Maternal passage of immunoglobulin G (IgG) is an important passive mechanism for protecting the infant while the neonatal immune system is still immature and ineffective. IgG is the only antibody class capable of crossing the histological layers of the placenta by attaching to the neonatal Fc receptor expressed at the level of syncytiotrophoblasts, and it offers protection against neonatal infectious pathogens. In pregnant women with autoimmune or alloimmune disorders, or in those requiring certain types of biological therapy, transplacental passage of abnormal antibodies may cause fetal or neonatal harm. In this review, we will discuss the physiological mechanisms and benefits of transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies as well as pathological maternal situations where this system is hijacked, potentially leading to adverse neonatal outcomes.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has meant significant precautions and changes in delivering healthcare services. The aim of the study was to explore the lifestyle changes of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania, the changes in prenatal care and delivery during the pandemic and the psychological impact on women and to determine how healthcare providers can help them to overcome this period. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted anonymously and distributed among pregnancy-related groups from Romania, recruiting 559 study participants, between May and October 2020. A total of 559 pregnant women completed an online 26-item questionnaire but we only validated 557 responses for study. The survey included basic demographic questions, pregnancy-related questions, questions regarding the pregnant women’s lifestyle changes during the pandemic and their perception of the COVID-19 pandemic and questions which evaluated the impact of the pandemic on prenatal care and delivery in Romania. Results: The pandemic restrictions affected women’s routine activities regarding professional, familial and social life. Therefore, for pregnant women who were emotionally vulnerable, these restrictions had a great impact on their mental health. The majority of the study participants (78.8%, N = 439) were emotionally affected by the pandemic. The fear related to the possibility of having their pregnancy affected by the virus was dominant in the group (45.8%). A high number of women (69.5%) felt safe when they accessed health services, but private hospitals were considered safer (53.1%) compared to public hospitals (14.4%). The majority of participants (53.7%) used to have prenatal care in a private healthcare system. During the pandemic, preventive measures were associated with low confidence in the healthcare system. Of the total group of participants, 123 women (22.1%) gave birth during the pandemic. Of these, a majority of the study participants considered that it was very difficult for them to cope without their partner during the hospitalization and labor period. Conclusions: The main anxiety of pregnant women were related to threats to their lives and their baby’s health because of the uncertainty caused by pandemic. It is important to know that the restrictions and the changes in maternity care had a negative impact on them. This conclusion must be taken into account when preventive measures will be decided for helping them to get through such a period. Additionally, psychological support will be essential for improving the mental health of pregnant women and for preventing a negative outcome of the pregnancy. These feelings must be taken into account when preventive measures will be established during pandemic and a psychological support will be essential for improving their mental health for preventing negative outcome of pregnancy.

Objectives: Our study evaluates if the use of biological markers can predict the infertility in women with non-obstructive endometriosis. Material and methods: Two prospective, non-randomised studies were conducted to identify if CA-125, IL-6 and IL-8 can be used as predictive markers for infertility in women with non-obstructive endometriosis. Peripheral levels of CA-125, IL-6 and IL-8 were measured before laparoscopy in all patients. Results: We found a total number of 152 patients with non-obstructive endometriosis, we divided them in two groups: fertile and infertile women. There was a statistically significant difference of the mean of CA-125 values between the two groups (p = 0.00). The patients with infertility had a significantly higher IL-6 serum values than the fertile patients (p = 0.00). Regarding the IL-8 serum values, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups fertile vs infertile, (p = 0.06). Conclusions: The elevated serum levels of CA-125 and IL-6 was associated with an increased probability of being diagnosed with infertility. The IL-8 had no value in predicting infertility associated with non-obstructive endometriosis. Objectives: Our study evaluates if the use of biological markers can predict the infertility in women with non-obstructive endometriosis. Material and methods: Two prospective, non-randomised studies were conducted to identify if CA-125, IL-6 and IL-8 can be used as predictive markers for infertility in women with non-obstructive endometriosis. Peripheral levels of CA-125, IL-6 and IL-8 were measured before laparoscopy in all patients. Results: We found a total number of 152 patients with non-obstructive endometriosis, we divided them in two groups: fertile and infertile women. There was a statistically significant difference of the mean of CA-125 values between the two groups (p = 0.00). The patients with infertility had a significantly higher IL-6 serum values than the fertile patients (p = 0.00). Regarding the IL-8 serum values, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups fertile vs infertile, (p = 0.06). Conclusions: The elevated serum levels of CA-125 and IL-6 was associated with an increased probability of being diagnosed with infertility. The IL-8 had no value in predicting infertility associated with non-obstructive endometriosis.

Background and Objectives: Emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) is a life-saving surgical procedure performed when medical and surgical conservative measures fail to control postpartum hemorrhage. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of EPH and to determine the factors leading to this procedure and the maternal outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study with all cases of EPH performed at Filantropia Clinical Hospital in Bucharest between January 2012 and May 2021. Results: There were 36 EPH, from a total of 36,099 births recorded. The overall incidence of EPH was 0.99 per 1000 deliveries, most cases being related to placenta accreta spectrum disorder and uterine atony. Conclusions: Peripartum hysterectomy is associated with an important maternal morbidity rate and severe complications. Efforts should be made to reduce the number of unnecessary cesarean deliveries.

To describe the incidence and the characteristics of pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in one of the largest maternity hospitals in Romania. A retrospective cohor...