Recurrent Pregnancy Research Articles

Detection of HPV-16 in Cervical Swab in Woman with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss by Real-Time PCR

Human Papilloma Virus is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It causes a series of neoplasms, including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and head-and-neck cancers. The current study aimed to determine the role of human papillomavirus and its relationship to the incidence of recurrent miscarriages. A cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out in Kirkuk City on 114 women who had recurrent miscarriages and included 36 women with previous two or more normal pregnancies as controls. Deep vaginal swabs were collected from all women enrolled in the study according to the standard procedure of vaginal swab sampling until PCR extraction and amplification tests were done by realtime PCR for qualitative and quantitative. The study showed that 10.53% (12 of 114) of RPL patients tested positive by PCR, while none of the control patients had PCR +ve results. The mean HPV DNA load detected by RT-PCR from the RPL group (n=12) was 10.95 copies/cell (range 7.665–15.75 copies/cell). Furthermore, it demonstrated that the high mean of HPV DNA load (13.724 copies/cell) was recorded among RPL with a number of abortions (5 and more). It was concluded that human papillomavirus is highly related to recurrent abortion. Keywords: RPL; HPV DNA; E6 protein; RT-PCR

A phenomenological study on recurrent teenage pregnancies in effutu municipality- Ghana.the experiences of teenage mothers

BackgroundGenerally, recurrent teenage pregnancies are public health menaces that impede the quality of life of teenage mothers, their offspring, and society as a whole. However, there is paucity of information regarding factors influencing this social issue especially, in developing countries where Ghana is no exception. Moreover, this menace has been least investigated from the perspective of the teenager with multiple pregnancies. Hence, this study aimed at identifying the factors influencing recurrent teenage pregnancies and the challenges confronted by these teenage mothers.MethodThis study is a phenomenological qualitative study that was conducted in the Effutu Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. Employing convenience and snowball sampling, 40 participants who were residents of the study area, had a child each, and were pregnant at the time of the study were included. Other participants included teenage mothers who had at least two (2) children. A face-to-face in-depth interview with the help of an interview guide was conducted. Proceedings were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. Quotations were used in the result presentation.ResultsThe results of the study revealed that factors influencing recurrent teenage pregnancies are multifactorial. It includes peer pressure, parental neglect, poverty, living with a partner, and inadequate knowledge of family planning. The teenager with recurrent pregnancy is confronted with financial difficulties and is faced with stigmatisation in the society where she finds herself.ConclusionTo this effect, it is important to intensify education on family planning and good parental practices among parents with teenage mothers while providing a similar form of sensitization for members of the society about the harmful effects of stigmatisation on the teenage mother and her children. Again, a social support network for teenagers with recurrent pregnancies could be formed to help curb this public health menace.

0825 A Case of Familial Restless Legs Syndrome and Raynaud's Phenomenon

Abstract Introduction Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensory-motor disorder that frequently leads to sleep disturbances and reduced quality of life. Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is characterized by episodes of reduced blood flow mainly to the fingers due to vasospasms, with subsequent pain and discoloration, usually triggered by cold exposure or by stress. We present an interesting case report of co-occurrence and familial transmission of RLS and RP which has not been reported previously. Report of Cases: A 64-year-old woman presented for evaluation of long-standing RLS. She had a history of RP, osteoarthritis (OA), and recurrent late pregnancy losses. The patient, and one brother and a sister had RLS and RP. She had another sister and two maternal first cousins with RLS. Her mother suffered from neither and her father and his brother both had RP. She has a daughter who also has RLS. The patient's mother was treated with Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and had five pregnancy losses. The patient also had 3 miscarriages and the patient's daughter miscarried her first pregnancy as well. The patient first experienced RLS symptoms at the age of 12 and has been treated with several medications since then, most recently clonazepam. Since she was taken off clonazepam, she experienced a worsening of RLS and was subsequently started on Pregabalin up to 300 mg at bedtime but without significant relief. She was then started on pramipexole, titrated up to 0.375 mg which resulted in significant improvement of RLS symptoms. Her RP symptoms were infrequent, occurring every few months and not bothersome. She did not report rheumatological complaints other than chronic OA from lifelong sports. Conclusion This case report suggests a possible shared genetic abnormality in the transmission of both RLS and RP in this family. This genetic association may be related to a vascular dysfunction common to both disorders. The co-occurrence of frequent miscarriages (although could be related to DES), in association with the presence of RLS and RP, may also suggest an underlying auto-immune disorder. Further genetic research is needed to confirm above findings with the potential uncovering of new therapeutic targets for RLS. Support (If Any) None.

