Monika Szpotanska-Sikorska

Dr. Monika Szpotanska-Sikorska

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

16Years (2011-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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16 January 2018 in Gynecological Endocrinology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
ASAngelika Stapińska-Syniec
Angelika Stapińska-Syniec
KGKlaudia Grabowska
Klaudia Grabowska
MSMonika Szpotanska-Sikorska
Monika Szpotanska-Sikorska
BPBronislawa Pietrzak
Bronislawa Pietrzak
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) increases the risk of depression, poor quality of life, and low sexual satisfaction of women. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of these disorders and to assess the need for psychological consultation at the time of PCOS diagnosis. A case-control single-center study of 250 women who were diagnosed with PCOS voluntarily filled in an anonymous, interactive questionnaire. The inquiry form included 27 questions covering the woman’s characteristics, satisfaction with their outer appearance and sexual life, as well as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Based on the BDI, 52% (130/250) of studied women presented depressive symptoms. This group had significantly higher body mass index (29.5 ± 8.1 vs. 24.6 ± 5.8; p<.001) and a lower level of self-attractiveness than other studied women (3.3 ± 2.2 vs. 5.4 ± 2.3; p<.001). Forty two percent (106/250) of women viewed themselves as unattractive. A correlation between reduced sexual satisfaction and a sense of low attractiveness was noted (r = 0.465, p<.001). Sixty four percent (160/250) of women believed that psychological consultation should be offered to all PCOS women. Treatment of PCOS women should be multidisciplinary and include psychological counseling, especially in obese PCOS women with inadequate family support and dissatisfied with their sexual life.

1 October 2014 in Contraception
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MSMonika Szpotanska-Sikorska
Monika Szpotanska-Sikorska
BPBronislawa Pietrzak
Bronislawa Pietrzak
MWMiroslaw Wielgos
Miroslaw Wielgos

18 August 2011 in The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MWMirosław Wielgoś
Mirosław Wielgoś
MSMonika Szpotanska-Sikorska
Monika Szpotanska-Sikorska
NMNatalia Mazanowska
Natalia Mazanowska
DBDorota Bomba-Opon
Dorota Bomba-Opon
BKBożena Kociszewska-Najman
Bożena Kociszewska-Najman
BPBronislawa Pietrzak
Bronislawa Pietrzak
To determine and compare maternal, neonatal and graft outcomes in pregnant women after kidney or liver transplantation, who had delivered from 1 January 2005 to 1 February 2010. A retrospective, single-center study provided in Warsaw, Poland. Complete data were collected in 38 deliveries in 37 women. Preexisting hypertension was present in 15 of 19 (79%) pregnant kidney recipients and in 2 of 19 (10.5%) women after liver transplantation (p < 0.000). The incidence of preeclampsia was also more often in pregnant kidney recipients (p = 0.04). Mean gestational age at labor was lower in the kidney group (34.9 ± 3.56 vs. 37.5 ± 1.62, p = 0.000). A similar relation was observed in the frequency of preterm deliveries before 37 weeks of gestation (42% vs. 11%, respectively, p = 0.02) and neonates small for gestational age (47% vs. 11%, respectively, p = 0.008). Cesarean sections were performed in approximately 79% (15/19) and 95% (18/19) liver and kidney posttransplant pregnancies, respectively. Four of 38 infants presented structural malformations. Pregnancies after kidney transplantation are complicated with a higher prevalence of prematurity and worse neonatal prognosis, which depends mainly on the underlying condition.

10 August 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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KJKamil Jasak
Kamil Jasak
WGWanda Gajzlerska-Majewska
Wanda Gajzlerska-Majewska
ZJZoulikha Jabiry - Jabiry-Zieniewicz
Zoulikha Jabiry - Jabiry-Zieniewicz
ELEwelina Litwińska-Korcz
Ewelina Litwińska-Korcz
MLMagdalena Litwińska
Magdalena Litwińska
MSMonika Szpotanska-Sikorska
Monika Szpotanska-Sikorska
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common liver disorder specific to pregnancy, typically presenting in the third trimester. It is characterized by pruritus, elevated serum bile acids, and abnormal liver function tests. While maternal symptoms resolve postpartum, ICP poses significant risks to fetal health, including spontaneous preterm labor, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and stillbirth. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management and highlight emerging research and possible therapy directions in ICP. A comprehensive review of recent literature was conducted, focusing on molecular mechanisms, clinical management guidelines, fetal outcomes, and novel therapeutics under investigation. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) remains the primary pharmacologic treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy; however, its effect on perinatal outcomes is debated. Investigational therapies—including Volixibat, FXR agonists, 4-phenylbutyrate, and NorUDCA—are under exploration. These emerging therapies hold the potential to improve both maternal symptoms and perinatal outcomes by addressing the underlying pathophysiology of ICP more effectively than current standard treatment. Additionally, emerging biomarkers and machine-learning tools hold promise for improved diagnosis and personalized care. ICP continues to pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. While maternal outcomes are generally favorable, optimizing fetal safety requires timely diagnosis, stratified risk assessment, and evidence-based delivery planning. Future research should prioritize identifying predictive biomarkers, refining treatment algorithms, and assessing long-term outcomes for both mothers and offspring. Special attention should also be given to the investigation of novel therapeutic targets.

1 January 2013
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PKPawel Kaminski
Pawel Kaminski
MSMonika Szpotanska-Sikorska
Monika Szpotanska-Sikorska
MWMiroslaw Wielgos
Miroslaw Wielgos

3 December 2017 in The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JSJoanna Schreiber-Zamora
Joanna Schreiber-Zamora
MSMonika Szpotanska-Sikorska
Monika Szpotanska-Sikorska
ADAgnieszka Drozdowska-Szymczak
Agnieszka Drozdowska-Szymczak
NCNatalia Czaplinska
Natalia Czaplinska
BPBronisława Pietrzak
Bronisława Pietrzak
BKBożena Kociszewska-Najman
Bożena Kociszewska-Najman
Background: Pregnancies after kidney transplantation are at high risk of complications such as preterm birth and foetal growth restriction. Until now, the impact of these factors on neurological development of children born to transplant mothers has not been established. Aims: A comparison of neurological examinations performed in 36 children of kidney transplant women (study group) and 36 children born to healthy mothers (control group). The children from both groups were born at a similar gestational age and in the similar time period from 12/1996 to 09/2012. Neurological examinations were performed from 07/2010 to 11/2013. Each examination was adjusted to the patient’s age and performed after the neonatal period. Three years later children were re-consulted, if they presented neurological deviations or were less than 12 months old at the time of the first examination. Results: Normal neurological development was found in 86% of children in both groups (p = .999). Mild neurological deviations were observed in four (11%) children born to kidney transplant mothers and in five (14%) children born to healthy mothers (p = .999). Moderate deviations were diagnosed in one premature child born to transplant mother, whose pregnancy was complicated with a severe preeclampsia and foetal growth restriction. In the study population, no severe neurological disorders were found. Almost all (8/10) children with neurological deviations were born prematurely in good general conditions. The neurological deviations observed in the first year of life were mild and transient. In children over 1 year of age, deviations were more pronounced and continued to maintain. Conclusions: The neurological development of children of kidney transplant women is similar to that of the general population and possible deviations seem to be the result of intrauterine hypotrophy and prematurity. Therefore, in clinical practice, it is necessary to plan post-transplant pregnancies especially in women at high risk of these complications.