032).Some defense mechanisms in the second trimester of gestation in fetuses with chromosome abnormalities may develop in a different way than in fetuses with normal karyotypes.

Triploidy is one of the most common chromosomal numerical aberrations, resulting usually from one out off two main mechanisms: aberrant segregation of chromosomes during meiosis or from the fertilization of one egg by two sperms. Triploidy usually causes prenatal death. In present paper the methods of non-invasive and invasive prenatal diagnosis of triploidy are described. We also report the case of triploid fetus, diagnosed by ultrasound visualisation followed by amniocenthesis and cytogenetic analysis.

A leukaemic reaction is an increase of leukocytes count in peripheral blood between 20-50 G/l with significant percentage of immature white blood cells: metamyeloblasts, myelocytes and even myeloblasts in blood smear. The leukaemic reactions during cancers and many infections diseases, especially in the pregnancy, by their clinical symptoms and laboratory changes can imitate acute and chronic leukaemias. In this article we introduce a pregnant woman with the leukaemic reaction with leucocyte count 51 G/l and a presence of immature white blood cells with myeloblasts in peripheral blood smear. This leukaemic reaction was caused by inflammatory process in the myoma uteri and the urinary tract.

In this paper different views regarding the diagnosis and management of uterine myomas during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium are presented. A review was done of the complications which may develop during pregnancy depending on the sizes of the myomas and their localization in relation to the placenta. Indications for operative management of uterine myomas, given by various authors are presented. Controversies connected with enucleation of uterine myomas in pregnancy are described. Indications, contraindications as well as possible complications regarding enucleation of uterine myomas in pregnancy which appear in the bibliography are presented. An analysis was done of the possible dangers which threaten women with uterine myomas during puerperium. On the basis of our own experience, the authors are of the opinion that only abiding by the indications for enucleation of uterine myomas in pregnancy and during caesarean sections, can bring about good results. Management of women who have uterine myomas must be cautious and devoid of routine.

In this paper a case of a young pregnant woman with a uterine tumour of 9 cm in size, which was diagnosed as leiomyoma is presented. The patient was delivered at 33 weeks through caesarean section, during which abdominal viscera were found to be normal. Due to the size of the tumour, as well as its localisation--in the uterine wall in the vicinity of the big uterine vessels--an operation to excise it was postponed until after the puerperium period was over. After a few weeks the patient developed intensive abdominal pains. A computer tomography scan was done in which apart from swelling of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, metastatic type changes in the lungs were also observed. Suspicion of a malignant uterine tumour was confirmed during operation, however due to the extensive progress of the disease a radical operation was not possible. In the histopathological examination stromal sarcoma was revealed. In spite of attempts at using chemotherapy and hormonotherapy no positive effect was achieved. Rapid development of the sarcoma led to the death of the patient after 4 months.

The ductus venosus (DV) is an intrahepatic end-part of the umbilical vein. Inappropriate first trimester DV Doppler blood flow patterns correspond to a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities.The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of ductus venosus Doppler flow in a first trimester screening for aneuploidies.A prospective study included 1526 singleton pregnancies with increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities who underwent prenatal first trimester screening between the years 2006-2009. All ultrasound scans were performed by experienced sonographers and included an assessment of fetal growth, nuchal translucency (NT), nasal bone assessment (NB) and ductus venosus (DV) blood flow. Reversed a-wave (atrial diastole) in the ductus venosus flow pattern was recognized as abnormal. In addition to DV blood flow, the levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and free β - human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) in maternal serum were measured. The risk of chromosomal abnormalities was calculated using the Fetal Medicine Foundation software. The following risk levels were assumed: high risk results - 1:100 or lower, intermediate risk 1:100 - 1:1000, and low risk above 1:1000. In 523 pregnancies, patients underwent amniocentesis and karyotyping.The authors diagnosed 46 cases with chromosomal abnormalities (using amniocentesis and karyotyping). 29 patients had spontaneous miscarriage, in 21 cases they reported fetuses with congenital malformations (mostly heart defects). Abnormal DV blood flow was recognized in 113 pregnant women (7.4%). The majority of cases affected by abnormal DV blood flow were classified as intermediate and high disorder risk groups - 100 (6.5%). The comparison between a combined test with and without DV assessment revealed that the addition of DV flow pattern results increased sensitivity from 84% to 92% in screening for aneuploidies. The false-positive ratio was between 0.4% and 2.4%.Ductus venosus Doppler blood flow examination is useful in the first trimester prenatal diagnostic since it increases the sensitivity of the combined test in the assessment of risk for chromosomal abnormalities. The authors recommend assessing DV blood flow during the first trimester screening in all pregnancies, irrespectively of the chromosomal abnormalities background risk. This procedure in clinical practice seems to be favorable and less complicated.

Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a glycoprotein produced by macrophages. IL-18 influences different populations of T lymphocytes and NK cells and stimulates the production of INF-gamma by these cells. IL-18 induces both Th1 and Th2 response. That is why IL-18 is a unique cytokine.The aim of work was to examine the concentration of interleukin 18 in amniotic fluid in the 2nd and the 3rd trimesters of physiological pregnancies.74 pregnant women were qualified to take part in the studies. The amniotic fluid samples by amniocentesis were taken from the patients. Two groups were distinguished among the examined patients: group I - 45 pregnant women qualified for genetic amniocentesis between the 15th and 19th week of pregnancy. All findings of the cytogenetic tests were normal. Group II: 29 pregnant women in their 3rd trimester were qualified for diagnostic amniocentesis in order to determine the biological maturity of the fetuses. The concentration of IL-18 was marked with the immunoenzymatic method ELISA with the use of the kit produced by the MBL company. Method sensitivity was12.5 pg/mL.In the 2nd trimester of pregnancy the average concentration of IL-18 in the amniotic fluid was 454.69 pg/mL and in the 3rd trimester was 71.73 pg/mL. The obtained data proved that the average concentration of IL-18 in the 2nd trimester was significantly higher than in the 3rd trimester. The obtained differences in the findings were statistically significant (p0.05).The presence and high levels of IL-18 in the amniotic fluid in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy indicate an early process of initiation of immunological mechanisms by the fetus. An average concentration of IL-18 in the amniotic fluid was significantly higher in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy than in the 3rd trimester, which may indicate the influential role of IL-18 on the development of the immune response in the fetus in this period of gestation.