A case of primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome with intermittent cerebral venous sinus thrombosis manifested with recurrent epilepsy

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired autoimmune clinical disorder characterized by persistently raised levels of anti-phospholipid antibodies and clinical feature of hypercoagulability (recurrent vascular thrombosis and pregnancy morbidities). Primary APS is idiopathic in nature though secondary APS is associated with other connective tissue diseases like SLE. Here, we present an instance of primary APS with recurrent cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in a youthful unmarried female who clinically presented with generalized epilepsy. Level of anti-cardiolipin (aCL) and anti-beta 2 GP1 antibodies were found elevated on two occasions 12 weeks apart. The patient was treated with anticoagulation therapy along with anti-epileptic therapy and she responded well to the therapy. This case report highlights that clinicians should always suspect APS in female patients who had history of seizures and ischemic or thrombotic lesions on brain imaging, irrespective of presence of pregnancy comorbidities. Keywords: antiphospholipid syndrome; cerebral venous; sinus thrombosis; epilepsy

Trans-acting genetic variants causing multilocus imprinting disturbance (MLID): common mechanisms and consequences.

BackgroundImprinting disorders are a group of congenital diseases which are characterized by molecular alterations affecting differentially methylated regions (DMRs). To date, at least twelve imprinting disorders have been defined with overlapping but variable clinical features including growth and metabolic disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, abdominal wall defects and asymmetry. In general, a single specific DMR is affected in an individual with a given imprinting disorder, but there are a growing number of reports on individuals with so-called multilocus imprinting disturbances (MLID), where aberrant imprinting marks (most commonly loss of methylation) occur at multiple DMRs. However, as the literature is fragmented, we reviewed the molecular and clinical data of 55 previously reported or newly identified MLID families with putative pathogenic variants in maternal effect genes (NLRP2, NLRP5, NLRP7, KHDC3L, OOEP, PADI6) and in other candidate genes (ZFP57, ARID4A, ZAR1, UHRF1, ZNF445).ResultsIn 55 families, a total of 68 different candidate pathogenic variants were identified (7 in NLRP2, 16 in NLRP5, 7 in NLRP7, 17 in PADI6, 15 in ZFP57, and a single variant in each of the genes ARID4A, ZAR1, OOEP, UHRF1, KHDC3L and ZNF445). Clinical diagnoses of affected offspring included Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome spectrum, Silver–Russell syndrome spectrum, transient neonatal diabetes mellitus, or they were suspected for an imprinting disorder (undiagnosed). Some families had recurrent pregnancy loss.ConclusionsGenomic maternal effect and foetal variants causing MLID allow insights into the mechanisms behind the imprinting cycle of life, and the spatial and temporal function of the different factors involved in oocyte maturation and early development. Further basic research together with identification of new MLID families will enable a better understanding of the link between the different reproductive issues such as recurrent miscarriages and preeclampsia in maternal effect variant carriers/families and aneuploidy and the MLID observed in the offsprings. The current knowledge can already be employed in reproductive and genetic counselling in specific situations.

BushenHuoxue Recipe for the Treatment of Prethrombotic State of ACA-Positive Recurrent Miscarriage via the Regulation of the PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathway.

