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Background: The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of fasting during Ramadan on maternal oxidative stress levels and foetal development; pregnant women with uncomplicated, singleton pregnancies in the second trimester. Methods: During the month of Ramadan, 23 March 2023 to 20 April 2023, 50 fasting and 50 non-fasting healthy pregnant women were enrolled in this prospective study. The fasting hours were about 14 h per day in that season. Pregnant women in the second trimester were enrolled in the study. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and the oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured from maternal serum samples taken on a fasting day at the end of Ramadan. To evaluate the impact of Ramadan on the foetus, Doppler ultrasonography was performed in the beginning and then at the end of Ramadan in all participants and was used for the following measurements: Increase of biparietal diameter, femur length, estimated foetal body weight, amniotic fluid index and umbilical artery systolic/diastolic ratio. To discern differences between distinct cohorts, independent t-tests and Mann–Whitney's U-tests were employed based on the data distribution. A p value threshold of less than.05 was established to determine statistical significance. Results: TAS level was found to be significantly lower in the group that fasted for more than 15 days compared to the non-fasting group that did not fast (p =.003), but no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of TOS and OSI (p <.05). Obstetric ultrasound parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups (p <.05). Conclusions: The present study suggests that fasting during the second trimester of pregnancy does not substantially impact maternal or foetal health, as indicated by most oxidative stress markers and foetal parameters studied. However, the observed reduction in the TAS levels in the fasting group warrants further investigation. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Ramadan is the holy month for the Islamic World. During Ramadan, a pregnant woman is exempt from fasting if she believes that fasting would endanger her own health or that of the foetus. The significance of oxidative stress in pregnancy is widely recognised as it is thought to play a role in conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and preterm labour. However, the effect of fasting during Ramadan on maternal oxidative stress and foetal development remains unclear. During Ramadan, no adverse foetal effects were observed in fasting pregnant women compared to non-fasting pregnant women. The total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were significantly reduced in the fasting group, suggesting an adaptive metabolic response or influence of fasting duration. Lower TAS levels may not only be attributed to fasting during Ramadan but also to changes in dietary habits and lifestyle factors (e.g. physical activity and sleep). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Pregnancy is an inherently delicate process characterized by physiological and psychological changes, even in the absence of any health complications. This study compares the levels of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and guilt in women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancies to those in a control group consisting of women with healthy pregnancies. Methods: A total of 172 women participated in the study, 108 of whom had high-risk pregnancies, and 64 had healthy pregnancies. All participants were administered a semi-structured Sociodemographic Data Form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Scale (BAI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Guilt Inventory (GI). The findings were statistically analyzed and compared. Results: Women with high-risk pregnancies had significantly higher scores on the BAI (p = 0.002), BDI (p = 0.035), and GI (p = 0.001) compared to the control group. In the logistic regression analysis for calculating the risk of high-risk pregnancy, the multivariate analysis revealed that living in rural areas posed 3.5 times higher risk for high-risk pregnancy compared to urban living (OR = 3.500, 95% CI = 1.484–8.254). Additionally, for every one-point increase in the GI score, the risk of high-risk pregnancy increased by 1.064 times (OR = 1.064, 95% CI = 1.017–1.114). In the patient group, significant positive correlations were found between the BAI score and BDI, RSES, and GI scores, while a significant negative correlation was observed between BAI and parity. There were also significant positive correlations between the BDI and RSES as well as the GI scores. Additionally, a positive significant correlation was found between the RSES and GI scores. Conclusions: Our findings may help in identifying the psychological states of women with high-risk pregnancies and [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study compared fetal thymic‐thoracic ratios and fetal thymus transverse diameter measurements in pregnant women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and non‐immune