Background/Objectives: Iron is a fundamental micronutrient. Its deficiency could have a potentially harmful influence on maternal and fetal well-being. Methods: This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, consequences, and clinical meaning of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnant women. Results: Untreated ID in pregnancy is associated with a wide spectrum of adverse outcomes: maternal clinical symptoms, cardiovascular disturbances, preterm birth, low birth weight, and impaired fetal neurodevelopment. Furthermore, ID has been related to impaired implantation, miscarriage, congenital heart defects, and neurological complications in fetuses. Women with gastrointestinal disorders and low socioeconomic status constitute a high-risk group of developing IDA. ID remains underdiagnosed and suboptimally managed in some clinical practices. Conclusions: This review highlights the critical importance of early detection, individualized supplementation, and public health interventions aimed at reducing iron deficiency during pregnancy.

Introduction: Ultrasound assessment of fetal heart size (FHS) is widely used and recommended in many guidelines of fetal echocardiography due to its clinical value. The aim of this study was an analysis of some fetal heart measurements: ratio of heart area to chest area (HA/ CA) and transversal diameter of heart (AP) and their correlation to gestational age.Material and methods: This retrospective study was based on database of records of ultrasound and echocardiographic examinations performed in our unit and included fetuses between 15th and 39th week of gestation with no evidence of heart defect or any abnormality.Results: 609 ultrasound examinations were analyzed. The mean HA/CA was 0,30 ± 0,015, with no statistical difference between female and male (p>0,05), and seemed to be relatively constant with slight increase with advancing gestational age. The AP diameter in whole group correlated with gestational age (r=0,94) and there was no difference related to the fetuses gender.Conclusion: The correlation of AP diameter and relative constancy of HA/CA ratio with gestational age presented in our normograms could be used for monitoring fetal development, but also for fetal cardiomegaly assessment.

Background: Aortic coarctation (CoA) is the fourth most common congenital heart defect (8–10%) which occurs at a frequency of about 20–60/100,000 births. Only 22.3% of all cases appears to be diagnosed during the second trimester of pregnancy. Since the detection of prenatal aortic coarctations is very low, every effort should be made to change this situation. According to the authors of this study, the CSAi (carotid to subclavian artery index) could serve as a reliable indicator. Material and Methods: Ninety-six fetuses from healthy, single, pregnancies, with good ultrasound visualization between 18 and 27.5 weeks of gestation, and twenty-three fetuses suspected of aortic coarctation (postnatally confirmed) were included in this study. Our first aim was to compare the current most common method of prenatal CoA diagnosis based on the measurement of the aortic z-score in the aortic isthmus using the method suggested by us-CSAi. Results: Logistic regression coefficients for z-score and CSAi were analyzed as predictors of coarctation occurrence. It appears that 39.4% of coarctation occurrence can be predicted on the basis of the z-score, and 93.5% on the basis of the CSAi. The cut-off value for CSAi in the study group was 0.81 (sensitivity: 95.7%, specificity 99%). Based on the ROC curve analysis, the cut-off value for the carotid to subclavian distance (mm) was determined; the risk of coarctation increased above this value. Based on the Gini index (0.867), this value was set at 2.55 (sensitivity 82.6%, specificity 93.7%). Conclusions: CSAi measurement is currently the most sensitive method for aortic coarctation detection. For the purpose of our study, this method was applied in diagnostics in the second trimester of pregnancy. This method is easy, reproducible and should be widely introduced into everyday echocardiographic diagnostics of coarctation to minimize the risk of error.

To present the crucial role of echocardiographic examination in perinatal care and analyze influence of prenatal treatment for neonatal outcome. Furthermore, the attempt to answer the question if t...

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are defects detected both prenatally and after birth. They are the most common congenital defects. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, CHD remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns, which has a great impact on economic aspects. It is crucial to provide a holistic approach to the care of children with CHD, including regular cardiac check-ups, appropriate drug treatment, surgical or cardiac interventions as needed, rehabilitation, psychological support, and education for patients and their families. Parents experience a variety of psychological problems. This article summarizes the influence of CHD in the psychological and economic areas.