Background Although the Bushen Huoxue (BSHX) recipe is commonly used for the effective treatment of the prethrombotic state of recurrent abortions, its mechanism of action is unclear. In this article, we investigated the therapeutic effects of BSHX on anti-cardiolipin antibody (ACA) positive recurrent miscarriage mice and the molecular mechanism involved in the treatment of the prethrombotic state of ACA-positive recurrent miscarriages based on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, to provide a scientific basis for clinical practice. Methods An ACA-positive recurrent miscarriage mouse model and normal pregnancy mouse model were adopted in this experiment. Seventy CBA/J female mice were induced to establish the ACA-positive recurrent model; the mice were mated with DBA/2 male mice. Of these mice, 50 became pregnant, which were randomly divided into a BSHX high-dose group (BH, 2.52 g/kg), BSHX medium-dose group (BM, 1.26 g/kg), BSHX low-dose group (BL, 0.63 g/kg), model group (M, distilled water), and an aspirin enteric-coated tablet group; each group had 10 mice. In addition, 16 CBA/J female mice were induced to establish the normal pregnant mouse model; the mice were mated with BALB/C male mice. Of these mice, 10 became pregnant, which were used as the blank control group (C) and received distilled water by gavage. Stillbirth and abortion rates were recorded for each group, and the uterine tissue, urine, and serum were collected. The serum expression levels of ACA, interleukin-6 (IL-6), progesterone ,estradiol, and endometrial histological changes were compared between the groups. Metabolomics was performed on the urine and uterine tissues of both groups using UHPLC-QTOF/MS, and the expression levels of PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT proteins in the uterine tissues were detected using Western blot. Results Compared with the model pregnancy group, the BSHX high-dose group, BSHX medium-dose group, and BSHX low-dose group all had a lower absorption rate of mouse embryos, improved uterine histopathological morphology, significantly reduced serum levels of ACA and IL-6, increased serum levels of progesterone and estradiol, and significantly upregulated uterine levels of p-AKT, PI3K, and p-PI3K proteins. The metabolomic results showed that the metabolic levels in the urine and uterine tissues were significantly altered in the mouse model of ACA-positive recurrent abortion. The results also suggested that the pathogenesis of ACA-positive recurrent abortion may be associated with metabolic pathways, such as pentose, glucuronide, lysine degradation, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Conclusion The BSHX recipe improved the uterine histopathological morphology of pregnant mice and promoted vascular formation in uterine tissues. The mechanisms involved the reduction in serum ACA and IL-6 levels, the increment in serumprogesterone and estradiol levels, the upregulation of the levels of p-AKT, PI3K, and p-PI3K proteins, and the activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. These data will be useful for effective drug research and development.

Preliminary hysteroscopic tubal hydrotubation improves fertility outcomes after laparoscopic salpingotomy for tubal ampullary pregnancy

BackgroundSalpingotomy may change the anatomical structure and patency of the fallopian tube, which may affect the fallopian function. This study is to investigate the clinical efficacy of preliminary hysteroscopic tubal hydrotubation (HTH) after laparoscopic salpingotomy for tubal ampullary pregnancy.MethodsA retrospective study was carried out, 140 women underwent laparoscopic salpingotomy for ampullary pregnancy from March 2013 to March 2017. Some patients received HTH in the 1st month and hysterosalpingography (HSG) in the 3rd month after salpingotomy (HTH group; n = 95), and some patients only received HSG in the 3rd month after salpingotomy (control group; n = 45). Clinical data, tubal patency and fertility outcome were evaluated after follow-up of 15 months.ResultsThe tubal patency rate of the operated side was significantly higher in the HTH group than that in the control group (89.47% vs 68.89%, P < 0.05). The intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) rate was significantly higher in the HTH group (76.47% vs 51.11%, P < 0.05), and the recurrent ectopic pregnancy rate in the operated side was significantly lower in the HTH group than in the control group (9.41% vs 22.22%, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the positive factor for IUP was HTH (OR = 3.109, 95% CI 1.439–6.714, P = 0.004), while the negative factors were history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (OR = 0.167, 95% CI 0.074–0.377, P < 0.001) and history of tubal infertility (OR = 0.286, 95% CI 0.113–0.723, P < 0.05).ConclusionPreliminary HTH after laparoscopic salpingotomy for ampullary pregnancy could improve reproductive function and lead to a better fertility outcome. Patients without history of PID or tubal infertility may be the most suitable ones for HTH after salpingotomy.

P–252 The correlation of first cleavage and blastulation timing to the euploid status of embryos after PGT-A