hypothyroidism. Methods: The study included a total of 141 pregnant women in three groups: 41 with HT, 50 with non‐immune hypothyroidism, and 50 healthy individuals. Fetal thymus transverse diameter and thymic‐thoracic ratio were compared between these groups. Results: The mean fetal thymic‐thoracic ratio was greater in pregnant women with HT than in the healthy controls (p = 0.031). Mean fetal thymus transverse diameter showed no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusions: Maternal HT was associated with an increased fetal thymic‐thoracic ratio. More comprehensive studies are needed on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the patients who underwent vesicocentesis for fetal megacystis. Material and Methods: Patients who underwent vesicocentesis between May 2021 and May 2022 in İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital's Perinatology Department were evaluated retrospectively. Data were collected from the hospital database. Demographic characteristics of patients, indications, laboratory findings, clinical outcomes, and complications of vesicocentesis procedure were evaluated. Results: Vesicocentesis was performed in 25 patients with fetal megacystis. The mean age of the population was 27.6 years (range: 20-36 years) and the mean gestational week at the time of procedure was 18.9 weeks (range: 13-31 weeks). Hydronephrosis was observed in 6 (24%) patients. Multiple organ malformations were observed in 5 (20%) patients. Genetic examination was performed for all fetuses. CHRM3 gene mutation and Prune-belly syndrome were found in 1 (4%) patient. The mean values of the markers examined by vesicocentesis were found as follows: sodium (104.1 mg/dL), chloride (91.5 mg/dL), osmolality (246.5 mOsm/L), calcium (6.4 mg/dL), total protein (35.2 mg/dL), and β2-microglobulin (9.6 mg/L). Vesicoamniotic shunt procedure was performed to 7 (28%) patients. In one (4%) patient, the shunt was reinserted because of the displacement into the intraamniotic cavity. After the vesicocentesis procedure, premature rupture of membranes or intrauterine bleeding did not develop, but one (4%) patient underwent cesarean delivery due to fetal distress. Conclusion: Vesicocentesis could provide information that can be useful when deciding whether a fetus with megacystis could benefit from vesicoamniotic shunting. However, the long-term effects of vesicoamniotic shunting on these fetuses need to be determined to establish the true clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Congenital dacryocystocele is a rare benign disease that presents as a cystic mass on the lacrimal sac at birth. These lesions, which are usually detected incidentally at 30 weeks of gestation, may cause parental anxiety if the prenatal diagnosis is uncertain. Case: A 23-years-old, 32 weeks and 1 day G3P1T1Y1 patient was referred to our outpatient clinic due to a cystic lesion on the fetal face. The patient's history was unremarkable and no consanguinity with her wife. In the ultrasound of the patient, a well-defined, thin-walled, 12x10 mm, anechoic cystic structure was observed on the medial side of the right eyeball of the fetus(fıgure 1). Evaluated in favor of dacryocystocele. There were no additional ultrasonographic features. TORCH infection were negative. The patient's NIPT test result, which was performed at an external center at the 15th week of pregnancy due to maternal anxiety, was normal karyotype. Fetal Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging result was reported as consistent with dacryocystocele. The pregnancy of the patient continues at 38 weeks and she is followed up by our clinic. There is no change in lesion size and appearance. Conclusion: The canalization of the lacrimal duct begins around the 12th week and is not completed until the 24th week. Therefore, fetal ultrasound scans before 27 weeks of gestation are usually normal in these cases. Congenital dacryocystocele diagnosed prenatally may resolve spontaneously before birth. In rare cases, a dacryocytocele may be associated with other genetic or anatomical anomalies. It is important to rule out other causes of periorbital cystic lesions. Atypical cases may benefit from MRI. Although congenital dacryocystoceles are benign, newborns must breathe through the nose, and when the lesions are large and occur bilaterally, the obstruction may cause respiratory distress in the newborn. A better understanding of prenatal sonographic findings can help optimize perinatal care of potentially affected fetuses and appropriately orient their parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: It is aimed to point out the importance of advanced genetic testing in fetuses with cystic hygroma. Case: A pregnant woman aged 33 years, G1P0, 20 weeks and 5 days referred to us from an external center was evaluated. She had chorionic villus sampling because of a cystic hygroma seen in the first trimester sonographic screening. Fetal karyotype and microarray analysis results had been reported as normal so a genetic mutation panel had been studied for Noonan syndrome. Pathogenic missence variant was found in PTPN11 gene and pathogenic splice acceptor variant