Abstract Study question To examine the correlation of first cleavage and blastulation timing on euploidy rates in IVF cycles after PGT-A. Summary answer The timing of blastulation is observed earlier in the euploid embryos. What is known already Embryo evaluation is one of the most critical processes that affect the clinical outcome in IVF cycles. Conventional morphologic assessment and morphokinetic assessment using time lapse technology are performed in order to select the embryo with the higher implantation potential to be transferred. It is stated that embryos with faster developmental potential, especially early forming blastocysts, show increased euploidy rate and higher implantation potential. Study design, size, duration This study includes ICSI/PGT-A treatments completed between May 2018 and December 2019. 117 blastocysts were biopsied and their euploidy status was analyzed by NGS. These embryos resulted from 32 different ICSI treatments. PGT-A was performed due to: a) repeated IVF failure, b) advanced maternal age, c) recurrent pregnancy loss.ICSI was implemented in all cases and blastocysts were vitrified awaiting the genetic results. Single euploid blastocyst transfer followed and clinical pregnancy rate was monitored. Participants/materials, setting, methods Based on the genetic results, the biopsied embryos were divided into two categories; group A representing the euploid embryos and group B the aneuploid embryos. The timing of 1st cleavage and the timing of blastulation, by means of forming a blastocoel, were investigated and compared between the two groups. The rate of early blastocysts in the two groups was also analysed. Early blastocysts are considered those formed at 96h ±2 of embryo culture post ICSI. Main results and the role of chance After the genetic analysis of the biopsied embryos, 37 blastocysts were included in group A-Euploid embryos and 80 blastocysts in group B-Aneuploid embryos. The mean time of the 1st cleavage division was similar between the two groups, with marginally no statistical significance (group A-euploid:25.9h, group B-aneuploid: 26.9h ,p&amp;gt;0.05). Regarding the blastulation time, it was achieved earlier in group A-Euploid, at a mean time of 102.6h, compared to the mean time of 106h in group B-Aneuploid (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Between the cohort of the Euploid embryos (group A), there was a higher rate of early blastulating embryos, compared to the cohort of aneuploid embryos (Group B) (24% VS 17.5%), although it was not statistically significant (p &amp;gt; 0.05). After transferring 1 euploid blastocyst, the ongoing pregnancy rate was monitored in 76.5%, independently of the 1stcleavage and blastulation time of the transferred embryo. Limitations, reasons for caution Further investigation in larger randomized studies is required, as only a limited number of cases were included in this study. Further analysis of the ongoing pregnancy rate between the euploid blastocysts, depending on other morphokinetic parameters would be of paramount significance, as well. Wider implications of the findings: High clinical pregnancy rates observed independently of the analyzed time points, indicate high success rates obtained after PGT-A/NGS. Additionally, success rates show that trophectoderm biopsy is not hazardous for the embryo viability, if performed properly. Concluding, genetic testing combined with time-lapse microscopy may provide further information to improve IVF outcomes. Trial registration number N/A

Metformin Combined LMWH Intervention in 25 Pregnant Women with History of Hyperlipidemia Pancreatitis in Pregnancy

Objective: To explore the early preventive treatment of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTGP) in pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed to examine the drug intervention on recurrent HTGP and related pregnancy outcomes among women who had HTGP in their past pregnancy and developed hyperlipidemia during the second pregnancy. Participants were identified through inpatient case records under a single physician at the clinic and divided into two groups. The intervention group was given metformin lipid-lowering combined with low-molecular-weight heparin to prevent thrombosis when hypertriglyceridemia was developed during the pregnancy. In contrast, the non-intervention group includes those who did not receive active drug treatment until they developed recurrent HTGP. Metabolic markers were also examined by comparing them with their respective past pregnancies. Results: All participants experienced elevated triglycerides during their two consecutive pregnancies. No pregnant women developed HTGP in the intervention group (n=12), while 10 of 13 (76.9%) women developed HTGP in the non-intervention group. Thus, the outcome seemed to be markedly different. In the intervention group, 11 women were gestated to term, and one was premature; one of 12 (8.3%) births was neonatal asphyxia; there was no low-weight birth, and the prognosis of mother and baby was favorable. Of 10 women who developed recurrent HTGP in the non-intervention group, four suffered from fetal loss, four had premature, and two had full-term delivery; among the three pregnant women without HTGP, one had a premature and two had full-term births; five of thirteen (38.5%) births were neonatal asphyxia. Conclusion: Pregnant women with HTGP history, if not treated, are likely to develop the condition recurrently during pregnancy, but timely intervention on hypertriglyceridemia with lipid-lowering and thrombosis-preventing seemed complete to reduce the recurrent HTGP and improve the pregnancy outcomes.

Study of Sperm Dna Fragmentation Index in Patients from Rural Areas of Wardha Region

Background: Sperm DNA fragmentation test is an advanced test for proper sperm function with respectto semen analysis, as semen analysis is used for motility and morphology assessment, it cannot explainsperm at molecular level and thus SDF test has been introduced to evaluate male fertility. The integrity ofgenetic material in sperm is crucial for successful fertilization &amp; normal embryo development as this willlead to proper transmission of genetic information. Patients having varicocele, recurrent failure of ARTtecniques and improper lifestyle (radiation, smoking, alcohol, BMI, ageing, etc) are considered for spermDNA fragmentation test. SDF test is useful in selecting patients for the ART procedures i.e. IVF/ICSI/IUIand highest pregnancy and live birth outcomes.Objectives:· To predict male infertility with normal semen parameters &amp; its diagnostic values.· To investigate the clinical factors related to sperm DNA fragmentation in male with infertility.· To investigate the rate of sperm DNA fragmentation in male related to improper fertilization, embryodevelopment and recurrent pregnancy loss.Methods: The participants (n=40) with male fertility problems will be included in randomised control trial.All 40 participants will be randomly selected to evaluate their sperm DNA integrity from their respectivesemen samples using sperm chromatin dispersion test.Discussion: Efficiency of the Sperm DNA Fragmentation test is assessed by performing sperm chromatindispersion test on respective processed semen sample using Halosperm G2 test kit.

Oral dydrogesterone as an adjunctive therapy in the management of preterm labor: a randomized, double blinded, placebo\u2010controlled trial

BackgroundPreterm birth is a major challenge in obstetric and perinatal care. It is the leading cause of neonatal death. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral dydrogesterone on latency period in managing preterm labor. The secondary aims were to evaluate the gestational age at delivery, percentage of preterm delivery before 34 weeks and 37 weeks, time to recurrent uterine contraction, pregnancy outcomes, neonatal outcomes, compliance and side effects.MethodsThis was a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Forty-eight pregnant women with preterm labor, singleton pregnancy, and gestational age of 24–34 weeks were enrolled into the study. The study group received 10 mg of oral dydrogesterone three times per day and the control group received placebo. All pregnant women received standard treatment with tocolytic and antenatal corticosteroids.ResultsThe median latency periods were not significantly different between the dydrogesterone group (27.5 days) and placebo group (34 days, p = 0.45). Additionally, there were no differences in the gestational age at delivery, percentage of preterm delivery before 34 weeks and 37 weeks, pregnancy outcomes, neonatal outcomes, compliance and side effects. However, the time to the recurrence of uterine contractions in participants that had recurrent preterm labor was longer in the dydrogesterone group than in the placebo group (30.6 ± 12.3 vs 13.7 ± 5.0 days, p = 0.01).ConclusionsAdjunctive treatment with 30 mg of oral dydrogesterone could not prolong latency period in preterm labor when compared to placebo.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (Clinical trials registration: NCT 03935152, registered on May 2,2019).

Structural Changes in the Fallopian Tubes in Patients With Ectopic Pregnancy

Relevance.Ectopic (extrauterine) pregnancy (EP) occupies a leading place in the structure of urgent gynecological morbidity. This pathology poses a threat to the health and life of a woman, being one of the leading causes of maternal mortality during pregnancy during the first trimester. Among emergency gynecological operations, surgical interventions for EP make up about 50%, and in recent years, most operations have been performed by the laparoscopic method. However, up to now, the pathomorphological changes in the fallopian tubes in patients with EP remain poorly understood.Purpose of the study. To study the features of pathomorphological changes in the fallopian tubes in women with tubal pregnancy, operated on by the laparoscopic method, to substantiate the volume of surgery in patients with this pathology.Material and methods. Morphological examination was performed in 100 women operated on for tubal pregnancy using the laparoscopic method. A comprehensive morphological study of the fallopian tubes removed during the operation was carried out.Results and discussion. The implantation of the ovum in the fallopian tube led to significant changes in its macro- and microstructure, which were caused by the invasion of chorionic villi and involved all layers of the tube wall, differing only in the depth of penetration and prevalence. The anatomical features of the structure of the fallopian tubes contributed to the deep invasion of the ovum into the myosalpinx and subserous parts of the tube, creating the possibility of wall rupture in this area.Conclusions. 1. In all cases of ectopic pregnancy, implantation of the ovum was accompanied by invasion of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast, and it involved all layers of the tube wall, differing only in depth and prevalence. The invasive properties of the cytotrophoblast lead to the development of pronounced degenerative changes in the tube wall, which leads to functional inferiority of the tube after the onset of tubal pregnancy in it.2. The chronic productive endomyosalpingitis diagnosed in most patients with ectopic pregnancy with deformation of the tube lumen against the background of changes in the tube wall caused by cytotrophoblastic invasion is an indication for tubectomy. Performing organ-preserving operations on an anatomically and functionally altered fallopian tube is impractical, since it is a high risk factor for recurrent tubal pregnancy in this tube.