in MYBPC3 gene. The ultrasonographic findings were thought to be related to the heterozygous pathogenic variant detected in the PTPN11 gene. In the ultrasonographic evaluation of the fetus, it was observed that the nuchal fold was 8.7 mm, with septation and cystic appearance, and the lower poles of the fetal kidneys merged at the level of the aortic bifurcation. Fetal gender was female. Fetal echocardiography revealed subvalvular aortic stenosis. By reason of clinical findings and genetic examination results were thought to be compatible with the autosomal inherited Noonan syndrome, termination of pregnancy was offered to the family by the perinatology council. The family accepted the option of termination of pregnancy. Discussion: Noonan syndrome is a common autosomal-dominant condition clinically and genetically heterogeneous and two-thirds of patients are the first affected person in their family due to a de novo pathogenic variant. Although so many gene mutations are described for this syndrome, approximately %50 of patients have a pathogenic variant in protein tyrosine phosphatase, nonreceptor type 11 (PTPN11).[1] Fetuses with Noonan syndrome may present with manifestations of disordered lymphatic development, which include most commonly increased nuchal translucency. Renal and valvular cardiac anomalies may represent, too.[2] Clinical features such as difficulties with feeding in early life; vision, hearing, and growth problems; specific learning difficulties may develop in the postnatal period. Conclusion: Even if fetal karyotyping is normal in cystic hygroma cases detected in the first trimester screening, it should be kept in mind that genetic mutations that may accompany related syndromes may also be present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the sonographic visualization of the fetal optic chiasm (OC) and optic tracts (OTs), establish mid-trimester reference values, and assess the relationship between OC and OT dimensions and cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) measurements.This prospective cross-sectional study included 154 morphologically normal fetuses between 19 and 23 weeks of gestation. The diameters of the fetal OC and OTs were measured using two-dimensional transabdominal ultrasound in a transventricular axial section angled approximately 20–40° caudally. CSP length as well as anterior, middle, and posterior widths were measured by placing the cursor on the inner surfaces in the transventricular section. The average CSP width was included in the analysis.The OC and OTs were successfully visualized in 109 fetuses and included in the analysis. Visualization success in transabdominal axial sections at 19–23 weeks was 70.8 %, with high intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility. Additionally, visualization rates were higher in advanced gestational weeks and in fetuses with breech presentation (p=0.007 and p=0.017, respectively). OC and OT dimensions were positively correlated with CSP length and width, biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), and gestational age (p<0.05, for all).The OC and OTs were successfully visualized transabdominally in axial sections with high intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility. Additionally, OC and OT dimensions were positively correlated with gestational age, as well as with BPD, HC, and CSP measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the association between cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) and corpus callosum (CC) length and width measurements in mid-trimester sonographic screening in normal fetuses., Methods: This prospective cohort study examined 152 pregnant women who underwent mid-trimester sonographic fetal anomaly screening. CSP and CC lengths and their anterior, middle, and posterior width measurements were examined sonographically. The association between length and width measurements of both structures, gestational week and CSP ratio (length/width) were evaluated., Results: The mean CSP length was 7.96 ± 1.09 mm, and the mean middle width was 3.43 ± 0.82 mm. The mean CC length was 20 ± 3.76 mm, and the mean middle width was 3.43 ± 0.82 mm. There was a positive correlation between CSP and CC lengths (r = 0.691, p < 0.001). There was also a significant correlation between CSP and CC anterior, middle and posterior widths (anterior (r = 0.366, p < 0.001), middle (r = 0.305, p < 0.001), and posterior (r = 0.233, p = 0.004)). All CSP and CC measurements were correlated with gestational age, biparietal diameter (BPD), and head circumference (HC) (p < 0.001, for all). The CSP ratio was not related to CC dimensions (p > 0.05, for all) and also decreased with the increase in BPD and HC dimensions (r = -0.186, p = 0.022, and r = -0.174, p = 0.032; respectively)., Conclusion: In normal fetuses, the length and width of the CC and CSP structures developed in relation to each other, as well as to the gestational week, BPD, and HC dimensions. In addition, while the CSP ratio was not found to be associated with CC dimensions, it decreased due to the increase in BPD and HC sizes., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)