Pre-Conception Preparation in Non-developing Pregnancy taking into account the Conjugal Role

The article presents the results of monitoring the onset of pregnancy after preconception preparation in 30 women with a burdened gynecological history with a high risk of recurrent non-developing pregnancy. Women, it was divided into 2 groups: group I of 15 women (main), group II of 15 women (control) underwent 2 months of preconception training with traditional antibacterial antiviral therapy, and in the main group of 15 women not only traditional treatment was used, intrauterine insemination with the washing of sperm and the results of this study.

Step-By-Step Guide to the Surgical Management of Recurrent Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy

Step-By-Step Guide to the Surgical Management of Recurrent Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy

Identifying the Various Risk Factors for Recurrent Ectopic Pregnancy

Identifying the Various Risk Factors for Recurrent Ectopic Pregnancy

Efficiency of organ-saving operations conducted about early postpartum uterine bleeding and their influence on the quality of women’s lives

Objective: to study the long-term eff ects of massive blood loss in parturition and the early postpartum period on the reproductive function and psychological status of women.Materials and methods: the study included 49 women who were imposed compressive hemostatic sutures in the uterus due to the development of early postpartum hemorrhage. It was carried out a retrospectiveanalysis of medical records, prospective survey - 46 women, tested scales postpartum depression - 46 women and assessment of quality of life using the SF-36 scales - 36 women.Results: the effi ciency of the compression joints method was 98 % (100 % exclusion criteria were coagulopathic obstetric bleeding), in 1 case the application of compression joints was ineff ective, which required uterus extirpation. In 14 women out of 48 (29.1 %), menstrual irregularities were revealed. In 28 (61.5 %) women, postnatal depression was confi rmed. In 30 out of 36 (87 %) women were found to decrease in quality of life. In 8 (16.7 %) women, a recurrent spontaneous pregnancy occurred within 2 years aft er suturing.Conclusion. Compression sutures remain an effective method for stopping postpartum uterine bleeding, allowing women to maintain fertility. However, some factors, including high blood loss, can signifi cantly reduce the quality of women’s lives.

Prevalence of autoantibodies directed against prothrombin in unprovoked venous thromboembolism.

The anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) is defined by the laboratory detection of at least one of three anti-phospholipid autoantibodies (lupus anticoagulant, or anti-cardiolipin or anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies) in the clinical setting of thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity in a patient. Recognising APS and administering appropriate secondary thromboprophylaxis is important to reduce risk of recurrent thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity. In some instances, patients having clinical manifestations highly suggestive of APS are persistently negative for these antibodies but instead have other autoantibodies. Autoantibodies directed against prothrombin (PT) have been associated with increased thrombotic risk and comprise anti-prothrombin (aPT) and anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) antibodies. Detection of aPT and aPS/PT may help stratify patients for more effective treatment, however, their prevalence among patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unknown and determination of their frequencies is the objective of this study. Sera from 148 patients with unprovoked VTE were analysed. Autoantibodies directed against PT collectively, aPT and aPS/PT were present in 24.3%, 14.9% and 13.5%, respectively. Prevalence of these autoantibodies in unprovoked VTE is much lower compared to cohorts comprising mainly patients with systemic autoimmune disorders. Detection of these autoantibodies in unprovoked VTE has potential therapeutic implications for patients including the duration of anticoagulation and administration, or otherwise, of direct oral anticoagulants. Data from this study will assist in the design of future clinical studies to estimate risk of recurrent VTE and to determine optimal management.

Incidence and outcome of vaginal birth after cesarean among women receiving counseling at El Manial University Hospital

Background Repeated cesarean section (CS) is the most significant factor contributing to overall increased CS rates. The primary indicator of repeated CS is a prior CS. Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a trial to reduce CS rates. Aim The aim of study was to examine the effect of counseling on the incidence, maternal, and neonatal outcomes of VBAC. Design A quasi-experimental one-group posttest-only design was adopted for this study. Setting The study was conducted at the Outpatient Clinic and Casualty Department at Manial University Hospital affiliated to Cairo University. Sample A purposive sample of pregnant women was recruited through a period of 6 months from July to December 2019 based on certain criteria; the most important one is to have a previous CS. Tool A structured interviewing tool, labor progress record (Partograph), and neonatal Apgar score were used to collect the data. Results A total of 90 participants were enrolled into study. A total of 79 (87.8%) women agreed to have VBAC after counseling compared with only 11 (12.2%), who refused to have VBAC and chose CS. The trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) rate was 40.5%. The rate of VBAC was 31.6%. Success rate of TOLAC was 78.1%, whereas failed TOLAC was 21.9% owing to lack of labor progress and fetal distress. Overall, 68.4% had CSs lower segment cesarean section (LSCS). Among them, 37% had elective LSCS and 63% had emergency LSCS. Physician decision without any medical indication for CS was the most common indications of elective repeat CS, with a rate of 85%. Oligohydramnios was the most common cause for emergency CS delivery, with a rate of 44.5%. All women who delivered VBAC had normal progress of labor and their babies had normal Apgar score (8–10). No cases that underwent VBAC had any morbidity or mortality. Conclusion Counseling is needed for the selection of VBAC as a mode of delivery. Successful VBAC is associated with better fetomaternal and neonatal outcomes, so most women with one previous cesarean delivery with a low-transverse incision should be counseled and encouraged to undergo a trial of labor in her recurrent pregnancy. Recommendations A qualitative research study should be conducted to assess the satisfaction of women from VBAC and compare it with CS.

The Outcome of 40 Patients Becoming Pregnancy after Conservative Treatment of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy

Background: The rate of uterus is successfully conserved following the treatment of scar pregnancy which is high so pregnancy outcome following caesarean scar ectopics is getting more and more attention. Objectives: To assess pregnancy course and outcome after conservative treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective case series of 40 patients become pregnancy after conservative treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy by Foley or Methotrexate and aspiration. Patients in present study were treated at Hung Vuong and Tu Du Hospital between 2015 and 2017. A telephone follow-up was conducted after cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) treatment. The outcomes of these subsequent pregnancies and mode of delivery were all recorded. Results: In 40 pregnancies, there are 22 cases of intrauterine pregnancy with childbirth (55%); all babies were born healthy, with no complications recorded in pregnancy. 12 Women had recurrent scar ectopic (30%). There were 2 abortion cases, 2 cases of ectopic pregnancy, and 2 cases of early miscarriage. Conclusions: Our study shows that reproductive outcomes following treatment of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancies are favourable. The risk of recurrent caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy is a concern.

The risk of cesarean delivery after labor induction among women with prior pregnancy complications: a subgroup analysis of the AFFIRM study

BackgroundTo determine the risk of cesarean delivery after labor induction among patients with prior placenta-mediated pregnancy complications (pre-eclampsia, late pregnancy loss, placental abruption or intrauterine growth restriction).MethodsThe AFFIRM database includes patient level data from 9 randomized controlled trials that evaluated the role of LMWH versus no LMWH during pregnancy to prevent recurrent placenta-mediated pregnancy complications. The primary outcome of this sub-study was the proportion of women who had an unplanned cesarean delivery after induction of labor compared to after spontaneous labor.ResultsThere were 512 patients from 7 randomized trials included in our sub-study. There was no difference in the risk of cesarean delivery between women with labor induction (21/148, 14.2%) and spontaneous labor (79/364, 21.7%) (odds ratio (OR) 0.60, 95% CI, 0.35–1.01; p = 0.052). Among 274 women who used LMWH prophylaxis during pregnancy, the risk of cesarean delivery was lower among those that underwent labor induction (9.8%) compared to spontaneous labor (22.4%) (OR 0.38, 95% CI, 0.17–0.84; p = 0.01).ConclusionsThe risk of cesarean delivery is not increased after labor induction among a higher risk patient population with prior pregnancy complications. Our results suggest that women who receive LMWH during pregnancy might benefit from labor induction.